Spiritual Digest for the Day 01Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[Andrew] first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ)” (John 1:41 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When we have really found Christ ourselves, the best way to bring others is just to tell them what Christ is to us. - James R. Miller ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Determine to tell as many people as possible about Jesus Christ this month.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And the King will answer and say to [the kind ones], ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did [kind thing] to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matthew 25:40 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Whatever you do, do with kindness. Whatever you say, say with kindness. Wherever you go, radiate kindness. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to be kind to other people in whatever you do.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “In [Jesus Christ] we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” (Ephesians 3:12 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When we put our trust in Jesus, we receive the greatest access of all—access to the God who loves us and desires relationship with us. - Bill Crowder ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Put your faith in Jesus Christ (if you have not done so) to have direct access to God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything” (1 Thessalonians 1:8 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY While many people may not see you or live with you to assess your character, your broadcasts on social media go a long way to portray who you are, and they serve as veritable tools to tell the world about the Gospel message. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to use the social media in commendable ways by broadcasting inspiring messages especially the Gospel message.

WHAT ARE YOU BROADCASTING?

Dearly Beloved, WHAT ARE YOU BROADCASTING? “For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything” (1 Thessalonians 1:8 NKJV). The accessibility of online social media (like Facebook, WhatsApp Messenger, BlackBerry Messenger, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, Instagram, imo, Tango, Skype and the likes) through mobile phones, computers and other Internet-enabled tools has made it very easy for many people to become broadcasters without any journalistic training. Any information can become viral and get to the uttermost part of the world in a matter of minutes through these social media as people forward such message from one source to the other without verifying its authenticity. The fact that many mobile phones and other mobile technological tools have in-built cameras and voice recorders makes it easy to record audio messages and/or video occurrences and transmit such to other people instantly. This indeed is a good and welcome development. However, what are you broadcasting through these social media? Apostle Paul in his first epistle to the Christians in Thessalonica commended them for “broadcasting” the word of God to every place around them (see 1:8). These were people that were at risk for accepting the Gospel (see 1:6). They lived when the Gospel message was not popular: a message that seemed foolish to the common people then (see Acts 17:1-15; 1 Corinthians 1:18). In spite of this, the message became viral through the Thessalonians to other places. The lives and words of these Christians in Thessalonica became the “social media” through which the word of God was “broadcast” to other people. Again, what are you broadcasting through social media? Are they unconfirmed news/alert, useless jokes, pornographic pictures/video clips, politics, sports, job alerts, or the Gospel message? What are you known for on social media? The types of posts/messages you “like” and/or make comment about (which you are actually indirectly broadcasting) and the types of posts/messages that you directly broadcast/rebroadcast on social media will also determine who really you are and what you are “broadcasting” to the world. While many people may not see you or live with you to assess your character, your broadcasts on social media go a long way to portray who you are, and they serve as veritable tools to tell the world about the Gospel message. Will you be commended or condemned for what you are broadcasting on social media? What are you broadcasting? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to use the social media in commendable ways by broadcasting inspiring messages especially the Gospel message.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Good people might fall again and again, but they always get up” (Proverbs 24:16 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When God Himself is so patient with us in shaping our character, how can we become impatient with ourselves and quit trying? For a child of God, no failure is final! - R. Stanley ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, not to give up on myself till I finally succeed.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Forgiveness is really a gift to yourself - have the compassion to forgive others, and the courage to forgive yourself. - Mary Anne Radmacher ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to be able to forgive myself and others that offend me.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But, because of God’s grace, that is what I am. And his grace that he gave me was not wasted” (1 Corinthians 15:10 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY No one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy and grace. - Sim Kay Tee ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not waste the grace of God over you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:4-5 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY How do you want to be remembered? Take action now to earn that legacy. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will take appropriate actions that will make you have an indelible legacy.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Feb2017

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” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When we trust God with our day as well as our unseen tomorrows, we do not need to worry about anything life throws at us. - Bill Crowder ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always trust in God in spite of anything that life throws at you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[Jesus Christ said:] Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Come unto Jesus Christ if you want a resting place from all the confusion in the world. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will willingly come to Jesus Christ for the lasting rest.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY I need no other argument, I need no other plea, It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me. - Eliza Edmunds Hewitt ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will wholeheartedly accept the efficacy of the death of Jesus Christ over your life.

