Quote for the Day 31Aug2014

If you have the opportunity to choose anything in life, what would you choose? Even when you choose wisely, would you remain with your choice? - Bayo Afolaranmi

WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Dearly Beloved, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE? "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV). "`So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?' The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this" (1 Kings 3:9-10 NIV). The traditional wedding ceremony in most part of Nigeria has been replaced with either Christian church wedding ceremony or the Islamic wedding ceremony. This modern ceremony is now being preceded by or mixed with what is commonly called the engagement ceremony. The engagement ceremony is mostly traditional in nature. One of the aspects of the engagement ceremony is picking of the most valuable thing out of the dowry items that the family of the groom brings to the family of the bride. The bride will perform this rite. She is expected (when she is a Christian) to pick a copy of the Holy Bible that has been included in the dowry for that purpose. It is a way of telling the whole world that the bride values the Holy Bible more than any of the dowry items and that she is deciding to make the word of God her guide as she is entering into a new life. This practice is good and laudable. Nonetheless, how many of such brides value the word of God more than any other thing in the world? How many of them really make it their guide in their matrimonial homes? These are applicable to men also, although, they are not required to make such decision during the engagement ceremony. The practice has made me ponder on many practices we are doing religiously without thinking seriously about their purposes and implications. If the bride (or even the groom) is given free hand to choose what she likes most, would she choose the Bible? If you were given such rare opportunity to choose from the things of this world and the word of God, would you really choose the word of God? Solomon chose to be wise when God asked him to ask for anything (1 Kings 3:4-14), however, at his later years, he abandoned his choice and allowed his foreign wives to mislead him (1 Kings 11:1-9). What would you choose? Even when you choose wisely, would you remain with your choice? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 30Aug2014

If you feel stuck, bring your whole self to Christ, not just the problem, but you. Ask God to change your heart. Commit yourself to pray to that end. It is God's heart to give good gifts to His children. - Sheila Walsh

Quote for the Day 29Aug2014

No matter what life may bring, nothing can remove us from the realm of God’s grace. - Joe Stowell

Quote for the Day 28Aug2014

After pain and anguish, after toil and care, We shall see the King some day; Through the endless ages joy and blessing share, We shall see the King some day. - Lewis E. Jones

Quote for the Day 27Aug2014

Sometimes our plans are not the plans of God. Hence, it is pertinent to every time structure our steps in alliance with God's plans. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 26Aug2014

If pride has crept into some areas of your life, ask God to give you victory over it before it robs you of God’s will for you. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 25Aug2014

Let us always keep the prayer lines open, knowing God is always there; for we upon His name may call anytime and anywhere. - D. De Haan

Quote for the Day 24Aug2014

Do not lose hope that your situation is beyond remedy. Man may fail because of his limitation. Things may reach a deadlock with man, but not with God. All things are possible with Him! - Bayo Afolaranmi

NOT WITH GOD

Dearly Beloved, NOT WITH GOD "Jesus looked at them and said, `With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God'" (Mark 10:27 NIV). Our God is the God of all possibilities. Nothing is impossible with Him, with the exception of things that are contrary to His divine attributes (see Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; 2 Timothy 2:13; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). God is the infinite God. He can do all things. He knows all things. He is above all things. He is the Creator of all things. In fact, He is the eternal God that has been before the creation of all things; He is when there are all things; and He will continue to be when all things are no more (cf. Hebrews 13:8). What a God! On the contrary, man is finite. He cannot do all things. He does not know all things. He is not above all things. He is just a created being. In fact, he "is of few days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1 NIV). Jesus Christ brought out this great difference between God and man when His disciples were amazed at His teachings about the kingdom of God. He said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27 NIV. You can also read Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Luke 1:37; 18:27; Philippians 3:21). What is the implication of this glaring difference? Total dependence on God, and not man. One should not rely on anybody, even oneself. One should not lose hope that one's situation is beyond remedy. Man may fail because of his limitation. Things may reach a deadlock with man, BUT NOT WITH GOD. All things are possible with Him! "What is impossible with men is possible with God" (Luke 18:27 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Request: 1. God, make all those good things that are impossible possible for me in Jesus' name. 2. Let me totally depend on you in all things especially those things that are beyond my control in Jesus' name. Amen.

Quote for the Day 23Aug2014

Management of self is a difficult enterprise that must be learnt and mastered if one would emerge as a champion in the battle of life. - Collins Olatunji

Quote for the Day 22Aug2014

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other? - George Eliot

Quote for the Day 21Aug2014

Real friends speak the truth to us in love - even if it is not what we want to hear. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 20Aug2014

There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires. - Nelson Mandela

Quote for the Day 19Aug2014

When Jesus comes to us our trouble ceases. At His command the wildest storm instantly becomes calm. The trouble itself may not leave us but it is no longer troublesome when He is with us. The wind may not stop blowing and beat upon our lives but He makes peace within us. - James R. Miller

Quote for the Day 18Aug2014

If you are unsure of where your treasure is, examine where you spend your available time and money. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 17Aug2014

It is the will of God that every church member should enjoy good health. So, Ebola should be adequately discussed in the church. - Bayo Afolaranmi

EBOLA SHOULD BE DISCUSSED IN THE CHURCH!

