Spiritual Digest for the Day 01Jul2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach her potential. - John C. Maxwell ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be a source of encouragement to others around you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 30Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid’” (John 6:18-20 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Jesus Christ who is ready to help you at any time. If you rely on Him, you will experience Him just when you need Him most. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to always rely on Jesus Christ who is ready to help you just when you need Him most.

JUST WHEN I NEED HIM MOST

Dearly Beloved, JUST WHEN I NEED HIM MOST “Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid’” (John 6:18-20 NKJV). One of the very stimulating Christian hymns is “JUST WHEN I NEED HIM MOST” composed by an early twentieth-century Methodist pastor, William C. Poole (1875-1949). The hymn is a reassurance that Jesus Christ is near when we need Him most. As mortals, human beings are bound to falter and fear the uncertain reality of life and the unknown future. Anxiety may creep in because of this. However, Jesus Christ is ready to help one and cheer and comfort one just when one needs Him most. The disciples of Jesus Christ could bear witness to this as they were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus Christ came and reassured them of His presence and power over nature (see Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 4:35-41). Jesus is indeed true to His promises. He will never forsake anyone who comes to Him (see John 6:37; Hebrews 13:5), and He is ready to see the person all the way through. He is strong to bear your burdens all the day long. He has admonished people who are weary and burdened to come to Him, and that He would give them rest (see Matthew 11:28-30). Indeed, Jesus is all in all for anyone who trusts in Him. He is ready to answer the call of anyone who calls on Him (see Matthew 7:7), and He is fully and tenderly watching lest those who trust in Him fall. Reverend William C. Poole was right: Jesus is near to comfort and cheer, just when I need Him most! Have you put your total trust in Jesus Christ? Do you feel His presence with you in the storms of your life? Are you calling on Him when you are in despair? Are you allowing Him to carry your burden for you? If you rely on Him, you will experience Him just when you need Him most. The writer of the book to the Hebrews declared: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to always rely on Jesus Christ who is ready to help you just when you need Him most.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 29Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Jesus looked at them and said, `With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God'" (Mark 10:27 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not lose hope that your situation is beyond remedy. Man may fail because of his limitation. Things may reach a deadlock with man, but not with God. All things are possible with Him! - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, not to lose hope, but to always look up to You.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY My home is in Heaven. I am just traveling through this world. - Billy Graham ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to always be conscious of the fact that I am just traveling through this world.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then Stephen said, ‘You stubborn Jewish leaders! You refuse to give your hearts to God or even listen to him. You are always against what the Holy Spirit wants you to do. That’s how your ancestors were, and you are just like them!’” (Acts 7:51 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Stubbornness is a form of dishonour, and you cannot live in complete dishonour of God’s word, and expect to enjoy the move of the Holy Spirit. - Rotimi Oluwaseyitan ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not be stubborn and dishonour the word of God thereby hindering the move of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!’” (Daniel 3:28 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God wants to know that we will stand firm on the issues that are important to Him, no matter what the outcome may be. - Os Hillman ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to be able to stand firm for you no matter what.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not ever make the mistake of telling God that you have nothing to offer. That simply is not true. God does not create any junk. – Myles Munroe ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will discover what God has deposited in you for the good of others around you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me" (Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY People may not remember you, but God does! In His own appointed time, He will remember you and elevate you to His desired position for your life. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, intervene in my affair and make the person that ought to help me remember me and help me now.

DO YOU REMEMBER HIM?

