Quote for the Day 12Apr2013

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver. – Barbara De Angelis

Quote for the Day 11Apr2013

Even when we receive something that doesn't seem good, we can be grateful because we know there is more to it than we can see. What seems like an imperfect gift may be the means by which God perfects us. - Julie Ackerman Link

Quote for the Day 10Apr2013

Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. - Anonymous

Quote for the Day 09Apr2013

Do not judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. The seed(s) you plant today determine(s) the harvest of tomorrow. - Oyesoji Aremu

Quote for the Day 08Apr2013

Count your blessings instead of crosses; count your gains instead of losses. Count your joys instead of woes; count your friends instead of foes. Count your smiles instead of tears; count your courage instead of fears. Count your health instead of wealth; count on God instead of yourself. - Roy Zuck

Quote for the Day 07Apr2013

What are you passing through at the moment? Are you so overwhelmed with the situation that you do not recognize God in it? God is indeed nearby to help you out of the situation. - Bayo Afolaranmi

DO YOU RECOGNIZE HIM?

Dearly Beloved, DO YOU RECOGNIZE HIM? “‘Woman," [Jesus] said, ‘why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, [Mary Magdalene] said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him’” (John 20:15 NIV). This year Easter season has come and gone, but many lessons are to be learnt from the events that surrounded the season. One of the lessons has to do with Mary Magdalene. Here was a woman that once possessed seven demons before Jesus cast them out of her (see Luke 8:2). Here was a woman that devotedly followed and supported Jesus in His earthly ministry (see Luke 8:3). Here was a woman that identified with Jesus in His suffering and death on the cross (see Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:40). Here was a woman who with other women monitored the burial of Jesus while His disciples were nowhere to be found (Mark 15:47). Here was a woman who with other women arose early on the first day of the week to go and anoint the corpse of Jesus (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1) and even stayed behind to weep profusely for the seemingly “lost” corpse (John 20:11). What a devoted woman! Nonetheless, the sorrow that overwhelmed Mary Magdalene did not let her recognize Jesus Christ when He appeared to her. She thought that He was a gardener! She could recognize Jesus only when Jesus called her by name. Interestingly, some of the disciples that went to fish after the resurrection also did not recognize Jesus until He performed a miracle (see John 21:1-7). On many occasions, we allow our circumstances to blind us from recognizing the fact that God is with us even in those circumstances. The psalmist said, “Even 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” (23:4 NIV emphasis mine). The psalmist recognized God even in his circumstance, and he put his trust in Him. What are you passing through at the moment? Are you so overwhelmed with the situation that you do not recognize God in it? It may seem as if He is not there, but God is indeed nearby to help you out of the situation because He “...is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Help me Lord that my circumstance will not blind my eyes to recognize you in the circumstance.