Quote for the Day 30Apr2014

Every individual must decide what the excesses are in their lives. They might even be things that are not bad, things that are neutral but constitute excess weight that impedes our journey. These must be identified and done away with. - John Enyinnaya

Quote for the Day 29Apr2014

Being imperfect does not disqualify us from serving God; it just emphasizes our dependence on His mercy. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 28Apr2014

Lay aside every weight that may slow down your Christian race and every besetting sin that may separate you from God. - Supo Ayokunle

Quote for the Day 27Apr2014

There are many simple truths in the words of God. They do not need any falsehood or fear to be known or promoted. Let the truth set you free indeed. - Bayo Afolaranmi

CAN FALSEHOOD BE USED TO PROMOTE THE TRUTH?

Dearly Beloved, CAN FALSEHOOD BE USED TO PROMOTE THE TRUTH? “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 NKJV). The above quoted verse should indeed be a fact that will make many Christians free of any kind of bondage, but it is unfortunate that some Christians still knowingly or unknowingly keep themselves in bondage of fear based on falsehood of the devil and his cohorts. Interestingly, some of these Christians that knowingly keep themselves in this bondage think that they can use that to move closer to God! A conversation that ensued between one of my BBM contacts and me buttress this. The contact sent a broadcast message that I should not pick calls from a certain mobile line because some people are using the voice of people that pick calls from that line for rituals. The message was not new to me as I have received it times without number for over two years. My usual response to people that spread such baseless rumours is to ask this question: “Do you believe that someone can kill or use you for rituals by mere phone calls?” This particular person believes that no one can use him for rituals, but that he spread the falsehood because some people have no reason to be closer to God unless they are scared. My question then for him is: can falsehood and baseless rumour be used to promote the truth? Undoubtedly, NO! Are you also in such bondage? Or are you in the habit of spreading baseless rumours probably to make people be closer to God or to warn and protect them from impending danger? You do not need to be! Hear some of the truths of the Bible: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV). “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NIV). “The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall” (Psalm 27:1-2 NIV). “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10 NIV). “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV). These are the simple truth of words of God. They do not need any falsehood or fear to be known or promoted. Let the truth set you free indeed. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB I still desire that as many as my people as possible that are on BBM network join me there to have access to my daily BBM broadcasts. Invite my BB PIN:2B2AF3EE. You will be highly blessed you did! Thanks.

Quote for the Day 26Apr2014

Clouds of testing can bring showers of blessings as the Father works through them to bring about our ultimate good. - Amos O. Tella

Quote for the Day 25Apr2014

Successful leadership requires accepting responsibility, making commitments and consistently delivering on those commitments, and always setting an outstanding example for those you lead. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Quote for the Day 24Apr2014

God has shown me safety on many occasions. As long as He is not finished with me, He will continue to give me safety. - Supo Ayokunle

Quote for the Day 23Apr2014

What joy that the Bible tells us the great comfort that the best is yet to be. Our outlook goes beyond this world. - Corrie ten Boom

Quote for the Day 22Apr2014

It is our privilege to represent God and His eternal truth in word and indeed each day to all around us. - C. P. Hia

Quote for the Day 21Apr2014

The best proof that Christ has risen is that He is still alive. And for the immense majority of our contemporaries, the only way of seeing Him alive is for us Christians to love one another. - Louis Evely

Quote for the Day 20Apr2014

The strife is o’er, the battle done; the victory of life is won; the song of triumph has begun. The three sad days are quickly sped; [Jesus Christ] rises glorious from the dead; all glory to our risen Head! Alleluia! - Author Unknown

