Spiritual Digest for the Day 01Feb2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “When the Israelites saw [the manna], they said to each other, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was” (Exodus 16:15 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Sometimes God provides for us in surprising ways. He is not bound by our expectations, and we cannot predict what He will choose to do. - Jennifer Benson Schuldt ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not limit God in His provisions for you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 31Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But God will rescue me; he will save me from the power of death” (Psalm 49:15 TEV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY No matter what you may be passing through, the Lord will indeed rescue you and give you a big testimony. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, rescue me from every evil situation that I may be passing through today.

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

Dearly Beloved, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL “But God will rescue me; he will save me from the power of death” (Psalm 49:15 TEV). The hymn, “It is Well with My Soul” is one of the most popular Christian hymns. Horatio Gates Spafford (1828–1888) composed it. When Spafford was forty-three years old as a Chicago businessman, he suffered financial disaster in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. He and his wife were still grieving over the death of their son shortly before the fire, and he realized they needed to get away for a vacation. Knowing that their friend Dwight L. Moody was going to be preaching in evangelistic campaigns in England that fall, Spafford decided to take the entire family to England. His wife and four daughters went ahead by a ship, and he planned to follow in a few days. Nevertheless, on the Atlantic Ocean, an iron sailing vessel struck the ship and the ship sank within twelve minutes. Two hundred and twenty-six lives were lost — including the Spaffords’ four daughters. When the survivors were brought to shore at Cardiff, Wales, Mrs. Anna Spafford cabled her husband with two words: “Saved alone.” Spafford booked passage on the next ship. As they were crossing the Atlantic, the captain pointed out the place where he thought the first ship had gone down. That night, Spafford penned the words of the hymn: “When peace like a river attendeth my way... it is well, it is well with my soul.” One of the close associates of Jesus Christ betrayed Him. He was arrested, tried and condemned to die on the cross. He was crucified and died. However, as the Psalmist prophesied in Psalm 49:15, God saved Him from the power of death, and He resurrected on the third day. The suffering and death of Jesus Christ were not pleasant, but He triumphed over everything. Today, His name is exalted above every other name “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11 NIV). Horatio and Anna Spafford later moved to Israel and became channels of God’s blessings to many people there. It was indeed well with their souls. Trial, temptation, hardship, calamity, death of loved one, or anything that happens to us is not the end of the road. No matter what you may be passing through, the Lord will indeed rescue you from all of it and you will join Horatio Spafford to sincerely sing, “It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.” “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord, help me to be able to depend on You no matter what befalls me.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 30Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Nothing is too small to take to the Lord in prayer, and nothing is too big to take to Him in prayer. - Emmanuel Arotile ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to go to the Lord in prayers for every situation of your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 29Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:4 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart. - Charles Spurgeon ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to trust God even when it seems He is not there to help you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "[Job's] wife asked, 'Why do you still trust God? Why don't you curse him and die? Job replied, 'Don't talk like a fool! If we accept blessings from God, we must accept trouble as well.' In all that happened, Job never once said anything against God" (Job 2:9-10 CEV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Seasoned believers know that God is not just God in the hill of provision; He is also God in the valley of affliction. - Rotimi Oluwaseyitan ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to acknowledge God in any situation you find yourself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But [God] knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY As we face life’s unanswered questions, we can find help and hope in God’s love and promises. - David McCasland ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to find help and hope in God’s love and promises in your life challenges.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Today is your day to paint life in bold colors; set today's rhythm with your heart-drum; walk today's march with courage; create today as your celebration of life. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to utilize this day as the Lord desires.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25Jan2016

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). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The worst of time is not a wasted time in God's economy. - John Piper ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, work for my good in all situation I am passing through.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die’” (2 Samuel 12:13-14 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Are you of the opinion that you can go on sinning because God will forgive you if you confess your sin? Good. He will definitely forgive you if you confess, but remember the repercussion of the sin. A scar in the body can never be as the other parts of the body. It is better not to sin than to sin and run to God for forgiveness. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not play with sin because of the compassion of God.

GOD WILL FORGIVE, BUT...

