Spiritual Digest for the Day 01Dec2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" (Psalm 56:3-4 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY In the face of all of life’s circumstances, we can know the peace of trusting the presence and power of God in the midst of trouble as we wait patiently and prayerfully for His deliverance. So drop your hands, for God’s hands are busy on your behalf! - Joe Stowell ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always trust God in the face of all of life’s circumstances.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 30Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]” (James 5:16 AMP). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not ever underestimate the power of prayer; prayer can achieve the impossible, because it provokes the supernatural intervention of God. - Rotimi Oluwaseyitan ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always make use of the power of prayer in all my circumstances.

ENDURE HARDSHIPS

Dearly Beloved, ENDURE HARDSHIPS "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love" (Revelation 2:2-4 NIV). In His letter to the seven churches in the Asia Minor, God commended the church in Ephesus for enduring hardship for His name. However, the commendation was short-lived because the church forsook its first love. Many people are like that church who would at first endure hardship and persecution because of being Christians but who would later, because of pressures around them give in to the hardship. The Lord has called each of us into this ministry of reconciliation. He backs His call with many promises that assure us that He is with us (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:24). Nevertheless, persecutions may come. "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..." (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV). In spite of this, we should not be afraid of any opposition or persecution. When persecution comes, we should remember that God knows how He will deliver us from such persecution. Apostle Peter said, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" (1 Peter 5:10 NIV). When He does, we become stronger and purer in our faith (see 1 Peter 1:6-9; 2 Peter 2:9). Therefore, stand fast in the ministry God has called you into. He depends on you, and He will not let you down. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Help me, Lord, to be able to endure hardship to the end.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves” (1 John 3:20 MSG). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Lasting heart-level change and real progress with our problems originate with God. Trusting Him and living to please Him means we can flourish and be truly free. - Jennifer Benson Schuldt ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always trust You in spite of my problems.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. - Joshua J. Marine ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always face my challenges until I overcome them.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "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 51:4 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Willingness to honestly admit our mistakes is the first step in dealing with them. - Akin Akintunde ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always admit my mistakes and deal with them accordingly.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father” (Ephesians 5:20 AMP). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. - Ralph Waldo Emerson ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always be thankful all the time.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Our lives are defined not by the challenges we encounter, but by how we respond to those challenges. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to respond to any challenge with positive attitude.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE DAY?

Dearly Beloved, DO YOU REMEMBER THE DAY? “The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole family” (Acts 16:34 NIV). I was invited to a get-together recently where I met a white lady. This forty-year-old lady was so excited to narrate to anyone who cared to listen how she had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ in a similar get-together some weeks back. She narrated how she had previous been religious, how she read the Bible many times and went to church and other religious gatherings before this particular one. She concluded that since that encounter, she is now having an inner joy and peace that she did not previously had. From her countenance, it is certain that she is happy with her new-found relationship with the Saviour Jesus Christ. The experience of this lady reminds me of many of similar experiences of people in the Bible who also had personal encounters with Jesus Christ. There was great joy in the city of Samaria when many people came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through Philip (see Acts 8:8). The disciples in Pisidian Antioch “were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” after Paul preached to them (Acts 13:52 NIV). The experiences of the Ethiopian eunuch who “went on his way rejoicing” after he accepted Jesus Christ into his life (Acts 8:39 NIV) and the Philippian jailer who “was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God” (Acts 16:34 NIV) are classic when one talks about people with personal encounters with the Saviour. Such day is indeed a happy day! Have you had the experience? Do you remember the day you had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ? Can you narrate the experience? Being religious is not enough to have such experience. You have to definitely and consciously accept Jesus Christ into your life. Apostle John asserted, “...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 1:12-13 NIV). It is only by believing in Jesus Christ that you can have that inner joy and peace in life (see John 20:31). The hymn writer Philip Doddridge (1702-1751) put it this way: “Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away! He taught me how to watch and pray, and live rejoicing every day; Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away.” Do you remember that day? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will continue to have the inner joy and peace of salvation in the Saviour Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole family” (Acts 16:34 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away! He taught me how to watch and pray, and live rejoicing every day; Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away. - Philip Doddridge ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will continue to have the inner joy and peace of salvation in the Saviour Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength. - Charles H. Spurgeon ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, not to be anxious about tomorrow, but to always trust in You.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody” (1 Timothy 4:15 AMP). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY For consistent and nonstop growth, we must not just be regular in spiritual disciplines but stay passionate after God to know Him and make Him known. Every day with Jesus will be better than the day before! - R. Stanley ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will continually grow in your faith.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night" (Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do you have any reason to thank God? Do not be unthankful. If you think very well, you will know that it is indeed good to thank God and sing praises to His name. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be thankful always.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "A friend is loving at all times, and becomes a brother in times of trouble" (Proverbs 17:17 BBE). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY A true friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself. – Anonymous ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to always be a good friend.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:2-3 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not let the brutality of the world take away your thankful heart. Remember you are God’s child, and He has shown you His goodness and mercy through His work on the cross. - Albert Lee ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to always remember that I am Your child.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “It troubled the Lord to see them in trouble, and his angel saved them. The Lord was truly merciful, so he rescued his people. He took them in his arms and carried them all those years” (Isaiah 63:9 CEV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Even when our situation looks difficult, we can trust that God is leading. He already knows what we will need when we get there. - Dave Branon ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, provide for my need when it matters most.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid’” (Genesis 3:8-10 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is looking for people that will come boldly to Him to admit their sins and ask for His forgiveness. Will you come to Him NOW? "Where are you?" - Bayo Afolaranmi ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not rationalize your wrongdoings but always come to God for forgiveness.

