Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “...when [Jesus Christ] was reviled, [He] did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to [God] who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Whenever we suffer for righteousness without seeking to protect our reputation and rights, we are placing our total faith in the One who can redeem us. This activates God's grace in our lives and enables us to experience God's presence like never before. - Os Hillman ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace not to seek retaliation, but trust in God when you suffer for righteousness.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who always does good and who never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Being human, we are imperfect. That is why we need each other. To catch each other when we falter. To encourage each other when we lose heart. Some may lead; others may follow; but none of us can go it alone. - Hillary Clinton ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not be over righteous to the point of thinking that you do not need other people in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then David prayed to God: ‘Shall I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you help me beat them?’ ‘Go up,’ God replied. ‘Count on me. I'll help you beat them’” (2 Samuel 5:19-20a MSG). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, God wants to be a part of it. When prayer enters every aspect of our lives, who knows what God might do for His glory! - Dennis Fisher ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to always involve You in all my endeavours.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If you are to be truly cherished both now and in the future, be an exemplary father (or mother) by having good influence on your children and by bringing them up in the ways of the Lord. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to be an exemplary father (or mother) by having good influence on your children and by bringing them up in the ways of the Lord.

FATHERS ARE TO BE CHERISHED, BUT…

Dearly Beloved, FATHERS ARE TO BE CHERISHED, BUT… “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4 NKJV). In my reflection on the celebration of the Father’s Day for this year, I laid emphasis on the fact that fathers are to be cherished too as people generally cherish mothers because fathers are one of the most valuable assets a child could ever have in life. However, the reflection also made me to discover that some people in the Bible were not good fathers in spite of the fact that they were famous. They had bad influence on their children and their generations. Amongst the fathers in the Bible that had bad influence on their children were: 1) Noah, though considered righteous in his perverse generation, got drunk to the point that one of his sons, Ham, saw his nakedness. This became a curse to the son (see Genesis 9:20-27). 2) Lot, another considered righteous man, was got drunk by his daughters, and he impregnated them (see Genesis 19:30-38). 3) Isaac, because of favoritism, made his children to become sworn enemies (see Genesis 27:1-41). 4) Jacob, unfortunately, also followed the footsteps of his father, Isaac (see Genesis 37). 5) Moses, the greatest leader and lawgiver of Israel who neglected to do the needful for his children. If not for his wife, Ziporah, who intervened at the right time, he would have lost the children (see Exodus 4:24-26). 6) Eli was the priest that the people of Israel look up to for spiritual guidance, however, he was a permissive father who could not control his children in spite of the fact that the children were wayward and they were driving the people away from God. God prophesied against him and his household. He and the children died the same day and the priesthood was transferred from his generation to another family (see 1 Samuel 2:12, 17, 22-30; 3:13; 4:11-18; 1 Kings 2:27). 7) Samuel was a great prophet, judge and priest who was raised by Eli and saw the failure of Eli as a father. However, he was too busy that he could not control his own children also. They were as wayward as the children of Eli. Their waywardness was one of the reasons that made the people of Israel to request for a king (see 1 Samuel 8:1-6). 8) David was a man after God’s own heart. He was the greatest king of Israel. He became a reference point for all other kings after him. However, he was an absentee father who did not know what was happening to his children. This resulted to incest in his family and the death of two of his children. It nearly cost him his kingdom (see 2 Samuel 13-15). 9) Ahaz was a king in Judah. He worshipped idols and sacrificed his children to demons (see 2 Kings 16:2–4). 10) Hezekiah was a good king in Judah but he cared less about the impending danger that would come on his generation because of his negligence (see 2 Kings 20:16-19). 11) Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah, and he succeeded him as king, but he was one of the worst kings in Judah. He also sacrificed his children to demons (see 2 Kings 21:1-9; Psalm 106:35-41). 12) It is interesting to note that Jesus Christ referred to Satan as a father! However, he is notorious for falsehood and he is influencing his children for falsehood and every kind of vices till today (see John 8:41-44). These and many others in history had bad influence on their children, in spite of their supposed greatness or fame. They did not (or could not) bring up their children in the right ways. Yes, fathers are to be cherished too. But, what kind of father are you? What influence are you having on your children? What legacy are you leaving for your children? If you are to be truly cherished both now and in the future, be an exemplary father (or mother) by having good influence on your children and by bringing them up in the ways of the Lord. Once again, Happy Father’s Day in arrears. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to be an exemplary father (or mother) by having good influence on your children and by bringing them up in the ways of the Lord.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY As we grow in our relationship with Christ we can expect both joy and suffering. - Dennis Fisher ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to stand firm both in joy and suffering.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “...let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1b AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races, one after another. - Walter Elliot ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the ability to persevere in your life’s race.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10-11 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Disappointments were not meant to destroy you. They were meant to strengthen you and give you fortitude to accomplish your destiny. - Joel Osteen ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to make disappointments to accomplish your destiny.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Jun2018

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 You can trust God with everything you are because he is able to help you succeed if you do. That does not mean that God will give you all the money, fame, or power you want. But if you trust him, God will help you succeed in what he has called you to do and be. - Rick Warren ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to trust in God with all your heart and acknowledge Him in all your ways.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” (Matthew 25:40 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If you cannot feed a hundred people, then feed just one. - Mother Teresa ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O God, to do the little I can wherever I find myself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him” (Psalm 91:14-15 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY In times of fear, danger, or uncertainty, we can trust God’s promise that when we call on Him, He will hear and be with us in our trouble. God is our safe place. - Cindy Hess Kasper ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O God, to always trust You in times of fear, danger, or uncertainty.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the Lord your God gives you” (Exodus 20:12 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society. - Billy Graham ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to always cherish fathers also as you are cherishing mothers.