Dearly Beloved, GOD WILL FORGIVE, BUT... “Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die’” (2 Samuel 12:13-14 NIV). I still remember vividly an encounter I had with an elderly man during a Sunday School general session in a village church over twenty years ago. It was question time, and a question was raised about the life of David, especially his issue with Bathsheba. The elderly man was of the opinion that if God could forgive David after his sins with Bathsheba, He will forgive anyone that sins and comes for forgiveness. My response then was (and still now is) if the elderly man wanted what happened to David to happen to him, he should continue to sin and then come to God later for forgiveness. God will really forgive, but.... What happened to David after his sins and confession? The son born out the adultery died (2 Samuel 12:14, 18); there was no longer peace in the household of David; one of his sons, Amnon, raped his half-sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-14); another son, Absalom, killed Amnon for this (2 Samuel 13:28-29; Absalom planned a coup against his father, David (2 Samuel 15); and Absalom sexually molested ten of the wives of David publicly (2 Samuel 16:21-22). David was forgiven indeed, but the repercussions of his sins were too much. Though forgiven, the sins were like scars of a wound that remained in his life for life (see 1 Kings 15:5). There are many Bible passages that teach about the forgiveness of sin. Here are some: “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). “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 NIV). “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’ — and you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5 NIV). There are also others like Leviticus 26:40-42 and 1 Kings 8:47, but what of the repercussions of the sins? Are you also of the opinion that you can go on sinning because God will forgive you if you confess your sin? Good. He will definitely forgive you if you confess, but remember the repercussion of the sin. A scar in the body can never be as the other parts of the body. It is better not to sin than to sin and run to God for forgiveness. He will forgive, but.... In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not play with sin because of the compassion of God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “So when [Jesus] saw [the lepers], He said to them, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14 NKJV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Believers need to know that to obtain outstanding miracle, there is the need to go with nothing but the clear word of Christ. It is as we go, holding tenaciously to His unfailing words, that the miraculous take place. - ObalOluwa Osuolale ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will have the faith that acts against the reality on ground.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY As we become purer channels for God's light, we develop an appetite for the sweetness that is possible in this world. A miracle worker is not geared toward fighting the world that is, but toward creating the world that could be. - Marianne Williamson ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will really be a light to the darkness of the world.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthian 9:26-27 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. - Benjamin Mays ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will have a definite life goal that you will be pursuing.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “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). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past strengthens us for the future. - Author Unknown ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always rely on God’s faithfulness in any situation you find yourself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil" (James 4:17 MSG). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. ― Martin Luther King Jr. ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always stand against any evil perpetrated around you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "When we heard this, we and the others there begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. But he answered, 'What are you doing, crying like this and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be tied up in Jerusalem but even to die there for the sake of the Lord Jesus'" (Acts 21:12-13 TEV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you. - Denis Waitley ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to forge ahead in spite of any obstacle.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Hebrews 5:12 NKJV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Are you really growing in your Christian faith? Do you still crave for “milk” instead of solid food in your faith? Or do you still need teachers that will be teaching you the elementary principles of the words of God? - Bayo Afolaranmi ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to stand in your Christian faith and become a teacher/discipler to others instead of endlessly relying on a mentor.

DO YOU STILL NEED TEACHERS?