"WHERE ARE YOU?"

Dearly Beloved, "WHERE ARE YOU?" “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid’” (Genesis 3:8-10 NIV). This question "Where are you?" supposedly was the first question God asked the first man - Adam. The question led to other series of questions. Does it mean that the omniscient God did not really know where Adam was? If He knew, why was He asking Adam where he was? Why did He not bring Adam out of where he was hiding? Why did He want Adam to expose himself? Why did God have to ask other questions in Genesis 3:9-13? God did not ask these questions because He needed information. Being the omniscient God, He knows everything. Rather, He asked the questions for the good of Adam and his wife to give them the opportunity to face facts, be honest, and confess their sins. Unfortunately, both Adam and Even tried to defend themselves by shifting the blame to others (see Genesis 3:11-13). This made God to pronounce severe judgments on them. Probably if they had admitted their errors and asked for forgiveness, God would had forgiven them. Many people deliberately sin and think that they can hide from God. In His graciousness, God is asking them, "Where are you?" However, like Adam, they are still not admitting their wrongdoings. In fact, many would rationalize the wrongdoings. They see God as an intruder who does not want them to live their lives as they want. Some people sin unintentionally and God would ask them, "Where are you?" He is doing this in order to bring them back to their senses. He wants them to be honest with themselves and ask for forgiveness. Only few people do admit their sins and come boldly to God for forgiveness. God is still asking you, "Where are you?" Will you admit your sins and ask for His forgiveness or will you rationalize your wrongdoings before Him? The Bible says, “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 NIV. See also Leviticus 26:40-42; 1 Kings 8:48-49; Jeremiah 3:12-13; 1 John 1:8-10). God is looking for people that will come boldly to Him to admit their sins and ask for His forgiveness. Will you come to Him NOW? "Where are you?" In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not rationalize your wrongdoings but always come to God for forgiveness. ________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor) +447438782552 BB PIN:2BFAD68F