THE STRIFE IS O'ER

Dearly Beloved, THE STRIFE IS O'ER “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15: 56-57 NIV). The hymn “THE STRIFE IS O'ER” is often sung as an Easter hymn, and (in my part of the world) during burial services. This hymn reflects the victory that Jesus Christ has over the power of death. It also captures the triumphant joy of the His resurrection and the future resurrection of those that believe in Him. No wonder, the hymn is sung during burial services of believers in Christ. Jesus Christ redeemed humanity by being a ransom for us through His death. He conquered the powers of hell and restored the link between a fallen humanity and heaven. This hymn indeed celebrates the battle fought and won at the cross of Calvary. "The powers of death have done their worst," but Christ has won the victory. The strife is over and the battle is done. Victory of life has been won and the song of triumph has begun: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The powers of death indeed have done their worst, but Christ has dispersed their legions. He closed the yawning gates of hell and made the bars from heaven’s high portals fall. We can now burst into shouts of holy joy outburst: Alleluia! After three sad days in the grave, He gloriously rose from the dead. Alleluia! The last stanza of the hymn is a prayer –– a prayer that Christ, by his death, might set us free from death "so that we may live, and sing to thee: Alleluia! Jesus Christ has indeed fought and won the battle over the power of death and sin. Believers in Him are more than conquerors (see Romans 8:37). However, that does not mean they are free from the struggles of life. In fact, Jesus Christ categorically told His disciples that they will have trouble in this world. The good news is that He has overcome the world (see John 16:33 NIV). The implication of this for every believer is that in spite of the fact that Jesus Christ has won the battle over the power of death and sin, we have to continue with the various struggles of life until we die or Jesus Christ returns with the full awareness that He has given us victory already. Alleluia! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 19Apr2014

I do not worship a DEAD and buried Christ at Calvary. I worship a resurrected and LIVING Christ in Heaven! Jesus Christ is alive. - Israelmore Ayivor

Quote for the Day 18Apr2014

Christ took your cup of grief, your cup of the curse, pressed it to his lips, drank it to its dregs, then filled it with his sweet, pardoning, sympathizing love, and gave it back for you to drink, and to drink forever! - Octavius Winslow

Quote for the Day 17Apr2014

If Jesus Christ could sacrifice Himself on the cross for the salvation of humanity, we should be ready to sacrifice ourselves for the betterment of others around us. - Supo Ayokunle

Quote for the Day 16Apr2014

The Christian life is not by effort, and not by struggle; not merely by trying to put into practice certain maxims, or by trying to attain to a certain measure; but from beginning to end, and all together, it is a matter of knowing the Lord Jesus within. - T. Austin-Sparks

Quote for the Day 15Apr2014

God is pleased when we stand for the truth. Stand up for Jesus and the truth of the Bible. - Goke Adeleke

Quote for the Day 14Apr2014

It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings. - Ann Landers

Quote for the Day 13Apr2014

Anyone that surrenders his/her life to Jesus will experience the grace - the unmerited favor - granted by God. - Bayo Afolaranmi

THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY: ANY SIGNIFICANCE?

Dearly Beloved, THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY: ANY SIGNIFICANCE? (Text: Luke 19:28-40) Palm Sunday, the annual celebration before Easter Sunday commemorates the triumphant entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. The event happened on the first day of the Passion Week. The name "Palm Sunday" comes from John 12:13, "They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna?'" (NIV). The celebration started around 3rd-4th century AD. However, does the event have any significance for us today? Can we learn any lesson from it? This event demonstrates humility and peace by Jesus (verse 30). Jesus opted to enter Jerusalem on a donkey (see Matthew 21:2), not a horse. Donkey and colt symbolize humility and peace while horse is usually associated with power and war. The outcomes of His option were honor and glorification (verses 37, 38; John 12:19). The Christian message is not of force or domineering, but a message of peace (see Ephesians 6:15), because "...everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14 NIV). The event amplifies total surrender (verse 35). The owners surrendered the colt to the strangers that came to untie it. Likewise, the colt allowed itself to be used by Jesus to ride on it. We should also be ready to surrender our possessions and even ourselves totally for the Master's use. The aftermath of the submission is another significance - unmerited honor (verses 35, 36). It is unusual to saddle a donkey or a colt, but because of the submission of the colt, it was saddled and it became an instrument for Jesus Christ. The colt received part of the honor done to Jesus by people. Anyone that surrenders his/her life to Jesus will also experience the grace - the unmerited favor - granted by God (see Ephesians 1:3-4; 2:4-8). Furthermore, the unreliability and inconsistency of man were demonstrated in this event (verses 37-38). Less than a week after the event, the same Jerusalem crowd that was shouting "Hosanna!" to Jesus was also shouting, "Crucify Him!" (23:18-23). Jesus was not surprised. He had earlier declared about them: "You bunch of hypocrites! Isaiah the prophet described you very well when he said, 'These people speak very prettily about the Lord but they have no love for him at all. Their worship is a farce?'" (Mark 7:6 TLB). Are you such a person? Lastly, we see the need to be praising God always in this event (verses 38-40). Some of the Pharisees wanted Jesus to stop the people that were praising Him, but He told them a fundamental truth: "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out" (Luke 19:40 NIV). This means that if we also refuse to praise God, He will raise other people, even stones to praise Him! May God not replace me with stones in His vineyard. As we celebrate this year Palm Sunday, think of it: Do you know its significances? Do they have any impact in your life? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB This message was first sent out on April 4, 2004.

