Spiritual Digest for the Day 07May2023

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “[Thus says the Lord:] ‘Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.... Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand.... Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good’” (Jeremiah 18:2, 6, 11 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY While God can make anything out of people, it is the state of the people that will determine what they will become in God’s hands. If the people are obedient to God, He would be good to them, but if they were disobedient, even after warnings, He would relent to be good to them, and form them the ways they deserve. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will be obedient to God and do His will so that He will do well with you and make good use of you. ______________ Have a divine-encounter worship experience today!

THE CLAY AND THE POTTER

Dearly Beloved, THE CLAY AND THE POTTER “[Thus says the Lord:] ‘Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.... Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand.... Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good’” (Jeremiah 18:2, 6, 11 NKJV). The Bible passage, Jeremiah 18:1-11, that recounts the incident at the potter’s house as an illustration of how God deals with His creatures has been used widely in many sermons and songs/hymns. In most of these sermons and songs, the emphasis has always been on asking God to form people in the ways He wants. However, the point that God wanted to bring out in leading Prophet Jeremiah to that potter’s house to see what the potter was doing with the clay is more or less clay-centred rather than potter-centred. That is, the outcome of what the clay becomes at the wheel will determine what the potter will make out of the clay. If the clay comes out fine at the wheel, the potter is happy with it, but if the clay is marred at the wheel, the potter will make it again into another vessel. So, what the clay becomes depends on the clay, not necessarily on the potter. The application of that incident at the potter’s house as God later pointed it out to Jeremiah supports this proposition. While God can make anything out of people, it is the state of the people that will determine what they will become in God’s hands. If the people are obedient to God, He would be good to them, but if they were disobedient, even after warnings, He would relent to be good to them, and form them the ways they deserve (compare Deuteronomy 28, 30:15-16; Isaiah 1:19-20; 3:10-11). This is in line with the law of sowing and reaping as explained explicitly in the Bible (see Psalm 126:5-6; Proverbs 11:18-19; 22:8; 28:20; Ecclesiastes 11:1; Luke 6:38; John 12:24-25; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Galatians 6:7-10; Philippians 4:14-19; Colossians 3:23-24). As clay in God’s hands, how do you want Him to shape you? This depends on you. If you want to be a useful and honourable vessel in His hands, then, you need to be obedient by cleansing yourself from all sinful acts and sanctifying yourself for His good use (see 2 Timothy 2:20-22; Romans 12:1-2). God is not a capricious God who does things without a reason. You are the major determinant of what He will do with you. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be obedient to God and do His will so that He will do well with you and make good use of you.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 06May2023

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God does not love us because of anything we have or have not done. His love is not based on our worthiness at all, but on His goodness and faithfulness. - James Banks ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Thank God for His everlasting love of you that He has demonstrated in His goodness and faithfulness over your life. ______________ Have a refreshing weekend!

Spiritual Digest for the Day 05May2023

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.’ So Elisha said to her, ‘What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?’ And she said, ‘Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil’” (2 Kings 4:1-2 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY So often what we already have in our hand is what Jesus Christ wants us to use to solve our problems. We must add faith to what we already have in our hand. - Os Hillman ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will always see what you already have as a stepping stone to what God will do in your life. ______________ Have a fantastic Friday!

Spiritual Digest for the Day 04May2023

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Jehoshaphat encouraged the men and gave them instructions…. They marched in front of the army and sang, ‘Give thanks to the Lord! His faithful love will last forever.’ As they began to sing and to praise God, the Lord set an ambush for the army from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come to attack Judah. The enemy was defeated!” (2 Chronicles 20:21-22 ERV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The next time you are in a predicament, turn your eyes toward God and praise Him for who He is! - Marji Kruger ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will learn how to praise God for who He is even in your predicament. ______________ Have a great Thursday!

Spiritual Digest for the Day 03May2023

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance. - Brian Tracy ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray for the grace to be able to demonstrate unconditional love to others around you. ______________ Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Spiritual Digest for the Day 02May2023

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “It is dangerous to be concerned with what other people think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe” (Proverbs 29:25 GNT). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God’s purposes for our lives still stand, regardless of what others say or think. When others gossip about us, remember that His opinion—and His love for us—is what matters most. - James Banks ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that you will not bother about people's opinion about you, but about God' opinion and love for you. ______________ Have a tremendous Tuesday!