Dearly Beloved, DO YOU REMEMBER HIM? "But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.... The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him" (Genesis 40:14, 23 NIV). The elder brothers of Joseph hated him because of his bright future. They sold him into slavery in Egypt (Genesis 37). Even there, he was wrongly accused and thrown into prison (Genesis 39). Nevertheless, the Lord was with him and made him to find favor in the sight of the prison warder that he was made the chief prisoner in charge of other prisoners (Genesis 39:21, 22). In the course of his duty one day, he noticed that two of the prisoners were not happy. On enquiry, he discovered that each of them had had a terrified dream the previous night. He interpreted the dream of each of them and told the one with favorable interpretation not to forget him when he is freed, and that he should find ways to get him (Joseph) out of the prison. However, when that prisoner (who was the then cupbearer of Pharaoh) was freed and restored to his former esteemed position, he did not remember Joseph. It took God’s intervention after two years before he could remember Joseph. Have you been expecting that someone will remember you and help you in one way or the other for so long a time? People may not remember you, but God does! Hear this: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me" (Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV). In His own appointed time, God will remember you and elevate you to His desired position for your life. Furthermore, who has helped you or in need of your help that you need to remember? Do you remember the person? For how long will you wait to remember the person and help him? God depends on you for the help of that person. You need to remember him and act now! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Points: 1. Lord, intervene in my affair and make the person that ought to help me remember me and help me now. 2. Remind me Lord about who I am suppose to help and enable me to help that person now.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Therefore we also, 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 When you feel like giving up, remember the people who have gone before you and are offering you encouragement through their life stories of faith. - Rick Warren ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O God, not to give up, but to always remember people that have passed through my situation and succeeded before.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1 CEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is present when our circumstances are unbearable, and we find comfort in His character because He is good, loving, and trustworthy. - Arthur Jackson ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always experience the presence of God in any circumstance of your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The Lord will not leave you even when all others forsake you and you are passing through the most turbulent time. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always experience the presence of God in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else. - Oswald Chambers ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always fear God in order to have more of His knowledge.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For even while we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 AMP). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY You must work to earn your living. Not only will that provide for your needs, it will also help you to be able to help others who are disabled or whose work is not sufficient for their responsibility. - ObalOluwa Osuolale ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will have the opportunity to work to be able to feed yourself and others around you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[Jesus Christ said] I am your Lord and Teacher. But I washed your feet. So you also should wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example for you. So you should serve each other just as I served you” (John 13:14-15 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others. - Albert Schweitzer ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to be ready always to serve other people.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Can you be mentioned as a father (or mother) in the success story of your children? Do not leave the responsibility of identifying with your children to other people. Be there for your children all the time. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for fathers to be more responsible and always be actively involved in matters relating to their children.

WHERE WERE THEIR FATHERS?

Dearly Beloved, WHERE WERE THEIR FATHERS? “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5 NKJV). My message to mark the celebration of Father’s Day for this year will be based on the theme of the Men’s Missionary Union of the Nigerian Baptist Convention for the celebration: “THE ABSENT FATHER”. Being written in a patriarchal society, the Holy Bible is dominated by the mention of names and activities of men, boys, and fathers. However, there were some unmentioned and/or inactive fathers in the Holy Bible that were conspicuously omitted or inactive in the life histories of their children. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ was the first to come to mind in this category of fathers. After the story of the Boy Jesus at the temple at age 12 as recorded in Luke 2:41-52, there is no other mention of Joseph being active in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Only the mother and the brothers of Jesus were looking for Him when He was doing the ministry (see Matthew 12:46-47). Where was the father? At the cross, only the mother was present (see John 19:25). Where was the father? After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the father was not there (Acts 1:14). Where was he? Some were of the opinion that he had died before Jesus began His earthly ministry. The father of James and John were with them in the boat when Jesus called them to be His disciples. Only the sons followed Jesus. Nothing was heard again about the father (see Matthew 4:21-22). Timothy was introduced as a son of a Jewish woman who was a believer. His father was only referred to as a Greek (see Acts 16:1). There was no other mention of the father. Apart from referring to the mother of Timothy, Apostle Paul also referred to his grandmother as the pillars of faith of Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:5. Where was his father? There is a trend in this part of the world: fathers are mostly absent at most of the following events: the “Open Day” – a day devoted for visitation by parents at their children’s school; the meetings of Parents/Teachers Association (PTA) of primary and/or secondary schools of their children (even at times at the meetings of Parents’ Forum of some private tertiary institutions of learning); sporting, cultural and other extra curricula events of schools that mainly involve children in their schools; graduation/convocation ceremonies of their children, and other similar events. Where are the fathers? I have to confess that I am guilty of this as a father to some extent. No wonder, many children hardly remember their fathers when they grow up and become successful in life. Many fathers will argue that fathers do not have time for such matters, and that such events are the responsibilities of mothers (and even at times maids or older siblings). I disagree with such argument. Do you have time for your children as a father? Can you be seen in events relating to your children in their schools? Can you be mentioned as a father in the success story of your children? As a father, do not leave the responsibility of identifying with your children to their mothers (and other people). Be there for your children all the time. Happy Father’s Day! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Points: 1. Pray as a father to create more time to be identifying with your children in their day-to-day activities. 2. Pray for fathers to be more responsible and always be actively involved in matters relating to their children.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous” (Proverbs 13:22 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The most important thing you can give your children or grandchildren is a godly example of a life well-lived! - Author Unknown ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to leave good inheritance to your children.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous” (Proverbs 13:22 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The most important thing you can give your children or grandchildren is a godly example of a life well-lived! - Author Unknown ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to leave good inheritance to your children.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says, ‘If you come back to me you will be saved. Only by remaining calm and trusting in me can you be strong’” (Isaiah 30:15 ERV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When you enter a place of stillness, you awaken the divinity within you. - Peggy Sealfon ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be still before the Lord to see His manifestation in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 13Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The wise man in the storm prays God, not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear. It is the storm within which endangers him, not the storm without. - Ralph Waldo Emerson ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace not to fear, but trust in God in any storm of life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY There is comfort in knowing that God values even the ordinary, seemingly mundane aspects of life, and that He will reward our faithfulness. - Lisa M. Samra ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, enable me to be more faithful to You.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Stop holding on to the past. Release your regrets about whatever you may have done or failed to do that turned out poorly. Forgive others for whatever they may have done or failed to do that cause you harm. Declare today to be a new beginning. Let go of the past and move on with creating a joyful new future for yourself. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to let go of your past and move on with creating a joyful new future for yourself.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 09Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite" (1 Kings 15:5 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY After the forgiveness of sin and/or the resolution of any conflict, the “scar” of the sin and/or the resolution may continue to hunt you for the rest of your life and even after your demise. The scar can never be as the other parts of the body. Be scared of the scar please. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not only be mindful of committing sin, but also be scared of the scar that such sin will leave behind.