Dearly Beloved, DO YOU STILL NEED TEACHERS? “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Hebrews 5:12 NKJV). The recipients of the Epistle to the Hebrews were in a turbulent time. They faced a lot of persecutions because of their new-found faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of growing in the faith, many of them were contemplating going back to Judaism. The writer of the epistle had to write to them to, in many ways, affirm the supremacy of Jesus Christ over angels, the Old Testament prophets, priests, Levitical laws and priesthood and any other thing or person one can think of. These young Christians needed to be fed with elementary principles of faith instead of feeding other people that are coming up behind them in faith. Instead of being teachers and disciplers to younger believers, they still needed teachers and leaders that would be feeding them with “milk”. It was that pathetic! It is more pathetic nowadays to see many so-called Christians in similar situation. These people cannot study the word of God independently. They cannot pray to God directly except they see a prophet or “father (or mother) in the Lord” who will pray for them and receive from God for them. They cannot handle life challenges because they are still babes in the faith. They rely more on their spiritual mentors and religious leaders more than Jesus Christ. Instead of becoming discipled and start discipling other people, they still prefer to be sucking milk from the teachings of their leaders. They cannot stand on their own in the faith. They still need teachers! There is nothing wrong in having spiritual mentors or giving honour to a “father (or mother) in the Lord”. However, turning such mentors to demi-gods is totally unbiblical. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews later said, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [the heroes of faith in chapter 11], let us lay aside every weight, ...and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith... [NOT any mentor or ‘father (or mother) in the Lord’]” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV). We are to “...come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV). Are you in the category of such people? Are you really growing in your Christian faith? Do you still crave for “milk” instead of solid food in your faith? Have you been well discipled and groomed in your faith? Can you stand on your own without resorting to a prophet or “father (or mother) in the Lord”? Can you disciple or teach other people in the ways of the Lord? Or do you still need teachers that will be teaching you the elementary principles of the words of God? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to stand in your Christian faith and become a teacher/discipler to others instead of endlessly relying on a mentor.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light” (Micah 7:8 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. - Thomas Edison ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not give up till you are able to succeed in life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Nothing is too big for God. Stop telling God you have got big problems, but instead tell your problems to a big God! - Author Unknown ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to handle any situation you find yourself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Whether it is a problem or a possibility, God will never give you anything bigger than you can handle. That means you can confidently walk into anything God brings your way. - Author Unknown ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to handle any situation you find yourself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 13Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High" (Psalm 9:1-2 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Praise, like prayer, is one great means of promoting the growth of the spiritual life. It helps to remove our burdens, to excite our hope, to increase our faith. – Charles Spurgeon ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to praise You no matter my situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26 NKJV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Perhaps you feel tarnished, worn, old, or out of circulation. God finds value in you. The Creator of the universe wants you. You are valuable in His eyes, and He loves you. - David Roper ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to realize how valuable I am to You.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 11Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “‘Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.’ With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:2-3 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God wants each of us to discover through confession and repentance the deep, cool waters of joy found in the everlasting well of His salvation. - Marvin Williams ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to come closer to You to draw water from the well of Your salvation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me” (Psalm 3:5 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We ought to always praise God for the gift of life every day and the ability to do what we are able to do each day. Thank you Lord for everything. It is not ordinary! - Bayo Afolaranmi ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me not to take the seemingly ordinary things of life for granted, but to always appreciate you for all these things.

IT IS NOT ORDINARY!

Dearly Beloved, IT IS NOT ORDINARY! “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me” (Psalm 3:5 NIV). Every morning, my alarm clock would ring by 4.30am and I would wake up and start my daily routine. At times, I would have woken up before the sound of the alarm. This has been happening for years, and I tend to think that it is ordinary or normal to wake up early in the morning either by the sound of the alarm or before its rings. However, it recently dawned on me that it is really not ordinary to sleep and wake up; it is a divine arrangement and grace. If you do not agree with this, place an alarm beside a dead man and see if he would wake up when the alarm rings. It is not ordinary or normal to sleep and wake up. Only God makes one to do so every day. The psalmist realized this and declared, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me” (Psalm 3:5 NIV). “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8 NIV). “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for [God] grants sleep to those he loves” (Psalm 127:2 NIV). Sleeping and waking up are not only things that we consider normal or ordinary. Breathing, eating, drinking, talking, hearing, walking, lifting of hands and any other part of our body, in fact, everything that one can think of as ordinary or normal are not really ordinary and normal. It is God in His infinite mercy that has arranged them and allows us to be enjoying them. As part of His covenant with Noah after the flood, God said, “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Genesis 8:22 NIV). He continues to keep that covenant! The implication of this is that we ought to always praise God for the gift of life every day and the ability to do what we are able to do each day. Thank you Lord for everything. It is not ordinary! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord, help me not to take the seemingly ordinary things of life for granted, but to always appreciate you for all these things.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 08Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NASU). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The Lord loves us when we are weak, because it is then that He can work through us. - Peter Kennedy ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that the Lord will strengthen you in your weak situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “‘Come,’ [Jesus Christ] said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:29-31 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Stay close to Jesus. This is always the best route to take. This is always the right choice. Warm weather or cold icy conditions: Stay close to Jesus. - Tom Norvell ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, help me to always stay closer to You no matter my situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY A changed world begins with you changing and you can only change when you let God change you. - Russ Lawson ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, help me to allow You to change me so as to change my world.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If we are really going to change, if we want life to be different, we have to do something bold and dramatic. - David Langerfeld ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to put off anything may not want you to be who God really wants you to be.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” (Psalm 147:1 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Praise the LORD with your whole heart this year and He will give you more reasons to praise Him and demonstrate His greatness more in your life. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will praise the LORD this year by totally relying on Him.

