Quote for the Day 01Dec2014

We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery. - H. G. Wells

Quote for the Day 30Nov2014

Think of those things you have to praise the Lord for. Do not forget all His benefits. Recount them and praise the Lord. Bless the LORD, O my soul! - Bayo Afolaranmi

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL! (Part 2)

Dearly Beloved, BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL! (Part 2) "Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits?" (Psalm 103:1-2 NKJV). This is the continuation of the study on Psalms 103 and 104 started last week. We examined who God is especially in His greatness manifested in His creation which made the psalmist to exclaim to his soul to bless or praise the Lord. In this second part of the study, we will examine what God has done, is doing, and will still do for us that make Him deserve our worship, praises and thanksgiving. The psalmist urged his soul not to forget all the benefits of God. What are these benefits? He enumerated them in this Psalm 103: the Lord forgives all his sins (verse 3a); the Lord heals all his diseases (verse 3b); the Lord redeems his life from destruction (verse 4a); the Lord crowns him with love and compassion (verses 4b, 8, 11, 13, 17); and the Lord satisfies his desires with good things (verse 5). The psalmist declared that the Lord did all those things to his soul, hence, the exclamation to his soul to bless the Lord. He went further to declare other things that the Lord has done and is doing to him as well as other people: the Lord is just to the oppressed (verse 6); the Lord led the Israelites out of slavery through Moses (verse 7); the Lord is gracious and slow to anger (verses 8-10); and in His compassion and love, He treats us like children (verses 10-14). Having declared the goodness (or benefits) of God, the psalmist entreated the angels and all the heavenly hosts to join him in blessing the Lord. He even entreated you and me, His works, to also bless the Lord. Undoubtedly, you also will have many things to praise the Lord for. Think of those things. Do not forget all His benefits. Recount them and praise the Lord. Bless the LORD, O my soul! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 29Nov2014

When the storms of life hit, houses built on and held together by Jesus Christ stand firm. - Marion Stroud

Quote for the Day 28Nov2014

Some lessons of patience take a long time to learn. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 27Nov2014

Be resolute in your goals, but flexible in your tactics. There are times that call for repetition and perseverance; and there are times that require new ways of thinking and doing. The challenge is knowing one from the other. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Quote for the Day 26Nov2014

Be thankful for what you have; you will end up having more. If you concentrate on what you do not have, you will never, ever have enough. - Oprah Winfrey

Quote for the Day 25Nov2014

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. - William James

Quote for the Day 24Nov2014

Let your faith overcome your fear, and God will turn your worry into worship. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 23Nov2014

We should always praise God for who He is as He has demonstrated it in His creation. Bless the LORD, O my soul! - Bayo Afolaranmi

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!

Dearly Beloved, BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL! "Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty?" (Psalm 104:1 NKJV). The book of Psalms is full of praises of, and prayers to God. Psalms 103 and 104 are distinct out of the other psalms because of their description of who God is and what He is doing to us that make Him deserve our worship, adoration, praises and thanksgiving. Let us examine first who God is in Psalm 104 before coming back to Psalm 103 to discover what He is doing for us that made the psalmist told his soul "and all that is within" him to bless or praise the Lord. He started with the greatness of God. The greatness of God is manifested in His creation: He stretches out the heavens like a tent (verse 2b); He sets the earth on its unmovable foundations (verse 5) and covers it with the deep (verse 6a); He sets the course of water (verses 6b-9); He satisfies the earth and other creatures by His work (verses 10-13); He makes the earth produce food for the animals and even man (verses 14-15); He provides dwelling place for His creatures (verses 16-18); and He marks off seasons, days and years by the sun and the moon (verses 19-23). The psalmist continues to describe how God made His creation in wisdom, and all these creatures look unto God for sustenance (verses 24-29). Having considered all these things, the psalmist concludes that the glory of God will endure for ever and that he would respond to God's greatness by singing to Him all his life and that he would find pleasure in meditating about it. The implication of this psalm is that we should always praise God for who He is as He has demonstrated it in His creation. Bless the LORD, O my soul! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). NB Next week, we will consider the other aspect of why our soul should bless the Lord. Till then, God bless you!