BE SCARED OF THE SCAR!

Dearly Beloved, BE SCARED OF THE SCAR! "Because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite" (1 Kings 15:5 NKJV). A scar is a mark that is left on the skin after a wound has been healed. I have many of such marks on my body, and I still remember vividly what caused some of the healed wounds though many of them happened over thirty years ago when I was still young. I know that many of you reading this message also have scars of healed wounds on your bodies, and you still remember the causes of some of those indelible marks. Figuratively, a scar can be a permanent feeling of sadness or mental pain any unpleasant experience. The situation has gone, but its memory still hunts one. Such is the memory of sin and any wrongdoing done against fellow human beings and especially God. The wrongdoing might have been resolved and possibly a restitution might have been made for it. God might have forgiven the sin after remorsefulness of and repentance from the sin. In spite of these, the scar of the wrongdoing or sin will still be there. The case of King David is a classic example. David saw a beautiful woman bathing as he was strolling on the roof of his palace. He enquired about the woman, summoned her and committed adultery with her. The action resulted in a pregnancy. To cover up this, David arranged for the killing of the husband of the woman, and made her one of his wives (see 2 Samuel 11). God sent Prophet Nathan to confront David because of these sins. David was remorseful, and God forgave him (see 2 Samuel 12). Nevertheless, the sins left many “scars” in the latter life of David as his own son, Amnon, raped his half-sister (see 2 Samuel 13), and another son, Absalom, tried to overthrow David (see 2 Samuel 15-18), and even had sexual intercourse with many of the wives of David in the full glare of the people (see 2 Samuel 16:22). The chroniclers of the kings of Israel spoke well of David, but referred to the “scar” relating to the issue of the woman (see 1 Kings 15:5). King Manasseh of Judah was a very wicked king! His atrocities were recorded in 2 Kings 21:1-18 and 2 Chronicles 32:33–33:20. The Lord afflicted him and made him to be taken to captivity in Babylon. In his affliction, he called on God, and the Lord answered him. He was restored to his kingdom, and he did very well in his latter years. However, the scar of the atrocities of his earlier life made God to allow the Babylonians to conquer Judah and Jerusalem, and the people of Judah were led to captivity (see Jeremiah 15:4). The Lord is gracious and merciful (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 145:8). He is ready to forgive anyone who sins and later repents of the sin (Psalm 86:5, 15; Daniel 9:9; 1 John 1:9). However, like a healed wound, the sin will leave a “scar” in the life of the person. The sin has been forgiven, but the “scar” of the sin will still be there. This calls for a great caution! One needs to think twice before committing any sin. One may be forgiven of the sin if one genuinely repents of the sin. However, one has to be mindful of the scar that the sin will leave behind. One has to be cautious also in one’s relationship with other people. One may resolve any caused conflict, but what of the aftermath of the conflict – the scar that the conflict will leave behind? After the forgiveness of sin and the resolution of the conflict, the scar may continue to hunt you for the rest of your life and even after your demise. The scar can never be as the other parts of the body. Be scared of the scar please. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not only be mindful of committing sin, but also be scared of the scar that such sin will leave behind.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 08Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, ‘Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!’” (Daniel 3:26 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is able with infinite ease to deliver His servants in the most terrible extremities. In cases when He does not, He would receive them in glory. - Emmanuel Arotile ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Deliver me, O Lord, from every peril of life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:12 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Being happy does not mean that everything is perfect. It means that you have decided to look beyond the imperfections. - Anonymous ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to be content with my situation and look beyond the situation to find joy in You.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless” (James 1:26 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY A man who professes to be honest before God but is dishonest with men is undoubtedly a hypocrite! - Author Unknown ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be honest with people and before God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:3 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY As hard as it may be to control our tongues, it is essential that we as Christians strive to do just that. - Alan Smith ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to be able to control my tongue all the time.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY No matter what we look like on the outside, all of us are image-bearers of God. As His created persons, we reflect His glory; and as believers in Jesus we are being transformed to represent Him in the world. - Patricia Raybon ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that as image-bearer of God you will always reflect His glory.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Jun2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:26-27 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not let God give you up by your actions and reasoning. Repent of your nefarious activities against natural actions. Come to His saving knowledge now. He will willingly restore you to the mutual relationship with Him. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to confess and ask for forgiveness from God in anyway you have been acting against His natural and divine rules.

