Quote for the Day 01Jun2013

God has provided all that we need for this life. We do, however, have a responsibility to fulfill. We must sincerely seek Him each day and be willing to let go of past hurts. - Michael Youssef

Quote for the Day 31May2013

Do not let anyone else take the measure of your worth and capabilities. Always stand proud in who you are. - Margaret Spellings

Quote for the Day 30May2013

Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it. - Jack Canfield

Quote for the Day 29May2013

Who is your mentor? Is he climbing or coming down the ladder? It is important to know! Moreover, it is important to have one as you climb. When you are connected or linked with one that carries grace of God your disgrace will die and you will become great. Never be too big to have a mentor but choose wisely. - Emmanuel Baba Isiaka

Quote for the Day 28May2013

To be a friend of Jesus, we need to listen to what He wants us to know and then use the information to bring others into friendship with Him. - Julie Ackerman Link

Quote for the Day 27May2013

A child needs both to be hugged and unhugged. The hug lets her know she is valuable. The unhug lets her know that she is viable. If you are always shoving your child away, they will cling to you for love. If you are always holding them closer, they will cling to you for fear. - Polly Berrien Berends

Quote for the Day 26May2013

Are you mindful of death? You do not need to be afraid of this. If you die in Jesus Christ, you will live with Him forever. If you die without Him, you will die eternally. The choice is yours. - Bayo Afolaranmi

ARE YOU MINDFUL OF DEATH?

Dearly Beloved, ARE YOU MINDFUL OF DEATH? “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26 NIV). Honestly, I am not afraid of death. My favourite Bible verse has always been Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (NIV). However, as I was reading John 11:25-26 some weeks ago, I was struck with the phrase, “even though he dies…” as if I never heard or read it before. “Even though he dies….” It was as if the phrase meant that I would die that day. I paused reading the Bible and started thinking of death. Death is inevitable. People are dying every minute. I have witnessed and even officiated in the burial services of many people. In fact, I once buried a very young niece-in-law who lived with my family. Death is not strange to me. But, it dawned on me that day that I had not prepared for death. Humanly speaking, no one would want to die. We want to have a long life, and if possible, live forever on earth. Nevertheless, each of us will die one day. No one knows when it will be his/her turn. This turn is not by age or any other factor. So, anyone can die at any time. Are you mindful of this? While being mindful of death, a believer in Jesus Christ does not need to be afraid of death. He will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Jesus Christ will never die eternally. It means that physical death is not the end of a person. This was what Jesus Christ was asking Martha whether she believed or not. Thank God, Martha answered in the affirmative. Do you also believe this? Are you mindful of death? You do not need to be afraid of this. If you die in Jesus Christ, you will live with Him forever. If you die without Him, you will die eternally. The choice is yours. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 25May2013

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; in every change, He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. - Katharina A. von Schlegel

Quote for the Day 24May2013

God does not need what you have lost to bless you. He can make use of what you have left. In fact, what is left is more than what He needs to transform your destiny. - Femi Emmanuel

Quote for the Day 23May2013

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed thro' His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am. - Fanny Jane Crosby

Quote for the Day 22May2013

Only when life is difficult, are we challenged to become our greatest selves. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Quote for the Day 21May2013

God desires to give you the confidence that your sin is forgiven and that after death you will be with Him forever. - Brent Hackett

Quote for the Day 20May2013

Though weak and helpless in life’s fray, God’s mighty power shall be our stay; without, within, He will set us free - His strength will give us victory. - D. De Haan

Quote for the Day 19May2013

What are you doing now? Is it good or bad? You may be thinking of later repentance. However, remember that God will bring every deed into judgment whether it is good or evil. - Bayo Afolaranmi

