Spiritual Digest for the Day 01Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life” (Isaiah 43:4 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God knows the real us and still loves us immeasurably. - Sheridan Voysey ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for His love for your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 31Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream — a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful” (Psalm 1:2-3 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The result of a life so rooted in the Word of God is the overflow of fruitfulness. - Dennis Fisher ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that your life will be rooted in God’s Word so that you will be fruitful in life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 30Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not stop and throw stones at every dog that barks at you. Be selective in your battles; do not make every problem a war. - Winston Churchill ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always overcome evil with good.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 29Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks” (Romans 14:5-6 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When we find ourselves in a position where we disagree with other Christians, it is good to remember that God has given us room to disagree and help for how to handle our differing opinions. - J.R. Hudberg ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to other people’s opinions even when you do not agree with them.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Job replied [his wife], ‘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 2:10 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If I were to say, "God, why me?" about the bad things, then I should have said, "God, why me?" about the good things that happened in my life. - Arthur Ashe ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to accept both good and bad times in good faith.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose, and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so that his Son would be the first of many children” (Romans 8:28-29 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God may conceal the purpose of His ways, but His ways are not without purpose. - Poh Fang Chia ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that the concealed purpose of God for your life will be revealed at the appropriate time to His glory.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY It may seem as if perpetrators of evil are succeeding in their evil deeds, but God will expose them and bring them to judgment one day. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that God will arise and put an end to all the terrorist acts in the world.

GOD IS NOT SILENT!

Dearly Beloved, GOD IS NOT SILENT! “Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate You have lifted up their head” (Psalm 83:1-2 NKJV). Few days ago, a terrorist jammed a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in London, UK, stabbed a police officer, and attempted to enter the Houses of Parliament before the police gunned him down. Apart from the police officer and the attacker, few other numbers of people were reportedly dead while many were hospitalized due to the terrorist attack. This was not the first terrorist attack on unsuspecting innocent people in London and elsewhere in the world. The incessant attacks of Boko Haram terrorist group in northeast Nigeria and other neighboring countries are still fresh in one’s memory. At times, I wonder what these terrorists derive from these murderous and suicide attacks. As a student of peace studies, I have learnt that apart from reasons associated with ethno-nationalism, alienation/discrimination, socio-economic status, political grievances, and accidental insurgent, religion has been the major reason for terrorism. Most terrorist attacks have been carried out with religious undertone. It has been as if these terrorists are seemingly fighting for their religion and, funnily, for the founder and the god of their religion. The fact that the Almighty God is seemingly silent and allows most of these terrorist attacks to be successful makes these heartless people and their collaborators think that they are fighting a just cause. Like many other people, even today, the psalmist in Psalm 83 thought that God is silent to these nefarious acts against humanity and people of God. He, therefore, prayed that God should arise and fight against these enemies of progress. However, God is NOT silent. In His goodness and longsuffering, He is yearning that these heartless people come to repentance. Apostle Paul said, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 NKJV. See also 2 Peter 3:9). It may seem as if these perpetrators of evil are succeeding in their evil deeds. However, God will expose them and bring them to judgment one day. The writer of Ecclesiastes said: “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (12:14 NKJV. See also 3:17; 11:9; Psalm 96:13; Matthew 10:26; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-15). It may seem as if God is silent now. God is not silent. Are you a terrorist or collaborator of terrorists? God is not silent. Are you a victim of terrorism or any form of evil perpetration? God is not silent. Have you been praying that God should bring an end to all these evils in the world? God is not silent. He will act one day. Nonetheless, when He is acting in judgment, will He commend you or condemn you? Remember, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31 NKJV). God is not silent! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that God will arise and put an end to all the terrorist acts in the world.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence]” (1 Chronicles 16:11 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When we turn our eyes toward the beautiful face of God, we can find strength and comfort that sustain us even in the midst of unanswered questions. - Amy Peterson ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always seek the face of God in any circumstance you find yourself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “As one whom his mother comforts, so [God] will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:13 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When the troubles of this world weigh heavy on our hearts, we can find comfort in the knowledge that God protects and fights for us, His children, as a loving parent. - Kirsten Holmberg ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Fight for me, O Lord, as a loving parent, in the battle of this life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. - Desmond Tutu ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to do your little bit of good wherever you are.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Jesus and his followers were in a very busy place. There were so many people that he and his followers did not even have time to eat. He said to them, ‘Come with me. We will go to a quiet place to be alone. There we will get some rest’” (Mark 6:31 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY In our life of faith and service, rest is as important as work. - David McCasland ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always find time of rest with You.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “If you refuse to be corrected, you are only hurting yourself. Listen to criticism, and you will gain understanding” (Proverbs 15:32 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. - Elbert Hubbard ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to embrace criticism so as to gain understanding through it.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34:8 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God works in our lives at the most difficult times and His gracious lessons are worth passing on to others. - Dennis Fisher ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not be able enjoy God and pass your experience of this enjoyment to others.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel” (Philippians 4:6-7 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY You may not be able to do anything about the problem of your life, but you have a caring God who is ready to listen to you and give you His peace when you pray to and put your trust in Him, then why worry? - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not worry, but always pray to and put your trust in God no matter the problem of your life.

