IT IS NOT OVER...

Dearly Beloved, IT IS NOT OVER... “Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.’ And she added, ‘Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age’” (Genesis 21:6-7 NIV). The final of the year 2014 UEFA Champions League has come and gone, but it has one major lesson: It is not over until it is over. I did not have the opportunity of watching the epic football match live, but I was monitoring its minute-by-minute comments on the UEFA official website and what people were saying through their display messages on my BBM timeline. Almost everybody (including the fans of Real Madrid FC) had thought that Club Atlético de Madrid had won the match when the team was leading by a lone goal as at ninety minutes of the match. In fact, the comment of one of my BBM contacts around ninety minutes of the match was remarkable. He commented that he was expecting to see how Cristiano Ronaldo would cry at the end of the match. Interestingly, Ronaldo missed many opportunities to score during the course of the regular time of the match. However, at ninety three minute of added time, Sergio Ramos equalized for Real Madrid FC and thus forced the match to extra time when three other goals were scored by Real Madrid including a last-minute penalty kick by Ronaldo. Real Madrid FC was crowned the new European champions and Ronaldo by that penalty kick created a new record in goal scoring in UEFA Champions League. Indeed, it is not over until it is over. Nobody, including Abraham and Sarah, ever thought that Sarah would have a biological child after ninety years of age. They (Abraham and Sarah) even doubted God when God told them that she would have a son “about this time next year” (Genesis 18:10 NIV). However, “at the very time God had promised him” (Genesis 21:2 NIV), Sarah gave birth to a son. She later testified, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age" (Genesis 21:7 NIV). Elizabeth made similar testimony: "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people" (Luke 1:25 NIV). It is not over until it is over. Are you at the verge of losing hope on a particular situation? Do not lose hope! It is not over until it is over. When there is life, there is hope. At the unexpected time, the Lord will arise and surprise you. People that have been looking down on you will soon be looking up to you. You will soon testify to the goodness of God over your life. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 31May2014

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. - Khalil Gibran

Quote for the Day 30May2014

You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Quote for the Day 29May2014

The absence of character is the beginning of all crises. - David Oyedepo

Quote for the Day 28May2014

With God behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you. - William A. Ward

Quote for the Day 27May2014

No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure. - Emma Goldman

Quote for the Day 26May2014

Crisis breeds opportunity. Look for something positive, take your broken wings and learn to fly again. - Orrin Checkmate Hudson

Quote for the Day 25May2014

What is the source of your wealth? Is it filthy or godly? As you are aspiring to become wealthy financially, materially or in other areas, what would you want to be the source of your wealth? Ask for the blessings of God that bring wealth with no sorrow. - Bayo Afolaranmi

WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR WEALTH?

Dearly Beloved, WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR WEALTH? "The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it" (Proverbs 10:22 NIV). When one is talking about wealth, one's mind quickly goes to the popular definition of the word "wealth" which a dictionary gives as "(possession of a) large amount of money, property, etc." Another meaning by an encyclopedia is "an accumulation of goods having economic value." It is simply referred to as "riches." However, this write-up is aimed at the broader meaning of the word - a large amount of something. This thing may be education, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, skill, talent, experience, intelligence, etc. A Yoruba proverb literally goes thus: the source of wealth is filthy. One is bound to agree with this proverb if one thinks of getting wealth in the worldly way. To be wealthy either in monetary or material term or in the general term is not an easy thing. The curse of God on man after the fall in the Garden of Eden is part of this hardship in getting wealth (see Genesis 3:17-19). Those that are wealthy in term of any of these will explain better what they passed through before they could become what they are today. In fact, the source of the wealth of many rich people today cannot be exposed to other people because of its filthiness morally. Nevertheless, the proverb is in great contrast to the teachings of the Bible. In spite of the curse that makes things difficult for man, the Bible says, "Wealth and honor come from you [i.e. God]; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all" (1 Chronicles 29:12 NIV). In another place, God told the people of Israel, "...remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV). It is this kind of wealth that comes from the blessing of the LORD to which He adds no trouble. The source of such wealth is not filthy. It is clean and godly. Anyone who has it will enjoy it to the fullness. But the worldly wealth will always bring insatiable desire for more that will make one who has it not to enjoy it. What is the source of your wealth? Is it filthy or godly? As you are aspiring to become wealthy financially, materially or in other areas, what would you want to be the source of your wealth? Ask for the blessings of God that bring wealth with no sorrow. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 24May2014

