Quote for the Day 07Oct2013

Allow yourself to smile often. It will brighten your day and lighten your heart! - Charlene Spriggs

Quote for the Day 06Oct2013

Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing; Fill our hearts with joy and peace; Let us each Thy love possessing, Triumph in redeeming grace. O refresh us, O refresh us, Traveling through this wilderness. - John Fawcett

LORD, DISMISS US WITH THY BLESSING

Dearly Beloved, LORD, DISMISS US WITH THY BLESSING “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV). One of the hymns I cherish is “LORD, DISMISS US WITH THY BLESSING.” I can sing its Yoruba version extemporaneously. It is one of the hymns we normally use as closing hymns. John Fawcett (1740-1817) wrote the benediction that became the first two stanzas, while the third stanza was attributed to Godfrey Thring. John Fawcett was ordained a Baptist minister at Wainsgate, Yorkshire. The stanzas attributed to him might have been written in 1772 when he was invited to London to succeed J. Gill as pastor of the Carter’s Lane Baptist Church. On the day of his departure, he had preached his farewell sermon, the wagons were loaded, and he was ready to go. But he was so overcome by the thought of leaving the congregation he had come to love that he canceled his plans and stayed in Wainsgate. In 1793, he was also invited to become president of the Baptist Academy in Bristol, but he similarly declined. In stanza 1, like a seasoned pastor or priest proclaiming the benediction after a worship service, John Fawcett prayed that the Lord should dismiss his congregation with divine blessing; that He should fill their hearts with joy and peace; and let them each possess divine love, as they triumph in redeeming grace. He added that God should refresh the congregation as they travel through the wilderness of the world. In stanza 2, Fawcett gave thanks and adoration for the Gospel’s joyful sound. He prayed that the fruits of divine salvation should abound in the hearts and lives of his congregation, and that they should be found ever faithful to the truth. In the additional stanza attributed to Godfrey Thring, Thring added a word of prayer to conclude the hymn: when the divine love calls us away from this world, the Savior should let no fear of death appall us, and that as we gladly obey the divine summons, we should ever reign with God in endless day. As you meditate on this hymn of prayer, may the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you in Jesus’ name. Amen. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Quote for the Day 04Oct2013

Make up your mind and heart today to obey God in the little things. Avoid big failures by walking in His Spirit one small step at a time. Major victories will eventually be yours. - Kenneth Copeland

Quote for the Day 03Oct2013

There is a purpose God has assigned for you. Until you rise up to fulfil this purpose, nothing will be done about that particular responsibility. - Femi Okunlola

Quote for the Day 02Oct2013

The only place of honor in the kingdom of God is the place of service. The only way to be useful is to be submitted entirely to the Lord. - Author Unknown

Quote for the Day 01Oct2013

Think of freedom not as the right to do as you please, but as the opportunity to do what is right. - Peter Marshall