IF NOT FOR GOD...

Dearly Beloved, IF NOT FOR GOD... "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV). We are already in the middle of the year. Have you ever looked back to see what God has done in your life this very year? I did, and I realized that if not for God, especially for His faithfulness over my life, probably I would have been no more by now. I have a first cousin that grew together with me. Our intimacy then made people to refer to us as "husband and wife." However, marital and other commitments of life kept both of us away from each other for many years, though we do communicate regularly on phone. Her recent visit to my family was a reminiscence of our childhood years. We looked back to when we were growing up and now that both of us are happily married with children. We discussed our experiences in the past years. As a practicing nurse, she recounted many experiences of dying people who died in her presence. She noted that many of such people were younger to her in age. What normally comes to her mind whenever such people die is that what makes her better than these people that makes God to still preserve her life until the present. I also looked back and remembered many times I have travelled especially on the dangerous road from my school. Why has God preserved me from all sorts of dreaded accidents that have claimed the lives of many people? My cousin and I concluded that it is the grace of God that makes us to still be alive today. If not for God’s faithfulness and grace, we would have been consumed by the storm of life! If you look back, you will see many things that God has done in your life. In that popular hymn, "Count Your Blessings," Johnson Oatman, Jr. wrote, "When you look at others with their lands and gold ... count your many blessings money cannot buy.... Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, See what God has done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God has done." If not for God’s faithfulness and grace.... In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will always look back and appreciate God for what He has been doing in your life.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 27Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Whenever we become discouraged by the evil we can see, we need to think instead about the good work God is doing that we cannot see. - Julie Ackerman Link ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them’” (2 Kings 6:15-16 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Lord, open my inner eyes to see that You are really fighting for me.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 26Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY 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 ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to loyally keep my heart to You.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 24Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY We do not know when God will call us home, but we do know this: Each day is an opportunity to leave a testimony worthy of our faith. - Dave Branon ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity]” (Philippians 1:21 AMP). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to leave a testimony worthy of our faith.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 23Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY The only way you can serve God is by serving other people. - Rick Warren ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to serve others as I strive to serve You.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 22Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Wherever we are and whatever we’re doing, God wants to be a part of it. When prayer enters every aspect of our lives, who knows what God might do for His glory! - Dennis Fisher ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then David prayed to God: ‘Shall I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you help me beat them?’ ‘Go up,’ God replied. ‘Count on me. I'll help you beat them’” (2 Samuel 5:19-20a MSG). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always ask for the leadership of the Holy Spirit in everything you do.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 21Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY The heavenly Father has demonstrated such great love for us even while we do not deserve it. Have you appropriated that love into your life by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and Lord? - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him” (1 John 3:1 NKJV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Lord, do not let your fatherly love over me be in vain.

