Spiritual Digest for the Day 01Jul2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hand” (Isaiah 49:15-16 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God knows even more than our name. He knows our thoughts, longings, fears, wrongs, and deepest needs. - Dave Branon ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God that He knows you and everything you are going through with the faith that He will fulfil His will in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 30Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]" (2 Corinthians 5:7 AMP). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY See beyond the ordinary by believing in the Lord that He will help you, and He will be glorified in your life. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to always live by faith and see beyond the ordinary by believing in the Lord that He will help you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 29Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The most important thing in anything that we are doing or supporting is to ask whether such thing would glorify God. No matter how good or popular anything may be, if it does not glorify God, then, we should have a rethink on it. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not do anything that will not glorify God in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God can make you experience something beyond your expectation in your situation! He will definitely do so in His appointed time. Just trust in Him and wait for Him. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that God will bless you more than your expectation in the situation you are passing through.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God can make you experience something beyond your expectation in your situation! He will definitely do so in His appointed time. Just trust in Him and wait for Him. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that God will bless you more than your expectation in the situation you are passing through.

BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATION

Dearly Beloved, BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATION "Israel said to Joseph, I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too" (Genesis 48:11 NIV). Have you ever lost something that you thought you can never regain but at the end you found it and even had more than that thing? Have you ever lost hope on a situation and the Lord made things to work out for you even more than what you expected before? Jacob (later known as Israel) experienced something like that in a greater way. Having sold Joseph into slavery, the children of Jacob lied to him that a ferocious animal had devoured Joseph (see Genesis 37:27-33). Jacob believed them and mourned for his beloved son for many days. To him, Joseph had died. Nevertheless God had preserved Joseph and made him a ruler in a foreign land. Jacob later had the opportunity of not only seeing the "dead" Joseph, but also the children of Joseph. You could imagine the extent of the joy of Jacob to see beyond his expectation about Joseph that he once thought was dead. Hannah was barren, and because of this, "her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her" (1 Samuel 1:6 NIV). She went to God and asked for just a son (verse 11), but God did beyond her expectation "she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters" (1 Samuel 2:21 NIV). That was after God gave her a son that later became a prominent figure in the history of the nation of Israel. When God told Solomon to ask for anything he would want Him to do for him, Solomon asked for "a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong" (1 Kings 3:9 NIV). However, God did beyond his expectation in giving him more than what he asked for (1 Kings 3:11-13). What is the seeming dead situation that you are passing through presently? Have you lost hope in such situation? What have you been asking from God that He has not done? God can make you experience something beyond your expectation in that situation! He will definitely do so in His appointed time. Just trust in Him and wait for Him. Paul declared, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that God will bless you more than your expectation in the situation you are passing through.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Waiting is one of God's preferred methods of preparing special people for significant projects. - Charles R. Swindoll ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to always wait for God as He prepares you for special tasks.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “We never give up.... These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal...” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 CEV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Take heart fellow Christians. God sees past this moment and into eternity, and He is waiting to show you the blessed outcome of your obedience. - Author Unknown ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, let me always look ahead with obedience to my glorious end with You in eternity.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “‘There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?'” ....Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled..." (John 6:9-12 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When we give what we have to Him, He uses it in ways that only He can. - J.R. Hudberg ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to always give freely what I have to You so that You can use it mightily.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would have preferred to talk. - Doug Larson ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to cultivate the habit of listening more than talking.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The value of interdependence can never be underestimated. God, in His kindness, graciously provides people as His agents for mutual good. Listening ears and helpful hands; wise, comforting, and correcting words—these and other resources come to us and through us to others. Together we win and God gets the glory! - Arthur Jackson ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, let me always appreciate the value of other people around me.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The value of interdependence can never be underestimated. God, in His kindness, graciously provides people as His agents for mutual good. Listening ears and helpful hands; wise, comforting, and correcting words—these and other resources come to us and through us to others. Together we win and God gets the glory! - Arthur Jackson ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, let me always appreciate the value of other people around me.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY How responsible are you as a father? Do you care for your children? Are they feeling your fatherly impacts in their lives? An earthly father is the best representation of our heavenly Father. How are you representing God in the lives of your children? Happy Father’s Day! - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to be a responsible father to your children.

HOW RESPONSIBLE ARE YOU?