REPENTED, BUT…

Dearly Beloved, REPENTED, BUT… "In [Manasseh's] distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God" (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 NIV). "I will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem" (Jeremiah 15:4 NIV). Our God is compassionate and forgiving (Daniel 9:9). Yet one has to be very careful in relating with Him especially in keeping His commandments. The reason is that if one sins against Him and later on repents, one would still face the consequence of one's sins (Proverbs 11:21; 16:5). The story of Manasseh attests to this. Manasseh was one of the worst kings in Israel. He was the direct opposite of his godly father, Hezekiah. He did many detestable things to provoke the Lord. Tradition has it that he was the one that killed prophet Isaiah. After God had warned him and his people, and they did not heed to God's warning, God made him a prisoner in the court of another powerful king. However, in his distress, he repented and asked for God's forgiveness. The compassionate and forgiving God heard his prayers and restored him back to his kingdom. He later spent his life doing good things (see 2 Chronicles 33). Nevertheless, his people faced the consequence of his atrocities (see Jeremiah 15). The Lord promised to make them suffer because of what he did. One should not view this as injustice on the part of God. The people also had their own share of the blame, but that is not the emphasis here. The emphasis is a particular repented and forgiven person was made as a reference point for the impending judgment. This indicates that though God forgave Manasseh, the punishment of his sins were still there. The punishment of Manasseh's sins might not be directly on him, but the cases of David and Paul were different. David committed the sins of adultery and murder. When confronted by prophet Nathan, he repented and said the prayer found in Psalm 51. Undoubtedly, his sins were forgiven, but he paid dearly for them (2 Samuel 12:13-14; 13-21). Paul (formerly Saul) persecuted the disciples of Jesus Christ. When he had an encounter with God, God promised, "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name" (Acts 9:16 NIV). He did suffer. What are you doing now? Is it good or bad? You may be thinking of later repentance. However, hear the words of Solomon: "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB This message was first sent out on November 14, 2004.

Quote for the Day 18May2013

When God pushes you out of your comfort zone en route to your destiny, expect to go through some unfamiliar, anxiety-producing territory. It is the only way to go from surviving - to thriving. - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 17May2013

Self-respect is the root of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself. - Abraham Lincoln

Quote for the Day 16May2013

We will never see for ourselves how amazing God is if we continue to take things into our own hands. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 15May2013

Your past is past. It has been wiped out. It is gone! So don’t let your past rob you of today’s joy any longer! - Joseph Prince

Quote for the Day 14May2013

God is amazing because of what we learn, gain, and equip ourselves with through the sufferings of life. To those who love God and know Him intimately, suffering is priceless and worth every minute of it. Whereas those who are distant and far from God, look at suffering with anger and hardened hearts. They blame God rather than thank God. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 13May2013

To be wise on earth is to be remembering always that you have an end. - Lanre Olorunniyi

Quote for the Day 12May2013

Indeed, virtuous mothers deserve more honour. It is not too much if every day is dedicated to celebrating them. Are you such a mother? Happy Mother’s Day! - Bayo Afolaranmi

MOTHERS DESERVE MORE HONOUR!

