Quote for the Day 30Jun2013

Who or what is your "god"? In who or what do you put your hope? Let the LORD God be your God. Trust only in Him. He will not let you down. - Bayo Afolaranmi

WHO IS YOUR "GOD"?

Dearly Beloved, WHO IS YOUR "GOD"? "When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, 'Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him'" (Exodus 32:1 NIV). "As for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him" (2 Chronicles 13:10 NIV). The nation of Israel that Moses led out of bondage in Egypt was stubborn. Their stubbornness against God's plan started to manifest the day Pharaoh increased their burden for asking for "a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices the LORD" (see Exodus 5). However, their statement in Exodus 32:1 indicates that Moses had become their god. When Moses stayed with the LORD on their behalf and they did not see him, they wanted another "god" that would continue to lead them in their journey. Was Moses really the person that led them out of Egypt or he was just an instrument in the hands of God, the real Deliverer? Was it necessary for the people of Israel to see Moses before they could proceed in their journey to the Promise Land? Should they have any visible "god" that would lead them to their destination? Many at times we also think and behave like the Israelites. We worship a particular person or thing. Knowingly or unknowingly, we idolize such person or thing. Any attempt to lose the person or thing, we would also lose hope and try to find alternative in another person or thing. To some people, pastors and other leaders are "gods." When the pastors or the leaders are in sight, such people would be active in the church activities and in their spiritual lives. Reverse would be the case when the pastor or the leader is not. Who or what is your "god"? In who or what do you put your hope? The writer of the book of Hebrews admonishes, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith?" (12:2 NIV). Fixing your eyes on any other person or thing will land you in the same syndrome as the people of Israel. Let the LORD God be your God. Trust only in Him. He will not let you down. "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB This message was first sent out on February 29, 2004.

Quote for the Day 29Jun2013

The man who does more than he is paid for will soon be paid for more than he does. - Napoleon Hill

Quote for the Day 27Jun2013

Take time today to appreciate beauty - natural beauty, art, people. Slow down, breathe deeply, smile. It is a beautiful world. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Quote for the Day 28Jun2013

We do not know when God will call us home, but we do know this: Each day is an opportunity to leave a testimony worthy of our faith. - Dave Branon

Quote for the Day 28Jun2013

We do not know when God will call us home, but we do know this: Each day is an opportunity to leave a testimony worthy of our faith. - Dave Branon

Quote for the Day 24Jun2013

Wherever we are and whatever we’re doing, God wants to be a part of it. When prayer enters every aspect of our lives, who knows what God might do for His glory! - Dennis Fisher

Quote for the Day 23Jun2013

Failures are part of life. If you do not fail, you do not learn. If you do not learn, you will never change. - Author Unknown

MAKING FAILURE YOUR FRIEND

Dearly Beloved, MAKING FAILURE YOUR FRIEND “When these troubles came to him, Manasseh begged for help from the Lord his God. He humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. Manasseh prayed to God and begged God to help him. The Lord heard his begging and felt sorry for him, so the Lord let him return to Jerusalem and to his throne. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was the true God” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 ERV). Undergoing leadership studies of EQUIP® founded by the renowned author and speaker, Dr. John C. Maxwell has been fascinating to me. One of the studies which is seemingly awkward is titled “Failing Forward”. More awkward is one of its lessons sub-titled “Make Failure Your Best Friend”. How can one make failure one’s best friend? The writer of the lesson admitted that the idea may seem odd, but he went further to explain that “...the truth of the matter is that failure is either your friend or your enemy, and you are the one who chooses which it is. If you whine and complain every time you fail, then failure will remain your enemy. But if you learn from your failures, then you actually benefit from them and that makes failure your friend.” This can be possible if one is ready to make one’s failure a stepping stone to one’s future successes. Three biblical case studies were used to buttress this point. One, Jacob, the deceiver who became Israel, a prince with God that God used to raise a nation separated unto Himself (see Genesis 25-32). Two, Manasseh, a wicked king in Judah who God taught a lesson in the hard way by making him become a captive in a foreign land. He learnt from his failure and cried unto God. God restored him back to his throne (see 2 Chronicles 33:10-20). Three, the prodigal son in Luke 15 who willfully lost himself. He accepted full responsibility for his wrong choices and came back the lost joy of his family. All these people learnt from their failures by admitting their wrong doings and the end of their stories became desirable. Twice in Psalm 119, the psalmist endeared himself to failure. Hear him: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.... It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Psalms 119:67, 71 NIV). What are your failures or things that are hurting you? Are you trying to distance yourself from them? Make them your friend and learn from them as you allow them to be your teacher. They will indeed become your stepping stones to your breakthrough. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to make failure your friend by learning from it and making it your stepping stone to your success and breakthrough in life.