THE GREATER LOVE OF A FATHER

Dearly Beloved, THE GREATER LOVE OF A FATHER “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him” (1 John 3:1 NKJV). King David was such a loving father. He loved his children so much that he did not want any harm to befall them, even when the children were wayward and sought his life. The case of Absalom is a good example of this. Here was a son who wanted to overthrow his father and did not even care if the father was dead (see 2 Samuel 15). In spite of this, David still cared for him and commanded his army commanders to take care of the life of Absalom in the ensued civil war (see 2 Samuel 18:5). David wept bitterly when he learnt about the eventual death of Absalom and wished that he (David) had died in place of Absalom (see 2 Samuel 18:28-33). What a great love of a father! However, there is a greater love demonstrated by our heavenly Father. God, the Creator of the Universe loves man so much that He made him the crown of His creation. He made man to have dominion over every created being (see Genesis 1:28-30; Psalm 8:5-7). In spite of this, man disobeyed God and fell out of favour with God. God cast man out His garden (see Genesis 3). However, God quickly began a way of salvation for man (Genesis 3:15, 21). Although man continued his waywardness (Genesis 6:5-7), God did not abandon man totally. He still preserved a remnant in person of Noa and renewed His covenant with man (Genesis 9). God called Abraham out of his kindred and established a nation through his descendants. “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised” (Acts 13:23 NIV). Jesus Christ came to the world and paid the ultimate sacrifice for man’s sin. As caring and loving Father, God did all these when man continued to be wayward. Apostle Paul summarized it thus: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NIV. See also John 3:16; 15:13; Romans 3:5; 5:6-7; 8:39; 1 John 4:10). Every one who believes in Jesus Christ is giving the right to become a child of God (see John 1:11-13). No wonder, Apostle John could exclaim: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1 NKJV). What a greater love of our heavenly Father! The heavenly Father has demonstrated such great love for us even while we do not deserve it. Have you appropriated that love into your life by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and Lord? As a father, do you love your children in spite of who they are or what they are doing to you? Happy Father’s Day! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that fathers will be able to love their children in spite of all odds.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 20Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Our daily battles may tire us, but one day we will have eternal rest and peace in heaven. Satan will experience his final defeat. - Michael Youssef ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace not to lose heart in spite of the challenges of this life.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 19Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Jesus anchors our souls, so that we will not drift away from our hope in God. - Marvin Williams ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain" (Hebrews 6:19 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to place your hope fully in God.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 18Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY God does not always do what people want Him to do nor does He do it when they want Him to do it, let alone do it how they want Him to do it. - Fred Deegbe ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts'" (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to understand You better in Your dealings with me.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 17Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Give it all to God: your past regrets, your present problems, your future ambitions, your fears, dreams, weaknesses, habits, hurts, and hang-ups. Put Jesus Christ in the driver’s seat of your life and take your hands off the steering wheel. Do not be afraid; nothing under His control can ever be out of control. - Rick Warren ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully” (1 Peter 5:7 AMP). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray for the ability to always put Jesus Christ in the driver’s seat of your life and take your hands off the steering wheel.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 16Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is taking you to a new location where He will do a new thing in your life and give you a new position. - Supo Ayokunle ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19 NKJV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Lord, do a new thing in my life today.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 15Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all. - D.L. Moody ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not relent in asking God until your joy is complete.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 14Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY The Word of God supersedes any other norm. Some so-called Christians may change their stands on any controversial issue, the Word of God stands firm and remains unchanged no matter the changing trends in the world. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’ And this is the word that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:24-25 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will remain faithful to the Word of God no matter the popular trend around you.

THE WORD OF GOD REMAINS UNCHANGEABLE

Dearly Beloved, THE WORD OF GOD REMAINS UNCHANGEABLE “For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’ And this is the word that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:24-25 NIV). Recently, I read an article titled, "Are Christians Changing Their Minds On Gay Marriage?” online. The writer of the article frowned at the views of some notable Christians in America that are changing their minds in favour of homosexuality. The writer also reiterated the stand of the Word of God on that abnormal act. As I read the article, I remembered the recent vote in favour of homosexuality in Republic of Ireland, a country that is supposedly dominated mainly by Christians. It is shameful that some churches also have accepted this deviant act and we now have gay pastors and even gay bishops! I just cannot imagine how such issue will become a debate or practice among Christians when the injunctions of the Holy Bible are very clear about it. Here are some of the injunctions: “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable” (Leviticus 18:22 NIV). “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads” (Leviticus 20:13 NIV). “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error” (Romans 1:26-27 NIV). “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NIV). “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me” (1 Timothy 1:8-11 NIV). With these biblical injunctions, the practice or debate whether to consider or accept homosexuality in Christendom has been defeated and any right thinking Christian should stand against the act no matter how popular it is becoming in our society. The Word of God supersedes any other norm. Some so-called Christians may change their stands on any controversial issue, the Word of God stands firm and remains unchanged no matter the changing trends in the world. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will remain faithful to the Word of God no matter the popular trend around you.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 13Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY You cannot cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. - Rabindranath Tagore ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you keep calling out to me for help? Tell the Israelites to move forward’” (Exodus 14:15 CEV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray for the ability to move forward into your breakthrough in life.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 12Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it? Would you be likely to give them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer, you must truly appreciate what you already have. - Ralph Marston ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds" (Psalm 9:1 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to always thank You with my whole heart for what You are doing for me everyday.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 11Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities - always see them, for they're always there. - Norman Vincent Peale ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]" (Philippians 4:13 AMP). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray for the ability to see possibility in every impossibility.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 10Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Every promise God gives to you can only come to pass only when you claim it and pursue it. You will experience the fulfillment of God's promises more often if only you choose not to give up too soon. - Olufemi Babalola ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it" (Judges 8:4 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that God will give you the grace and strength to remain in pursuit until you finally overtake and recover all that belong to you.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 09Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Following Jesus Christ demands undivided loyalty and full commitment. - Kayode Oyedemi ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God’” (Luke 9:61-62 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to follow Jesus Christ with undivided loyalty and full commitment for the rest of your life.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 08Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Undertake something difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. - Ronald E. Osborn ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always aspire to achieve more in life.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 07Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY I belong NOT to everybody or nobody. I belong to Somebody. I belong to my God! - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “If we live, we live to honor the Lord; and if we die, we die to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:8 ISV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be conscious of the fact that you belong to God.

