Quote for the Day 01Mar2013

Healthy competition is welcome as seen in games and sports. This way we can learn from one another. We must learn to rejoice in the victories of others. Any competition because of envy must be totally avoided. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 28Feb2013

If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good. - Thomas J. Watson

Quote for the Day 27Feb2013

The way you live your life for God is your offering to Him. Relentlessly pursue holiness so that your offering to God is unblemished and acceptable to Him. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 26Feb2013

With God’s help and guidance, we can continue on a path that is pleasing to Him. - Randy Kilgore

Quote for the Day 25Feb2013

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot

Quote for the Day 24Feb2013

Are you still relating with God through any other intermediary apart from Jesus Christ? Or, are you making people to depend on you or any other means to relate with God? That is an aberration. There is no other intermediary between man and God except Jesus Christ! Relate with Him directly and you will really enjoy your relationship with Him. - Bayo Afolaranmi

THERE IS NO OTHER INTERMEDIARY!

Dearly Beloved, THERE IS NO OTHER INTERMEDIARY! “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6 NIV). “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV). The supremacy of Jesus Christ (as explained briefly two weeks ago) cannot be over-emphasized. This was the thrust of the book to the Hebrews. However, it amuses me to see some people trying to place other prophets, priests, and even religious leaders side by side with Jesus or even above Him when these people are relating with God. To some of these people, they are honouring Jesus Christ by going to God through other means. To others, they are following the Old Testament examples of relating with God through prophets, priests and angels. Others are just ignorant of their position in God or are too lazy to relate with God directly, so, they depend on their religious leaders to relate with God for them. However, the truth of the matter is that there is no other mediator or intermediary between God and man except Jesus Christ, and He has encouraged us to come boldly and directly to Him. The scope of this message cannot accommodate all the explanations and Bible verses about this matter. Nevertheless, let me use this illustration to buttress the matter: my son will boldly and directly come to me for anything he needs, and I do not need any intermediary to relate with him. If he cannot come boldly and directly to me, then something is wrong somewhere. If God is your heavenly Father, and you are genuinely His son or daughter, you should be able to relate with Him directly without any other intermediary apart from Jesus Christ. Let me briefly quote some verses from the book to the Hebrews: “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe” (Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV). “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV). “But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6 NIV). “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV). You may ask about the roles of religious leaders. They are not intermediaries between God and people like the Old Testament priests and prophets. Their roles are now advisory. They are like a shepherd to the flock (see 1 Peter 5:1-4). They are to lead and disciple others who will be able to lead and disciple other people (see Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 2:2). Are you still relating with God through any other intermediary apart from Jesus Christ? Or, are you making people to depend on you or any other means to relate with God? That is an aberration. There is no other intermediary between man and God except Jesus Christ! Relate with Him directly and you will really enjoy your relationship with Him. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: God, help me to relate with You directly and boldly without any other intermediary apart from the Lord Jesus Christ so as to enjoy You wholly, and do not let me mislead other people to have any other intermediary between them and You apart from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Quote for the Day 23Feb2013

When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others. - Peace Pilgrim

Quote for the Day 22Feb2013

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. - Christopher Reeve

Quote for the Day 21Feb2013

Courage is to take a step forward into an area of difficulty without a solution in mind, but yet feeling that victory is ahead. It is going empty handed, but knowing that God's hand is stretched out to pull you. - Debra Cummings

Quote for the Day 20Feb2013

Do you feel drained? Exhausted? Ask God for help. Depend on Him for the power to go on and the strength to make it through the valley. - Dennis Fisher

Quote for the Day 19Feb2013

I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends. - Abraham Lincoln

Quote for the Day 18Feb2013

The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people. - Theodore Roosevelt

PRAISE THE LORD, MY INTERNET MINISTRY IS 10!

