Spiritual Digest for the Day 01Oct2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: ‘See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God’” (Micah 6:8 CEV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If our society will develop, God expects that you must love justice, show mercy and do humility. - Supo Ayokunle ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will love justice, show mercy and do humility to develop your society. Pray especially for Nigeria as it celebrates another independence anniversary today.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 30Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “A person who talks too much gets into trouble. A wise person learns to be quiet” (Proverbs 10:19 ERV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Instead of using whispers and gossip that can cause hurt and pain while serving no good purpose, we would do better to restrain ourselves and practice silence. - Bill Crowder ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to restrain yourself to be quieter than talking too much.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 29Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God can do exceedingly great things through one man or woman who is willing to be obedient to His voice. - Author Unknown ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Ask for God's grace today to be obedient to His voice.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Whoever can be trusted with small things can also be trusted with big things. Whoever is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in big things too. If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, you will not be trusted with the true riches” (Luke 16:10-11 ERV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God is watching to see how you manage your finances, your time, your relationships, your health, and your opportunities. The way you manage your money is a test of your faithfulness, and it’s going to help determine what you do in heaven. - Rick Warren ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be faithful in little things so as to be entrusted with bigger things.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance” (Psalm 42:5 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Never allow life's hardships to weigh you down. No one can avoid problems. Not even saints or sages. We get better with hardships. - Oyesoji Aremu ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O God, not to let any hardship weigh me down.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 26Sep2022

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 Help me, O Lord, to always obey You no matter what it will cost me.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “‘Lord, if it's you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:28-30 NIV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY To enjoy the tranquillity of Jesus Christ in the storm of life and even walk above it without sinking, you have to remain focused on Him. Whatever the situation, He is more than able to rescue you from your storm of life. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that nothing will be able to distract you from focusing Jesus in the storm of life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 24Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY While it is wise to watch our food consumption, it is even more important to watch our media consumption. With the wide variety of media content surrounding us today, we need to be discerning consumers. - Poh Fang Chia ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to be mindful of what I feed my mind with through social media.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 23Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose” (Romans 8:28 AMP). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Rejoicing always becomes a reality when we know that all things are working together for us, even when they appear to be working against us. - Rotimi Oluwaseyitan ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O God, to always rejoice always having it in mind that You are working together in all things for my good.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 22Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Courage is doing what you are afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you are scared. - Eddie Rickenbacker ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will have the courage to do what you are afraid to do.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 21Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then the king said to me, ‘What do you request?’ So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, ‘If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight...’” (Nehemiah 2:4-5a NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not open your mouth to man until you have opened your heart to God. - David Dunlop ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will learn how to first open your heart to God before opening your mouth to man.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 20Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’” (Mark 8:34 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Discipleship is a daily discipline; we follow Jesus a step at a time, a day at a time. - Warren Wiersbe ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, help me to always follow You every day.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 19Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘See, I have called by name Bezalel.... And I have filled him with the Spirit of God... to design artistic works... and to work in all manner of workmanship’” (Exodus 31:1-5 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Your interest in your vocation is not born of your own making. Serve the Lord faithfully in the workplace where He has gifted you and called you. - Os Hillman ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always see profession work as a calling from God and ask for the grace to do it as a work for God and service to humanity.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 18Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “When these troubles came to him, Manasseh begged for help from the Lord his God. He humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. Manasseh prayed to God and begged God to help him. The Lord heard his begging and felt sorry for him, so the Lord let him return to Jerusalem and to his throne. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was the true God” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 ERV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY What are your failures or things that are hurting you? Are you trying to distance yourself from them? Make them your friend and learn from them as you allow them to be your teacher. They will indeed become your stepping stones to your breakthrough. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to make failure your friend by learning from it and making it your stepping stone to your success and breakthrough in life.