Quote for the Day 22Nov2014

What can you do right now to begin to turn your life around? The very first thing is to start making a list of things to be grateful for. - Joe Vitale

Quote for the Day 21Nov2014

Learn to fight fear with fear. Those who fear God, above all else, can be delivered from all other fears. - Amos O. Tella

Quote for the Day 20Nov2014

Do not waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment. - Anonymous

Quote for the Day 19Nov2014

Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we could make up our minds to walk boldly through them. - Orison Swett Marden

Quote for the Day 18Nov2014

Whatever our circumstances we can give them to God. He has lifted the burden of our sins; will He not lift the weight of our sorrows? We have trusted Him with our eternal souls; can we not entrust our present circumstances to Him? - David Roper

Quote for the Day 17Nov2014

When God assures you of His presence and support on anything, do not ask questions. Start from where you are till He takes you to where you should be. - Emmanuel Oloruntoba Arotile

Quote for the Day 16Nov2014

What are you passing through personally? Does it seem as if the wicked are having upper hand you? Does it seem as if God is not fighting for you? There is a better future for you! He will fight for you. He will take away your sorrows. - Bayo Afolaranmi

THERE IS A BETTER FUTURE

Dearly Beloved, THERE IS A BETTER FUTURE "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you" (Zephaniah 3:17-18 NIV). "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). The evils of the world especially the seeming triumph of the terrorists in the recent time have made some to conclude that this world can longer be a better place. To such people, things will be going from worse to the worst. The evildoers will be prospering while the righteous and the innocent will continue to suffer for needless pains. This very world may be growing from bad to worse every day because of its waywardness from God. God may have allowed wickedness to triumph over righteousness for some time. However, there is a better future. The people of Judah in the time of prophet Zephaniah were in a similar situation. Their leaders had led them away from God and God had allowed them to face untold hardship from other nations. However, God sent a message of hope to them through prophet Zephaniah - there is a better future! (Zephaniah 3). This message came after God had pronounced judgments on the nations that had tormented them. What are you also passing through personally? Does it seem as if the wicked are having upper hand against you? Does it seem as if God is not fighting for you? There is a better future for you! He will fight for you. He will take away all those sorrows. See what God promised the people of Judah, "At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honour in every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honour and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes" (Zephaniah 3:19-20 NIV). Indeed, there is a better future! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 15Nov2014

With God behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 14Nov2014

Every man’s purpose is pre-determined by God. A man does not choose his purpose; he discovers it. - Sunday Popoola

Quote for the Day 13Nov2014

We live in a dark world that desperately needs to see the light of Jesus Christ. Our calling is to shine forth God’s truth so that others can be directed to the One who redeems and is the path to liberty and life. - Dennis Fisher

Quote for the Day 12Nov2014

When you put your hope in God you need to wait and wait patiently on Him. - Dapo Akinlotan

Quote for the Day 11Nov2014

The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without a purpose. - Myles Munroe

Quote for the Day 10Nov2014

Be not weary in your serving; Do your best for those in need; Kindnesses will be rewarded By the Lord who prompts the deed. - Anonymous

Quote for the Day 09Nov2014

If one can give one’s life totally to God, it would not be difficult to give to the world and its rulers what belong to them and even use that thing that belongs to the world to glorify God. - Bayo Afolaranmi

WHAT BELONGS TO CAESAR?

