Quote for the Day 01Aug2013

You do not have to do anything to earn God's love, but you must obey Him in order to walk in His blessings. So, what has God told you to do? If you want victory in your battles and success in your endeavors, start doing it! - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 31Jul2013

When we put our problems in God’s hands, He puts His peace in our hearts. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 30Jul2013

Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character. - William Arthur Ward

Quote for the Day 29Jul2013

Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward. - Hilary Clinton

Quote for the Day 28Jul2013

If a man could fulfil his promise in spite of all odds, how much more God will not fulfil His numerous promises for you? Delay is not denial. The promises will soon be fulfilled. Just wait patiently. Don't give up! - Bayo Afolaranmi

DON'T GIVE UP!

Dearly Beloved, DON'T GIVE UP! "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?" (Numbers 23:19 NIV). "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, `He who is coming will come and will not delay'" (Hebrews 10:36-37 NIV). I was still trying to come out of the trauma of my third consecutive visa denial by the US embassy in my country when an elderly pastor from UK wrote an encouraging mail to me. In the mail, he asked me to tell him the area he could be of help to me in view of the fact that I would not be able to go to the US as I planned before. I did not hesitate to ask for a new laptop because the one I was using then is problematic. Responding, the pastor told me that I should consider the request granted (though he clarified that the promised laptop would be a fairly used one). He told me that he would be coming to Nigeria the following month, and that he would come with the laptop. That was July 2004. I waited for the laptop throughout the month of August and I did not hear from the pastor nor see the promised laptop. I wrote an email to him and he told me that he had actually come to Nigeria but could not bring the laptop because of some problems he had when he was coming. He promised to send it through another person that would come in the month of September. That month also passed without getting the promised laptop. The pastor asked me to wait till the end of November when many would accompany the general overseer of his denomination to the UK for a gospel rally. According to him, he would find somebody out of those people that would bring the laptop to me in Nigeria. The month of November also came without the promise fulfilled. When I contacted the pastor again, he told me that he had found somebody who was ready to bring the laptop but that the person had gone to the US. According to him, the person would bring the laptop when he is coming from the US via the UK. The person did not come till the end of the year. It was early this year that another person in the UK told me that he would visit Nigeria in the month of February. When I told him about the promised laptop, he accepted to contact the elderly pastor and help me bring it. I linked both of them together and arrangement was made how he would collect the laptop when he was coming to Nigeria. However the arrangement could not work out. I was about to give up on the promised laptop when the elderly pastor wrote me again that I should not give up on the issue. He informed me that he would come to Nigeria in the early April and promised to bring the laptop. He did come to Nigeria and sent a mail to me so that I would give him my phone number and contact address. I wanted to go and meet him in his place, but he decided to come to my place. After some unsuccessful attempts to get me, he eventually handed over the promised laptop to me. That was after nine months of waiting, writing of mails, phone calls etc. This is my testimony. I am composing this message with that promised laptop. I want it to be an encouragement to others that are waiting for something either from other people or even from God. If a man could fulfil his promise after nine months in spite of all odds, how much more God will not fulfil His numerous promises for you? Delay is not denial. The promises will soon be fulfilled. Just wait patiently. Don't give up! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB This message was first sent out on April 24, 2005.

Quote for the Day 27Jul2013

Contentment springs from trusting God as our supplier and gratefully accepting what He provides. - David C. McCasland

Quote for the Day 26Jul2013

When we seek to please God with our conversations about others, we honor Him. With His help, we can glorify Him through what we talk about. - Bill Crowder

Quote for the Day 26Jul2013

When we seek to please God with our conversations about others, we honor Him. With His help, we can glorify Him through what we talk about. - Bill Crowder

Quote for the Day 25Jul2013

God can bring us through situations we think we will not survive, or feel we will be stuck in forever. He can make us comfortable in the most uncomfortable places, and give us peace in the midst of any trauma. - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 24Jul2013

Instead of focusing on weaknesses, give your attention to people's strengths. Focus on sharpening skills that already exist. Compliment positive qualities. Bring out the gifts inherent in them. - John Maxwell

Quote for the Day 23Jul2013

If only the people who worry about their liabilities would think about the riches they do possess, they would stop worrying. - Dale Carnegie

