Quote for the Day 01Dec2012

When we are faced with tight spots, meager resources, a vast army of problems, or seemingly dead-end solutions, let’s not panic but instead turn to God who fights for His people and gives them victory. - Marvin Williams

Quote for the Day 30Nov2012

In the face of all of life’s circumstances, we can know the peace of trusting the presence and power of God in the midst of trouble as we wait patiently and prayerfully for His deliverance. So drop your hands, for God’s hands are busy on your behalf! - Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 29Nov2012

There is a wealth of spiritual truth in the Bible, but it has to be mined through prayer and study. - Ron Meyers

Quote for the Day 28Nov2012

When you follow that peace which only God can give to you as an inward witness, good things and even miracles will come forth! - Joseph Prince

Quote for the Day 27Nov2012

Confessing our sins to God and forsaking them brings a sense of freedom to our souls and the awareness that we have nothing to hide. - David McCasland

Quote for the Day 26Nov2012

Think of God's grace as a hammock in the back yard at the end of the day--ready to wrap you in peace and comfort, quiet your heart, and renew your sense of God's complete care and control over everything that concerns you. - Author Unknown

YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION

Dearly Beloved, YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation" (Matthew 26:41 NIV). I seldom watch movies these days because of my busy schedules. However, I watched one recently that keeps me thinking. It has to do with a powerful man who fell into the hands of mere men and women because he was not watchful. In spite of the fact that the Yoruba movie is one of those secular movies acted with no religious connotation, its music interlude was the tune of the hymn, "YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION," composed by Horatio R. Palmer around 1868. I knew the hymn (especially its Yoruba translation) very well. According to an online source, Horatio R. Palmer regarded this hymn, "YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION," as an inspiration. He was at work on the dry subject of ‘Theory,’ when the complete idea of yielding to temptation flashed upon him, and he laid aside the theoretical work and hurriedly penned both words and music of the hymn as fast as he could write them. Stanzas One and Two of the hymn are warnings and advice. Horatio R. Palmer warned us not to yield to temptation for yielding is sin. Every victory we have over a temptation help us to win other temptations. Therefore, we should fight manfully onward to subdue dark passions, and ever look to Jesus, who will carry us through. We are to shun evil companions, and disdain bad language. We should hold God’s name in reverence by not taking it in vain. We are to be thoughtful, earnest, kind-hearted and true. Horatio R. Palmer knew that we cannot do all these with our own strength. So, in the refrain, he advised that we should ask the Savior to help comfort, strengthen and keep us. He was sure that the Savior is willing to aid us and carry us through. Horatio R. Palmer concluded the hymn by affirming that God will give a crown to anyone that overcomes, and that though are often cast down, we shall conquer through faith because our Savior will renew our strength. Horatio R. Palmer repeatedly affirmed that if we look ever to Jesus, He will carry us through. Do not be like that powerful man who is not watchful. The devil is seeking everyday for who he will devour. It is not a sin to be tempted, but yielding to temptation is a sin. Beware! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 24Nov2012

The purpose of prayer is not to conform God to our will but to adjust our will to God. We must learn to trust God so that if He says no, we accept that His will is best. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 23Nov2012

Willingness to honestly admit our mistakes is the first step in dealing with them. - Akin Akintunde

Quote for the Day 22Nov2012

Be thankful to God that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did what would be there to look forward to? Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference. - Debra Cummings

Quote for the Day 21Nov2012

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. - Brian Tracy

Quote for the Day 20Nov2012

The more you thank God, the more you please Him. What little you have will be multiplied and whatever is dead in your life will be raised to life! - Joseph Prince

Quote for the Day 18Nov2012

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. - Cicero

COUNTDOWN TO THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF MY INTERNET MINISTRY

The anniversary will take place exactly on February 18, 2013. I am still contemplating on how to celebrate this milestone. Do you have any suggestion? However, I have decided to publish three books to mark the event: 1. A collection of my daily quotes (first volume [A collection of 366 quotes, with corresponding Bible verses, hymns and suggested weblinks for the hymns] already published online as eBook [http://www.lulu.com/shop/adebayo-afolaranmi/spiritual-digest-for-each-day-of-the-year-ebook/ebook/product-20490074.html;jsessionid=FE537DE9AE219436969EB497AD64C820#] and printed book [http://www.lulu.com/shop/adebayo-afolaranmi/spiritual-digest-for-each-day-of-the-year/paperback/product-20490093.html#]). You can order for it NOW! 2. A collection of my weekly messages (first volume to be compiled by one of my pastor-friends). 3. My experience in the ministry in the past 10 years with people' s reactions. I need your reactions to be included there! Send your reactions to me through private message or to The three books will be published online for people throughout the world to easily have access to them. Indeed, I thank God for this unique opportunity. I need your suggestions and assistance in celebrating the event. You also will be celebrated in Jesus' name. Amen.

