Quote for the Day 01Jan2015

To reach up for the new, you must let go of the old. What lies behind you is not nearly as important as what lies in front of you. - Joel Osteen

OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2015

Dearly Beloved, OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2015 Praise the Lord for witnessing another year 2015! As usual, Opeyemi (my wife) and our children (Boluwatife, IfeOluwa, Michael and Abraham) are joining me to welcome you into the New Year with these prophetic prayers adapted from Isaiah 61:6-7 (NKJV). This New Year: - The Lord will give you a new name; - He will find you worthy to serve Him; - You will enjoy the goodness of God in all your endeavours; - Instead of your past shame you will have double honour; - You will rejoice in what the Lord shall apportion you; - In fact, His everlasting joy shall be yours in Jesus’ name. Amen. Happy and prosperous New Year! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor), Baptist Building, Oke Bola, PMB 5113, Ibadan 200001, Nigeria. +2348055159591 +2348163045450 +2348138325934 (WhatsApp Only!) BB PIN:79D09A93 http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/ https://www.facebook.com/PastorBayoAfolaranmi (Facebook Fan Page) https://www.facebook.com/afolabayo https://twitter.com/spiritualdigest http://inspirationaldailyquotes.blogspot.com/ http://smspastorbayo.blogspot.com/ NB Send your reaction to me directly at or .

Quote for the Day 31Dec2014

For all the blessings of the year, for all the friends we hold so dear, for peace on earth, both far and near, we thank Thee, Lord. - Albert H. Hutchinson

Quote for the Day 30Dec2014

The danger of excusing sin under the guise of Christian liberty is evil. To gain self-control, willingly allow Christ control. - Amos O. Tella

Quote for the Day 29Dec2014

When the earth seems to move under us, let’s be flexible in our expectations but firmly confident in God’s steadfast love and care. - Dennis Fisher

Quote for the Day 28Dec2014

Undoubtedly, the Lord has done many things for you this fading year. Have you reflected on these things? Do you have any reason to praise Him this year? - Bayo Afolaranmi

WHAT IS MAN THAT YOU CARE FOR HIM?

Dearly Beloved, WHAT IS MAN THAT YOU CARE FOR HIM? “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?” (Psalm 144:1-3 NIV). As the year 2014 comes to an end, I am looking back and reflecting on my life and activities in the fading year. The year started brightly for me. I had many aspirations that I wanted to come to pass before the end of the year. I took for granted that I will see the end of the year. With few days for the year to come to an end, I am still alive. I have embarked literally and figuratively on many journeys of life in the course of the year. I have encountered many dangers and passed through many storms of life. Here I am today about to see the end of the year. Each day I am sleeping in the evening and waking up early the next day. I am even observing my siestas any time I have the opportunity. I never knew what is happening when I am asleep. Is it my making that I am waking up each time I sleep? The systems in my body are working perfectly. Probably, I visited the hospital once or twice throughout the year for medical check-ups. I was never admitted for once for health reasons in any hospital. I am eating foods and drinking water and other drinks. How these substances undergo digestive processes in me is a mystery to me. I am easily excreting the waste elements in me everyday. My reasoning faculty is working fine. I am free to go from one place to another. I can go on and on recounting what has happened and is still happening to me in the dying year. Are all these my doings? What of millions of people that started this year with me, but are no more today? Am I better than them? What of people that are alive, but are not enjoying all these good things that I am enjoying? What makes me special than these people? As I am reflecting on all these, the words of the Psalmist quoted above come to my mind. What attracts me most in the verses is the clause, “...what is man that you care for him...?” What or who am I that is making God to be so good to me this year? Why is He so mindful of me? Admittedly, I could not achieve all my aspirations this year. However, the Lord has been so good to me during the year. I praise Him for He is indeed “my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?” (Psalm 144:1-3 NIV). Undoubtedly, the Lord has done many things for you also this fading year. Have you reflected on these things? Do you have any reason to praise Him this year? Will you not also join the Psalmist to exclaim, O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 27Dec2014