PRAISE THE LORD, MY INTERNET MINISTRY IS 10! “With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name! With all my heart I praise the Lord! I will never forget how kind he has been” (Psalm 103:1-2 CEV). With all my heart I praise the Lord as my Internet ministry is exactly ten years old today. An email ministry that started on February 18, 2003 has metamorphosed to this Internet ministry with almost ten aspects. I give glory to the almighty God who has given me the opportunity to minister to thousands of people throughout the world in this unique way. I initially wanted to hold an anniversary event in a location to celebrate the milestone, but, I later changed my mind to publish three books in relation to the ministry. The three books I have published to mark the anniversary are: 1. “Spiritual Digest for Each Day of the Year: A Collection of 366 Quotes, with Corresponding Bible Verses, Hymns and Suggested Weblinks for the Hymns (Volume One).” 2. “Ministering through the Internet: A Decade of Unique Experiences” (the book chronicles my experiences and activities in the Internet ministry in the past 10 years with some selected people’s reactions). 3. “Salient Truths About Christian Life: A Collection of Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi's Online Weekly Devotional Messages (Volume One)” (A collection of my weekly messages compiled by one of my pastor-friends, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel O. Malomo, Secretary, ECWA Ilorin District Church Council). These three books were published both as eBooks and paperbacks online and can be ordered at my Lulu author spotlight. You can see brief descriptions of these books at my books blog. Indeed, I thank God for this unique opportunity. I also thank you all for being part of the successes and challenges in this unique opportunity. To celebrate the anniversary with me, join me in any or all of these projects: 1. Either order these books for yourself, your beloved ones (especially pastors) and libraries of churches and institutions OR support me financially as I order as many copies of the books to be used as anniversary complimentary copies for people (especially pastors) and libraries of churches and institutions. 2. I need another laptop as back-up to the one I am using presently. A recent experience I had corroborated this. 3. I want to start my PhD program in an American seminary any moment from now. (This will indeed be a long-term project.) Before this, it is my desire to attend international seminars/workshops this year. To send in your contributions or support the ministry, visit Support this Ministry. You may contact me for details. Please let me know the specific project you are partaking in. You also will be celebrated in Jesus' name. Amen. 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 17Feb2013

Do you have brotherly love? Be ready to demonstrate it to anyone that comes your way. Let brotherly love continue! - Bayo Afolaranmi

LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE

Dearly Beloved, As this year’s Valentine’s Day come and gone, let me resend a message originally sent on October 16, 2010 to remind us of true love: LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the body also” (Hebrews 13:1-3 NKJV). The book of Hebrews was mainly about the superiority of Jesus Christ over the Old Testament prophets and religious systems (as briefly explained last week). In concluding his message, the writer of the book admonished his audience to let brotherly love continue. The Greek word (filadelfia) translated “brotherly love” in most English translations of the Bible can mean mutual love of brothers (and sisters) or “love for one's fellow believer, affection for a fellow believer.” It is in contrast with another Greek word (agapee) also translated “love” which is the unconditional and unparallel love that God has for the mankind. The implication of the admonition was that brotherly love already existed among the Hebrews that the book was addressed to. So, it must continue and the continuation should have no end. The writer of the book went ahead to give two explanations on how to demonstrate brotherly love (Hebrews 13:2-3). One, by entertaining strangers: he inferred to Abraham who unknowingly entertained angels (see Genesis 19). Two, by caring for the less privileged: Jesus Christ alluded to this in one of His parables (see Matthew 25:34-46). There are other ways of making brotherly love continue among us. It is evident from these two ways of demonstrating brotherly love that the “brother” that one is to love may not necessarily be a sibling or a fellow believer (as a commentator put it) or somebody of common interest, but anyone that one can help at a given time. The Samaritan in the popular parable of the Good Samaritan has been a classic example of demonstration of brotherly love (see Luke 10:25-37). Many people would say that they love God, and they are ready to do anything for Him. However, do they love their fellow “brother”? Such people are hypocrites! Apostle John said, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20 NIV). A very important reason why one should let brotherly love continue is that one may on one occasion or the other be at the receiving end of such love. The “strange” stranger who leads the love or care may be YOU! Do you have brotherly love? Be ready to demonstrate it to anyone that comes your way. Let brotherly love continue! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that God will help you to continue to demonstrate genuine brotherly love to anyone that comes your way.