Quote for the Day 22Jul2013

In times of sorrow and hopelessness, there is a spiritual power available to each one of us through Jesus Christ. Therefore, there is never an occasion to give up. - Michael Youssef

Quote for the Day 21Jul2013

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart! I have light in my soul for which long I had sought, since Jesus came into my heart! - Rufus Henry McDaniel

Quote for the Day 20Jul2013

You are addressed by your dressing. If you are clothed with pride, disgraceful situation will attend to you. If with humility, honourable and uplifting situations will be your guests. – EA Adeboye

SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART

Dearly Beloved, SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NASU). Honestly, I was not familiar with the hymn, SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART, until an elderly pastor sang it as solo in one of the chapel services of my office. The way the pastor sang it made me have interest in the hymn and its lyrics. The hymn was written by Rufus Henry McDaniel who was born in 1850 and started preaching at age nineteen. In 1914, following the untimely death of his son, Rufus Henry McDaniel penned the words of this hymn as an expression of his faith and hope. Undoubtedly, the message of the hymn is captivating. If Jesus indeed has come into one’s heart, there should be obvious changes. This hymn talks about some of these changes. If Jesus has come into one’s heart, a wonderful change will take place in one’s life; there will be a light in one’s soul for which everyone has been longing for. Floods of joy will roll over the soul of such person like the sea billows. Anyone that Jesus comes into his/her heart will cease from his/her wandering and going astray, and his/her sins which are many will all be washed away. Such person will possess a hope that is steadfast and sure, and no dark clouds of doubt will obscure his/her pathway. There will be a light in the valley of death now for anyone who Jesus comes into his/her heart and he/she will be able to see the gates of the heavenly City beyond. In fact, he/she shall go there to dwell in that City at the end of this Age. “Since Jesus came into my heart....” Can you honestly and joyfully sing that hymn? Have you experienced that wonderful change that happens to anyone that Jesus comes into his/her heart? Jesus Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20 NASU). Will you accept that He come into your heart today? If you have accepted Him before, how has your own faith in Christ transformed your life? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord Jesus, I sincerely invite you into my heart today. Come, and let me experience Your wonderful change in my life.

Quote for the Day 19Jul2013

God has given us His Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path to lead us to Him. - C. P. Hia

Quote for the Day 18Jul2013

God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ. - John Piper

Quote for the Day 17Jul2013

Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow. - Anthony J. D'Angelo

Quote for the Day 16Jul2013

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. - Martin Luther King Jr.

Quote for the Day 15Jul2013

Whoever you are or whatever you are should never take you away from the fellowship of other believers. - Supo Ayokunle

Quote for the Day 14Jul2013

It is comforting to know that God has given every true Christian the Holy Spirit. Are you allowing Him to operate in your life? – Bayo Afolaranmi

DO YOU NEED TO ASK FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Dearly Beloved, DO YOU NEED TO ASK FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT? “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir” (Galatians 4:6-7 NIV). Recently, one of my online contacts asked me whether one can ask for the Holy Spirit or not. Let me based my devotional message this week on this question and the answer I gave the contact. The question about asking for the Holy Spirit is both theological and semantic. It is theological because it has to do with the third Person in the Godhead, and it is semantic because it is somehow a wordplay on when and how the Holy Spirit indwells a believer. Let me say here that when the Holy Spirit indwells a believer has been a controversial issue between the Pentecostals and the Evangelicals because of their different ways of interpreting the Bible. Since I am an Evangelical, I will first give the Evangelical position and later refer to the Pentecostal position. The Holy Spirit indwells a believer the moment such person believes in Jesus Christ and invites Him into his/her life as his/her personal Saviour and Lord (John 1:12-13; 14:16; Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:5-7; Ephesians 1:13) and He is there forever! However, the Holy Spirit may be “dormant” in the life of any believer that does not allow Him to operate. That is why Paul urged against such in Ephesians 4:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19. So, it is not out of place to pray that the Holy Spirit should have full control of one’s life after one has consciously surrendered oneself to Him. The Pentecostals on the other hands capitalize on some passages of the Bible like Luke 11:13; Acts 1:8 and other similar passages (especially in the Old Testament) to say that one has to ask for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Those passages are interpreted by the Evangelicals in line with what is called “Dispensational Theology.” How and why will I ask for Who (that is, the Holy Spirit) God has graciously given me if truly I am a believer in Christ? Another mixed-up issue that the Pentecostals make has to do with the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. These are entirely different from the Person of the Holy Spirit that is already living eternally with the believer! A believer can pray for the gifts and/or the manifestations of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1). Either Evangelical or Pentecostal, the big question is: are you really a child of God? “[Jesus Christ] came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God” (John 1:11-13 NIV). Have you received Him into your life? You do not need to ask for (the indwelling of) the Holy Spirit if you have done so, but you can ask that He fill you with His power. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you make your life conducive for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and that you will yield yourself to His leadership so that He will manifest His power in your life.