Dearly Beloved, MOTHERS DESERVE MORE HONOUR! “A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman — who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls” (Proverbs 31:10 AMP). Mother’s Day is a celebration honouring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in the society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March (in most European countries and especially by the Roman Catholics and some Protestant denominations) or May (in the United States of America and among many Evangelical denominations). Because these various countries and denominations have influences on the African Christians, the Day is celebrated at least twice in many African countries around the months of March and May. A friend on Facebook joking posted on his Facebook wall last year that the honour for mothers is too much and asked why two days should be dedicated for them in a year. To him, if care is not taken, women will ask for more days of celebration in their honour. The post might be a joke, but I replied him that mothers indeed deserve more days of honour in a year. My mother was superb when it comes to taking care of her husband, children, grandchildren, relatives, and even other people that she had contact with. I can never forget her. My wife is more than excellent when it comes to exhibiting virtues of motherhood. She demonstrates this even to the livestock that we rear at home. As young as my daughter is (just above ten years of age), she has been showing the enviable traits of motherhood! Almost all my sisters, female cousins, nieces, and female intimate friends have these virtues in considerable degrees. I thank God for their lives! Indeed, mothers deserve more honour. It is not too much if every day is dedicated to celebrating them. However, not every mother deserves this honour, because there are some worthless women that care less about their children. They do not have the virtues enumerated in Proverbs 31:10-31. Their husbands and children cannot praise them because of who they are and what they have done (and is still doing). Are you such a mother? Virtuous mothers deserve more honour. Happy Mother’s Day! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Points: 1. Thank God for all virtuous mothers throughout the world. 2. Pray that the Lord will honor them for all their sacrifices to their husbands, children and others. 3. If you are a lady, pray that the Lord will make you a virtuous woman indeed. NB I dedicate this message to all virtuous mothers, especially my late mother, Hannah Abiola Afolaranmi, who slept in the Lord on October 28, 2012. You all deserve more honour!

Quote for the Day 10May2013

Do not strive to succeed, strive for significance. Leave your footprints on the sands of time. Build a legacy and you would have contributed significantly to building a nation. - Mike Okonkwo

Quote for the Day 09May2013

Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants. - Benjamin Franklin

Quote for the Day 08May2013

An open mind is the beginning of self-discovery and growth. We cannot learn anything new until we can admit that we do not already know everything. - Erwin G. Hall

Quote for the Day 07May2013

What we are really looking for is satisfied only in a fulfilling and growing relationship with Jesus. Pursue Him and taste His delights! - Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 06May2013

Do not be tempted to substitute human crutches for wholehearted trust in the LORD when and where things get tough. Continue to turn to Him in confident prayer and His hands shall be upon you for good. - Yemi Ladokun

Quote for the Day 05May2013

Whatever our verbal instructions to other people, our action (character) speaks louder than our voice. Ask God to enable you live a life that will be a portrait of your message. - Bayo Afolaranmi

ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN VOICE

Dearly Beloved, ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN VOICE "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV). "Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you" (Philippians 3:17 NIV). My one-year-old daughter has adopted his older brother's way of greeting. Instead of kneeling down (as the custom of girls and young women among the Yorubas), she likes to prostrate (as boys and young men do). She likes to imitate his brother rather than taking to our (her parents') instruction about mode of greeting. Her action has a spiritual and moral meaning. Young people tend to imitate what they see more than what they hear. Young ones often look up to people older than them for direction. To imitate what people do than listen to their instructions is no doubt natural. The history of the Israelites points to this. In spite of the fact that Israelites had the written Law through Moses and many priests and prophets they loved to do what the ungodly leaders did. However, when godly leaders reigned, they were focused. Why? Leaders influence followers. People seldom read the Bible. We Christians, especially Christian leaders are their "books." They read us. They have a tendency of imitating what we do than what we say at times. You are a leader! Some people are looking up to you as their role model. Are your actions matching your message? Example is better than precepts. What will people imitate from you? Can you say like Paul, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV)? Whatever our verbal instructions to other people, our action (character) speaks louder than our voice. Ask God to enable you live a life that will be a portrait of your message. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Help me, O Lord, that my action will not mislead other people. NB This message was first sent out on June 20, 2004.

Quote for the Day 04May2013

Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it does not get you anywhere. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 03May2013

The Lord knows what time is best for us. If you are waiting for answered prayer or the fulfilment of one of His promises, do not give up. If you think He has forgotten you, think again. When the fullness of time is right for you, He will show up - and His brilliant timing will amaze you! - Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 02May2013

Your responsibility is not to know the future; it's to trust in God who holds the future, and be confident that you're safe in His hands. - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 01May2013

You can do the impossible. Just be yourself, be unique, have vision, try to solve a problem people are facing and do it best way possible. When the result comes out people will applaud you and compensate you. - Nelson Tunde Akinola