Spiritual Digest for the Day 01Jun2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen: There will be something solid for you to stand upon, or, you will be taught how to fly. - Patrick Overton ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to always to have faith in God in all your endeavours.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 31May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart — These, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Humility is the right response to God’s holiness. And praise is our heart’s response to His forgiveness. - Jennifer Benson Schuldt ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for that you will always humble yourself before God to receive His forgiveness.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 30May2016

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). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY There are no small acts of kindness. Every compassionate act makes large the world. - Mary Anne Radmacher ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for that you will be able to do the little in your capacity to make a big difference in the lives of people around you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 29May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY At times, God allows people to play seemingly bad roles in a person's life to make that person fulfil his divine destiny. However, no matter what, the purpose and plan of God for the person will finally come to pass. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to be able to stand in spite of bad situations in your life till the divine purpose for you is fulfilled.

YOUR DIVINE PURPOSE WILL BE FULFILLED

Dearly Beloved, YOUR DIVINE PURPOSE WILL BE FULFILLED “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV). Joseph was a favoured child among the children of Jacob. God had special plans for his life. His brothers had known these, and they were not happy with it. They looked for means to thwart these divine plans in his life. They eventually had the opportunity, and they first threw Joseph into a pit before they sold him into slavery in Egypt. Joseph was wrongly accused of sexual assault on his master's wife, and he was thrown into prison. In spite of his goodwill to other prisoners, he was forgotten and abandoned in the prison for years. However, all these seemingly bad players and situations in Joseph's life played vital roles though negatively to make Joseph fulfil his destiny. At times, God allows people to play seemingly bad roles in a person's life to make that person fulfil his divine destiny. Due to the negative actions of these people, the person may experience many unpleasant situations. However, no matter what, the purpose and plan of God for the person will finally come to pass. Are you experiencing unpleasant situation at the moment? Does it seem as if people are doing bad things against you? Do not be discouraged. God is using those seemingly bad people and bad situations to make you fulfil your divine purpose in life. Apostle Paul declared: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NKJV). Do not hate those seemingly bad people or wish them ill luck. As Joseph outlived his bad and unpleasant situations, you also will outlive your bad and unpleasant situations. As the seemingly bad people in the life of Joseph lived to witness the fulfillment of his divine purpose, those seemingly bad people in your will live long to witness your greatness in life. In fact, the Lord will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies, and anoint your head with oil, and your cup will run over (see Psalm 23:5). Come what may, your divine purpose will be fulfilled in Jesus’ name. Amen. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to be able to stand in spite of bad situations in your life till the divine purpose for you is fulfilled.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[The Lord] decided how many stars there would be in the sky and gave each one a name” (Psalm 147:4 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Our hope for today and forever lies in the loving mercy of God who calls each star by name. - David McCasland ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always put your hope in the loving God who knows each star by name.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY A child who is allowed to be disrespectful to his parents will not have true respect for anyone. - Billy Graham ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to train your children to respect people.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God has built into creation a cycle of rest and renewal. What looks like death to us is rest to God. And just as rest is preparation for renewal, death is preparation for resurrection. - Julie Ackerman Link ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be prepared for your death and resurrection in the last days.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:20-21 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate. - Jon Bon Jovi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be passionate with everything you are doing.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24May2016

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” (Philippians 3:12-13 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY None of us are what we should be, but we can press and pray toward the goal. - David Roper ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always press on toward your goal not by our own effort but through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The call of God and our response of faith and obedience do not mean that we will never encounter serious problems and trials. - Yinka Ololade ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always take heart in any trouble that may come your way.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Are you still in the faith? Are you as fervent in the Lord as when you first believed? Is the Lord still with you, or rather, are you still with the Lord? Take heed, lest you become like a disconnected fan! - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always examine yourself to make sure you are still in the faith.

ARE YOU STILL IN THE FAITH?

