Quote for the Day 30Sep2014

We can find hope by putting everything in God’s hands and then trusting Him for the outcome. - Dave Branon

Quote for the Day 29Sep2014

If God sends you on stony paths, He will provide you with strong shoes. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 28Sep2014

Listening to medical, professional, ministerial and other specialized advices about your health, business, family or other endeavors are part of taking care of yourself. - Bayo Afolaranmi

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!

Dearly Beloved, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses" (1 Timothy 5:23 NIV). The above Bible passage has been one of the most misinterpreted and misapplied ones. In fact, it is one of those controversial verses of the Bible. Drunkards and those that are inclined to drinking too much wine and alcoholic drinks are quick to refer to it in support of their action. However, as I was in a Sunday school class one Sunday, I saw a different application to the instruction of Paul to Timothy: Timothy should take care of himself. The means of doing this was taking of some wine. Other places where the Bible refers to wine as something of medicinal substance are: Second Samuel 16:2 where it was said to revive the faint; Proverbs 31:6 where it was said to be suitable as a sedative for people in distress; Luke 10:34 where the Samaritan poured oil and wine on the wounds of the injured traveler; and Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23 where it was mixed with a drug to ease suffering. Well, this devotional write-up is not aimed at supporting or not supporting the use of wine, but to underscore the importance of taking care of oneself. Paul was concerned about the well being of Timothy, and he recommended to him a way of taking care of himself. No doubt, Timothy yielded to this advice to his own good. Medical and other advices have been given to many people today, and many people do not yield to such good advices to their detriment. Are you one of such people that do not yield to medical, professional, ministerial and other specialized advices about your health, business, family or other endeavors? Part of taking care of yourself is yielding to such good advices. "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise" (Proverbs 19:20 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor) WEBSITE REDESIGNING I want to redesign the official website of my Internet ministry: http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/. It was first designed and hosted in 2008. Undoubtedly, it is overdue for redesigning. If the Lord is leading you to be part of this project, send a private message to me at spiritualdigest@yahoo.com. God bless you!

Quote for the Day 27Sep2014

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hands. - Rhea F. Miller

Quote for the Day 26Sep2014

Praise, like prayer, is one great means of promoting the growth of the spiritual life. It helps to remove our burdens, to excite our hope, to increase our faith. - Charles Spurgeon

Quote for the Day 25Sep2014

Your life is a story. Each day you get to write a new page. So fill those pages with responsibility to God, to others, and to yourself. If you do, in the end you will not be disappointed. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 24Sep2014

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow but only empties today of its strength. - C. H. Spurgeon

Quote for the Day 23Sep2014

In facing our fears and struggles, it’s vital that we yield totally to God. When we do, God can use our problems as an avenue for His power. - Dennis Fisher

Quote for the Day 22Sep2014

As you cling to God’s promises, ask Him to reveal new direction and purpose for your life. - Cindy Hess Kasper

Quote for the Day 21Sep2014

When Jesus comes to reward His servants, whether it be noon or night, faithful to Him will He find us watching, with our lamps all trimmed and bright? - Fanny Crosby

WILL JESUS FIND US WATCHING?

Dearly Beloved, WILL JESUS FIND US WATCHING? "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13 NIV). The story of the Ten Virgins is one of the popular parables of Jesus Christ. It tells of ten virgins that were waiting for a bridegroom. Interestingly, five of these virgins were wise by having oil in their jars along with their lamps while the other five were foolish by not having extra oil thereby not preparing for any eventuality. The bridegroom delayed in coming and arrived late in the night. The prepared wise virgins could accompany the bridegroom to the wedding banquet while the foolish ones missed the banquet because they were not adequately prepared. It was probably this Bible story that motivated the famous blind hymn writer, Frances J. Crosby (also known as Fanny Crosby), to compose the hymn “WILL JESUS FIND US WATCHING?” in 1875. The words of the hymn attest to this. Crosby asked that will Jesus find us faithfully watching with our lamps all trimmed and bright when He comes to reward His servants whether it is noon or night. Can we say we are ready for the soul’s bright home? If Jesus shall call us one by one at the dawn of the early morning to restore our talents back to Him, will He be able to say “Well done” to us? We shall have a glorious rest if there is nothing in our hearts to condemn us after we have been true to the trust He left us and have sought to do our best. Blessed indeed are those whom the Lord finds watching because they shall share in His glory. However, the big question is, “If He shall come at the dawn or midnight, will He find us watching there?” So are you really ready if Jesus Christ should return today? Or are you like the foolish virgins in the biblical story? Jesus Christ will come back one day. It may be now, it may be later. The fact that He has not come for the past two thousand years does not negate the certainty of His coming. Are you ready for His coming? Will He find you watching? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ will not meet you unprepared.

Quote for the Day 20Sep2014

When people hunger for God, God has a way of satisfying them. - Dickson Madoghwe

Quote for the Day 19Sep2014

Because of Jesus we can come to God through prayer anywhere, anytime. - Dennis Fisher

Quote for the Day 18Sep2014

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 18Sep2014

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 17Sep2014

Better to do our deeds to honor God and serve others than to do them to collect gratitude. - Randy Kilgore

Quote for the Day 16Sep2014

Sow a thought, reap an act; Sow an act, reap a habit; Sow a habit, reap a character; Sow a character, reap a destiny. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 15Sep2014

It is our duty and responsibility to find out why we were created and use the very gifts God has given us for His glory and not our own. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 14Sep2014

Success is not the end of the story in your life. Always prepare to manage the aftermath of your success. When success comes, be ready to face more challenges. Such challenges may be positive or negative. - Bayo Afolaranmi