Quote for the Day 12Apr2014

Nobody can accomplish great things alone. If you want to lead others to greatness, find a good mentor, an advisor who can help you sharpen your vision. - John Maxwell

Quote for the Day 11Apr2014

Life is a winding road with unknown perils and troubles, but we can be certain of God’s providence, security, and care. - Marvin Williams

Quote for the Day 10Apr2014

When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God. - Charles L. Allen

Quote for the Day 09Apr2014

A Christian is never in a state of completion but always in the process of becoming. - Martin Luther

Quote for the Day 08Apr2014

While wearing the cross may be a challenging mark of discipleship, far more challenging is our Lord’s command that we “take up [our] cross daily” and learn what it means to follow in His footsteps. And that includes a willingness to practice costly discipleship. - Vernon C. Grounds

Quote for the Day 07Apr2014

If you surrender your all in all to God, He is ready to give it back to you and make it more meaningful. - Bayo Afolaranmi

Quote for the Day 06Apr2014

What do you have that looks "ordinary," "little" or "insignificant"? Look at it with an eye of faith. You have something that others do not have. Let God use it to perform His wonders in your life. - Bayo Afolaranmi

"WHAT IS THAT IN YOUR HAND?"

Dearly Beloved, "WHAT IS THAT IN YOUR HAND?" "Then the LORD said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' 'A staff,' he replied. The LORD said, 'Throw it on the ground.' Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it" (Exodus 4:2-3 NIV). Sometimes, we all feel inadequate, insufficient, incapable, unqualified and helpless to do something while in actual fact, the resources to do such thing are at our disposal. Moses found himself in a similar situation. How? God called him to go and lead the Israelites out of the land of slavery. He was trying to dodge the divine assignment by giving unconvincing excuses. He looked down on himself. Then God asked him, "What is that in your hand?" Moses must have thought: "Of what use would an ordinary staff be in fulfilling such an enormous task?" However, the "ordinary" staff became an extraordinary instrument when he surrendered it to God. The disciples of Jesus Christ were also in a dilemma. They had to feed over five thousand people in a solitary place. How would they do it? "Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. 'There's a youngster here with five barley loaves and a couple of fish! BUT WHAT GOOD IS THAT WITH THIS ENTIRE MOB?'" (John 6:8-9 TLB). How could they feed such a large number of people with a boy's lunch? They never saw God above their inadequacies. Nevertheless, Jesus fed the people with that "little" food, and there were twelve baskets full of the leftover! In the same way, a prophet's widow was about to lose her two sons to creditors. She ran to Prophet Elisha for assistance. "Elisha replied to her, 'How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?' 'Your servant has nothing there at all,' she said, 'EXCEPT A LITTLE OIL'" (2 Kings 4:2 NIV). How would she settle her debt with that "little" oil? Elisha told her to go and use that "little" oil. She did as she was told and at the end, she paid her debts and even had more! Likewise, the son of a Shunammite woman was dead. Prophet Elisha gave his staff to his servant, Gehazi to go and raise the son from the dead. "Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy's face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, 'The boy has not awakened'" (2 Kings 4:31 NIV). He had no eye of faith. He could not see the extraordinary power in the "ordinary" staff. Take an honest look at your own life. "What is that in your hand?" What do you have that looks "ordinary," "little" or "insignificant"? Look at it with an eye of faith. You have something that others do not have. Let God use it to perform His wonders in your life. "[For God has chosen] the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him" (1 Corinthians 1:28-29 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB This message was first sent out on February 16, 2004.

Quote for the Day 05Apr2014

We cannot change the entire world singlehandedly, but by God’s grace we can let the difference Christ has made in us make a difference in the world around us. - Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 04Apr2014

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

Quote for the Day 03Apr2014

Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much. - Oscar Wilde

Quote for the Day 02Apr2014

You must be confident that no matter what happens, God will not turn His back from His word. - Chris E. Kwakpovwe

Quote for the Day 01Apr2014

Your spiritual location is more important than your physical location. As long as you are located in a house called obedience, within the compound called God’s will, every blessing that is yours and even some extras, will surely locate you. - EA Adeboye