Dearly Beloved, HOW RESPONSIBLE ARE YOU? "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV). In many part of the world, the day June 21, 2020 is Father’s Day celebration for this year. While I congratulate all fathers throughout the world, I want to ask each one of us that is a father how responsible we are as fathers. Modern civilization has made many fathers to shun their responsibilities as fathers. Some of such fathers want to have children, but they are not ready to play the fatherly roles in the lives of the children. Some of them do not have the time for their children. The children cannot feel the impacts of such fathers in their lives. Some of such fathers do not want children, but they do not care impregnating careless women. Infidelity to marriage vows in the lives many fathers has been another cause of this. Misplaced priorities may cause this also. Whatever the cause may be, are you as a father responsible? The Bible is full of how a father can be responsible and take care of his children. He is to instruct them (Proverbs 1:8; 22:6). He is to command them (Proverbs 6:20). He is to guide, encourage, and warn them (Jeremiah 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:11). He is to restrain them in doing nefarious things (1 Samuel 3:13). He is to punish them (Deuteronomy 21:18; Proverbs 23:13-14; 29:17; Hebrews 12:9-11). He is to be considerate of their needs and requests (Matthew 7:10). He should not provoke them, but instead bring them up in God’s way (Ephesians 6:4). He is to provide for their needs (1 Timothy 5:8). How responsible are you as a father? Do you care for your children? Are they feeling your fatherly impacts in their lives? An earthly father is the best representation of our heavenly Father. How are you representing God in the lives of your children? Happy Father’s Day! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to be a responsible father to your children.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Let us choose to believe we are who God says we are and endeavor to live mindful of our proximity, position and purpose in Christ. - Alicia Bruxvoort ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be mindful of your position in Christ.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:4-5 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Through His great love, God has made it possible for those of us who were dead in sin to have life and purpose through His Son. - Bill Crowder ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for His grace that saved you when you were dead in sin.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY It is God’s desire that all believers dwell together as a holy family having one heart, one soul, and one interest. - Randall J. Brewer ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always seek the harmony of all believers in Christ.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Of what use is prosperity to you if you are not going to heaven? - EA Adeboye ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not miss heaven because of worldly possessions.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]” (2 Corinthians 5:7 AMP). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The next time some event comes into your life that creates fear and trembling, first determine the source. Look past the emotions and evaluate the situation in light of God's Word. Perception is not always reality. - Os Hillman ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not be deceived by perception, but always be moved by faith in the Almighty God.

REMOVE THE ASHES!

Dearly Beloved, REMOVE THE ASHES! “Then the priest, wearing his linen robe and linen shorts, shall remove the greasy ashes left on the altar and put them at the side of the altar. Then he shall change his clothes and take the ashes outside the camp to a ritually clean place. The fire on the altar must be kept burning and never allowed to go out. Every morning the priest shall put firewood on it, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat of the fellowship offering. The fire must always be kept burning on the altar and never allowed to go out” (Leviticus 6:10-13 TEV). When I was growing up in the village, there was a usual practice of removing ashes from the hearth and setting them aside or even throwing them away. I did not know why this act was done until later when I understood that ashes do not allow fresh fire to glow. In fact, ashes quench flaming fire if they are too much in the hearth, and they are used at times to deliberately quench flaming fire. As long as there are minimal ashes, the fire in the hearth will continue to glow. When God was given the Law to the people of Israel through Moses, one of the duties of the high priest was to remove ashes from the altar that was used for burnt offering and take them to another place. Every morning after doing this, the priest should place new firewood on the altar (see Leviticus 6:10-13, also Numbers 4:13). The reason for this act was to allow fresh fire to be burning continuously on the altar. As long as ashes were removed from the altar, the new firewood would be free to produce continuous fire on the altar. The main purpose of firewood is to be burnt and produce fire. Most of the time, this is used productively either in cooking, warming a place, offering sacrifice, and the likes. The end product of burnt firewood is ashes. Anyone who now focuses on the ashes will not make another flaming fire. The implication of these is that anyone who refuses to “remove the ashes” of his/her past successes will not make new successes. As good as those past successes are, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to make more successes if one is still preoccupying oneself with those past successes. Jesus Christ had a successful ministry in Capernaum as He “healed many who were sick with all kinds of diseases and drove out many demons” (Mark 1:34 TEV). The following day while the people were looking for Him to continue the good work, He led His disciples to other places where He continued His ministry. He did not let the success of yesterday to hinder Him of moving on in His ministry. Apostle Paul knew this secret and he declared: “Of course, my brothers, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above” (Philippians 3:13-14 TEV). Just as ashes can also be as a result of destruction by fire, unfortunately, the “ashes” in some people’s lives can be failures, disappointments and other bad things of life. One has to remove these ashes and move on with one’s life. After all, if there is life, there is hope. What are the “ashes” you need to remove in your life? Remove them now if you want to forge ahead in your endeavours and keep the fire of progress burning. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to remove all the ashes in your life and keep the fire in your life burning.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY People are not to be used for our own benefit. Because God loves them and He loves us, we love one another. His love is the greatest love of all. - Bill Crowder ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not use people for your own benefit, but love them as God loves us.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 11Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts, cause your mind to dwell on peace and joy. - Ernest Holmes ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, give the grace to always look unto You instead of my predicaments.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see]” (Proverbs 14:29 AMP). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. - Saint Francis de Sales ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be calm in your spirit in everything you are doing.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 09Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God]” (1 Timothy 6:6 AMP). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We tend to forget that happiness does not come as a result of getting something we do not have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. - Frederick Koenig ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always appreciate what you have.

