Spiritual Digest for the Day 01May2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us..." (1 John 4:10 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Instead of despairing, we can remind ourselves of the love we freely receive from God our Father. We are His dearly beloved children. He never gives up on us, and He never ever stops loving us. - David Roper ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for His inestimable love for you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 30Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking” (Ephesians 4:17 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is looking for people that will distinguish themselves in this perverse world by walking with Him. He wants people that will determine to live in His fear and will, live in all His commandments and ordinances, live by faith and total trust in Him, live uprightly and sincerely, and live in intimate communion with Him. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to be distinct to Your glory wherever I find myself.

DETERMINE TO BE DISTINCT!

Dearly Beloved, DETERMINE TO BE DISTINCT! “When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:21-24 NIV). “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking” (Ephesians 4:17 NIV). Genesis Chapter Five is one of such boring chapters in the Bible. It contains the list of people that lived and died for nothing spectacular. In this list is the story of a man that was distinct—Enoch. He lived the shortest time of all the people in the list, but he lived with a purpose, and the chroniclers of the Holy Scriptures recognized it. Twice in the less than five verses that were devoted to him, it was recorded that he walked with God for most part of his years. A Bible commentator put it thus: “[Enoch] walked in the name and fear of God, according to His will, in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord then made known; he walked by faith in the promises of God, and in the view of the Messiah, the promised seed; he walked uprightly and sincerely, as in the sight of God; he had familiar converse, and near and intimate communion with Him….” In the Bible, another phrase for “to walk” is “to live.” Enoch distinguished himself from the other people in the list by living his life for God. God rewarded him in His own way. The nature of this reward has become a subject of controversy among Bible scholars. However, what matters here is that God took note of Enoch’s distinction and rewarded him for it. God is looking for people that will distinguish themselves in this perverse world by walking with Him. He wants people that will determine to walk or live in His fear and will, walk or live in all His commandments and ordinances, walk or live by faith and total trust in Him, walk or live uprightly and sincerely, and walk or live in intimate communion with Him. He is ready to reward such people accordingly. Will you be one of such people? This year, determine to be distinct! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Help me, O Lord, to be distinct to Your glory wherever I find myself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 29Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Most people give up just when they are about to achieve success. They quit on the one-yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one-foot from a winning touchdown. - Ross Perot ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, not to give up when I am about to succeed in life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God wants you to live a stress-free life, not one filled with worries about tomorrow’s problems. When tomorrow comes, His grace will be there for you as your help, protection, favor and enabling! - Joseph Prince ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not allow tomorrow’s worries to deprive you of the enjoyment of God’s grace for today.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Set your mind on God more and yourself less. Base your actions on His leading and not your desires. It will not be easy, but it will change your mind, your heart, and your actions. - Shelley Farmer ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to set your mind to do God’s will more than your personal desires.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Kind words are like honey; they are easy to accept and good for your health” (Proverbs 16:24 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. - Mother Teresa ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to always speak kinds words that will benefits your hearers.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY It is comforting to know that God cares enough to listen to all of our prayers—from the shortest to the longest. - James Banks ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for His care to listen to your prayers.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer” (Hebrews 10:25 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When you are in the fellowship of other believers, ‎you stand the chance of being strengthened by the faith of these believers to face the challenges of your life. - Supo Ayokunle ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that will always cherish the fellowship of other believers.

