OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2019

Dearly Beloved, OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2019 Glory be to God! He has done it again in enabling us to start another year. Great indeed is His faithfulness! Happy New Year (2019). As we always do every year, Opeyemi (my wife), Boluwatife, IfeOluwa, Michael, Abraham (my children) and I are welcoming you to this New Year with these prophetic prayers adapted from Jeremiah 30:19 (NIV). This New Year: - songs of thanksgiving will come from you; - the sound of rejoicing will come from your dwelling; - the Lord will add to your numbers, and you will not be decreased; - the Lord will bring you honor, and - you will not be despised this year in Jesus’ name. Amen. Happy and prosperous New Year! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor), Baptist Building, Oke Bola, PMB 5113, Ibadan 200001, Nigeria +2348055159591 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/ https://www.facebook.com/PastorBayoAfolaranmi (Facebook Fan Page) https://www.facebook.com/afolabayo https://twitter.com/spiritualdigest

Spiritual Digest for the Day 01Jan2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Develop an attitude of gratitude this year, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. - Brian Tracy ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, help me to develop an attitude of gratitude this year, and give always thanks for everything that happens to me.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 30Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY No matter your experience this year, God is working to fulfill His purpose in your life. He works in mysterious ways to bring out His purposes in the lives of His beloved. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to endure whatever situation you may be passing through as God is working to fulfill His purpose in your life.

GOD IS WORKING IN YOUR SITUATION!

Dearly Beloved, GOD IS WORKING IN YOUR SITUATION! “So [Joseph] got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt” (Matthew 2:14 NIV). “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). Another year is coming to an end! Many things have happened in the passing year. Some of these things were enigmatic. One may wonder why they happened the way they did. However, there are purposes for their occurrences. The purposes may be to make the persons that the occurrences happened to become better persons or to make them learn some lessons of life. There is a proverb in Yoruba that literally means, “A warrior who knows how to retreat in battles when he supposes to would come back to fight greater battles while a warrior who does not know how to do so may be conquered and never have the opportunity of fighting any other battle.” This does not mean that the warrior is coward. It means knowing when to do the right thing at the right time. This is applicable to Baby Jesus when the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, His earthly father, and told him (that is, Joseph) to take Jesus and His mother and escape to Egypt because King Herod was looking for ways to kill Jesus. Why would Joseph and his family be subjected to such ordeal? Could God not protect Jesus from Herod without escaping to a foreign land? No! God works in mysterious ways. He decided to use that way to protect the Baby Jesus. Besides, that action would fulfill one of the prophecies about Jesus that He would be brought out of Egypt (see Hosea 11:1). Jesus was not the only one that became a “migrant” in Egypt to fulfill prophecies. Joseph, son of Jacob, in the Old Testament was sold to Egypt (see Genesis 37:28). He was imprisoned unjustly there (see Genesis 39:20). However, he became what God wanted him to be eventually (see Genesis 41:37-45). The people of Israel went for a greener pasture in Egypt (see Genesis 46) and they became slaves there (see Exodus 1). However, God brought them out as a mighty nation from the land where they were migrants (see Exodus 14). Where is the “Egypt” that God has sent you to be a “migrant” this year? Does it seem as if God has abandoned you there? Why has God allow what happened to you this year? Is God no longer with you? No! Do not be dismayed. No matter your experience this year, God is working to fulfill His purpose in your life. He works in mysterious ways to bring out His purposes in the lives of His beloved. In fact, your present situation could be a way of fulfilling God’s purpose in your life. He will bring you out of the situation as a mighty person. You will soon shine this coming year in Jesus’ name. Amen. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to endure whatever situation you may be passing through as God is working to fulfill His purpose in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 29Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me” (Philippians 3:13 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY You cannot get stuck in your past if you intend to be productive in your present and fruitful in your future! - Shermaine Franklin-Sanders ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not dwell in your past, live in present in order to make something good out of your future.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[God] made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]” (2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY A matchless man, Jesus Christ bears our nature but not our corruption! He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh, but in His flesh there is no sin! This Holy One is the Son of God, and yet He is the Son of man—the Savior of the World! - Charles Spurgeon ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Appreciate Jesus Christ for His willingness to be made in human likeness in order to save you from your sins.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him’” (Matthew 2:1-2 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not be like the religious leaders who were more concerned with tradition. Follow the example of the wise men, and seek God this Christmas. It is the reason we celebrate Christmas - God wants to connect with you! - Rick Warren ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to really seek You during this festive season.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[Jesus Christ] came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:11-13 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We can participate in every festivity of the Christmas season, but until we receive the gift of Jesus Christ, we will never truly experience Christmas. - Mary Southerland ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not celebrate this Christmas in vain, but truly receive the gift of Jesus Christ during the festivity.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die” (John 3:16 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Christmas holds its place in the hearts of men because they know that love is the greatest thing in the world. Christmas is celebrated in its true spirit only by those who make some sacrifice for the benefit of their fellow men. - Calvin Coolidge ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will really love your fellow human being in the true spirit of Christmas.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection. - Winston Churchill ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will really reflect on the first coming of Jesus Christ into this world.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:24-25, KJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY An ideal marriage is still for better for worse! That is the bitter truth. Let there be no shame in your marriage. Be determined to cleave to your spouse for life. Then, ask God for help in your marriage. He will help you if you allow Him. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will have a marriage where both you and your spouse will be able to cleave together in love for better for worse till death do you apart.

