Spiritual Digest for the Day 31July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Your prayer cannot be answered when you continue to walk in sin. - Supo Ayokunle ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2 NIV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always run from sin so that your prayers will be answered.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 30July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY We serve a God who is both great and good - a God who is big enough for all we will ever face. - Author Unknown ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1 NIV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will indeed experience the greatness and goodness of God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 29July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY The way to be anxious about nothing is to be prayerful about everything. - Author Unknown ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6 NIV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me Lord to be prayerful instead of being anxious.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Only God knows the true condition of our heart, and only He can forgive, heal, and lead us to a cleansed life and productive future. - Joe Stowell ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Allow God to search you today.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else. - Oswald Chambers ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing" (Psalm 34:9 NIV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, enable me to always fear You so that I will have nothing else.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Jesus Christ was that carpenter of Nazareth, but He is more than a carpenter. He is the Savoir and Lord of the whole universe. Have you accepted Him? - Bayo Afolaranmi ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "...and many who heard [Jesus Christ] were amazed. ‘Where did this man get these things’ they asked. ‘What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter?’" (Mark 6:2-3a NIV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for people that have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord to do so before it is too late.

"ISN'T THIS THE CARPENTER?"

Dearly Beloved, "ISN'T THIS THE CARPENTER?" "...and many who heard him were amazed. ‘Where did this man get these things’ they asked. ‘What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? ...’ And they took offense at him" (Mark 6:2-3 NIV). There have been many views and opinions about Jesus Christ. To some, He was a great religious leader. Some view Him as a great teacher. To some people, He was one of the messengers that God sent to this world, especially to a specific people. Others look at Him as only a Savior. People like me believe in Him as the Savior and Lord of the whole earth. However, to His earthly townsmen, He was just a carpenter who they knew His background very well. However, He was, and still is, more than a carpenter. He is even more than what you can think of. The reason is that He is God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Many people will disagree with this, even today, because they, like those Jews, are spiritually blind. What is your view about Jesus Christ? Who is He? Having heard what people said He was, He once asked His disciples this question: "Who do you say I am?" (Luke 9:20 NIV). Only Simon Peter could give an answer: "The Christ of God." That was Peter’s naïve answer. He was correct! What would be your answer to such question? Jesus is not only the Savior of the world. He is also the Lord! This means that He owns the world and all that is in it - including you! The implication of this is that even if you do not want to have anything to do with Him, or you are taking offense at Him like those Jews, a day is coming when you will stand before Him at His throne where He will preside as the Judge. You will not have any other option than to give account of how you live your life on earth. The question then will be: "What will Jesus do with me?" "Isn't this the carpenter?" Yes! Jesus Christ was that carpenter of Nazareth, but He is more than a carpenter. He is the Savoir and Lord of the whole universe. Have you accepted Him? The Bible says, "[Jesus Christ] came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" (John 1:11-13 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for people that have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord to do so before it is too late.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Speak for others and show them that God knows their hurt and loneliness. The voice of a courageous Christian is an echo of the voice of God. - Randy Kilgore ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute" (Proverbs 31:8 NIV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Ask God for the courage to speak up when you see others being hurt.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is a God of times and seasons. There is usually a time destined for each thing that happens to us in life. There is a time God has purposed for each individual to accomplish certain things in life. - Supo Ayokunle ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. He sets the time for birth and the time for death, the time for planting and the time for pulling up, the time for killing and the time for healing,the time for tearing down and the time for building" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 TEV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to wait for God’s time for your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY God’s trials in His children are not to impair but to improve them. - Amos O. Tella ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV) ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to endure divine trials in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY It is important to open up to God while you can, because if you bottle up your feelings too long, it will disrupt the harmony of your relationship with Him. - Neil T. Anderson ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge" (Psalm 51:3-4 NIV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Confess every known sin to God now and ask for His forgiveness.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY In times of sorrow and hopelessness, there is a spiritual power available to each one of us through Jesus Christ. Therefore, there is never an occasion to give up. - Michael Youssef ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2 NIV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, enable me to avail myself of your supernatural power in times of hopelessness and sorrow.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY More about Jesus would I know, More of His grace to others show; More of His saving fullness see; More of His love-who died for me! - Eliza E. Hewitt ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death" (Philippians 3:10 TEV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will know more of Jesus Christ this week.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY We cannot sow thistles and reap clover. Nature simply does not run things that way. She goes by cause and effect. - Napoleon Hill ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:7-9 NKJV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always sow good things so as to reap good rewards.