I BELONG NOT TO EVERYBODY

Dearly Beloved, I BELONG NOT TO EVERYBODY “You know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God, don’t you? You do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought for a price. Therefore, glorify God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ISV). On May 29, 2015, in his inaugural speech as the newly sworn-in fifth executive president of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari inter alia said, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” This statement instantly became famous and many people gave it several interpretations. However, less than twenty-four hours after the statement was made, there was an emanated picture of a seemingly couple where the husband was querying his wife why she was not faithful to him and the wife was answering, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” The originator of the picture and people that were spreading it on social media were undoubtedly making fun out of the statement. Unfortunately, there have been many other funny pictures and captions relating to this statement. While this message is not intended to give the meaning or application of the said statement, it is clear that it is not meant for fun or unfaithfulness in the part of any spouse or any other person in a serious relationship. Nonetheless, the statement should remind you as a Christian about an important fact that you do not belong to everybody or nobody. In fact, you do not belong to yourself. You belong to God. You have been bought for a price, and you must, therefore, glorify God with your body (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The implication of this for a Christian is that the Christian must abstain from things that will dishonor God in his/her actions and words, and he/she must always present him/herself as a living sacrifice unto the Lord (see Romans 12:1). You cannot use your body as if it belongs to you or any other element outside you. Everything about you must always glorify God. Apostle Paul explained this thus: “If we live, we live to honor the Lord; and if we die, we die to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:8 ISV. See also 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 3:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; 1 Peter 2:9). This fact settles all arguments about what we put on, what we put into our mouth, and how we live our lives. I belong NOT to everybody or nobody. I belong to Somebody. I belong to my God! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will always be conscious of the fact that you belong to God.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 06Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it! But it's much easier when you surrender to his plan for your life! - Author Unknown ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to surrender to your plan for my life.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 05Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY It is essential that we use our words with great wisdom and care. Consider carefully the words you choose. Will they be seasoned with the balm of grace or with the poison of anger? - Bill Crowder ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always use your words with great wisdom and care.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 04Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Nothing in this world can quench thirst for more and satisfy our need except in the Lord Jesus Christ, as we drink from His living water daily we will be refreshed and satisfied. - Akintoye Akintunde ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them’” (John 7:37-38 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray for the refreshed and satisfied living water of Christ to quench your spiritual thirst.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 03Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY You create stress in your life by getting angry, and you can instantly remove that stress by granting forgiveness. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "’In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold" (Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be quick to forgive instead of being angry.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 02Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Once we acknowledge our sin and accept Christ’s offer to take it away, we no longer have to carry the weight of our guilt. - Julie Ackerman Link ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always confess your sins and even forsake them.

SPIRITUAL DIGEST FOR THE DAY 01Jun2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY We need not fear but can have hope because the LORD is the Beginning and the End of all things who is in control of our past, present and future. - Yemi Ladokun ******************* BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades" (Revelation 1:17-18 NIV). ******************* ACTION/PRAYER POINT FOR THE DAY Fear not, but commit your ways to the Lord, the Beginning and the End, this new month. ******************* PRAYER FOR THE MONTH In this month of June, because your times are in the hands of the LORD, He will deliver you from the hands of your enemies and give you total victory from those who pursue you in Jesus' name. Amen. (adapted from Psalm 31:15) - Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi