Quote for the Day 07Mar2013

I know who holds the future, and I know who holds my hand. With God things do not just happen, everything by Him is planned: so as I face tomorrow with its problems large and small, I will trust the God of miracles. - A. B. Smith

Quote for the Day 06Mar2013

We all need friends with whom we can speak of our deepest concerns, and who do not fear to speak the truth in love to us. - Margaret Guenther

Quote for the Day 05Mar2013

Do not allow adversity to hinder you from moving forward. - Kayode Oyedemi

Quote for the Day 04Mar2013

No matter where you are, or how long you have been there, God’s mercy and kindness can reach you. - Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Quote for the Day 03Mar2013

It is good to revere spiritual leaders. However, there should be a limit to the reverence one would give them. The moment the reverence for them is being place side by side with, or replacing one’s reverence for God, one should be very careful. Whose disciple are you? - Bayo Afolaranmi

WHOSE DISCIPLE ARE YOU?

Dearly Beloved, WHOSE DISCIPLE ARE YOU? “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). Being somebody who wants to minister to as many people as possible through the Internet, I joined as many Internet groups, forums, blogs, pages, and the likes, and I allow people to add me to their groups, forums, blogs, and pages. Some of these people even made me an administrator/moderator or co-owner of their groups, forums, blogs, or pages. The fact that I am an administrator/moderator or co-owner of any Internet group, forum, blog, or page does not mean that I agree totally with the activities in, or the contents of the Internet group, forum, blog, or page. However, I was embarrassed when I discovered recently that I was made an administrator (and by implication a co-owner) of a Facebook page titled “Disciples of [founder of a denomination].” I could not bear the misrepresentation that the page gave me: that I am a disciple of a man. Never! I am a disciple of only my Lord Jesus Christ. I follow no man no matter how great or good the man was/is! Because of their love and admiration for a religious leader, it is a pity that many Christians have turned such leader to a small god. They extremely revere such leader. They behave like the leader. They speak like the leader. At times, they value the leader’s words more than God’s words. They even use the leader’s name to pray to God! While some religious leaders want their followers to do such for them, some are ignorant of the activities of their followers, while some who are aware of such try to dissuade their followers from doing so. It is good to revere spiritual leaders. The Bible encourages it. However, there should be a limit to the reverence one would give them. The moment the reverence for them is being place side by side with, or replacing one’s reverence for God, one should be very careful. Apostle Paul advised against this: “...each one of you says something different. One says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Peter’; and another, ‘I follow Christ.’ Christ has been divided into groups! Was it Paul who died on the cross for you? Were you baptized as Paul's disciples?” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13 TEV). Rather, the writer to the Hebrews advised, “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end... ” (Hebrews 12:2 TEV). I am not, and will never be, a disciple of any man. I am a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Whose disciple are you? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor) Prayer Point: Lord, help me not to follow any man no matter how good or great he/she may be, but help me to always fix my eyes on You. Amen.

Quote for the Day 02Mar2013

The power to live according to God’s standards comes only when we plug into His inexhaustible power. How do we do that? By daily seeking His face and asking Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit. - C. P. Hia