STILL FOR BETTER FOR WORSE

Dearly Beloved, STILL FOR BETTER FOR WORSE “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:24-25, KJV). Why is it that many people nowadays do not want to hear the expression “For Better For Worse”? Could this have contributed to the common cases of divorce, separation, unresolved marital conflicts, and even spouse murder these days? The idea of “For Better For Worse” in marriage has to do with a pivotal issue that most people do not take note of, and this is ruining many marriages today. This issue is “leaving and cleaving” in marriage. The Bible says that a man will leave his parents (and by inference all other relations) and cleave to (or preferably unite with) his wife. The man puts aside his former relationships and way of living and thinking, and starts a new relationship, and a new way of living and thinking with his wife who is now one with him. It has to be emphasized here that to cleave in this context means to be glued together for life. That is, the man and his wife are together “for better for worse” for life! That is the original plan of God for marriage. The man and his wife cleave together, they become one, and they are not ashamed in spite of their “nakedness.” Have you ever wondered about the nature of this “nakedness”? Any attempt to separate this gluing or cleaving together will result in emotional damage to each of the partners, and by extension, their relations and friends, and even the children born out of the union. The more we are ready to understand this and accept it, the better our marriages in particular and the society in general will be. The implication of this is that any man or woman that wants to enter into this relationship should do so with extra care. It “must not be entered into carelessly, or from selfish motives, but responsibly, and prayerfully” as stated in a marriage declaration. This is because marriage is one of the oldest institutions created by God, and He has many reasons for instituting it. Similarly, there are many guidelines for an ideal marriage. One has to know and follow these reasons and guidelines to the letter if one wants to maintain the ideal marriage as it was originally in the mind of God. It is unfortunate, however, that people now create different reasons and guidelines for marriage. No wonder, many marriages are in shambles, and cases of divorce and remarriage are common, especially in the western world, even among Christians! My first and only marriage with my darling wife was twenty years old some days ago! This is not a big deal to many people in this part of the world where the institution of marriage is still held in high esteem. However, it is a great feat or rather something unimaginable to many people in the western world. I have been cleaved to my wife (and she has been cleaved to me) for the past twenty years, and both of us were, and still are, not ashamed of each other because we have determined to live for life for better for worse. Ours is not a perfect marriage. There is never one! We have determined to enjoy life together, and to endure it together for better for worse, even after twenty years in marriage. Are you married? Let there be no shame in your marriage. Be determined to cleave to your spouse for life. Are you still single? Do not rush into any relationship and pray that the Lord will help you to be able to have an ideal marriage as He originally planned it. Is your marriage in crisis? Go back to the original plan of God for marriage. Deliberately cleave to your spouse. Then, ask God for help. He will help you if you allow Him. An ideal marriage is still for better for worse! That is the bitter truth. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Points: 1. Pray for my over-twenty-year-old marriage with my beloved wife that the Lord will enable us to continue to cleave together in love for better for worse till death do us apart. 2. Pray that you will have a marriage where both you and your spouse will be able to cleave together in love for better for worse till death do you apart. 3. Pray for unmarried young ones that they will not enter into marriage carelessly, or from selfish motives, but responsibly, and prayerfully. 4. Pray for marriages presently in crisis that the Lord will help the partners in the marriage to resolve the crisis and determine to cleave together in love for better for worse till death do them apart. NB This message is dedicated to my dearest wife, Opeyemi, for sharing her life “for better for worse” with me for these past twenty years.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. - Martin Luther King, Jr. ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to love other people and show concern for them.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained.... O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:3, 9 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Things will start to look up for you when you start looking up. Your circumstances will improve when you stop looking at them and start looking at God. - Rick Warren ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to always look unto You instead of my circumstances.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But [God] gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]” (James 4:6a AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God’s grace makes our hope possible. Not just for today, but for all of eternity. - Stephanie Raquel ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for His abundant grace He has lavished on you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The wise will hear and increase their learning, and the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth]” (Proverbs 1:5 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Spending what it takes to become a little more efficient is an investment that pays rich dividends. Time spent on the right things is never wasted. - Chuck Swindoll ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to be able to wisely spend time to be more efficient in your endeavours.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God” (Romans 2:13 MSG). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY It is not about knowing; it is about doing. It is not about judging others; it is about ME judging myself. It is not about teaching others; it is about ME doing and living what I teach. - Femi Okunlola ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be real doer of Your word.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:23-25 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Like a mirror, the Bible helps us to examine our character, attitude, thoughts, and behavior. As a mirror reflects our image, the Bible reveals our inner being. - Lawrence Darmani ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to make necessary changes as Your words mirror my life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:11-13 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not miss Jesus Christ this Christmas! Believe in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and you will be given right to become a child of God. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not miss the essence of Christmas, but really believe in Jesus Christ as you celebrate the season.