THE BLOOD OF MARTYRS

Dearly Beloved, THE BLOOD OF MARTYRS “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 12:24 NKJV). As I was about to sleep recently, I checked my WhatsApp Messenger to see if there was any urgent message to be attended to (that has become my daily practice). I came across a video clip in a WhatsApp group with a subtitle “Pray for Syria”. I could not bear watching the video clip to the end as it turned out to be one of those incidents where some Christians were being beheaded one after the other by their persecutors. The horror of seeing blood gushing out of the necks of the beheaded people at the one slash of the sword/cutlass could not make me continue to watch the video clip. In fact, I blamed myself for watching such a horrendous thing when I was about to sleep that night. It was as if I never heard or even watched such awful video of Christians being slaughtered like animals before. I kept on wondering why a human being would gruesomely kill a fellow human being in the name of fighting for one god who cannot defend himself. Then I remembered the paraphrase of a statement made by an early church leader called Tertullian in 197 AD: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” How true is this statement? Jesus Christ proverbially stated that a grain of wheat has to fall into the ground and dies before it can produce more grain (see John 12:24). He demonstrated this by dying on the cross so that mankind might have eternal life. Right from the death of first known Christian martyr, Stephen in Acts 7, to the modern-day Christian martyrs, the blood of these martyrs, in most occasions, has really become the seed of the growth of Christianity. This has been proved from history. However, I still keep wondering: must people be killed before there is growth in Christian faith? Persecution of all forms is inevitable in Christian life (see 2 Timothy 3:12). The more the Christian is persecuted or tested, the stronger he becomes in his Christian faith (see 1 Peter 1:7-9). The more Christians are killed for their faith, the more other Christians are united in prayer, and the more the spread of Christianity. Indeed, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Nevertheless, are you ready to lay your life down for your faith? You may not be literally killed as a martyr, but are you ready to really be a witness with your action and words for Christian faith? (Interestingly, the English word, martyr, comes from the word for witness in the original Greek!) In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Points: 1. Pray that your life will truly be a “martyr” (witness) for your Christian faith and that it will contribute to the growth of Christianity in your area. 2. Pray for Christians in persecuted areas of the world that they will continue to have grace to withstand the persecutions.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can! - John Wesley ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to be able to do good as much I can wherever I find myself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God wants to deposit a resilient hope in your heart. He has no interest in giving you a shallow happiness that fades when the wind is not at your back. He offers you joy, a sincere, deep-seated, heartfelt sense of joy, guaranteed to weather the storms. - Mike McGraw ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O God, help me experience true joy, a joy that can only come from you through Your Son, Jesus.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. - Eleanor Roosevelt ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to fully utilize each day as God enables you to have it.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made. Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power” (Psalm 19:1-2 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The beauty that comes to us through nature speaks to our souls like few things do. It not only has the capacity to stop us in our tracks and captivate our attention, it also has the power to turn our focus to the Maker of beauty itself. - Jeff Olson ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will at times stop to appreciate God through the beauty of nature around you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY He who has faith has an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness, and assuring trust that all will come out well - even though to the world it may appear to come out most badly. - Bertie Charles Forbes ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to have faith to bring out the good things that the world cannot see in you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “…because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Because of love, Jesus Christ suffered and died to be the perfect sacrifice, standing in our place before the Father. We live because of love. - Amy Boucher Pye ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you also will be able to demonstrate sacrificial love to others around you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:5-6 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY No other religious leader is worthy of following because they have died or will die one day. Only Jesus Christ died and is risen again. Alleluia! - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for the risen Christ and His finished work of salvation on the cross.

CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY

Dearly Beloved, CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY “But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:5-6 NKJV). One of the popular hymns that are always sung during Easter celebration is “CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY” written by that great hymn writer, Charles Wesley (1708-1788) in 1739 to commemorate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ when He rose from the grave to conquer of death and its power. The original version of the hymn had eleven stanzas, but did not have the “Alleluias” that distinguish it today. An unknown composer later added the “Alleluias” to fit into its musical tune. There are variations in stanzas of the hymn in various hymnals available today. However, the hymn is a call to celebrate the death and especially the resurrection of Jesus Christ. An outstanding feature of the hymn is that its lyrics are written in the present tense. "Christ the Lord is risen today" – not "has risen" or "rose." This is powerful because it places us (Christians living presently) in community with those who actually witnessed the resurrection in their own lifetimes, and reaffirms our own hope of being set free from death. As “Sons of men and angels” declared the news of the risen Lord, Charles Wesley in the hymn enjoined heavens and earth to raise their joy and triumph high in celebration of the risen Lord. Charles Wesley mocked death, grave, the stone (that was rolled over the grave), the seal on the stone, and the guards for their failure to hold Jesus Christ from resurrecting. Charles Wesley talked about the redeeming work that is done and the battle that was won on the cross. As Jesus Christ soared above death and grave, so also Christians will soar where He has led being made like Him and raised like Him. Indeed, the risen Christ is to be hailed and praised. Alleluia! “Alleluia” (in Greek) or “Hallelujah” (in Hebrew) originally means, “Praise the Lord”. This word prominently leads off Psalms 106, 111, 112, 113, 117, 135 and especially the “Hallelujah Psalms” – Psalms 146-150. The word is re-echoed in Revelation 19 connoting the final victory of the saints. The word is perfectly fitted later into the lyrics of this great hymn to celebrate the risen Lord. Alleluia, Christ the Lord is indeed risen! Have you put your faith in this risen Christ, or are still following a dead or powerless leader? No other religious leader is worthy of following because they have died or will die one day. Only Jesus Christ died and is risen again. Alleluia! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Thank God for the risen Christ and His finished work of salvation on the cross.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’ ...thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54c-57 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When Jesus Christ died on the cross, it seemed all hope was lost for His disciples and loved ones. However, His death was the beginning of victory over death for every one who puts his/her trust in Him who conquered death and its power by His rising on the third day. – Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for the victory He has given you over eternal death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not boast in anything except in the cross of Christ.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 13Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans 5:10-11 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The redemptive work of Jesus Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection has provided the means by which human beings—who are spiritually separated from God—can be brought back into a relationship with their Creator. - Dennis Fisher ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the Cross that has reconciled you back to God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Hebrews 2:9-10 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Christ's journey from the cradle to the grave reveals a pattern that is stitched throughout the fabric of Scripture. For Christ, Christians, and all creation, the way of glory is the way of the Cross. - Jeremy Treat ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that your suffering will lead to your honour and glory.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 11Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4-5 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The mercy of God does not work in the way of man's thinking. - Dickson O Madoghwe ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for His mercy that transcends human reasoning.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “...put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]” (Colossians 3:12 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Compassion is not just feeling pity for a needy person; our emotions must move us to relieve the misery of that person. - Sim Kay Tee ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to show compassion to those that really need it.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 09Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Who gets the credit for your ability and power to do those good things that you are doing? Do you normally give the credit to God? Let God take the glory so that you will be able to do greater exploits for Him. – Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will have the humble heart to always remember to give God the credit for your God-given abilities.

WHO GETS THE CREDIT?