You are God’s chief creation, and you are here for His pleasure and His glory. - Beth Moore

Quote for the Day 23May2014

With eyes bright, with hope and expectation, those who know Christ as Saviour and Lord can face the future with joy. - Amos O. Tella

Quote for the Day 22May2014

Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters. - Albert Einstein

Quote for the Day 21May2014

We need quiet time to examine our lives openly and honestly - spending quiet time alone gives your mind an opportunity to renew itself and create order. - Susan Taylor

Quote for the Day 20May2014

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 19May2014

Depend on it, God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply. - Hudson Taylor

Quote for the Day 18May2014

God has extended the invitation to work with Him to us. Are you doing your own part? No matter how small or insignificant your part may be, do your own part, and do it faithfully. - Bayo Afolaranmi

DO YOUR OWN PART!

Dearly Beloved, DO YOUR OWN PART! "So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered.... As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up... so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword" (Exodus 17:10-13 NIV). One of the favourite songs of the Baptist Women Missionary Union of Nigeria goes thus: "If we work together, Together, together; If we work together, the happier we'll be. Your work and my work, our work for the Lord; If we work together, the happier we'll be." An incident that happened to the people of Israel as they were going from Egypt, their land of slavery, to Canaan, their promised land corroborates this. On their way, the Amalekites decided to waylay them. There was no reason given for this attack. Moses, however, rose to the task by sending Joshua and some men to go and fight the Amalekites. He also decided to do his own part in the battle by going up to a mountain to intercede for them. Joshua led the fighting men to battle against the Amalekites. Moses also led two other people, Aaron and Hur, to a mountain where he interceded for the fighting men. As long as he raised his hands up, the Israelites were winning, but the Amalekites would be winning whenever he lowered his hands. It came to a point that he was tied. Aaron and Hur then did their own part in finding a seat for Moses and helping him to raise his hands up, ensuring that the Israelites eventually had total victory. Five different kinds of people did their own parts to give the Israelites success: 1) Joshua that heeded to the order of Moses in choosing and leading the fighting men; 2) the choosing men that did the fighting; 3) Moses that went to intercede for them; 4) Aaron and Hur that held Moses' hands when he was tired; and 5) God that gave the victory. The role of none of these people cannot be underestimated. Likewise, the motto of the union referred to above is relevant here: "For we are God's fellow-workers; you are God's field, God's building" (1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV). God has extended the invitation to work with Him to us. Have you responded to the invitation? It may be in your local church, in a ministry like this one, or in any other place. Are you doing your own part? No matter how small or insignificant your part may be, do your own part, and do it faithfully. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 17May2014

If you want others to trust you, to give you greater opportunities and resources, to partner with you – then embrace responsibility and practice it faithfully in every area of your life! – Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 16May2014

The self-sufficient do not pray, the self-satisfied will not pray, the self-righteous cannot pray! There is no field more unexplored in Christian experience and possibility than this limitless field of prayer. - Leonard Ravenhill

Quote for the Day 15May2014

When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself. - Tecumseh Shawnee Chief

Quote for the Day 14May2014

If we focus on our opposition and problems, they will seem gigantic. But as we focus on God, we will see our situation in the proper perspective and be assured that all things are possible with God. - Henry T. Blackaby

Quote for the Day 13May2014

Put your giftedness to work, joyfully cooperate with the giftedness of those around you, and let the wind of the Spirit use you for His glory! - Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 12May2014

You may be trying to live in this world by your own power. Let God teach you meekness so that you can live in, and depend on, His strength. - C. P. Hia

Quote for the Day 11May2014

Mothers, especially caring and responsible ones, are extraordinary. I salute them. Are you one? Happy Mother's Day! - Bayo Afolaranmi

