BENEFITS OF BEING RIGHTEOUS

Dearly Beloved, BENEFITS OF BEING RIGHTEOUS "Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord" (Psalm 112:6-7 NIV). More and more people are becoming religious especially in this part of the world. However, it is becoming more difficult to find righteous people who really fear God in his day-to-day activities. In spite of this fact,  the writer of Psalm 112 enumerated some of the benefits that a righteous man would enjoy. Who is a righteous man? Firstly, a righteous man is a person that is uncompromising. He is principled and is known for what he stands for. He is indeed purpose-driven. Secondly, a righteous man is a person that is upright and just in his dealings. While he may not necessarily be blameless, he must be trustworthy and of good reputation. Thirdly, a righteous man is a person that is in right standing with God. He must be somebody into whom God has imputed His righteousness in Jesus Christ and he is living in a way that is pleasing to God. Building on the end of the previous psalm, the writer of Psalm 112, in verse one, said that one who fears the LORD and delights in His Law is blessed. Five blessings or benefits that come to one who is righteous and fears God are enumerated: Firstly, the righteous is blessed with physical and material prosperity because God is righteous (verses 2-3). Secondly, light is given even in darkness for the righteous (verse 4). This could refer to success (in place of failure) or to discernment. Thirdly, the  righteous receives goodness in return for being generous and just (verses 5 and 9). Fourthly, he will be firmly established in his faith, and unshakable with no fear of what man might do to him (verses 6-8). In fact, the righteous' memory will be eternal and blessed (cf. Proverbs 10:7). Fifthly, because the righteous gives generously and is just in his affairs (verses 5 and 9), he will be made strong and honourable by the LORD. Undoubtedly, everyone would want to enjoy all of these benefits. However, how many people are ready to be righteous and genuinely fear God? How many people are uncompromising, upright and are in right standing with God? It may seem as if it does not pay to be righteous in this present-day society, but it really pays to be righteous and genuinely fear God. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the enablement to be righteous in this world full of unrighteousness.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 07Sep2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast to your integrity? [c]Curse God and die!’ But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips’” (Job 2:9-10 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Whatever happens to you, your attitude determines the quality of your life. - Jonathan L. Huie ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will your attitude will always be positive towards any situation in life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06Sep2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist but you have ceased to live. - Henry David Thoreau ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations in life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05Sep2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, `This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.’ Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, `Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly” (Isaiah 38:1-3 NIV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY While God may decide not to answer our prayers in our own ways, He may sometimes leave us to have our ways in our self-centred prayers to our detriment. That is why we have to be very careful of our prayer requests. - Bayo Afolaranmi ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not be desperate in asking anything from God, but that you will always allow His perfect will to be done in your life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04Sep2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “So it was, when the cloud remained only from evening until morning: when the cloud was taken up in the morning, then [the Israelites] would journey; whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud was taken up, they would journey” (Numbers 9:21 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The Christian workplace believer must learn to move when God says move; it is a sign of complete surrender and dependence on God's Spirit to direct our steps. - Os Hillman ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to always follow Your guidance in my day-to-day activities.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03Sep2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you” (Colossians 3:13 TEV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Give yourself the gift of forgiving others, not because THEY deserve it, but because YOU deserve the serenity and joy that comes from releasing resentment and anger. Unconditional forgiveness is the path to your own inner peace. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to always forgive those that have offended me.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02Sep2019

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV). ****************** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Life is always changing around us, but God remains the same and can always be trusted to keep His promises! His faithfulness and love can be counted on from generation to generation. - James Banks ******************** PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always rely on the faithfulness of the never-changing God.