MAKING FAILURE YOUR FRIEND

Dearly Beloved, MAKING FAILURE YOUR FRIEND “When these troubles came to him, Manasseh begged for help from the Lord his God. He humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. Manasseh prayed to God and begged God to help him. The Lord heard his begging and felt sorry for him, so the Lord let him return to Jerusalem and to his throne. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was the true God” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 ERV). Undergoing leadership studies of EQUIP® founded by the renowned author and speaker, Dr John C. Maxwell, has been fascinating to me. One of the studies which is seemingly awkward is titled “Failing Forward”. One of its lessons, the sub-titled “Make Failure Your Best Friend” is more awkward. How can one make failure one’s best friend? The writer of the lesson admitted that the idea might seem odd, but he went further to explain that “...the truth of the matter is that failure is either your friend or your enemy, and you are the one who chooses which it is. Failure will remain your enemy if you whine and complain every time you fail. But if you learn from your failures, you actually benefit from them, making failure your friend.” This can be possible if one is ready to make one’s failure a stepping stone to one’s future successes. Three biblical case studies were used to buttress this point. One, Jacob, the deceiver who became Israel, a prince with God that God used to raise a nation separated unto Himself (see Genesis 25-32). Two, Manasseh, a wicked king in Judah who God taught a lesson in the hard way by making him become a captive in a foreign land. He learnt from his failure and cried unto God. God restored him to his throne (see 2 Chronicles 33:10-20). Three, the prodigal son in Luke 15 who willfully lost himself. He accepted full responsibility for his wrong choices and returned the lost joy of his family. All these people learnt from their failures by admitting their wrongdoings and the end of their stories became desirable. Twice in Psalm 119, the psalmist endeared himself to failure. Hear him: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.... It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Psalms 119:67, 71 NIV). What are your failures or things that are hurting you? Are you trying to distance yourself from them? Make them your friend and learn from them as you allow them to be your teacher. They will indeed become your stepping stones to your breakthrough. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to make failure your friend by learning from it and making it your stepping stone to your success and breakthrough in life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 17Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When you win God’s approval, all men, including your enemies, will rush at you with favour. - Gbile Akanni ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that your ways will always be pleasing to God so that you will always win His approval in all your endeavours.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 16Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Even those that encourage others need to be encouraged. The next time someone encourages you, don’t forget to encourage the person too. You never know what the person may be going through. - Martha Tatum Salone ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be a source of encouragement to people you come with today.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 15Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Take care that no one takes you away by force, through man's wisdom and deceit, going after the beliefs of men and the theories of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:8 BBE). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY We must be wise and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit so that our relationship will not drag us away from Christ and the focus of our ministry. - Israel Adelani Akanji ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that your relationship with other people will not drag you away from Christ.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 14Sep2022

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. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through the experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened. Remember, the finest steel gets sent through the hottest furnace. A real winner is not one who never fails, but one who never quits! - Author Unknown ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to persevere till you achieve your life goals.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 13Sep2022

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 NKJV) *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Has God brought you to a place of nothingness? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, your nothingness will be turned into something you will value for the rest of your life. - Author Unknown ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be able to be still and see what God would do out of your situation.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 12Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Clearly you are an epistle of Christ... written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:3 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The letter of our lives is not written with ordinary ink, but by the Spirit of God. God changes us by writing His Word on our hearts for others to read. - Lawrence Darmani ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to portray You well to the world.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 11Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NASU). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If you sincerely allow Jesus Christ to come into your heart, you will experience that wonderful change that happens to anyone that is in Him. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord Jesus, I sincerely invite you into my heart today. Come, and let me experience Your wonderful change in my life.

SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART

Dearly Beloved, SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NASU). Honestly, I was not familiar with the hymn, SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART, until an elderly pastor sang it as a solo in one of the chapel services of my office. The way the pastor sang it made me to have an interest in the hymn and its lyrics. The hymn was written by Rufus Henry McDaniel, born in 1850 and preaching at age nineteen. In 1914, following the untimely death of his son, Rufus Henry McDaniel penned the words of this hymn as an expression of his faith and hope. Undoubtedly, the message of the hymn is captivating. If Jesus indeed has come into one’s heart, there should be obvious changes. This hymn talks about some of these changes. If Jesus has come into one’s heart, a wonderful change will occur in one’s life; there will be a light in one’s soul for which everyone has been longing. Floods of joy will roll over such a person's soul like the sea billows. Anyone that Jesus comes into his/her heart will cease from his/her wandering and going astray, and his/her sins which are many will all be washed away. Such a person will possess a steadfast and sure hope, and no dark clouds of doubt will obscure his/her pathway. There will be a light in the valley of death now for anyone who Jesus comes into his/her heart and he/she will be able to see the gates of the heavenly City beyond. In fact, he/she shall go there to dwell in that City at the end of this Age. “Since Jesus came into my heart....” Can you honestly and joyfully sing that hymn? Have you experienced that wonderful change that happens to anyone that Jesus comes into his/her heart? Jesus Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20 NASU). Will you accept that He come into your heart today? If you have accepted Him before, how has your own faith in Christ transformed your life? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord Jesus, I sincerely invite you into my heart today. Come, and let me experience Your wonderful change in my life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 10Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “In [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY There may be some sins of which a man cannot speak, but there is no sin which the blood of Christ cannot wash away. - Charles H. Spurgeon ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Come to Jesus Christ for the cleansing of your sins through His precious blood, if you have not done so.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 09Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Gideon said to [the Israelites], ‘I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.’ Then Gideon said to them, ‘I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.’ ...Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house” (Judges 8:23-27 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Be very careful lest you are tempted to idolise your victory! This is why victory must be celebrated within the bounds of humility. If success is not well managed, it will become a snare to the successful. - Enoch A. Adeboye ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not allow any success to turn you against God.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 08Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “So He said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life’” (Luke 18:29-30 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY There is almost nothing that God will not do for the person who really wants to help other people. In fact, God guarantees that if you will concentrate on blessing others, He will take care of your needs. - Rick Warren ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always be a channel of God's blessings to people around you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil” (Proverbs 19:23 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 for the grace to always fear God in everything you are doing.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day.... the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said” (Joshua 14:10-12 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. - C. S. Lewis ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for new vision to conquer mountains.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not remain “you” but build up yourself. Learn to add value to your life at all times. Allow God to turn your challenges to channels of blessings; and stumbling blocks to stepping stones for you. - Joshua Sunday IbukunOluwa ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, Lord, to learn how to add values to my life at all times.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY If you are suffering because you are a Christian and you are doing the will of God, rejoice, for you will also share in Christ’s glory at His coming. For a Christian to follow in Christ’s step, Christian suffering is indeed inevitable. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY O Lord, help me to endure any suffering I am having now because of Your name.

SUFFERING IS INEVITABLE

Dearly Beloved, SUFFERING IS INEVITABLE “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21 NKJV). After having a personal Bible study on the first epistle of Peter some time ago, I was led to base one of my weekly devotional messages on the main theme of the epistle: Christian suffering. Such a theme is not a popular theme. I did struggle with the theme before yielding myself to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Peter also initially did not want to be associated with it, and he rebuked Jesus Christ for predicting His own suffering, though Jesus rebuked him and let him and other disciples realize that suffering is inevitable in the Christian life (see Matthew 16:21-25). Having gone to the “school” of suffering many times in his Christian life, Peter understood the concept of Christian suffering, and he could boldly write his first epistle to Christians to encourage them to face suffering so that the true grace of Jesus Christ would be evidenced in them. He made them realize that suffering for being a Christian is following the steps of Christ who also suffered in His body for our sins (see 1 Peter 2:21, 24; 3:18; 4:1). In fact, Peter wanted his recipients to rejoice that they were partaking in Christian suffering (1 Peter 4:13). Interestingly, the original recipients of Peter were passing through many suffering when he wrote this epistle. Apostle Paul also had a similar understanding when he prayed in Philippians 3:10: “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (NKJV). He had earlier pointed it out that suffering is included in our faith in Christ (see Philippians 1:29 and 2 Timothy 3:12). Another fact about Christian suffering is that it sharpens Christian faith and brings the best out of Christians. Peter likened it to the relationship of fire and gold. As fire purifies and refines gold to make it valuable, Christian suffering also makes the Christian faith of greater worth than gold (see 1 Peter 1:6-7). As Peter emphasized, Christian suffering is not one that is a result of wrongdoing (see 1 Peter 4:15). It is sharing in the “suffering of Christ” which brings salvation to humankind and glory in the future. No wonder Peter said that we should rejoice in it. What kind of suffering are you passing through presently? Is it for wrongdoing? Repent and ask for God’s forgiveness. However, if it is Christian suffering, that is, because you are a Christian and you are doing the will of God, rejoice, for you will also share in Christ’s glory at His coming. For a Christian to follow in Christ’s step, Christian suffering is indeed inevitable. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord, help me to endure any suffering I am having now because of Your name.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not let your problems intimidate you. No matter how big the enemy may seem to be, remember that you have God's power on your side - and if you are a Christian, God, Himself, lives inside you! And He is greater than any enemy you will face. - Author Unknown ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not let any problem or enemy intimidate you as you rely on God's power.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Sep2022

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death” (Philippians 3:10 ERV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The most important thing in life is to know God—not to know about Him, but to know Him personally. - Rick Warren ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you really know God, and not just about Him.