I NEED NO OTHER ARGUMENT

Dearly Beloved, I NEED NO OTHER ARGUMENT “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2 NKJV). On what or who do you base your faith? This is a question that one should answer meditatively. Many people base their faith on their ancestral culture or tradition. Many people base their faith on one creed or the other. Many people base their faith on a hero. Many people base their faith on an idol or god. Many people base their faith on the Supreme Being called God. Even many people prefer to relate with the Supreme Being through other lesser gods or angels. Interestingly, many people would claim that they do not believe in anything or any Being. For Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (pseudonym: Lidie H. Edmunds) (1851-1920), she believed in no other thing or person, but in “the ever living One” who died not only for her, but also for the whole humanity. This “ever living One” is no other person than Jesus Christ. She expressly stated in one of her hymns that she needed no other argument or plea. Faith based on any other thing or person is useless because, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NKJV) except through the name of Jesus Christ (see verses 10-11). Apostle Paul simply said, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2 NKJV). In the hymn “I NEED NO OTHER ARGUMENT” (known also as “MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE”), Eliza E. Hewitt really found a resting place in Jesus Christ because Jesus Christ has died for her to save her, and this has put an end to her fear and doubt. Our faith can only find a resting place in Jesus Christ because He offers us rest (see Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:3). There can be no other means to find such a rest. Jesus Christ declared: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27 NKJV). Jesus Christ demonstrated this, as Eliza E. Hewitt rightly noted in her hymn, by healing the sick, by saving the lost, and by never casting away anyone that comes to Him. Who among religious leaders of this world can do these things? Indeed, there is no other argument! Base your faith on Jesus Christ if you want a resting place from all the confusion in the world. He has said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will wholeheartedly accept the efficacy of the death of Jesus Christ over your life, and willingly come to Him for the lasting rest. NB MY INTERNET MINISTRY @14 Join me to celebrate the 14th anniversary of my Internet ministry today February 18, 2017 by visiting http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/spiritualdigest to order my newest book “Spiritual Digest for the Day (Volume 2)” and other books authored by me. Most of them are about Internet ministry or my messages through the Internet ministry in the past 14 years. This will really encourage me to chronicle more of my daily and weekly messages for the future generations. Thanks.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law... that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective. - Martin Luther King, Jr. ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to be able to accommodate other people irrespective of who they are.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman [and even a man!] who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Don't fall for looks, they can deceive. Don't fall for wealth, in the end it fades away. Find someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. – Anonymous ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not be carried away with beauty or wealth.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man” (John 2:23-25 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Tell me who admires and loves you, and I will tell you who you are. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not be carried away with people’s applause.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Giving to others is sowing on God's fertile ground. - T. Thomas ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always sow on Your fertile ground.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words]” (1 John 3:18 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If we have got the true love of God shed abroad in our hearts, we will show it in our lives. We will not have to go up and down the earth proclaiming it. We will show it in everything we say or do. - Dwight L. Moody ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to really love in deeds, not in mere words.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 13Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task. It runs counter to our self-centered nature. - Rick Warren ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that the Lord will teach you how to love unselfishly.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers" (1 John 3:16 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Anyone that would want to celebrate the Valentine’s Day must be ready to do anything, even death, for his/her loved one. The celebration must be with a sacrificial love. That is the real Valentine. Happy Valentine’s Day in advance! - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to have the sacrificial love that can make you to be ready to die for your loved ones.