…THEN WHY WORRY?

Dearly Beloved, …THEN WHY WORRY? “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel” (Philippians 4:6-7 CEV). Recently I received a video clip through one of my WhatsApp groups that is very inspiring to me. In the clip, a man humorously presented a timeless truth about worry by rhetorically asking some questions. Let me try to transcribe part of his presentation: “Do you have a problem in life? No. Then why worry? Do you have a problem in life? Yes. Can you do something about it? Yes. Then why worry? Do you have a problem in life? Yes. Can you do something about it? No. Then why worry?” The presentation may sound humorous, but it is something that one should ponder about. Why worry for a problem that does not exist? Why worry for a problem that you can do something about? Above all, why worry about a problem that you cannot directly do something about? Then why worry? That presenter did not complete the timeless truth about worry. One may not worry about non-existent problem, a problem that one can easily find solution to, or most especially a problem that one cannot solve by oneself. However, there are antidotes for worry: prayer and faith. Anyone who can pray to and have faith in God will not worry, but have peace of mind in spite of the problem. There are many biblical injunctions in support of this. Apart from Philippians 4:6-7 (quoted above); Psalm 23:4; 56:3; Proverbs 3:5-6; 12:25; Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 12:24-34; John 14:27; Romans 8:38; Colossians 3:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Hebrews 13:5-6 and many other Bible verses, consider these verses quoted below: “I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? ...Can worry make you live longer? 28 Why worry about clothes? ...Don’t worry and ask yourselves, ‘Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?’...Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today” (Matthew 6:25-34 CEV). “Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won’t let us fall” (Psalm 55:22 CEV). “Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him” (1 Peter 5:6-7 CEV). You may not be able to do anything about the problem of your life, but you have a caring God who is ready to listen to you and give you His peace when you pray to and put your trust in Him, then why worry? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not worry, but always pray to and put your trust in God no matter the problem of your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Mar2017

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 One must know not just how to accept a gift, but with what grace to share it. - Maya Angelou ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to give free to other people.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I also remember the genuine faith of your mother Eunice. Your grandmother Lois had the same sort of faith, and I am sure that you have it as well” (2 Timothy 1:5 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We can prepare a spiritual inheritance for those whose lives we influence by living in close communion with God. - Keila Ochoa ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to live a godly life that we make you leave imitable spiritual inheritance for people around you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins” (1 Peter 4:8 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly. - Angelina Jolie ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to be able to love other people in spite of their imperfection.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “God has shown you his grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift he has given you in a way that will best serve each other” (1 Peter 4:10 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God may call you out of your comfort zone, but He does so to develop your unique gifts and personalities to serve His good purposes. You honor His creative nature when you permit Him to use you as you are. - Dave Branon ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to be able to use the gifts You have given me to serve other people and for Your glory.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “We are being careful so that no one will criticize us.... We are trying to do what is right. We want to do what the Lord accepts as right and also what people think is right” (2 Corinthians 8:20-21 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Integrity is not only about God, it is also about men. - Kayode Oyedemi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to be a man/woman of integrity not only before God, but also before other men.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 13Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I am praying to you in my time of trouble. I know you will answer me.... Lord, teach me your ways, and I will live and obey your truths. Help me make worshiping your name the most important thing in my life” (Psalm 86:7, 11 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The most difficult situations we face can become doorways to a deeper relationship with our Lord. - David McCasland ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that your trying times will draw you nearer to God more than before.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.... What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!” (Romans 5:20b, 6:1-2a NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Grace may be far greater than any sin, it is never a license to sin. We cannot continue in sin and expect that the grace of God will abound. – Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that the grace of God will abound in your life, and that you will not misuse this grace.

GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN

Dearly Beloved, GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20-21 NKJV). What is grace? Simply, grace is unmerited favour granted by God to undeserving sinners that come to Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This grace, which is a key concept in the Christian faith, is far greater than the sinners’ sins (see Roman 5:20-21). This is the message that Julia Harriet Johnston (1849-1919) communicated in her popular hymn, GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN. Julia was a daughter of a Presbyterian minister. She was very active in Sunday school in her church also in the Presbyterian Missionary Society of Peoria, Illinois, USA. Julia Johnston saw this grace as a marvelous one of a loving God. In spite of the fact that man’s sin makes him guilty before God, and this makes man to be in despair and tries to come to God on his terms, the grace is far greater than any sin or guilt that anyone may have. It is the product of the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross of Calvary. The blood washes away every stain of sin and makes the sinner white as snow. Julia underscored that this grace is marvelous, infinite and matchless, and it is freely bestowed on all who believe in Jesus Christ. Having highlighted the entrance of sin into mankind through Adam that brought about judgment, and the righteousness that came through the obedience of Jesus Christ, Apostle Paul hinted that the grace of God is far greater than the sin (see Romans 5:12-21). Without this grace, no one can be saved. Only those that come through faith to God through Jesus Christ can have it. It is not by human efforts (see Ephesians 2:5-10). However, grace may be far greater than any sin, it is never a license to sin. Apostle Paul emphatically said that we cannot continue in sin and expect that the grace of God will abound (see Romans 6:1-2). The fact that we have the grace of God should make us to strive to live a sinless life. Anyone that has had the grace of God will not continue to sin (see 1 John 3:7-9). What a great opportunity we have: to have a grace that is far greater than our sins! However, do you have this grace? Remember, it is an undeserved favour that you can have through faith in Jesus Christ. Or, are you still trying to get it through your human efforts? You are invited to receive this grace. Have you yielded this invitation? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that the grace of God will abound in your life, and that you will not misuse this grace.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 11Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns” (1 Peter 1:7 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Faith-testing times can be faith-strengthening times. - Jennifer Benson Schuldt ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be more strengthened during your trying times.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:19-20 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong. - William J. H. Boetcke ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to do what is right regardless of the consequence.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 08Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin..." (Zechariah 4:10a NLT). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Whatever you want in life, start today. Not tomorrow - today. Let it be a small beginning - a tiny beginning. Your happiness depends on starting today - every day. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not despise your days of little beginning.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “These [Bereans] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY By searching the Scriptures diligently, believers grow in God's truth and understand how God wants them to live and serve Him. - Amos O. Tella ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Determine to always diligently search the Scriptures to be able to understand God better.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether” (Psalm 139:4 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY How good it is to know that we do not have to get our words just right to talk to God! He loves us and knows us well enough to understand. - James Banks ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God that He loves you and knows you more than you can understand.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces" (Ezekiel 14:3 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Anything you like or love more than God is an idol of your heart. Remove them now and put God in His right position in your heart. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to remove all the idols that are taking the place of God in heart.

IDOLS OF THE HEART

Dearly Beloved, IDOLS OF THE HEART "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God" (Exodus 20:4-5 NIV). "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces" (Ezekiel 14:3 NIV). The primitive Africa was full of idolatry. The more I like the African culture, the more I hate its connection with idolatry. I thank God that I have been saved from all these ancestral idols. In Christ, I can be a true African without being idolatrous. However, while I have done away with all the physical idols, what of the unseen idols of the heart? Am I free from them? God accused the exiled Israelites of idolatry of the heart. Though they were sent into exile because of this sin, they continued in it in the exile. Interestingly, these people still wanted to hear from God, which meant that they probably did not realize that they had set up idols in their hearts against God's will. I doubt if you still have any physical idol that you are worshipping. Nevertheless, what are the idols in your heart? What are the things that have taken the place of God in your heart? Is it money, occupation, time, sports, pleasure, reputation, position, your children, your spouse, or even your life? Anything you like or love more than God is an idol of your heart. Remove them now and put God in His right position in your heart. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to remove all the idols that are taking the place of God in heart.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “You are now very sad. But later I will see you, and you will be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel” (John 16:22 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We have a Savior who does not merely know about our pain; He lived it. He knows. He cares. One day our grief will be turned into joy. - Tim Gustafson ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Turn my pain and sadness to joy, O Lord.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. - Martin Luther King, Jr. ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to do everything possible to live peacefully with all men.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Mar2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY It is our privilege to give everything we have to the One who gave us everything on the cross. - Tim Gustafson ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to give your total self to God.