WHY THANKSGIVING?

Dearly Beloved, WHY THANKSGIVING? "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night" (Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV). Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It has officially been an annual tradition since 1863, when, during the US Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens," to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26. However, most stories of Thanksgiving history start with the harvest celebration of the Pilgrims (that came from England to settle in the "New World") and the Native Americans that took place in the autumn of 1621. Historians and Jewish sources have pointed out that America's Thanksgiving holiday may not have been a totally new celebration, but that its roots may go back thousands of years to the biblical Feast of Tabernacles - a celebration of the ingathering of all the fruits of the year (see Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:34-36, 39-43; Numbers 29:12-38; Deuteronomy 16:13-15; 31:10-13). Many people in other parts of the world have adopted or adapted this celebration as annual event to thank God for His goodness in the year. Apart from God's goodness, why should one thank God? Why thanksgiving? The goodness of God alone is enough to thank Him! Many writers of the books of the Bible declared this (see Psalm 31:19; 36:7-10; 73:1, 24-26; 92:1-15; 116:12; 136:1-26; 145:7-9; Isaiah 12:1-6; Lamentation 3:23-25; 1 John 3:1-2). However, it is a command to thank God, not only during Thanksgiving Day or Celebration, but all the time (see Psalm 50:14; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 13:15). Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, further said that it is the will of God for us to do so. Another reason why we should thank God is that we are honouring Him by doing so (Psalm 22:23; 50:23; 69:30-31). Furthermore, if one is thankful, one is bound to get more goodness from God. The story of the thankful leper in Luke 17:11-17 buttresses this. Someone has said, "Whoever possesses any good without giving thanks for it deprives him who bestows that good of his glory, sets a bad example before others, and prepares a recollection severely painful for himself when he comes in his turn to experience ingratitude." We are already in the season of thanksgiving. Do you have any reason to thank God? Why thanksgiving? Do not be unthankful. If you think very well, you will know that it is indeed good to thank God and sing praises to His name. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 17Nov2012

If you allow the devil to go some distance in your life He will go farther than you expected. – Supo Ayokunle

Quote for the Day 16Nov2012

A word of encouragement to a hurting friend can come like a refreshing rain. When we continue to care in tangible ways, it grows into a life-giving stream of healing and love. — David McCasland

Quote for the Day 15Nov2012

When Jesus Christ is the centre of your focus, everything else comes into proper perspective. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 14Nov2012

God wants people that will serve Him not just because of what they can get from Him, but just because they love Him, people that can trust His heart when they cannot see His hands. - Rotimi Oluwaseyitan

Quote for the Day 14Nov2012

God wants people that will serve Him not just because of what they can get from Him, but just because they love Him, people that can trust His heart when they cannot see His hands. - Rotimi Oluwaseyitan

Quote for the Day 13Nov2012

Those who know their God shall be emotionally strong because they are connected to the Source of joy. Those who know their God shall be emotionally strong because their joy is rooted in the Lord and not in ephemeral blessings such as a car, promotion, new house, title, etc. Blessing or not, God is constant. As long as God is constant, their joy also is constant. – EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 12Nov2012

When lustful thoughts assail your mind to play with immorality, remember that God’s will for you is holiness and purity. - Dave Sper

O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING

Dearly Beloved, O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING "My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long" (Psalm 35:28 NIV). Charles Wesley is known as the co-founder (with his brother, John Wesley) of the Methodist Church, however, he is more known for his hymns. He is the author of some 6,000 hymns which after more than 200 years are showing no sign of losing their appeal. One of his hymns is titled "O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING." He wrote this hymn while he and his brother were studying under the Moravian scholar Peter Böhler in London and he framed the title which now becomes the first line of the hymn from Böhler's words, "Oh, Brother Wesley, the Lord has done so much for my life. Had I a thousand tongues, I would praise Christ Jesus with every one of them." Undoubtedly, Böhler said this in appreciation of God's goodness to him, Charles Wesley, and the humankind. According to history, the Wesley brothers had earlier had suffered a bout of pleurisy. The ailment led Charles Wesley to renew his faith in God, and as a commemoration of that, he composed this hymn. A thousand tongues are not enough to sing about the praise of the great Redeemer, about the glories of God the King, and about the triumphs of His grace! The reasons are not far-fetched. As Charles Wesley put it in the hymn, "Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease; 'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life, and health, and peace. He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me. He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive; the mournful, broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe." Charles Wesley was talking about the redemptive works of Jesus Christ here. He knew that Jesus did not only heal him from physical ailment, but that Jesus saved him from spiritual death that everyone is experiencing since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. He therefore prayed that God should help him to proclaim His goodness to all. Without doubt, you also would have had many reasons to praise God for who is and what He is doing in your life. Will you not join Charles Wesley to pray: "My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread through all the earth abroad the honors of thy name"? Will you not praise Him with the tongue and other resources He has given you? Indeed, a million tongues are not enough to sing about the goodness of God to mankind! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 10Nov2012