Dearly Beloved, EBOLA SHOULD BE DISCUSSED IN THE CHURCH! “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 2 NIV). Since the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in some parts of Africa and its dramatic entrance into Nigeria about a month ago, many facts, rumours, and even jokes have emerged about the epidemic. One of my friends on Facebook recently posted this message on his wall: “IF YOU GO TO CHURCH TODAY AND THE MESSAGE CENTERS ON EBOLA... KNOW IT FOR SURE THAT THATS ONE DEAD CHURCH EXISTING AS A NEWS/CURRENT AFFAIR CENTER!” I totally disagreed with it instantly and commented on the post to express my disagreement. Interestingly, most of the people that commented on the post also disagreed with it. A fundamental question is raise here: should current affairs in general and the issue of Ebola in particular be discussed in the church? This may be controversial, but I am of the opinion that the church should not be indifferent to prevailing issues in the society. In fact, the church should be actively involved in what is going on in the society because the church is in the society, though it may not be of the society. The church should be a platform to inform its members about prevailing issues in the society. This information should include enlightenment, warnings, advice, suggestions, observations, comments, and the likes on the prevailing issues. If the church is not ready to do this, then, we should be ready for misinformation that will eventually mislead church members. The Bible says, “...my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge...” (Hosea 4:6 NIV). On the issue of Ebola virus disease (EVD), the church should rise up to enlighten its members about the possible causes of the disease, how to prevent them, the symptoms of the disease, and how to handle people that have been infected by the disease. Undoubtedly, there are many promises in the Bible against pestilence. Nonetheless, people should be enlightened not to take these promises for granted by not being precautious of possible causes of Ebola and all other diseases, and try as much as possible to prevent their infection. There is power in the blood of Jesus to heal one from any illness or disease, but, the church must not become healing centres while hospitals and other medical centres are neglected. Pastors and other spiritual leaders should not turn themselves overnight to healers of Ebola or any disease. It is the will of God that every church member should enjoy good health (see 3 John 2; Psalm 20:1-5; 91:10; Philippians 2:4, 27; Deuteronomy 7:15; Exodus 23:25; Isaiah 33:24). Therefore, Ebola should be adequately discussed in the church. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Points: 1. Pray that as you take precautions, God will protect you from being infected with Ebola virus disease and other diseases. 2. Pray for divine healing for people that have been infected with the virus. 3. Pray that God will provide a sure cure for this disease. 4. Pray that our governments and other health institutions will expedite actions to control the spread of this deadly disease. NB To put this message into practice, let me briefly give some facts about Ebola virus disease (EVD): The disease is also known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever or simply Ebola virus. It kills up to 90% of people who are infected. It is a rare but deadly virus that causes bleeding inside and outside the body. As the virus spreads through the body, it damages the immune system and organs. Ultimately, it causes levels of blood-clotting cells to drop. This leads to severe, uncontrollable bleeding. How to get Ebola: Ebola is not as contagious as more common viruses like colds, influenza, or measles. It spreads to people by contact with the skin or bodily fluids of an infected animal, like a monkey, chimp, or fruit bat. It then moves from person to person the same way. Those who care for a sick person or bury someone who has died from the disease often get it. Other ways to get Ebola include touching contaminated needles or surfaces. You cannot get Ebola from air, water, or food. A person who has Ebola but has no symptoms cannot spread the disease, either. Symptoms of Ebola: Ebola can feel early like the flu or other illnesses. Symptoms show up 2 to 21 days after infection and usually include: high fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, sore throat, weakness, stomach pain, lack of appetite. As the disease gets worse, it causes bleeding inside the body, as well as from the eyes, ears, and nose. Some people will vomit or cough up blood, have bloody diarrhoea, and get a rash. How it is diagnosed: Sometimes it is hard to tell if a person has Ebola from the symptoms alone. Doctors may test to rule out other diseases like cholera or malaria. Tests of blood and tissues also can diagnose Ebola. If you have Ebola, you will be isolated from the public immediately to prevent the spread. Please create awareness, not panic, about Ebola! (You can know more about this disease through the Internet.)

Quote for the Day 16Aug2014

From God's perspective, all things are working together for the believer’s good and for His honor. - Poh Fang Chia

Quote for the Day 15Aug2014

Do you know that you are different, special and unique from others? Develop your style. If you do what others are doing, your difference will not be noticed and you will be missing in the crowd. Whoever you may be and whatever you are doing, let your style be unique and live your own life in a special way. - Femi Emmanuel

Quote for the Day 14Aug2014

God wants you to live a stress-free life, not one filled with worries about tomorrow’s problems. When tomorrow comes, His grace will be there for you as your help, protection, favor and enabling! - Joseph Prince

Quote for the Day 13Aug2014

When trials intrude to slow down your life, it would be easy for you to give in; but by perseverance you’ll overcome strife, so just keep on plodding - with Christ you can win. - Branon

Quote for the Day 12Aug2014

God can create roads where we see only obstacles. When the way ahead of us seems uncertain, it’s good to remember what God has done in the past. He specializes in pathways in any circumstance - pathways that point us to His love and power. - David McCasland

Quote for the Day 11Aug2014

Man’s way lead to a hopeless end. God’s ways lead to endless hope. - Amos O. Tella

Quote for the Day 10Aug2014

What are those bad and wrong things that you also take pleasure in? In what way do you approve of those that are doing such bad and wrong things? Beware that you do not take pleasure in bad and wrong things. - Bayo Afolaranmi

DO YOU TAKE PLEASURE IN THEM?