I SALUTE MOTHERS

Dearly Beloved, I SALUTE MOTHERS "Village life in Israel ceased, ceased until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel" (Judges 5:7 NIV). I always admire women especially mothers for their extraordinary caring attitude. In fact, I salute them. The prevailing issue of the abducted school girls in Chibok (a town in the northeastern Nigeria) by the extreme Islamic militants popularly known as Boko Haram again brings out the caring attitude of women. While many men are either nonchalant about the issue or trivializing the issue, women are in the forefront of the protest and struggle for the rescue of these abducted schools girls that are over 200 in number. Deborah in the Bible was one of such exceptional mothers. Judges chapters four and five gave her account on how she literally "...arose [as] a mother in Israel" to rescue the people of Israel from their Canaanite oppressors. Another woman bravely helped her to give the Israelites victory over their enemies. Mothers, especially caring and responsible ones, are extraordinary. I made the distinction because it is obvious that few of them are not caring and responsible. However, most of them are. I salute these caring and responsible mothers. Are you one? The Lord will reward all your sacrifices to your husbands, children and others. You will live to reap the efforts of your motherhood in Jesus' name. Amen. Happy Mother's Day! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB I join millions of mothers and other people throughout the world to call on the Islamic militants popularly known as Boko Haram to release the abducted girls and stop their sinister activities. The Almighty God can fight for Himself. No one can fight for Him.

Quote for the Day 10May2014

Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting. – Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 09May2014

If we are to run the race of the Christian life effectively, we must deal with sin before it immobilizes us. We need to lay aside the sin that hinders us from pleasing Him — starting today. - Bill Crowder

Quote for the Day 08May2014

Much of our worldly pursuits in life will bring us nothing but emptiness, misery, and disappointment. A life without God's leading is a life without purpose and meaning. - Michael Youssef

Quote for the Day 07May2014

Only when we are aware of the danger that faces us every day will we consciously seek the help we need. And only if we are on the alert will we lean on the strength of our Lord, who is greater than our spiritual enemy. - Bill Crowder

Quote for the Day 06May2014

Praise God through the storms, because He is there with you. He brought you to the storm, through the storm, and out of the storm! - Teresa Taylor

Quote for the Day 05May2014

When we are the right people before God, we can do whatever task He sends, wherever He puts us. In so doing, we discover and affirm His calling for us. - David C. McCasland

Quote for the Day 04May2014

What would be your testimonial in the roll call of the saints? Strive to have good testimonial in your home, church, workplace and the society at large. - Bayo Afolaranmi

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TESTIMONIAL?

Dearly Beloved, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TESTIMONIAL? "Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. ...Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ?" (Romans 16:7, 10 NIV). As Paul concluded his epistle to the Christians in the imperial city of Rome, he listed, in Romans 16, a catalogue of people that had influenced his life and ministry in one way or the other. As he was listing them, he mentioned specifically what some of them had done for him and the Christian faith. Among them were Priscilla and Aquila who risked their lives for him (verses 3-4); Epenetus who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia (verse 5); Mary who worked very hard for other Christians (verse 6); Andronicus and Junias who have been in prison with him and were outstanding among the apostles (verse 7); Urbanus who was a fellow-worker in Christ (verse 9); Apelles who was tested and approved in Christ (verse 10); Tryphena and Tryphosa, women who work hard in the Lord (verse 12a); Persis, another woman who has worked VERY hard in the Lord (verse 12b); and Rufus' mother who had been a mother to Paul (verse 13). Paul also made mention of some other people in passing. These included Asyncritus, Ampliatus, Phlegon, Herodion, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, Philologus, Julia, Nereus and Olympas and other unnamed saints. Interestingly, most of these names are not remembered today because they do not form part of the common names given to our children, however, they have unforgettable testimonials in the Bible. What would be your testimonial in the roll call of the saints? Would your name be mentioned in passing or would it even be one of those unspecified names? Strive to have good testimonial in your home, church, workplace and the society at large. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 03May2014

What would God say about your integrity? When no one is watching - when we are away from the prying eyes of family and friends, what is the level of our integrity? - Cecil A. Thompson

Quote for the Day 02May2014

You will not die before God's time, for any reason, come what may. Nothing can put an end to you until God decides that it is time for you to be at home with Him. - Selwyn Hughes

Quote for the Day 01May2014

When there is a challenge before you, know that there is a solution to it. - Julius Omomola