TOMORROW WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF (A Rejoinder)

Dearly Beloved, TOMORROW WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF (A Rejoinder) “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. What is the first thing you will do? Won’t you sit down and figure out how much it will cost and if you have enough money to pay for it? ...What will a king do if he has only ten thousand soldiers to defend himself against a king who is about to attack him with twenty thousand soldiers? Before he goes out to battle, won’t he first sit down and decide if he can win?” (Luke 14:28, 31 CEV). “Share your plans with the Lord, and you will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3 CEV). “Tomorrow Will Take Care of Itself” was the topic my devotional message last week. The thrust of the message is rather than worrying about what one will eat, drink or wear in the future, one should trust in God who created the universe and is still sustaining it and everyone (including everything) in it. Among the people who responded to the message, two people specifically disagreed with me. They argued that the future is not an agent of change and that one has to plan for the future so that the future will bring what we desire. I agree partially with such arguments. Jesus Christ did not teach about blind and inactive trust in God about the future. He taught that we should trust in God (see Matthew 6:25-34), but He also taught about proper planning for the future especially when one wants to embark on significant projects that go beyond the basic needs of life (see Luke 14:28-33). The popular adage, "One who fail to plan is planning to fail," supports His teaching here about proper planning. There are other Bible passages that support proper planning (see Genesis 41:34-36; Proverbs 6:6-8; 11:14; 15:22; 21:5; 24:27; 1 Timothy 5:8). This does not mean that God cannot take care of these projects without our proper planning, but in most cases, God will not do what man can do for himself. God will only make anyone who trusts in Him to succeed in his planning (see Proverbs 3:5-6; 16:1, 3, 9; 19:21; 20:4). So, God expects us to trust in Him, but we have to have proper planning for all our endeavours plus this trust in God to have desirable success. While it is good to trust in God in any project you want to start, it far better to plan ahead and commit your planning to God who will help you to succeed. Trust in God has its place while proper planning has its place. One should not overshadow the other. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to always commit your proper planning to God to be able to succeed in all your endeavours.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier], and he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city” (Proverbs 16:32 AMP). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Self-disciplined begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you do not control what you think, you cannot control what you do. Simply, self-discipline enables you to think first and act afterward. - Napoleon Hill ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always self-discipline yourself in your thoughts, words and actions.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Wisdom teaches you to respect the Lord. You must be humbled before you can be honored” (Proverbs 15:33 ERV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Humility says you can learn from anyone. You do not know it all. No one does! That is why we need to remain teachable, humble, and lifelong learners. - Rick Warren ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to always have humility that will give you more honor, knowledge and wisdom.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3 ERV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY In every situation, God has given us everything we need to serve and honor Him. - David C. McCasland ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you be able to identify the God-giving things in you to live a godly life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Jun2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was” (Hebrews 5:4 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God has not called us because we are the best. It is just an honour to be children of God. - Job Alabi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for the honour to be called His child.