DO NOT MISS CHRIST THIS CHRISTMAS!

Dearly Beloved, DO NOT MISS CHRIST THIS CHRISTMAS! “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:11-13 NKJV). Unarguably, Christmas is the most celebrated season of the year. The aura of the season can be felt already. Many buildings have been decorated in Christmas colours. Jingles of Christmas-related events, sales and the likes have taken over many television and radio broadcast. Some people may say that the origin of the season was pagan. However, even those people agree that the season is now been celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. In spite of this, many people are missing the essence of the celebration today. They are celebrating the season without Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note that most of the people that Jesus Christ came to save in His lifetime missed Him! They were expecting Him, the Messiah, but they could not recognize or accept Him as the Messiah when He came. The powers that be when He was born looked for ways to eliminate Him when they heard about the birth of a newborn King (see Matthew 2). The people that grew up with Him in Nazareth took offence at or refused to believe in Him (see Matthew 13:53-58). Even His own earthly siblings initially did not believe in Him! (see John 7:5). No wonder, the then constituted authorities connived together to kill Him (see Matthew 26:3-4; 27:22-25; Acts 2:22-23). What a pity! These people missed Jesus Christ. They missed the expected Saviour of the world. It is interesting that some people of the Jewish lineage are still expecting the Messiah till date! Nonetheless, the good news in spite of these rejections from His own is that, as many who believe in Him will be given the right to become children of God (John 1:11-13). It is good to celebrate the Christmas. I have started the celebration already. However, do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you not too familiar with the Christmas celebration that you have lost the essence of the celebration? Do not miss Jesus Christ this Christmas! Believe in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and you will be given right to become a child of God, a child “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13 NKJV). I wish you a Merry Christmas! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not miss the essence of Christmas, but really believe in Jesus Christ as you celebrate the season.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people" (Romans 16:17-18 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY At all times we must be on guard not to misrepresent God’s message to acquire what we want from others. With a heart yielded to God, we must honestly share spiritual truths that will benefit those who hear. - Dennis Fisher ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me not to misrepresent Your word.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is always faithful, though not necessarily on our timeline nor always according to our desires. - Elisa Morgan ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Appreciate God for His faithfulness.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 13Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. He sets the time for birth and the time for death, the time for planting and the time for pulling up, the time for killing and the time for healing, the time for tearing down and the time for building" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 TEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is a God of times and seasons. There is usually a time destined for each thing that happens to us in life. There is a time God has purposed for each individual to accomplish certain things in life. - Supo Ayokunle ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will wait for God’s time in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne” (Hebrews 12:2 TEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals. - Henry Ford ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to always look up to You no matter the situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 11Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrongs that others do” (Proverbs 10:12 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it. - Martin Luther King Jr. ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to use love to conquer every hatred.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I will offer the Lord a sacrifice to show how grateful I am, and I will pray” (Psalm 116:17 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Everything we do should be a result of our gratitude for what God has done for us. - Lauryn Hill ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always do everything in your life to praise God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 09Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms” (Psalm 95:1-2 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God has indeed done so much for you! You should praise Him for who He is and what He has done, is doing, and will do, for you. If you think deeply, you will have many reasons why you should praise Him! - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not be ungrateful, but think deeply to discover many reasons why you should praise God.