THE HANDS OF ESAU

Dearly Beloved, THE HANDS OF ESAU "Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, 'The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau'" (Genesis 27:22 NIV). Esau and Jacob were twin brothers that were favorites of their father and mother respectively. Isaac their father wanted to give his last blessing to his favorite who was Esau the firstborn, but Rebecca their mother wanted the blessing to be the lot of her favorite, Jacob. Therefore, she colluded with Jacob to deceive Isaac in order that Jacob would get the blessing. Part of the conspiracy was that Jacob would use goatskin to cover some parts of his body so that Isaac would believe that Jacob was indeed Esau who naturally was a hairy man. In the course of their conspiracy, Isaac detected that the voice of the person that had come for his blessing was that of Jacob, but the goatskin deceived him to think that the hands of the person were those of Esau. Many people are still using this tactic of the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau to deceive people to have their ways today. It is interesting to discover that many people even try to use it with God to get His blessings! However, the Bible says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked" (Galatians 6:7 NIV). He is omniscient! The Jews, especially the Pharisees and teachers of the law, in Jesus' time on earth, and many people today, were hypocrites that tried to use their religiosity to deceive other people and God. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ has this to say about them: "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men" (Mark 7:6-8 NIV). In what way are you also using the hands of Esau to deceive people? Are you trying to do that with God also? Are you a hypocrite? A Yoruba proverb literally says, "A thief [and a deceiver] may have his way for many days, but nemesis will apprehend him one day." Moreover, you cannot deceive God. "A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:7-8 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY Forgiving others is a gift to yourself, given not because the other deserves pardon, but because you deserve the serenity and joy that comes from releasing resentment and anger, and from embracing universal forgiveness. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13 NIV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always forgive those that offend you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY When our confidence is in the sovereignty of God, we will not panic when we face tough circumstances. But when we try to control our lives and manipulate events and people to our advantage, we will become frustrated and joyless. - Michael Youssef ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones" (Proverbs 3:5-8 NKJV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to always put my total trust in You.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY God desires that we show respect to all people, because everyone bears His image. - Helen Keller ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27 NIV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to respect everyone irrespective his/her status.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY You are addressed by your dressing. If you are clothed with pride, disgraceful situation will attend to you. If with humility, honourable and uplifting situations will be your guests. – EA Adeboye ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Everyone who makes himself great will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be made great" (Luke 18:14 TEV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the spirit of humility so that you will not be humiliated in life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well. - Martin Luther King, Jr. ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:23 NKJV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to do my work heartily today.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12July2015

QUOTE FOR THE DAY There have been, and still are, many self-acclaimed mediators between God and man. None of them has the qualifications that distinguish Jesus Christ as the greatest High Priest. Who is your representative before God? Accept Jesus Christ today and have the boldness of meeting God now and hereafter. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************************** BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God — Jesus, the Son of God” (Hebrews 4:14 TEV). ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for people that have not accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord to be led to His saving knowledge.

JESUS CHRIST THE GREATEST HIGH PRIEST

Dearly Beloved, JESUS CHRIST THE GREATEST HIGH PRIEST “Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God — Jesus, the Son of God” (Hebrews 4:14 TEV). Traditionally, a priest represents the people before the deities. He helps them to offer sacrifices to the deities. He is in charge of the shrine and other things pertaining to the worship of the deities. In the history of the people of Israel, the high priest, with the help of other priests and the Levites, performed these functions. Unfortunately, they were not perfect, and they could not represent the people well before the Almighty God. Nevertheless, the writer of the book of the Hebrews presented Jesus Christ as the greatest High Priest who surpasses all other high priests. This is one of the thrusts of the book. Jesus Christ qualified Himself to be a merciful and faithful High Priest by becoming a man (2:11-18) who is sympathetic with human weaknesses (4:15). Jesus Christ did not assume the office of high priest for self-glory (5:5), but He was called by God to the office, and not of the order of Aaron, but of Melchizedek (5:10). Jesus Christ had no need, as the sons of Aaron, to offer sacrifices for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, for He had no sin (7:27-28). The other high priests offered animal blood that could never take sin away (10:1-4), but Jesus Christ offered His own blood (9:12) once for all (9:26; 10:10, 12). Because of their mortality, there were many priests with temporal priesthood (7:23); but the priesthood of Jesus Christ is an eternal priesthood because He lives forever (7:25). The priesthood of the other high priests was performed in an earthly model of the real sanctuary in heaven (8:5), but Jesus Christ is performing His ministry in heaven itself (4:14; 9:11), seated at the right hand of God (10:12). By His one offering, He has achieved His goal—the sanctification of His people. What a great High Priest! No wonder, anyone who accepts Him as his/her personal Savior and Lord – the only mediator between God and man (see 1 Timothy 2:5) – can come directly into the presence of God. There have been, and still are, many self-acclaimed mediators between God and man. None of them has the qualifications that distinguish Jesus Christ as the greatest High Priest. Therefore, they cannot save anyone who follows them. Who is your representative before God? Accept Jesus Christ today and have the boldness of meeting God now and hereafter. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for people that have not accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord to be led to His saving knowledge.

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: THE WORD OF GOD REMAINS UNCHANGEABLE

Dearly Beloved, I sent out this message less than a month ago. However, the recent verdict of the US Supreme Court in support of same-sex marriage will make me to resend this message. No matter any man-made law, 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.