Quote for the Day 16Feb2013

Happy is he that always hath the hour of his death before his eyes and daily prepareth himself to die. - Thomas à Kempis

Quote for the Day 15Feb2013

Whether God gives us more than we imagined or far less than we desired, we can trust that His plans are much better than ours. - Randy Kilgore

Quote for the Day 15Feb2013

Whether God gives us more than we imagined or far less than we desired, we can trust that His plans are much better than ours. - Randy Kilgore

Quote for the Day 14Feb2013

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

Quote for the Day 13Feb2013

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. - Mother Teresa

Quote for the Day 12Feb2013

Let us not boast in what we have done or are able to do, but boast in God’s grace for us -- that He is our strength, health, favor, prosperity, wisdom, hope, salvation and glory. That is how we will see ourselves enjoying our inheritance of abundant life! - Joseph Prince

Quote for the Day 11Feb2013

There is no riding to heaven in a chariot; the rough way must be trodden; mountains must be climbed, rivers must be forded, dragons must be fought, giants must be slain, difficulties must be overcome, and great trials must be borne. - Anonymous

Quote for the Day 10Feb2013

How do you see Jesus Christ in the light of other prophets and angels? Do you see Him as Someone that is superior to other prophets and angels, or you see Him as just one of the prophets? Acknowledge the supremacy of Jesus Christ over any other person or being, and you will never regret doing so. - Bayo Afolaranmi

THE SUPREMACY OF JESUS CHRIST

Dearly Beloved, THE SUPREMACY OF JESUS CHRIST “[Jesus Christ] is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs” (Hebrews 1:3-4 NIV). Some churches and many other uninformed Christians believe in praying to the angels. It is a common thing seeing them praying to Angel Michael, Angel Gabriel, Angel Raphael, and other heavenly hosts. It is also a common practice among these churches to burn incenses and candles to invoke the spirits of these angels. At times, they even go to the extent of making sacrifices to the angels. In the theology of some of these churches, Angel Michael is regarded as the third person of the Godhead! This belief in angel as mediators is a carry-over of African belief in the fact that God, the Supreme Being, cannot be approached directly, so one has to go through deities who in turn take human pleas to God. Interestingly, some Jews also had a similar belief in angels that made the writer to the Hebrews to address the issue when he was addressing the issue of supremacy of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ represents the exact Being of God. As the Heir of all things, He sustains all things by His power. He provided purification for sins of mankind by His death on the cross. Having done this, He sits at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven interceding for us. Although, in the past, God dealt with His people through the prophets (and sometimes angels), now, He is dealing with the world through Jesus Christ because of the supremacy of Jesus over any other prophet and angel. A Bible scholar highlighted the supremacy of Jesus to other prophets who declares God's Word this way: while Jesus Christ is God the Son, the prophets were mere men called by God; Jesus Christ is one and only Son of God, there were many prophets of God; and Jesus Christ brought the final and complete message of salvation, the prophets only brought fragment and incomplete messages. Jesus Christ is not only superior to the prophets. He is also superior to the angels. This is so because of His “inheritance” as a result of His being the Son of God. No angel could be heir to God’s sovereignty, authority, and power because no angel was a son. Jesus’ superiority also has to do with His redemptive work as the Saviour of the world. No angel has done the work of a Saviour. So, angels (and all other prophets) are not to be worshipped and should not be objects of our prayers. How do you see Jesus Christ in the light of other prophets and angels? Do you see Him as Someone that is superior to other prophets and angels, or you see Him as just one of the prophets? Acknowledge the supremacy of Jesus Christ over any other person or being, and you will never regret doing so. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Jesus, help me to always acknowledge Your supremacy and worship You only.