Quote for the Day 22Jun2013

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races, one after another. - Walter Elliot

Quote for the Day 21Jun2013

The only way we can prevent the nectar of praise from becoming the poison of pride is by following the Lord with a humble heart. - David McCasland

Quote for the Day 20Jun2013

Life is not a matter of chance but a matter of choice. Things do not just happen, they are made to happen. There is an effort behind every effect. Those who leave their lives to chance will have no chance in life. - Femi Emmanuel

Quote for the Day 19Jun2013

Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 18Jun2013

There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Quote for the Day 18Jun2013

There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Quote for the Day 17Jun2013

Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance. - Eckhart Tolle

Quote for the Day 16Jun2013

Fathers have great responsibilities in showing their children good examples. That is the best legacy they can give their children. Happy Father’s Day! - Bayo Afolaranmi

WHAT WILL BE YOUR SCORE SHEET?

Dearly Beloved, WHAT WILL BE YOUR SCORE SHEET? “[Jotham] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Uzziah had done” (2 Kings 15:34 NIV). Recently, the theme of the morning devotional thought in my family was about following good examples of fathers as it was demonstrated by Uzziah and Jotham. Both of them were kings in Judah. The former was the father of the latter. In the early years of Uzziah as king, he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and, undoubtedly, he instructed his children in the ways of the Lord and laid good examples for them until later in his years when he was successful and became proud towards God. However, his son followed his good example. As I led the devotional thought that morning, I laid emphasis on the fact that fathers should not only instruct their children to do good things, that they (the fathers) should be ready to show the example of doing good things to their children. Since the message that day was directly for me, the father of the house, I was challenged to allow my children to frankly tell me the good and bad examples they see in me. It was like giving them score sheets to evaluate me. Each of the children told me what they consider as good and bad in my behaviours. I decided not to defend myself that day for the good and seemingly bad behaviours they pointed out. As a father or a leader, can you allow your children or subordinates to openly evaluate you? What will be your score sheet if your children or subordinates have such opportunity? Fathers have great responsibilities in showing their children good examples. That is the best legacy they can give their children. Will your children score you high on this? What will be your score sheet? Happy Father’s Day! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for fathers that we will lay good examples for our children to follow.

Quote for the Day 15Jun2013

It is a vain thought to flee from the work that God appoints us, for the sake of finding a greater blessing, instead of seeking it where alone it is to be found - in loving obedience. - George Eliot

Quote for the Day 14Jun2013

Give it all to God: your past regrets, your present problems, your future ambitions, your fears, dreams, weaknesses, habits, hurts, and hang-ups. Put Jesus Christ in the driver’s seat of your life and take your hands off the steering wheel. Do not be afraid; nothing under His control can ever be out of control. - Rick Warren

Quote for the Day 13Jun2013

You cannot cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. - Rabindranath Tagore

Quote for the Day 12Jun2013

Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right. - Max Lucado

Quote for the Day 11Jun2013

Each day I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings, friends that turned into family, dreams that turned into reality and likes that turned into love. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 10Jun2013

Sins confessed you must forget; look not back to yesterday - full of failure and regret; look ahead and seek God’s way. - D. De Haan

Quote for the Day 09Jun2013

If one does not like oneself or cares about what happens to one’s body, why not honor God who really owns the body? - Bayo Afolaranmi

HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BODY

Dearly Beloved, HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BODY “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV). In 1987, World Health Organization (WHO) created World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) to be observed every year on May 31 around the world intended to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe. Furthermore, the day is intended to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects, which currently lead to 5.4 million deaths worldwide annually. Since 1988, the day has been observed every year with different themes. The theme for this year was “Ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship”. Recently, I watched a documentary on a national network television programme on adverse effects of smoking cigarette in particular and using tobacco in general to human beings. These effects were analyzed in the documentary, then some people, especially those that have the smoking habit, were interviewed. One of the people admitted that smoking is not good, and that he has been trying to stop the habit, but he cannot stop it because he has been addicted to it. Another person was indifferent to the adverse effects. To him, something will eventually kill one, so what is the big deal in warning people against smoking cigarette or using tobacco? It is interesting that some people even argue that smoking cigarette or using tobacco is not condemned in the Bible, so, it is never a sin to smoke cigarette or use tobacco! Well, it is a fact that the Bible does not expressly condemn smoking cigarette or using tobacco, but it teaches how to take care of our body which belongs to God. If smoking cigarette and using tobacco are dangerous to one’s body, why knowing destroying that body that really belongs to God? If one does not like oneself or cares about what happens to one’s body, why not honor God who really owns the body? Honor God with your body! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for all that have been addicted to smoking cigarette or using tobacco that they will conscious make efforts to forsake the habit.

Quote for the Day 08Jun2013

If our goal is merely service for the Lord, we may burn out somewhere along the line. But if our purpose is to know Christ and love Him, we will find that He will give us the strength to make Him known to others. - David McCasland

Quote for the Day 07Jun2013

Until you release others, the devil and his agents are lawfully empowered to keep you and your blessings in their prison. Release everyone who has offended you today. Use that as basis for securing your freedom. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 06Jun2013

A man who professes to be honest before God but is dishonest with men is undoubtedly a hypocrite! - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 05Jun2013

What does money like? Money likes speed. That's the secret few know about money. Money comes to those who act fast. If you think, wonder, question, doubt, plan, meet, discuss, or in any other way drag your feet, money goes to the next person in line. - Joe Vitale

Quote for the Day 04Jun2013

The stringent condition for anyone to be qualified as the servant of the Most High is the ability to endure in the face of trials. For you to have abiding testimony, prepare for the test. - Nathaniel Tade Obaniyi

Quote for the Day 03Jun2013

Only God can help you. Call upon Him; He is ready to help you. However, you have to be specific. Tell Him exactly what you want, and He will surprise you. - Bayo Afolaranmi

Quote for the Day 02Jun2013

God is able with infinite ease to deliver His servants in the most terrible extremities. In cases when He does not, He would receive them in glory. - Emmanuel Arotile

"WHERE DID IT FALL?"

Dearly Beloved, "WHERE DID IT FALL?" “The man of God asked, ‘Where did it fall?’ When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float” (2 Kings 6:6 NIV). “The company of the prophets” (or theological students of Elisha) faced a problem of lack of space for their training, so they tried to find a way of solving the problem. They suggested that they should relocate to Jordan where they would have a lot of space. They thought they could solve the problem on their own. We should not be surprised when Elisha gave them up to their arrogance. However, one of the students realized their folly and humbly invited their master to follow them. Surprisingly, Elisha agreed to follow them. The students with their master went near River Jordan to prepare another place for themselves. As they were working, the axe head of one of the students fell into the river. He could use the opportunity to rest or pretend as if nothing had happened, but he cried out for help instantly. Elisha asked the most important question from the embattled student, “Where did it fall?” He did not ask him how it fell or the cause of the problem. He asked him about the exact place where the axe head was. God is not interested in the trivial detail of your problem. His interest is in the problem and how it will be solved. The blind Bartimaeus was crying for help to Jesus, but Jesus seemed to be telling him, “Man, be specific. Do not bother me with the detail of your problem. What exactly do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). As if he also got the message, he declared, “Rabbi, I want to see.” When you are in any problem, instead of grumbling, specifically make your request known unto God, and a miracle is waiting at your doorstep. Hannah was childless, she went to God and specifically told Him about her predicament, and she was blessed with Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9-20). Jabez cried out to God for a particular problem in his life, and He bailed him out of the big mess (1 Chronicles 4:9-10). The Bible says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6), and “cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Do you involve God in your day-to-day activities, or you are thinking that you can do without Him? Are you using your problems as an excuse not to serve God? Who do you turn to when you are in trouble? Only God can help you. Call upon Him; He is ready to help you. However, you have to be SPECIFIC. Tell Him exactly what you want, and He will surprise you. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB This message was first sent out on September 15, 2003. I recently replaced the BlackBerry device that I used to minister through BlackBerry Messenger. Please add this BB PIN:29275BB9 to your BBM contact list to be able to receive my daily messages (if you have not done so). God bless you!