WHY I SHOULD PRAISE GOD

Dearly Beloved, WHY I SHOULD PRAISE GOD “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms” (Psalm 95:1-2 NKJV). Do you have any reason to praise God? I do! I do not know about you, but the Lord has been good to me. He wonderfully and fearfully created me in my mother’s womb (compared Psalm 139:14). I was born into this world almost fifty years ago. Since the day I was born, the Lord has been taking good care of me. He has been protecting me. He has been safeguarding me. He has been saving me from evils and dangers. He has been sustaining me. He has been providing for me. He has enabled me to achieve many things academically, matrimonially, professionally, ministerially, and spiritually. He has been blessing me and making me a channel of His blessings to others. In fact, He has been doing great things in my life. Why should I not praise God? I join the psalmist to implore you: “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms” (Psalm 95:1-2 NKJV). In addition to what the Lord had done for the psalmist who composed Psalm 95, the psalmist recognized the Lord as the great God and great King above all the kings on earth and the so-called gods (verse 3). He affirmed that all amazing places of the earth are firmly in the hands of God (verses 4-5). He enjoined people to come and worship God because people (including him) are sheep in the pasture of God (verses 6-7b). As a seasoned shepherd, the psalmist knew what it is to lead sheep into good pastures (compare Psalm 23). The Lord indeed had led him and many other people (including me) to His flourishing pasture. I should indeed join the psalmist to praise God! As the year is going to an end, do you have reasons to praise God? Do you see yourself as a sheep in His pasture? Will you appreciate His goodness and faithfulness over your life? Has He really helped you to achieve anything this year? Are you not holding grudge against Him that He has not done what you want Him to do for you this year? Are you not saying why should you praise God? God has indeed done so much for you! You should praise Him for who He is and what He has done, is doing, and will do, for you. If you think deeply, you will have many reasons why you should praise God, and you will be able to join the psalmist to say, “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms” (Psalm 95:1-2 NKJV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not be ungrateful, but think deeply to discover many reasons why you should praise God. NB: I dedicate this message to the Almighty God who enabled me to celebrate another birthday today December 8, 2018. Oh come, let us praise the Lord together for what He has done for ME!

Spiritual Digest for the Day 08Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God will always be the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and our intimately loving Father. He deserves our genuine joy-filled gratitude. - Xochitl Dixon ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always have a heart full of gratitude.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Dec2018

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 Only by holding our Father’s hand in the valley can we endure to see the light of the mountaintop ahead. - Dennis Fisher ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always hold Your hand in anticipation of great things You will do for me.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is not what you imagine, or what you think you understand. If you understand you have failed. - Saint Augustine ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to accept You as You are.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If you want to bring yourself joy, then seek to give to others, for it is in losing your life that you truly will find it. - Karen Ehman ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always look for ways to give to others so as to be blessed.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Wise people see trouble coming and get out of its way, but fools go straight to it and suffer for it” (Proverbs 22:3 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The wise person recognizes there is going to be problems in any decision and prepares for them. - Rick Warren ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be wise enough to recognize impending problems and be able to prepare for them.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us” (2 Peter 1:4 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Take your stand on the promises of God. Thousands of them are right there, waiting to be used. - Chuck Swindoll ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to take stand on Your promises and make use of them.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Dec2018

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I will always thank the LORD; I will never stop praising him” (Psalm 34:1 TEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Start now to thank God for the year. Look back and be grateful for what He has done in your life. Even, if He has not done what you want from Him this year, the remaining days of the year are more than enough for Him to surprise you. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be thankful to the Lord for His goodness over your life.

START NOW!

Dearly Beloved, START NOW! “I will always thank the LORD; I will never stop praising him” (Psalm 34:1 TEV). “...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20 NIV). I have been composing and sending text messages to people, and people have been sending text messages to me. However, I received a text message from an online friend recently that really touched me. Here is its content: “You can spend the remaining days of this year asking God for what He has not done. But you can choose a better option thanking Him for all He has done for you this year. You do not have to wait until December 31 before you thank Him for the year. Have a THANKFUL month.” Truly, people (including me) tend to still be looking unto God for one thing or the other that He has not done for them this year without considering those things He has done and praise Him for them. We may even be thinking that the time to appreciate Him for His goodness should be the end of the year. However, the message of that text message is pertinent to us. We have to start thanking God for the year now even without knowing what the remaining days have in stock for us. The Lord that has helped thus far will make us see the end of the year and even do more than what we are expecting from Him. Start now to thank God for the year. Look back and be grateful for what He has done in your life. Even, if He has not done what you want from Him this year, the remaining days of the year are more than enough for Him to surprise you. Praise Him for who He is in your life. Thank Him for what He has done, is doing, and will do. He will perfect His plans and purpose in your life. Do not wait until the end of the year. Start now! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will always be thankful to the Lord for His goodness over your life.