Quote for the Day 09Feb2013

The more you seek God and the things of God, the more you seek quality, the more you seek not just the hand of GOD but the face of GOD, the more you seek things honourable, the more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you. - Emmanuel Baba Isiaka

Quote for the Day 08Feb2013

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. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 07Feb2013

The word of God cannot be effective in our lives whenever it is sandwiched with human wisdom or philosophies, - Akintoye Akintunde

Quote for the Day 06Feb2013

God always takes us out to walk with Him before He sends us out to work for Him. - Jerry Akinsola

Quote for the Day 05Feb2013

We are called to reflect God with all we are, and that includes our words. - Marvin Williams

Quote for the Day 04Feb2013

If you really do put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price. - Anonymous

Quote for the Day 03Feb2013

Do not think that you can get away with any secret thing done in any position. People may not see you, or pretend not to see you, but, remember that the Ultimate King – God – sees you and He will judge you accordingly. - Bayo Afolaranmi

IF THE EARTHLY KING DOES NOT SEE YOU…

Dearly Beloved, IF THE EARTHLY KING DOES NOT SEE YOU… “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14 NKJV). The Yoruba have a proverb that goes thus: O tafa si oke yi odo bori, bi oba aye ko ri o, ti orun n wo o. Literally, it means one who is doing anything secretly, if the earthly king does not see him, the heavenly king is looking at him. This is applicable to many people who are not only secretly, but even openly, doing nefarious activities and think that they can get away with it. Unfortunately, the judicial systems of some countries encourage these people, and the people think they are above the law. They may be above the law of their countries, but God will bring them to judgment accordingly one day. There have been miscarriages of justice in favour of some very important personalities here in Nigeria recently. Just some days ago, there was such a case where a high profile public servant was sentenced to two years imprisonment with a fine option of N750,000 for conspiracy and stealing of N32.8 billion from police pension funds; a fine the convict happily paid on the spot and walked away a free man. Although, there have been public outcry against the judgment and the man has been re-arrested for more criminal charges, but it indeed sends a bad signal to the younger generation. There were many misuses of power by many high profile personalities in the Bible. Although, these people thought that people did not see them, or could not question them for their injustice, God saw, and brought them to judgment accordingly. I will cite two cases to prove this. King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, craftily murdered her husband to cover the sin, and eventually married her. God sent Prophet Nathan to David to rebuke him and pronounce judgment on him (see 2 Samuel 11-12). King Ahab wanted to have the vineyard of Naboth because it was close to his palace. Naboth would not want to do away with his family inheritance, so Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, conspired with some people, they murdered Naboth, and Jezebel handed over Naboth’s vineyard to Ahab. However, the King of kings saw this and sent His prophet, Elijah, to rebuke and pronounce judgment on the wicked couple (see 1 Kings 21). Indeed, there are many Bible passages that teach about God’s judgment on every action either good or bad, done secretly or openly (see Psalm 96:13; Ecclesiastes 11:9; 12:14; Matthew 12:35; Luke 12:2; John 5:29; Acts 17:31; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-20). Are you in any high position? What are doing with the position? Do not think that you can get away with any secret thing done in that position. People may not see you, or pretend not to see you, but, remember that the Ultimate King – God – sees you and He will judge you accordingly. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: God, let me be conscious of your presence and judgment both now and hereafter. NB COMPILATION OF MY ONLINE WEEKLY MESSAGES As part of celebrating ten years of ministering through the Internet, the first compilation of 200 messages out of my online weekly messages for the past ten year has been published. The 432-page book is titled “Salient Truths About Christian Life: A Collection of Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi's Online Weekly Devotional Messages” compiled by Rev. Dr. Emmanuel O. Malomo published as paperback and eBook. Order your copies now. God bless you!

Quote for the Day 02Feb2013

Hold Thou my hand; so weak I am, and helpless, I dare not take one step without Thy aid; Hold Thou my hand; for then, O loving Savior, No dread of ill shall make my soul afraid. - Fanny J. Crosby