Dearly Beloved, WHO GETS THE CREDIT? "`I cannot do it,' Joseph replied to Pharaoh, `but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires'" (Genesis 41:16 NIV). "Daniel replied, `No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries'" (Daniel 2:27-28a NIV). God has given each one of us one or more abilities to do things. By human nature, we normally want to be praised for any good thing we have done through these abilities. We always ascribe honour to ourselves for such abilities. At times, we even try to get the credit of the good things that those around us have done. This human nature is prevalent in the life of one who has not totally surrendered his/her life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It makes people to strive for the praise and approval of men, and even make them to do all their possible best to be in charge so that people will see them as somebody that has a special ability that others do not have. This has been the bane of some sit-tight leaders that do not want to relinquish their position to other people. Joseph and Daniel were men who preferred to let God, and not themselves, get the credit for their God-given gifts. Both of them had similar situations. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt had two dreams that troubled him. He sought for the interpretation of these dreams from the Egyptian wise men and magicians, but none of them could interpret the dreams. It was then an officer remembered Joseph who could accurately interpret dreams. Joseph was brought to the presence of Pharaoh. When the king was trying to praise Joseph for his gift, Joseph quickly gave God the credit (Genesis 41:1-16). Daniel did the same thing in Daniel 2:27-28 and even refused to get any reward for this gift in Daniel 5:17. These two men humbled themselves and gave God the credit of what they could do, and God exalted each of them to high positions in foreign lands. Who gets the credit for your ability and power to do those good things that you are doing? Do you normally give the credit to God? The Bible says, "This is what the LORD says: `Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV). Surrender yourself totally to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit to be able to do this. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Points: 1. Thank God for your God-given abilities. 2. Pray that you will have the humble heart to always remember to give God the credit for these abilities. 3. Pray that God will exalt you as you give Him the credit for the abilities.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 08Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When we experience the fiery furnace of suffering – whether physical or emotional, whether persecution from without or humiliation from within – God’s loving purpose is to make us pure and strong. - Julie Ackerman Link ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to come out stronger and better from any trial no matter what it may be.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best, so that he could save all these people, as he is now doing” (Genesis 50:20 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY One of the secrets of life is to make stepping-stones out of stumbling blocks. - Jack Penn ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Turn the wickedness of the enemy to my goodness, O Lord.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands” (John 10:28-29 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY It is not our grip on God that keeps us safe, but the power of Jesus’ grasp. No one can take us out of His grasp — not the devil, not even ourselves. Once we are in His hands, He will not let go. - David Roper ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for His work of salvation that made you to be held in His firm grip.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore. - Lord Chesterfield ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to be able to discover and do greater things by faith.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others]” (Mark 11:25 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do yourself a favor and forgive anyone that has anything against you. Do it as an act of faith and trust God to change and heal your emotions. - Joyce Meyer ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that that you will able to forgive other people so that you also will be forgiven.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said” (Joshua 14:12 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When you are in the will of God for your life, you can ask for that difficult mountain to conquer. - Yinka Ololade ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that that you will have the faith to surmount any mountain in fulfilling the will of God for your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Apr2017

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you'" (Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God has plans for us - plans not to harm us, but to prosper us. Plans to give us hope. Plans to give us a good future. Plans not to abandon us even when we go astray. Plans to listen to us when we call on Him. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that the plans and purpose of God for your life will come to pass in His appointed time.

THERE IS HOPE!

Dearly Beloved, THERE IS HOPE! "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you'" (Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV). I have read this Bible passage times without numbers. I have heard people quoting it. I have even used it to preach to or encourage other people several times. However, when I studied it in its context recently, I have a clearer understanding of its real meaning. The context of the passage is a letter written by prophet Jeremiah to the exiled Jews in Babylon. Although, the people of Judah had sinned against God, and God was punishing them by sending them to exile, yet, Jeremiah was advising them to have courage and settle down in that foreign land because God had not abandoned them totally. He presented God as the Yoruba proverbial father that would punish his child with right hand and draw him in love back to himself with the left hand. No matter the consequence of one's sin, God is still compassionate and forgiving (Daniel 9:9). He has plans of restoring us back to Him. He will not abandon His own forever! The Bible passage is a word of hope for people that are suffering because of their misdeeds. It is a word of hope for others also that think that God has forgotten them. It is a word of hope for every child of God. God has plans for us - plans not to harm us, but to prosper us. Plans to give us hope. Plans to give us a good future. Plans not to abandon us even when we go astray. Plans to listen to us when we call on Him. "This is what the LORD says: 'I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place. From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained. Their children will be as in days of old, and their community will be established before me; I will punish all who oppress them. Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise from among them. I will bring him near and he will come close to me, for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?' declares the LORD. "'So you will be my people, and I will be your God'" (Jeremiah 30:18-22 NIV. See also 19:14; 31:27-28; 32:42-44; 33:6-26; Lamentations 3:31-33). No matter the situation, there is indeed hope! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that the plans and purpose of God for your life will come to pass in His appointed time.