WHEN SUCCESS COMES

Dearly Beloved, WHEN SUCCESS COMES "Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they travelled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter" (Exodus 15:22-23 NIV). The people of Israel had just recorded a great success - God delivered them completely from the oppressing Egyptians by making them pass through the Red Sea on dry ground and completely drowning their foes in the sea (Exodus 14). They acknowledged this victory by singing songs of praise to the Lord (Exodus 15:1-21). However, immediately after leaving the Red Sea, they were confronted with a challenge - wandering in the desert for three days without finding water. Even when they eventually found one, they could not drink it because it was bitter. The reaction of the people of Israel showed that they could not manage their success neither could they rely on the source of the success. Nevertheless, the point of emphasis here is not about their reaction, but about the aftermath of the success. The Bible is full of aftermaths of successes: Noah could not control himself at the first fruit of his labour after the flood (Genesis 9); Abraham was asked to sacrifice the son he had in his old age (Genesis 22); the people of Israel went through River Jordan on a dry ground into the waiting hands of the hostile Canaanites (Joshua 3-10); Gideon fell into the sin of idolatry after God gave him and the people of Israel victory over the oppressing Midianites (Judges 8:22-27); Samson failed to manage his many successes over the rampaging Philistines and eventually fell into their hands (Judges 14-16); Samuel was a successful minister of God, but he could not train his children the ways of the Lord (1 Samuel 7:13-8:3); Saul was overcome by covetousness after his success over the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15); David fell into the sins of adultery and murder after God had established his kingdom (2 Samuel 11); in spite of his wisdom, Solomon loved and married many foreign women to his peril (1 Kings 11); of note was Uzziah whose success made him to go against the law of God (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). The list cannot be exhausted. Do you know that success is not the end of the story in your life? Do you always prepare to manage the aftermath of your success? When success comes, be ready to face more challenges. Such challenges may be positive or negative. Pray that God will enable you to handle them successfully. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 13Sep2014

God’s power can be more easily seen and experienced in our lives when we get rid of sin’s build-up every day. - Cindy Hess Kasper

Quote for the Day 12Sep2014

Christian worship is not for enjoyment. It is for the glory of God. Worship is not about us. It is about God and for God. - Rueben Chuga

Quote for the Day 11Sep2014

Kind words may be free, but they give a priceless lift of spirit. Why not encourage someone today? - David C. McCasland

Quote for the Day 11Sep2014

Kind words may be free, but they give a priceless lift of spirit. Why not encourage someone today? - David C. McCasland

Quote for the Day 10Sep2014

God cannot be worshipped outwardly, or by special rituals in special places. He can only be worshipped in spirit and truth. - Reuben Chuga

Quote for the Day 09Sep2014

Everyone aspiring to succeed here on earth must fearlessly launch out into the deep of life. You must be willing to leave the safety of where you are, and step on to another different terrain of achievement and exploits. - Femi Emmanuel

Quote for the Day 08Sep2014

When God asks us to follow Him, He wants to lead us to a place of closer fellowship with Himself. His Word assures us that He is loving and faithful in leading those who humbly follow Him. - Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Quote for the Day 07Sep2014

God is not looking for ordinary workers, but workers that are willing to work for Him diligently. - Bayo Afolaranmi

WANTED: A DILIGENT WORKER!

Dearly Beloved, WANTED: A DILIGENT WORKER! "One night Eli… was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down…. Then the LORD called Samuel" (1 Samuel 3:2-4 NIV). "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men" (Proverbs 22:29 NIV). The boy Samuel was ministering in the tabernacle at Shiloh when he suddenly heard somebody calling his name. He thought it was Eli the priest that was calling him. So, he ran to Eli to answer the call. However, it was not Eli. Eli told him to go and lie down. This happened thrice. It was on the third occasion that Eli perceived that it might be God calling Samuel, so he told the boy what he would say when he hears such call again. Samuel heard the call the fourth time and did as Eli told him. The story is a well-known one especially to the children, but there is a lesson in it, that many people do not always take note of: the willingness of Samuel to do anything for his master, Eli, even in the night when others had slept. It was this willingness to serve and his diligence that made God to call him and used him mightily in place of the wayward sons of Eli. Are you also willing to be diligent in your work to the point of having extra-time work without thinking of remuneration for such work? Are you diligent in your work to the extent that your boss and even God can single you out for greater responsibility and compensation? God is not looking for ordinary workers, but workers that are willing to work for Him diligently. Wanted: A diligent worker! Are you ready to be one especially in the service of God? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Requests: 1. God, give me the spirit of diligence to be more diligent in all my work. 2. Let my diligence lead me to higher ground in my working place and in your service in Jesus' name. Amen.

Quote for the Day 06Sep2014

God’s surprises continue so we can take heart. He has not stopped showing His kindness to you and me. - David McCasland

Quote for the Day 05Sep2014

To hoard wealth is foolish, for it is genuine faith, not gold, that will sustain us through trials and result in praise, honor, and glory to God. - Julie Ackerman Link

Quote for the Day 04Sep2014

No one ever cared for me like Jesus; There's no other friend so kind as He; No one else could take the sin and darkness from me- O how much He cared for me! - Charles F. Weigle

Quote for the Day 03Sep2014

God offers His presence to us in life’s darkest moments, which enables us, in turn, to be His presence to the hurting. - Randy Kilgore

Quote for the Day 02Sep2014

Give yourself the gift of forgiving others, not because THEY deserve it, but because YOU deserve the serenity and joy that comes from releasing resentment and anger. Unconditional forgiveness is the path to your own inner peace. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Quote for the Day 01Sep2014

Never lose hope, no matter the size of the mountain confronting you. Your mountain will move as long as you retain your hope in God, because He knows the foundation of every mountain, and can easily uproot them. - EA Adeboye