The power of the Holy Spirit enables us to withstand evil and temptation and to persevere in times of persecution or hardship, but the power of the Holy Spirit is never a vaccination against difficulty. - Michael Youssef

Quote for the Day 26Dec2014

Boxing Day is associated with giving and receiving of gifts. Have you received the greatest Gift, Jesus Christ, into your life? - Bayo Afolaranmi

Quote for the Day 25Dec2014

I heard the bells on Christmas day their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good will to men. - Henry W. Longfellow

Quote for the Day 24Dec2014

Would not life be worth the living, would not dreams be coming true if we kept the Christmas spirit all the whole year through? - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 23Dec2014

Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the will of God. - Dennis Fisher

Quote for the Day 22Dec2014

If you are enduring a long-term inconvenience, consider thanking God for what He is teaching you through it. - Amos O. Tella

Quote for the Day 21Dec2014

It is good to make good resolutions on December 31. However, do not wait till that day. Resolve today to abstain from bad habits and start doing good. If you sincerely determine today, the Lord will indeed help you. - Bayo Afolaranmi

DO NOT WAIT TILL DECEMBER 31

Dearly Beloved, DO NOT WAIT TILL DECEMBER 31 “As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NIV). One of the contacts on one of my BBM lists contacted me recently and wanted me to counsel him on how he could overcome the habit of masturbation. As I probed into his activities and companions, he made some confessions about what he is doing that he thinks contribute to his bad habit. I counselled him to abstain from such actions. His response was that he would start abstaining from them as from December 31 as part of his New Year resolutions. I disagreed and told him straightaway that he does not need to wait till any day to start abstaining from any action that he knows may be contributing to his bad habit if really wants to be free from such habit. He promised to try. He later informed me that there have been changes since the day he started abstaining from such actions. It is common to see people making New Year resolutions on December 31, especially as they are about to enter the New Year. Most of these resolutions include determination to change some bad habits in the New Year. Interestingly, such determinations hardly last through the month of January before the people that make it go back to their bad habits. Certainly, such resolutions have become usual practices that do not come from the depth of the hearts of people that normally make them. As tradition, such people join other people to make the resolutions without real commitment to keeping them. If it were not so, why do people wait for a particular day (especially December 31) before making resolutions to change from a particular bad habit? God has given man the willpower to do what is good or otherwise. In fact, He has given us the grace to do the right thing at the right time. However, are we making good use of this grace? Apostle Paul enjoined the Corinthian Christians not to receive God's grace in vain because NOW is the time of God's favor (see 2 Corinthians 6:1-2). If this is so, why then postponing the time when God is ready to help you? It is good to make good resolutions on December 31. However, do not wait till that day. Resolve today to abstain from bad habits and start doing good. If you sincerely determine today, the Lord will indeed help you. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord, help me to sincerely resolve NOW to abstain from bad habits and consciously start doing good things.

Quote for the Day 20Dec2014

The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. - Benjamin Mays

Quote for the Day 19Dec2014

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement. - Debra Cummings

Quote for the Day 18Dec2014

The spectacular glory of God’s love for us was revealed in the coming of Jesus. - Bill Crowder

Quote for the Day 17Dec2014

Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive; and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done. - Benjamin E. Mays

Quote for the Day 16Dec2014

Your doubt cannot change your situation. What will change your situation is your faith. – Supo Ayokunle

Quote for the Day 15Dec2014

Our life and blessing is to bring God glory. Delay is not denial. When our blessings are delayed by God it is to bring greater glory to Him. - EA Adeboye

Quote for the Day 14Dec2014

While it is good to decently celebrate the Child that was born in Bethlehem, it is far better to believe in the Son that was given during that event for the salvation of humankind. - Bayo Afolaranmi

UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN

Dearly Beloved, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV). Christmas season every year has been dedicated to the celebration of the Child Jesus Christ that was born “...wrapped... in swaddling cloths, and laid... in a manger” (Luke 2:7 NKJV) in Bethlehem some two thousand years ago. It is interesting that Prophet Isaiah rightly prophesied that a Child would be born, and a Son would be given. However, it is unfortunate that many people take no or little notice of this, especially the Son that was given that day! While the Child that was born signifies the humanity of Jesus Christ, the Son that was given signifies His deity. The attraction centred on the Child that was born has belittled the significance of the Son that was given. The Child that was born was the Son that was given through the demonstration of the love of God the Father to the world “…that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV. See also John 1:14, 18; Romans 5:6-10; 8:32; 1 Timothy 1:15-16). The latter part of the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 is referring to the Son that was given. He is the Messiah that “the government will be upon His shoulder” - the eternal King that will reign and rule over the Universe. This Son’s “...name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV). He is indeed more than a child that many people are celebrating during Christmas. While it is good to decently celebrate the Child that was born in Bethlehem, it is far better to believe in the Son that was given during that event for the salvation of humankind. Do not let the celebration of the born Child blindfold you to the importance of the given Son who will judge the world one day. Unto us a Son is given! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 13Dec2014

Good leaders feel secure enough to repent when wrong. They don't have to project their self-worth, defend their every move, or make excuses for their failures. - John C. Maxwell

Quote for the Day 12Dec2014

Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using your word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love. - Miguel Ruiz

Quote for the Day 11Dec2014

Those who sincerely look for Jesus will see Him. Those who are insincere in looking for Him will miss Him. - SAK Olaleye

Quote for the Day 10Dec2014

There are many who are struggling or have fallen on hard times and need our assistance. Who in your life needs a helping hand? - Dennis Fisher

Quote for the Day 09Dec2014

Life’s challenges sometimes seem impossible. Do you feel you are too weak to fight the battle? Do not give up! Keep your heart loyal to God, for He constantly watches over you, and He desires to demonstrate His strength in your life. - Henry Blackaby

Quote for the Day 08Dec2014

O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace. – Charles Wesley

Quote for the Day 07Dec2014

Any celebration or activity during this Christmas season that does not give glory to Jesus Christ is not pleasing to God. He wants us to use the season to worship Him. - Bayo Afolaranmi

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

Dearly Beloved, O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:1-2 NIV). The Christmas season is here again! It was like yesterday that we celebrated the last one last year. Thanks be to God for sparing our lives to witness another season. While some people are indifferent to the season and its cause, many people would have started planning on how to utilize the season to their advantage. Unfortunately, most of these people will still commit the error of leaving the Reason for the season, Jesus Christ, out of the season. The season is to be used to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ by adoring Him in all way we can. The Magi from the east came to Jerusalem to worship the new born King. The concept of adoration of Jesus Christ the Lord during Christmas season, and even all seasons, might have prompted the writer of one of popular Christmas hymns, “O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL” (Adeste Fideles) who many people believed to be John Francis Wade (c. 1710-1786) to invite people to come and adore the Christ the Lord. Wade summoned all the faithful to come joyfully and triumphantly to behold the King of angels and adore Him. Wade used the hymn to describe who this new born King is: “True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal... Son of the Father, begotten, not created.” As the shepherds and the Magi came to adore the new born King, we also ought to come and adore Him. We should give all glory to Him now and forever. Amen. Any celebration or activity during this Christmas season that does not give glory to Jesus Christ is not pleasing to God. He wants us to use the season to worship Him. “O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.” In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 06Dec2014

Knowing that heaven is our real home makes it easier to pass through the tough times here on earth. - Charles Spurgeon

Quote for the Day 05Dec2014

As you prepare to celebrate Christmas this season, do you have a place for Jesus Christ in your life? - Gold Anie

Quote for the Day 04Dec2014

No Christian, no matter the level of his spiritual attainment and maturity, is immune against troubles and tribulations. - Olufemi Babalola

Quote for the Day 03Dec2014

If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy. - Anonymous

Quote for the Day 02Dec2014

Praise is our enthusiastic expression of gratitude to God for reigning in glory forever. - Julie Ackerman Link