Quote for the Day 13Jul2013

When we recognize the importance of our work as ministers of the grace of God, we will stop fighting to take over someone else’s position and be grateful for the place God has given us to serve others on His behalf. - Julie Ackerman Link

Quote for the Day 12Jul2013

When you are operating on your faith, you hold the hands of God. - Supo Ayokunle

Quote for the Day 11Jul2013

You cannot start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 10Jul2013

In the terrifying moments of life (and all the other moments as well) nothing can bring comfort to the hurting heart like the reality of God’s presence and care. - Bill Crowder

Quote for the Day 09Jul2013

Are you still trapped in your sins? Accept Jesus’ gift of salvation and enjoy the freedom of life in Christ and eternity with Him. - C. P. Hia

Quote for the Day 08Jul2013

If you will let Him, God will tell you things you could never figure out on your own because He is not enhanced by your strength nor limited by your weaknesses. There is still more He wants to do through you than you have experience thus far. - Yemi Ladokun

Quote for the Day 07Jul2013

Do not reject your God. You cannot succeed without Him? Trust wholly in Him, and you will testify to His goodness over your life. - Bayo Afolaranmi

DO NOT REJECT YOUR GOD!

Dearly Beloved, DO NOT REJECT YOUR GOD! "Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah..., therefore the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the River...” (Isaiah 8:6-7a NIV). The kingdoms of Israel and Aram were waging war against the kingdom of Judah (see Isaiah 7:1). The Lord sent Prophet Isaiah to the people of Judah to give them the opportunity of trusting in Him for victory. However, the people of Judah under the leadership of King Ahaz acted foolishly. They rejected their God and trusted in a seemingly powerful king of Assyria (see 2 Kings 16:7). The Lord prophesied through Isaiah that since they have rejected their God who is like “the gently flowing waters of Shiloah”, the “mighty flood of Assyria” that they trusted will indeed overflow their enemies, but it will also sweep on into Judah and overflow it as well (Isaiah 8:5-8). It would have been better to trust wholly in God. No wonder, the psalmist said, “Those who rush to other gods bring many troubles on themselves” (Psalm 16:4 TEV). It is unfortunate that many people nowadays are like those foolish Jews. Like in Paul’s words, they “...claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:22-23 NIV). Some of them even claim that there is no God! Interestingly, these foolish people indirectly worship what is less than God and they are been tormented by their self-imposed “gods”. They only will not be ready to openly admit this. In what ways are you also rejecting your God? Do you acknowledge Him in all your endeavours? Do you think you can succeed without Him? Do not reject your God. Trust wholly in Him, and you will testify to His goodness over your life in Jesus’ name. Amen. Jesus promises, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will in no way reject God, but wholly trust in Him in all your endeavours.

Quote for the Day 06Jul2013

A life spent in making mistakes is not only more honourable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. - George Bernard Shaw

Quote for the Day 05Jul2013

When God does mighty and incredible things, He always attaches glory to them, thus leaving His people bewildered with something pleasantly glorious. - Supo Ayokunle

Quote for the Day 04Jul2013

Handicaps can only disable us if we let them. This is true not only of physical challenges, but of emotional and intellectual ones as well. Real and lasting limitations are created in our minds, not our bodies. - Roger Crawford

Quote for the Day 03Jul2013

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. - John Wooden

Quote for the Day 02Jul2013

All of us are to use our gifts to serve one another so that together we can make a significant difference in our world. - Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 01Jul2013

When we give our hopes and dreams to God and then leave them in His hand, we can trust His love and care for us to fulfill what He has planned. - Dave Sper