WILL YOU PRAISE GOD THIS YEAR?

Dearly Beloved, WILL YOU PRAISE GOD THIS YEAR? “Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” (Psalm 147:1 NIV). The prayers of my family and me for the year 2016 for people in my Internet ministry was based on Psalm 147:8-9, 13-14. Psalm 147 is one of the “Hallelujah Psalms” – the last five psalms that started and ended with the expression “Praise the LORD.” In Psalm 147, the psalmist highlighted who the LORD is and some of the things that He has done that made him (that is, the psalmist) started and ended the psalm with the expression “Praise the LORD.” The LORD is great and mighty in power, and His understanding is limitless (verse 5). In His greatness and mighty, He determines the number of the stars as numerous as they are and calls each of them by name (verse 4). His deeds include restoration (verses 2-3), sustenance (verse 6), provision (verses 8-9), strength (verse 13), blessings (verse 13), peace (verse 14), satisfaction (verse 14), control over nature (verses 15-18), and revelation of His words (verse 19). No wonder, the psalmist enjoined his audience to sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, make music to Him on the musical instruments, extol Him, and praise Him (verses 7, 12). It is indeed good, pleasant and fitting to sing praises to the LORD (verse 1). However, as the psalmist was highlighting what the LORD is doing, he briefly mentioned something that delights the LORD – trust in His unfailing love (verse 11). The LORD does not want man to trust in himself or any other thing apart from Him, the LORD (verse 10). Undoubtedly, relying on the LORD is a crucial way to praise Him. Indeed, the LORD deserves our praises for who He is and what He is doing in our lives. He has done many things in our lives in the past years; He has started doing so in this young year; and He will continue to do so till the end of ages. Can you also highlight what the LORD has done for you in the past and what He is still doing for you presently? Will you praise Him this year especially by totally relying on Him? Praise Him with your whole heart and He will give you more reasons to praise Him and demonstrate His greatness more in your life. Praise the LORD! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will praise the LORD this year by totally relying on Him.

OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2016

Dearly Beloved, OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2016 Happy New Year (2016). Glory be to the Almighty God for enabling us to see this brand new year. Opeyemi (my wife), Boluwatife, IfeOluwa, Michael, Abraham (my children) and I are welcoming you to this New Year with these prophetic prayers adapted from Psalm 147:8-9, 13-14 (AMP). This New Year: - The Lord will cover you with His splendour; - He will strengthen and make you flourish in all your endeavours; - He will specially meet you at the point of your needs and fill you with the finest of His goodness; - He will bless your offspring wherever they may be; and - He will give you peace in your borders in Jesus’ name. Amen. Happy and prosperous New Year! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor), Irish School of Ecumenics (Trinity College Dublin at Belfast) 683 Antrim Road, Belfast BT15 4EG United Kingdom +447438782552 +2348055159591 (Text and WhatsApp Only) BB PIN:56422B22 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/ https://www.facebook.com/PastorBayoAfolaranmi (Facebook Fan Page) https://www.facebook.com/pastorbayo.afolaranmi.1 https://twitter.com/spiritualdigest http://smspastorbayo.blogspot.com/

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Jan2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “This is the [year] the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NIV). ************************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY This bright new year is given me to live each day with zest to daily grow and try to be my highest and my best. - William Arthur Ward ************************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to live this year to its fullest.