When the world around you is crumbling, God is the rock on which you can stand. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 09Nov2012

Investing money in retirement funds can be profitable, but investing in our spiritual lives offers the best kind of return for our future! — Anne Cetas

Quote for the Day 09Nov2012

Investing money in retirement funds can be profitable, but investing in our spiritual lives offers the best kind of return for our future! — Anne Cetas

Quote for the Day 08Nov2012

If we get involved in fears about the future, we shall miss the chances that the present offers us. – Debra Cummings

Quote for the Day 07Nov2012

Take time to seek the Holy Spirit’s direction when you face decisions. He knows the full ramifications of your choices. The Holy Spirit will assist you to understand truth and to experience abundant life. Trust Him as He leads you. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 06Nov2012

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be hospitable, to be a “hospital” that helps those who are going through life’s storms and need restoration. We can be used by the Lord because He has provided for us. — Marvin Williams

Quote for the Day 05Nov2012

Walking with God must be a daily discipline and exercise - an experience that should light up and give meaning and understanding to our lives. - Akin. Onigbinde

THE HUNDREDTH PSALM

Dearly Beloved, THE HUNDREDTH PSALM "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations" (Psalm 100 NIV). Psalm 100 is one of the most popular psalms. Many people have memorized it. In fact I have learnt it since my primary school days. Why is the five-verse psalm popular? The reason is that it is a thanksgiving psalm. Recently, the beauty of this praise poem stirs my heart. Verses 1 to 2 invite us to reverence God with gladness. How often I forget to ponder on the reasons why we should do this. Verses 3 and 5 give five reasons. First Reason: we serve THE God, the one and only God. All other gods are not gods. They are sheer idols. They cannot be compared with Him (cf. Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; 1 Kings 19:39; Psalms 86:8; 89:6; 95:3; 96:4-5; 97:9; Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 40:18; Jeremiah 10:10-16). Second Reason: the Lord created us. Before He created us, He created everything we need so that we will lack nothing (Genesis 1; Job 10:8-13; Psalms 139:13-24). Third Reason: we belong to Him, so He takes care of us; He sustains us; He protects us; He provides for us, etc (Psalms 74:1-2; 78:52; 95:7; Isaiah 40:9-11; Ezekiel 34:11, 30-31; John 10:14-16, 26-28). We belong to Someone who cares! (Psalm 34:15; Matthew 6:26; Luke 12:30; 1 Peter 5:7). Fourth Reason: the Lord is good and He does good things (see Psalms 86:5; 106:1; 107:1, 8, 15, 32; 119:68; Jeremiah 33:11). The Bible presents it this way: "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him" (Acts 10:38, NIV). Is He still doing good till today? Yes, indeed! Think about your own life. Fifth Reason: the love, mercy, and faithfulness of God are permanent (Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalms 36:5; 103:17; 119:90-91; Lamentations 3:22-23; Luke 1:50). The above reasons made the psalmist to rejoice and advise us to always worship God with thanksgiving and praise in verse 4. Nevertheless, why do we need to adore, glorify and bless Him when, at times, we do not receive answer to our prayers? The hundredth psalm counsels us to simply serve God for who He is, and what He is doing for us, not because of what we get from Him. He is more than what we need. Those who rejoice in their unpleasant situation are convinced of God’s love which never abandons anyone that hopes in Him. Feed your soul with the hundredth psalm and you will see that the Lord is indeed good! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB Please find time to read and meditate on each of the Bible references above. I extensively referred to them for your further studies. God bless you as you do so! The message was first sent out on November 23, 2003.

Quote for the Day 03Nov2012

Hearing God’s Word is essential, but doing what He says is the key to weathering the storms of life. — David McCasland

Quote for the Day 02Nov2012

Stop talking to God about how big your mountains are, and start talking to your mountains about how big your God is. - Joel Osteen