Dearly Beloved, ARE YOU STILL IN THE FAITH? “And [Delilah] said, ‘The Philistines are upon you, Samson!’ So [Samson] awoke from his sleep, and said, ‘I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!’ But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him. Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes..." (Judges 16:20-21a NKJV). As my wife switched off the electric fan in our bedroom, I noticed as the fan continued to rotate in a slower speed till it came to standstill after about two minutes. The spiritual life of many Christians is like that electric fan that is just being switched off or disconnected from its power source. Many Christians that used to be fervent in the Spirit and in the things of God like prayer, reading and meditating on the words of God, worshipping God, fellowshipping with other believers, evangelizing the world about Jesus Christ, and the likes find themselves dwindling in such spiritual things. They may think that they are still in the Lord and fervent in the things of God, but reserve is the case. The main causes of this degeneration mostly are sin and carelessness. No wonder, Apostle Paul admonished, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall [into sin]” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV). The life of Samson is a good example here. Samson was a mighty man who did great exploits for the Lord by delivering the Israelites from the Philistines (see Judges 14-16). There is even a record that “…he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat..." (Judges 14:6 NKJV). However, he dabbled into sin and carelessness by unequally associating himself with a Philistine woman - Delilah, and he paid dearly for it. He thought he was still in the Lord and as powerful as before. Nonetheless, the enemies came and conquered him (see Judges 16). As Apostle Paul again admonished, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV), are you still in the faith? Are you as fervent in the Lord as when you first believed? Is the Lord still with you, or rather, are you still with the Lord? Take heed, lest you become a disconnected fan! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will always examine yourself to make sure you are still in the faith.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:20-21 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY What is your priority in life? My priority in life is to be channel of God's blessing to as many people as possible throughout the world. What of you? - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, not to be ashamed of You wherever I find myself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, And its stump may die in the ground, Yet at the scent of water it will bud And bring forth branches like a plant” (Job 14:7-9 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY No matter who you are or what your life has been like so far, the rest of your life’s journey can be different. With God’s help you can begin again. - Billy Graham ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to rise again no matter my situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we will not need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses do not fire cannons to call attention to their shining - they just shine. - Dwight L. Moody ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to let my light shine into the darkness of the world.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the Rock” (Matthew 7:24-25 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When the storms of life hit, houses built on and held together by Jesus Christ stand firm. - Marion Stroud ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to build my life on Jesus Christ, the solid Rock, so that I will be able to withstand any storm of life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me” (Psalm 139:9-10 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The Lord knows who we are, where we are, and what we need. We are always in His care. - David McCasland ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always experience the care of God in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY No matter the time and space, never underestimate the importance of writing in full the precious name of JESUS CHRIST. Put the devil and his cohorts to shame by being proud of the name of JESUS and by writing it in full no matter what it will cost you. Do not join the world to hide or eliminate the precious name of JESUS. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not unintentionally join the world to hide the precious name of JESUS.

NO OR LITTLE TIME FOR JESUS?