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13 CEV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Put your past in the past and set your eyes on what lies ahead. - Author Unknown ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always set your eyes on what lies ahead, not past things.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 13Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Going a little farther, [Jesus] fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will’” (Matthew 26:39 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We should recognize the fact that God has a plan for our lives, and that what we crave may not be in accordance with His plan. We should never want, therefore, to press our will against God's will. - James R. Miller ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always allow the will of God to be fulfilled in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9-11 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY As we spend time with God in prayer and in His Word, we grow in our relationship with Him and learn to become more and more like Him. As time with God becomes a priority, we enjoy His company more and more. - Keila Ochoa ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will devote more time for prayer and the Word of God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 11Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord” (Psalm 27:14 AMP). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY What is it that is bearing down on you today? What is it that has you ready to run and hide? What is it that makes you want to give up your walk with the Lord? Whatever it is, before you make any move, Wait for the Lord! - Tom Norvell ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always wait for You no matter my situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The eternal God is our hiding place; he carries us in his arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27 CEV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is there regardless of our feelings. He can see us. And when we call to Him and choose to put our trust in Him, He will help us. He is our refuge. Underneath us are His everlasting arms. And He loves us with an everlasting love. - Dick Innes ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to commit and trust my life and way to you when darkness surrounds me and I am lost and do not know the way.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 09Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Trust on, trust on, believer! Though long the conflict be, Thou yet shalt prove victorious; Thy God shall fight for thee. Trust on! Trust on! Though dark the night and drear; Trust on! Trust on! The morning dawn is near! - Eliza A. Walker ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me Lord to always trust in You no matter the situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 08Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. 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). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do you wish to be at the receiving end of what you are doing now in the near future? There is no option. What goes around will one day come around. You will one day reap what you are sowing now. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will consciously be doing what is good so as to receive good things in turn in future.

WHAT GOES AROUND...

Dearly Beloved, WHAT GOES AROUND... “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. 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). My fellowship with some older adults in a care home in Belfast, UK has been so fascinating to me. The personal interaction I had with one of the old women was spectacular. The old woman who is in her eighties told me her childhood experience, her family background, and the fact that she was once a professional caregiver in one of the care homes in town when she was younger. She concluded that she did not know then that she would end up being in a care home in her old age. Interestingly, her only daughter is one of the professional caregivers in that particular care home where she now receives care. The life of this old woman reminds of the popular proverb: “What goes around comes around.” What you do now will come back to you in the near future. Indeed, whether good or bad, one will reap whatever one sows in life. It may not directly be in one’s choosing profession. This principle is re-echoed throughout the Scriptures. Here are some of the Bible passages: “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it” (Job 4:8 NIV). “They will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes” (Proverbs 1:31 NIV). “The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward” (Proverbs 11:18 NIV). “God ‘will give to each person according to what he has done.’ To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favouritism” (Romans 2:6-11 NIV). “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV). For more Bible passages, see Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12; Hosea 8:7; 10:12; Luke 16:25; Galatians 6:7-8. This is both comforting and scaring. It is comforting if what one is doing is good because it is certain that good things will be done to one in returns later. It is scaring because if one is doing bad things against other people, one will be rewarded with bad things later in life whether one likes it or not. This is also referred to as “the law of Karma” or “the law of retribution”. What are you doing now? Do you wish to be at the receiving end of what you are doing now in the near future? There is no option. What goes around will one day come around. You will one day reap what you are sowing now. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will consciously be doing what is good so as to receive good things in turn in future. ________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor) +447438782552 BB PIN:2BFAD68F

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The Lord said to [Moses], ‘Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say’” (Exodus 4:11-12 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY All God wants from us is to follow His plans. He will sort out the rest. In His mighty hands, you can be a blessing to others. - Jaime Fernández Garrido ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, not to argue with You, but to follow Your plans for my life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father" (Ephesians 5:20 TEV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY With gratitude, all life appears as a blessing - without gratitude, all of life is perceived as a burden. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to always give thanks for everything.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[Goliath] looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, ‘Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?’ And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. ‘Come here,’ he said, ‘and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!’” (1 Samuel 17:42-44 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not be too quick to judge yourself or others, for that matter, and say you or they are not worth much in God’s plan. God may have other ideas! - Larry Sydow ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not look down on yourself or anyone no matter what.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If Christ is not all to you He is nothing to you. He will never go into partnership as a part Saviour of men. If He be something He must be everything, and if He be not everything He is nothing to you. - Charles Spurgeon ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that nothing will compete with Jesus Christ in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me; O LORD, be my helper. You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever" (Psalm 30:10-12 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Happiness is determined by circumstances, but true joy is a gift from God at all times. If you are reeling from life's pain, bring your suffering to the Cross. There, God will turn your sorrow into dancing. - Charles F. Stanley ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Turn my sorrow into joy, O Lord.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Nov2015

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is not limited by space and time. God is not limited to the places of worship. God is looking for people who will let their spirit, soul and body worship Him. - Dapo O. Akinlotan ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always worship you in truth and in spirit.