Dearly Beloved, DO YOU TAKE PLEASURE IN THEM? "Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:32 NIV). There is a Yoruba proverb that goes thus: "He who does not eat rat should not use his teeth to divide it for the children." The proverb amused me. However as I pondered on it further, I realized that many Christians are like that proverbial man. They would not want to do something, especially bad thing, but they take pleasure in such things when other people are doing them. King Solomon took pleasure in foreign women when God forbade the people of Israel not to do so (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). The Bible says, "King Solomon loved many foreign women. They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, `You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.' Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love" (1 Kings 11:1-2 NIV). These foreign women gradually led him away from God. Some good kings of Judah had a flaw - "the high places, however, were not removed" (1 Kings 22:43; 2 Kings 12:3; 14:4; 15:4, 35 NIV). This flaw was recorded against Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amasiah, Azariah, and Jotham. Their problem for not removing these high places was probably that they took pleasure in them. It is ludicrous that some people in the Christian faith are taking pleasure in things that are contrary to the word of God. A good example of this is the controversial ordination of homosexuals in some Christian denominations. I wonder what messages such denominations want to pass across to the unbelievers. What are those bad and wrong things that you also take pleasure in? In what way do you approve of those that are doing such bad and wrong things? Beware that you do not take pleasure in bad and wrong things. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 09Aug2014

We are never too badly broken for God to reshape. He loves us in spite of our imperfections and past mistakes, and He desires to make us beautiful. - Cindy Hess Kasper

Quote for the Day 08Aug2014

Our hope for today and forever lies in the loving mercy of God who calls each star by name. - David McCasland

Quote for the Day 07Aug2014

Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. - Saint Francis de Sales

Quote for the Day 06Aug2014

Stand Tall, Stand Proud. Know that you are unique and magnificent. You do not need the approval of others. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Quote for the Day 05Aug2014

No matter the pressure or what you face, do not seek an alternative from the will of God. - Femi Okunlola

Quote for the Day 04Aug2014

An idol can be any false idea about God. We are made in the image of God. He is not to be made in our image. - Amos O. Tella

Quote for the Day 03Aug2014

People may blame Job for his self-righteousness, but his life is one that even God could boast of. Can you be like Job, and can you do like he did? - Bayo Afolaranmi

CAN YOU DO LIKE JOB DID?

Dearly Beloved, CAN YOU DO LIKE JOB DID? "Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense - let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing. Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown. I would give him an account of my every step; like a prince I would approach him" (Job 31:35-37 NIV). Job was a righteous man. I respect him a lot. His last defense in Job 31 is thought provoking. Let us look at them one after the other: he started the last part of his defense by declaring his covenant "not to look lustfully at a girl" (verse 1). He reiterated this in verse 9 that his heart had never been enticed by a woman. What a sexual purity! He testified about his blamelessness in terms of falsehood and deceit in verses 5-8. Also he talked about how he had not denied justice to his servants because he knew that the same God created him and these servants (verses 13-15). Moreover, he could boast about his generosity to the needy (verses 16-23). This generosity was extended to the members of his household as well as strangers (verses 31-32). He also exonerated himself from putting his trust in material possessions or any form of idolatry (verses 24-28). He could say it that he had never "rejoiced at [his] enemy's misfortune" nor invoke "a curse against his life" (verses 29-30). He even claimed his fairness to inanimate things like land (verses 37-40). In each of the cases, he prayed for severe consequences if he had done otherwise. No wonder, he could appeal his case to the Almighty (verses 35-37). Who on earth nowadays can do like Job did - to be bold enough to be able call people to challenge his/her integrity and fairness? Are we men not looking lustfully at other women, and being enticed by them? Are women also not doing what will make men to lust after them by their dressing and actions? How blameless are we in terms of falsehood and deceit? Are we not treating those that are subordinate to us with injustice? How generous are we to the needy and others around us? Are we not looking up to material possessions and other worldly things as our source of security? Have these things not become our thin gods? What is our attitude to our perceived enemies? Do you not rejoice at their misfortune and even invoke curses on them? How fair are we to animals and inanimate things around us? Can we sincerely pray that God should repay us according to our deeds? People may blame Job for his self-righteousness, but his life is one that even God could boast of (Job 1:8; 2:3). Can you be like Job, and can you do like he did? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 02Aug2014

God will follow you to the ends of the earth to give you another opportunity to surrender your life to Him. How many opportunities has He already given you? Is it not time you stopped running and surrendered your life to Him? - Bob Gass

Quote for the Day 01Aug2014

The secret of joy in work is contained in one word – excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it. - Pearl Buck