Dearly Beloved, WHAT BELONGS TO CAESAR? “[Jesus] said to them, ‘Then give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God’” (Luke 20:25 ERV). We were in a Sunday School class recently when a participant privately told me that we can sin at times since Jesus Christ said that we should give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. He further said that giving to God what belongs to God is when we come to church to worship Him. I immediately refuted his opinion and explained that Jesus was not talking about sin in that reference, but mainly about our civic responsibility to the government and the society. He reluctantly nodded his head in agreement. This wrong allusion to what belongs to Caesar made me think more about what really belongs to Caesar and what really belongs to God. If one have a close look at the passage (and other parallel passages - Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17), one will have more understanding on this. The Pharisees and the Herodians colluded together and sent some of their disciples to Jesus to trap Him. They asked, "Tell us, is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" (Luke 20:22 ERV). If Jesus approved paying taxes to Caesar, He would offend the Jews, and this might discredit His ministry among them. If He disapproved paying of taxes to Caesar, the religious leaders would readily have a proof to accuse Him before the ruling Roman powers. However, being omniscient, He knew their antics. So, He asked them to give Him a coin. Having provided the coin, He asked about the image on the coin. They told Him that the image was that of Caesar. He thereby told them to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God. The coin and other materials used as monetary values have the images of this world and its rulers, and they belong to this world and the rulers of this world. They should be given back to the world. Other things including rules and regulations created by the world should be strictly adhered to if they are not contrary to the rules and laws of God (see Acts 4:19; 5:29). However, people that use the money are created in the image of God and belong to God. So, they should give their lives that carry the image of God to God. Apostle Paul put it this way: “So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way” (Romans 12:1 ERV). If one can give one’s life totally to God, it would not be difficult to give to the world and its rulers what belong to them and even use that thing that belongs to the world to glorify God. The person that has given his life totally to God will find it difficult to violate the rules and laws of the world (when they are not contrary to the rules and laws of God), and he will willingly obey the rules and laws of God. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to give your life totally to God and as you give to the world what belong to it you will be able do so and use them to His glory.

Quote for the Day 08Nov2014

By remembering specific ways God has provided for us in the past, we can change our perspective for the better. God’s steadfast love endures forever! - Dennis Fisher

Quote for the Day 07Nov2014

I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition. - Martha Washington

Quote for the Day 06Nov2014

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much. - Mother Teresa

Quote for the Day 05Nov2014

Jesus Christ, who loves us with an everlasting love, understands our struggles, and can be trusted to provide us with a rest we can never find on our own. - Bill Crowder

Quote for the Day 04Nov2014

We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there’s nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all. - Oswald Chambers

Quote for the Day 03Nov2014

Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they have not half the strength you think they have. - Norman Vincent Peale

Quote for the Day 02Nov2014

If God can be good to us in many ways, then we have to appreciate Him by serving Him joyfully even if He does not do, or has not done, what we want Him to do for us. - Bayo Afolaranmi

SERVE GOD WITH JOY

Dearly Beloved, SERVE GOD WITH JOY “Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything...” (Deuteronomy 28:47 NKJV). The first fourteen verses of Deuteronomy chapter 28 are well known by many people because of the promises of God that are there. On the contrary, few people care to study the remaining fifty-four verses in the chapter because of the curses in those latter verses. However, those verses full of curses are warnings for anyone who does not want the curses to be his/her portion. Conspicuously, the main reason for the curses in those verses is disobedience to God, but there are other reasons for these curses as Moses warned the people of Israel. One of such reasons is not serving “God with joy and gladness of heart” for the abundance of His goodness. If God can be good to us in many ways, then we have to appreciate Him by serving Him joyfully even if He does not do, or has not done, what we want Him to do for us. The consequence of not serving Him with joy is servitude to our enemies. Instead of promotion, demotion would be the lot of anyone who refuses to serve God joyfully. In other words, anyone who does not appreciate God may not enjoy more of the goodness of God, but will certainly be under the curse of God. The people of Israel that came out of Egypt are a good example of this. They grumbled against God on many occasions, and all of them (except Caleb and Joshua) could not enter the Promised Land (see Numbers 14:26-35). This year is running to an end. Ponder about your life this year. Are you appreciative of God? Do you serve Him with joy, or you are full of grudges against Him because of what He has not done for you? Do not incur curses of God on yourself. Thank Him and serve Him with joy, and He will manifest Himself in your life. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 01Nov2014

Anyone, anywhere, anytime, who calls on Jesus Christ in faith, experiences the destiny-changing wonder of God’s redemptive love. - Amos O. Tella