Spiritual Digest for the Day 01Apr2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust’” (Psalm 91:1-2 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God does not remove us from all harm; He uses harm to move us close to Him. - Dillon Burroughs ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Let me be able to move closer to You, O Lord, in a time like this.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 31Mar2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY The man who trusts in God bears fruit despite the circumstances in his life. He does not shrivel when the heat comes; in fact, his roots go deeper into God's grace. - Os Hillman ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Help me, O Lord, to continue to trust in You so that I may prosper in this turbulent time.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 29Mar2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Prevention is better than cure. Be watchful and prevent dangers before thinking of praying to cure the dangers. - Bayo Afolaranmi ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Lord, help me to be watchful and prayerful as I take necessary precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: WATCHFULNESS PRECEDES PRAYERFULNESS!

Dearly Beloved, COVID-19: WATCHFULNESS PRECEDES PRAYERFULNESS! “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36 NKJV). “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41a NKJV). When the outbreak of COVID-19 initially started in China some months ago, the government's and people of the western world were either complacent or indifferent to the outbreak thinking that the virus cannot penetrate into or wrought any havoc in that part of the world. Some were even making jest of the Chinese people. Unfortunately, before they realized what is happening, the virus has crept into the parts of the world considered to be civilized and developed beyond uncontrolled outbreak of any disease. Today, people are dying in hundreds every day. There was superstition that the virus cannot thrive in the tropical Africa or do any harm to people of Black descent. This has also been proved wrong as the outbreak is now rampant in Africa and there have been reported cases of death as a result of the virus even in Nigeria, the most populous black nation. There have been directives from government and religious authorities to curtain the spread of the virus in Nigeria, but it is disheartened to see many so-called "spiritual" people violated these directives on the ground that they were gathering to worship and pray to God. Jesus Christ did not make a mistake when He placed watchfulness before prayerfulness in His admonitions to His disciples on two occasions. The first time was in Luke 21:36 (quoted above) when He warned His disciples to live as if the end of days was just imminent. The second time was in Matthew 26:41a (also quoted above) during the night before His crucifixion. He was in the garden praying and wanted His disciples to join Him, however, the disciples had fallen asleep. He categorically told the disciples on the two occasions to first watch, then pray so that they would not fall into the snares of the world and the devil. Jesus was not belittling the power of prayer, but He wanted His disciples to put prayer in its right place. It is good to worship God and pray unto Him against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we as Christians need to be watchful that we do not advance the spread by our actions or inactions. We are to “…be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16 NKJV) in obeying established authorities (Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14; Mark 12:17; Hebrews 13:17) especially when it is for our well being. It is like the popular and true saying: Prevention is better than cure. Be watchful and prevent dangers before thinking of praying to cure the dangers. No complacency! No indifference! No blame game! No hyper spirituality or religiousity! Play safe! Stay safe! Encourage social distancing! Prevention is better than cure! Watchfulness precedes prayerfulness! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord, help me to be watchful and prayerful as I take necessary precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 28Mar2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (Psalm 43:5 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. - Desmond Tutu ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Keep my hope alive in You, O Lord, in spite of the challenges of this life.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 27Mar2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose, and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let them become like his own Son, so that his Son would be the first of many children” (Romans 8:28-29 CEV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY God may conceal the purpose of His ways, but His ways are not without purpose. - Poh Fang Chia ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Pray that the concealed purpose of God for your life will be revealed at the appropriate time to His glory.

Spiritual Digest for the Day 25Mar2020

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY “As one whom his mother comforts, so [God] will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:13 NKJV). *********** QUOTE FOR THE DAY When the troubles of this world weigh heavy on our hearts, we can find comfort in the knowledge that God protects and fights for us, His children, as a loving parent. - Kirsten Holmberg ************ PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY Fight for me, O Lord, as a loving parent, in the battle of this life.