HAS GOD GIVEN YOU UP?

Dearly Beloved, HAS GOD GIVEN YOU UP? “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:26-27 NKJV). On three occasions in Romans Chapter One, Apostle Paul said that God gave up some people to “uncleanness” (verse 24), “vile passions” (verse 26), and “a debased mind” (verse 28). These are people that: 1) dishonor their bodies among themselves in the lusts of their hearts, and exchange the truth of God for lie by worshipping and serving created things instead of the Creator; 2) exchange the natural things for what is against the nature by burning their lust against one another; and 3) do things that are not fitting as listed in verses 29-32. Since these people refuse to acknowledge God and abide by His natural and divine rules, they can no longer reason correctly, rather, they indulge in justifying their unclean, vile and debased actions. Unfortunately, they have won many other people unto their side. No wonder, there are many nefarious activities on earth today that some nations have even legalized. One of such activities is sodomy or homosexuality. I had a Facebook chat with a new Facebook friend recently. From day one that this person became my friend on Facebook, I had known that he had a sinister motive for requesting for my friendship online. I deliberately played along with him to confirm my suspicion. As we were chatting, he started using terms with me that a man should be using to a woman with whom he is in love. I pointed him to the fact that he was chatting with a man. He affirmed that he knew, and that he loved me, wished he could touch me, hug me and feel my warm body against his. What baffled me most was that he referred to such acts as “nature”! Is it really natural for a man to have passion for another man? He tried to justify this by referring to people that are doing it in many parts of the world. Does the fact that many people are doing a thing make such thing right or natural? How would God not give such people up for their unclean, vile and debased minds? In spite of the fact that this guy confessed that he needed help, he later blocked me from contacting him. What are you doing that is contrary to the natural order of creation? Are you also justifying such thing because many people are doing it like you? Do not let God give you up by your actions and reasoning. Repent of your nefarious activities against natural actions. Come to His saving knowledge now. He will willingly restore you to the mutual relationship with Him. Anything short of this will incur His wrath on you sooner or later. Has God really given you up? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to confess and ask for forgiveness from God in anyway you have been acting against His natural and divine rules.