Dearly Beloved, NO OR LITTLE TIME FOR JESUS? “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10 NKJV). “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV). There is a trend now especially in Nigeria that calls for attention: shortening or abbreviating words when chatting online or sending text messages. This may be a way of saving time and space. However, it is affecting the written English of many people especially the younger generation. What is most disheartening to me is shortening or abbreviating the precious name of JESUS CHRIST. I confronted an online friend when he sent a prayer wish to me and ended it with “IJN” supposedly meaning “in Jesus’ name”. His argument was that it saves him space and time to do so. He had the time and space to type all other words, but no or little time for the name of JESUS. There are other abbreviations and short forms for words that contain either “Jesus” or “Christ” like “xtian” for “Christian”, “xmas” for “Christmas”, “IJMN” for “in Jesus’ mighty name”. It interesting to note that these people that abbreviate or shorten the name of JESUS are unknowingly following the world that is doing everything to hide or even do away with the precious name of Jesus and everything that has to do with Him. No wonder, the world has changed “BC” that means “Before Christ” to “BCE” that means “Before Common Era” and “AD” that means in Latin “Anno Domini” (English: in the year of our Lord) to “CE” that means “Common (or Current) Era”. Having no or little time for writing the name of JESUS is a reflection of the lives of many people. There is time for other mundane things, but there is no or little time for the things of God like prayer, reading and meditating on the words of God, worshipping God, fellowshipping with other believers, evangelizing the world about Jesus Christ, and the likes. Such people are of the opinion that God understands. God does understand, but it is a subtle way in which Satan is drifting unsuspecting Christians away from God. No matter the time and space, never underestimate the importance of writing in full the precious name of JESUS CHRIST. Put the devil and his cohorts to shame by being proud of the name of JESUS and by writing it in full no matter what it will cost you. Do not join the world to hide or eliminate the precious name of JESUS. “... at the name of JESUS every knee should bow…!” In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not unintentionally join the world to hide the precious name of JESUS.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete — as complete as God's knowledge of me" (1 Corinthians 13:12 TEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY After pain and anguish, after toil and care, We shall see the King some day; Through the endless ages joy and blessing share, We shall see the King some day. - Lewis E. Jones ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be to endure the present pain and see future gain out of it.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 13May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience. - George Washington ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always learn from your past errors to improve your present experience.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God’s compassion and faithfulness are new every morning, so we can start afresh each day. - Cindy Hess Kasper ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always experience the faithfulness of God anew everyday.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 11May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY You cannot change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future. – Anonymous ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not ruin your present by worrying about your future.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We have the responsibility and privilege with God’s enablement to encourage fellow believers to finish the climb of trusting and obeying Him. - Marvin Williams ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to be a source of encouragement to others around you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 09May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When God sends us into danger, we are under his protection; when we go where he does not send us, we go unsheltered. - James R. Miller ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to overcome any temptation that comes your way.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 08May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Warriors became fat and sloppy, no fight left in them. Then you, Deborah, rose up; you got up, a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7 MSG). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Women are indeed pillars of support wherever they find themselves. Although, the support may be positive or negative. As a woman, are you a good pillar of support to your husband, siblings, co-workers and other people around you? In what way can you really support these people? - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for women that have been positive pillars of support in your life that God will continue to use them to support you in His own way.

WOMEN ARE PILLARS OF SUPPORT!