FATHERS ARE TO BE CHERISHED TOO!

Dearly Beloved, FATHERS ARE TO BE CHERISHED TOO! “Just as a father loves his children… [So] Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father…” (Psalm 103:13; Exodus 20:12 AMP). As I was reflecting on the celebration of the Father’s Day for this year, I came across this quote attributed to the late revered world evangelist, Billy Graham: “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” This quote is an undisputable fact! Mothers are so cherished in every society. Many poems, songs, captions, and the likes have been composed and dedicated for mothers. Mothers are celebrated worldwide twice every year (in March in some parts of the world and in May in other parts of the world). There is even another day tagged “International Women’s Day” in March to “celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women.” Women in general and mothers in particular deserve these celebrations and accolades because of who they are and what they are doing to/for their children. However, as Billy Graham rightly said, fathers are hardly recognized and given deserved honour in spite of the fact that they are one of the most valuable assets a child could ever have in life. Fathers are to be cherished because the Holy Bible presents God as our heavenly Father or “Our Father who is in heaven.” In fact, the central image of God is that of a Father (see Psalm 103:13; Hebrews 12:5-9; James 1:17). This write-up is not about God the Father anyway. Being written in a patriarchal setting, the Holy Bible is full of many fathers that took special roles (both positive and negative) in the lives of their children. Amongst the worst fathers in the Bible were Eli, the permissive father (1 Samuel 2:22-25, 29; 3:13); Samuel, an equal failure as Eli (1 Samuel 8:1-6); David, though a man after God’s own heart, was an absentee father who did not know what was happening to his children (see 2 Samuel 13-15); Ahaz worshipped idols and sacrificed his children to demons (see 2 Kings 16:2–4); Manassah who also sacrificed his children to demons (2 Kings 21:1-9; Psalm 106:35-41) and many others. Amongst the best fathers in the Bible were Abraham, the father of faith who settled his family members before his death (see Genesis 25:5-6); Job who was involved with his children socially and prayed for them spiritually (see Job 1:4–5); Jonadab son of Rechab who was a respected father whose children obeyed him (2 Kings 10:15-16; Jeremiah 35); Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ, though one of the most underrated fathers in the Bible, but went to great pains to protect his wife, Mary, the baby Jesus (see Matthew 2:19-23) and other children like James, Joses, Judas (or Jude) and Simon (see Mark 6:3) and gave them education and needs as they were growing up; the father of the demon-possessed boy who brought the boy to the disciples of Jesus Christ to be healed (see Mark 9:14-27); the loving father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son who in spite of the behaviours of his two sons still demonstrated his fatherly love to them (see Luke 15:11-32); Philip who raised four daughters that became prophetesses (see Acts 21:8-9) and many others. My earthly father died four years ago, but I still cherish what he had imbibed in me when I was growing up. The instructions then were like bitter pills to swallow for me, but today, I am being grateful for him and the fatherly roles he had played in my life. I wish that my children will have many positive things to learn from me as I continue to raise them up. Look back on the roles that your father has played in your life. Are they positive or negative? Are you a father? What roles are you playing in the lives of your children now? However, no matter the roles your father has played in your life, do you cherish him? Are you celebrating your father as you celebrate your mother? Fathers are to be cherished too! Happy Father’s Day! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to always cherish fathers also as you are cherishing mothers.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then [Jesus Christ] said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Following Jesus Christ as His disciple is a costly, unselfish decision. It calls for a radical examination of our self-centered lifestyles. - Chuck Swindoll ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Jesus Christ, to deny myself daily and follow You.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, ‘Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.’ Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity!” (Nehemiah 4:3-4 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When we are criticized or mocked, instead of responding to our critics out of hurt or anger, we can prayerfully ask God to defend us from discouragement so we can continue with a whole heart. - Kirsten Holmberg ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace not to be discouraged by any criticism.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "I only gave them this command: 'Obey me and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do all that I command, and good things will happen to you'" (Jeremiah 7:23 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Our obedience to the Lord may seem insignificant in the big picture, but it breathes freshness and life into the spiritual atmosphere of every believer. - David C. McCasland ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always obey God no matter the cost.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness (graciousness, mercy, compassion) endures forever” (Psalm 136:1 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Turn your experience of God’s love into a praise song of your own and enjoy an overflow of His never-ending goodness. - Lawrence Darmani ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O God, to learn to praise You all the time for Your goodness over my life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY No one can be in sin and still expect that he would continue to enjoy the grace of God. You cannot continue to thrive in unrighteousness and still expect God to keep His covenant with you. That is impossible! - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not thwart the covenant of God for your life because of any act of unrighteousness.

DO NOT THWART THE COVENANT OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE!

Dearly Beloved, DO NOT THWART THE COVENANT OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE! “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2 NKJV). King David (in the Bible) was a man after God’s own heart because of his righteousness before God (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). So, God made a covenant with him that his line or descendants would be reigning in Israel forever (see 2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 89:3-4, 26-37). God was faithful in keeping this covenant. Even when Solomon, David’s son, was not as righteous as his father, and the kingdom broke into two, God still preserved the line of David as kings in one of the divided kingdom. However, the unrighteousness of many of the kings of Judah who were descendants of David especially Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim was so much. Jehoiachin, like his father, Jehoiakim, and many other kings before them “...did evil in the eyes of the Lord..." (2 Kings 24:9 NIV). Because of this, God promised to end the lineage of David as kings in Judah. God is faithful in keeping His part of the covenants that He makes with His people. However, people can thwart these covenants if they disobey God and do not walk in His ways. God emphasized this to the people of Israel as He gave them the Law (see Leviticus 26:14ff; Deuteronomy 28:15ff). This is evident in the history of the people of Israel from the time of their judges to the time of their kings. If the people were faithful, God would be faithful with them. If they derailed from obeying God, God would punish them. No one can be in sin and still expect that he would continue to enjoy the grace of God. You cannot continue to thrive in unrighteousness and still expect God to keep His covenant with you. That is impossible! (see Romans 6:1-2). How faithful are you to the covenant of God in your life? Are you righteous and just to the point that God can still continue to keep His covenant for you? Unrighteousness in your part can thwart the covenant of God for your life. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not thwart the covenant of God for your life because of any act of unrighteousness.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 09Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NKJV)). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God not only wants to deliver us from habitual sins but also free us from the deeper root cause. - Dick Innes ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Free me from all the deep root causes of my sins, O Lord.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 08Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell” (James 3:6 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When words become weapons, our relationships soon become casualties. - Bill Crowder ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that the words of your mouth will not ruin your relationship with your beloved ones.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were to go through our life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. So, give every opportunity a chance, leave no room for regrets, and do not forget the positives in the struggle. - Author Unknown ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to endure hardship till you are able to come out of it stronger.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must love our friend for their sakes rather than for our own. - Charlotte Bronte ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Give me the grace, O God, to be able to love my friends for who they are.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3:10 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When we talk about knowing God, it means having a real, living relationship with him. That is what it means to trust God. - Rick Warren ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Enable me to know You and have a real living relationship with You, O God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may endure for a night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine after the rain. Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall, but God's always ready to answer your call. - Author Unknown ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Put an end to my weeping and suffering, O God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you” (2 Thessalonians 1:6 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Remember God’s justice. He will repay you accordingly. Deal justly with people around you if you want Him to deal justly with you. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to be just in your dealings with others so that you also will get justice from God.

THE JUSTICE OF GOD FOR THE UNJUST

Dearly Beloved, THE JUSTICE OF GOD FOR THE UNJUST “For this is what the Lord says about Shallum son of Josiah, who succeeded his father as king of Judah but has gone from this place: ‘He will never return. He will die in the place where they have led him captive; he will not see this land again’” (Jeremiah 22:11-12 NIV). “What goes round comes round” is a popular saying about retribution. One will be repaid with what one has done whether good or bad. This is not a good wish neither is it a curse. It is a fact of life. It is the law of sowing and reaping. Anyone who is just to other people will receive justice while anyone who is unjust will be dealt with unjustly one day. This was the case of Shallum, son of Josiah, the unjust king of Judah. He (also known as Jehoahaz) reigned for only three months after the death of his just father, Josiah, in Jerusalem. However, he was not as just as his father, as he “did evil in the eyes of the Lord...” (2 Kings 23:32 NIV). He did this evil by building his palace by unrighteousness and injustice and by making his own people work for nothing without paying them for their labor (see Jeremiah 22:13). Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt, deported him and made one of his (that is, Shallum’s) brothers king in his place. Prophet Jeremiah prophesied against him that he would never return from his exile but die in his place of captivity (see Jeremiah 22:11-12). There was no other biblical record about this unjust king. He sowed injustice and he reaped calamity (compare Proverbs 22:8). No one can deceive God. He is God of justice who will pay back trouble to those who are unjust (see Galatians 6:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:6). He will pay this back both here on earth and in heaven (see Ecclesiastes 12:14; Isaiah 3:10; Romans 12:19; Galatians 6:8; Colossians 3:25; Hebrews 9:27). Are you unjust in your dealings with other people? Or, in what ways are you dealing unjustly with people around you? Remember God’s justice. He will repay you accordingly. Deal justly with people around you. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to be just in your dealings with others so that you also will get justice from God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Jun2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY In the midst of the cares and despairs of life, we can stop, be still, and find refuge in God. - Bill Crowder ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to be able to stop and be still in time of trouble so as to find solace in God.