THE REAL VALENTINE

Dearly Beloved, THE REAL VALENTINE "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers" (1 John 3:16 NIV). "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13 NIV). Valentine’s Day is an annual celebration held on February 14 to commemorate love and affection between intimate companions. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting gifts like flowers, and other gifts, sending greeting cards and love text messages (SMS) and even love phone calls. There are many traditions about the origin and widespread acceptance of this celebration. From these traditions, there were some people that were coincidentally named Valentine between third and fourth centuries AD that were killed because of their love-related actions. As this celebration is observed every year, how many of the people that believe in it and celebrate it are ready to lay down their lives for their so-called loved ones? Many people are preoccupied with the material or financial gifts they will give or get during the celebration. Many have even turned the celebration to a time of satisfying their sexual and lustful desires. The men bearing the name Valentine in the olden days that made us to be celebrating the Valentine’s Day annually were known for their sacrificial love. They had a love that cost them even their lives for their loved ones. There is Somebody who sacrificially loves. He is the supreme Valentine of all time. He is the Lord Jesus Christ who because of His love for mankind "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8 NIV). Anyone that would want to celebrate the Valentine’s Day must be ready to do anything, even death, for his/her loved one. The celebration must be with a sacrificial love. That is the real Valentine. Happy Valentine’s Day in advance! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to have the sacrificial love that can make you to be ready to die for your loved ones.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 11Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[Jesus Christ said:] Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY How blessed we are to have a Savior whom we can trust to be faithful through every circumstance of our lives! - James Banks ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank Jesus Christ for the fact that you can come to Him in any circumstance.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them” (Acts 9:39 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Maya Angelou ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to have indelible positive impact in the lives of other people.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 09Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God never changes who He is. He is always consistent. He is not fickle. He is and always has been the same God. - David Edwards ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Adore the changeless God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 08Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then [Jesus Christ] said, ‘The truth is, you must change your thinking and become like little children. If you don’t do this, you will never enter God’s kingdom’” (Matthew 18:3 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Choose to be as a young child - fully awake, eager for the next experience. As we age, we experience disappointments, and then develop a fear of the unfamiliar. Consciously adopt the mindset of a young child, to whom all of life is a grand adventure. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to consciously adopt the mindset of a young child, to whom all of life is a grand adventure.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But God knows me. He is testing me and will see that I am as pure as gold” (Job 23:10 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Pain and problems can produce the shining, rock-solid character that comes from trusting God when life is hard. - Jennifer Benson Schuldt ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to pass the divine test in times of suffering and come out purer and stronger.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is up to something so big, so unimaginably good that your mind cannot contain it … What we see God doing is never as good as what we do not see." - Ben Patterson ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to see the unimaginably good that God is doing in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Persecution is inevitable in Christian life. Only the faithful will be rewarded at the end of the day. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be faithful in spite of any persecution so that I will have your reward at of the day.

SHOULD WE TAKE ARMS OR KILL? (Part 2)

Dearly Beloved, SHOULD WE TAKE ARMS OR KILL? (Part 2) “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10 NKJV). Expectedly, I got many reactions to the first part of this message last week. While some people agreed with me, some disagreed. Surprisingly, those that disagreed based their arguments on some passages and instances in the Old Testament and the issues of situational ethics that I deliberately refused to address in the message. Some were even sentimental on the message. I envisaged each of these reactions. The scope of this part of the message cannot satisfactory address each and every reaction to the prevailing issue: should Christian take arms or kill? Let me clarify here that Christian warfare (which is the thrust of this message) is different from self-defense. Every right-thinking person would defend his/herself if he/she has the capability when faced with danger. Even animals do so! However, only Christians – people that have been genuinely called out of the world to have personal relationship with Jesus Christ – can engage in Christian warfare. Part of Christian warfare is persecution. Jesus Christ reminded His disciples: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…” (John 15:20 NKJV. See also verse 18; Matthew 5:12; Mark 10:30; Luke 6:22). Apostle Paul emphatically told Timothy: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV). The other apostles taught similar things and added that there are rewards for people that persevere under any persecution (see Acts 14:22; Romans 8:35; 2 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:4; James 1:2-4, 12; 1 Peter 1:6; 4:12-16; Revelation 2:10). Nowhere in the New Testament is any recommendation for using physical means to fight this Christian warfare or any injunction to retaliate evil for evil for people that are persecuting the Christians. Regarding the situation of the persecution in the northern part of Nigeria and other places throughout the world, the persecuted people can defend themselves if they have the capability. However, to legislate taking of arms or killing of foes from the pulpit is totally strange to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. Using instances in the Old Testament to justify that is like taking Christians back into what Jesus Christ has fulfilled on the cross. Persecution is inevitable in Christian life. Only the faithful will be rewarded at the end of the day. However, taking arms and killing foes may help to some extent; putting on the “whole armor of God” will give lasting solution. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord, help me to be faithful in spite of any persecution so that I will have your reward at of the day. NB Send your reaction directly to me at spiritualdigest@yahoo.com please. Thanks.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities. - Terry Josephson ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord to start thinking in terms of possibilities.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Feb2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you’” (Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is a loving God, and just as He draws us near to Him, likewise, we must cleave to Him in our strength, and in our weakness. Never should we let go, for never would He let you go. - Melanie Schurr ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to experience the love of God wherever you go.