Dearly Beloved, WOMEN ARE PILLARS OF SUPPORT! “Warriors became fat and sloppy, no fight left in them. Then you, Deborah, rose up; you got up, a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7 MSG). “Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila, who have worked hand in hand with me in serving Jesus” (Romans 16:3 MSG). Priscilla (also known as Prisca) was a Christian woman who with her husband, Aquila, worked together with Paul at Corinth. According to history, Priscilla and Aquila came to Corinth after the Roman Emperor Claudius expelled all the Jews from Rome (see Acts 18:2). They were Paul's co-workers who Paul left at Ephesus where they ministered effectively, especially to Apollos (see Acts 18:18-26). Apart from the fact that Priscilla was prominent in the Early Church, she is named before her husband in the majority of biblical passages (see Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19). Undoubtedly, this indicates her strength of character and/or her exceptional usefulness in Christian work (see Acts 18:26). She was indeed a pillar of support to her husband and other early Christians. Priscilla was not the only one that was a pillar of support to other menfolk in the Holy Bible. Deborah was another spectacular woman. In fact, she was a judge and a warrior who delivered the people of Israel from the oppression of the Canaanites and led the people. She was indeed “a mother in Israel” (see Judges 4-5). Other exemplary women in the Bible were Miriam (the sister of Moses and Aaron) who was referred to as a leader of the people of Israel along with Moses and Aaron in Micah 6:4; Abigail who saved the life of her husband (see 1 Samuel 25); Huldah whose counsel was sought by Hilkiah the then high priest and Josiah the king (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22); Mary who was highly favoured to be the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-28) and played prominent roles in His life and ministry; Mary Magdalene, Joanna the wife of Cuza, Susanna, Mary the mother of James, Mary and Martha and other women that served Jesus during His earthly ministry (see Luke 8:2-3; 10:38-42; 24:10); Lois and Eunice who mentored Timothy (see Acts 16:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:5); Phoebe, a deaconess of the church in Cenchrea and other women like Mary of Rome, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, mother of Rufus, and many others that were pillars of support in the Early Church (see Rom 16:1, 6, 12, 13). Sadly, there were also bad examples of women that were pillars of support like Jezebel, Ahab's wife, famous for extending the cult of her own Phoenician gods to the land of Israel, and influenced her husband to take evil decisions (see 1 Kings 18:4,13,19; 19:1; 21:25; 2 Kings 9:22), and the bloodthirsty Athaliah (interestingly Jezebel’s daughter) who reigned both as Jehoram's consort and as queen regnant (2 Kings 8:18; 11:1-16). Women are indeed pillars of support wherever they find themselves. Although, the support may be positive or negative. As a woman, are you a good pillar of support to your husband, siblings, co-workers and other people around you? In what way can you really support these people? Happy Mother’s Day! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Points: 1. Pray that as a woman, you will be a good pillar of support to people around you. 2. Pray for women that have been positive pillars of support in your life that God will continue to use them to support you in His own way. NB This message is dedicated to my wife, Florence Opeyemi Afolaranmi, who has been my reputable pillar of support for almost two decades.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem” (Ezra 9:9 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Gently, patiently, God clears away the rubble, repurposes it, and builds something better. It takes time, but we can always trust Him. He specializes in rebuilding projects. - Tim Gustafson ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Rebuild the rubbles of my life to something better, O Lord.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again. - Sarah Ban Breathnach ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always wait on the Lord in spite of the situation of life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace’” (Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When the tempest rages, when the thunders roar, and the lightnings blaze around us, it is then that the truly brave man stands firm at his post. - Luther Martin ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always stand firm in spite of the storm of life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04May2016

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[God] comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:4 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY All around us are people in need, and sometimes we have to set aside our own feelings and agendas to help them. One way we can do that is to remember how God has comforted us in our trials and troubles. - Dave Branon ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be able to comfort others that may be in a similar situation you have once passed through.

THE LORD WILL GLORIFY HIMSELF, BUT...

Dearly Beloved, THE LORD WILL GLORIFY HIMSELF, BUT... "He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, ‘Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock? Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But..." (Numbers 20:10-12, NIV). Undoubtedly, there are genuine ministers of God today, and there are people who claim to be ministers of God. All these people are doing the work of God. Some of them are doing it according to the directives and leadership of the Holy Spirit. Some of them are doing it for selfish purposes. (Compare the words of Paul in Philippians 1:15-18.) In either case, what is certain is that God does glorify Himself. He uses all of these people to His own glory. However, He will judge each of these people according to what they have done for Him (see Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10). As a minister of God, I feared God the more recently when I read the incident of "the waters of Meribah" found in Numbers 20. The discontented people of Israel complained again about their situation in the wilderness journey to the Promised Land because they wanted water. Moses and Aaron went to the Lord and the Lord gave them instruction on how they would provide water for the people of Israel. They were simply to speak to a rock, but out of pride, Moses and Aaron abused the people of Israel, ascribed the honor of providing water to themselves and struck the rock twice. In spite of these, God miraculously provided the water for the whole people of Israel and their livestock. But, the Lord immediately gave a verdict for Moses and Aaron: they would not reach the Promised Land. Their labor for almost forty years would be in vain (Numbers 20:12). What a great judgment! This is a great warning to us the ministers of God and even others that God is using in one way or the other. We must beware of how we do the work of God. Whether we do it according to the will of God or not, God will still glorify Himself in the work, but the aftermath of our activities for God may be disastrous if we try to take the glory, misuse our position, or do things contrary to the will of God. Apostle Peter gave similar warning: "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (1 Peter 5:1-4 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will do the work of God according to the words of God.