Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Dearly Beloved,

WHEN YOU ARE ACCUSED FALSELY

“When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, ‘This is how
your slave treated me,’ he burned with anger. Joseph's master took him and
put him in prison...” (Genesis 39:19-20 NIV).

One of my friends sought my counsel recently. Being one of the people in
charge of counting collected church offerings, he was accused of stealing
out of the offerings. He was not happy about the whole issue.I asked him
whether the allegation was true or not. He confessed that it was false. I
counselled him to leave everything to God and allow God to vindicate him.

The counsel was bitter for him to accept. I then reminded him of Joseph’s
story in the house of Potiphar in Egypt. Here was a man who was sold into
slavery by his own brothers. His master’s wife accused him falsely, and he
was thrown into prison. However, he left everything to God and allowed God
to vindicate him. God did vindicate him. The next verses attest to this:
“But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed
him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the
warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was
made responsible for all that was done there”(Genesis 39:20-22NIV) . That
was not the end of the story. Joseph came out of prison to become the prime
minister in a foreign land. Interestingly, nothing was heard again about
Potiphar and his wife. Joseph was indeed vindicated.

Have you been accused falsely? Are you serving a punishment for that false
accusation? Leave everything to God. God is with you. He will show you
kindness and grant you favour even in that situation. He will eventually
vindicate you.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Point: Vindicate me, O Lord, when I am accused wrongly.

Dearly Beloved,
HE SENT HIM THERE
"…and he sent a man before them – Joseph, sold as a slave.
They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons…" (Psalm
105:17-18 NIV).
The story of Joseph has been one of the pathetic but interesting
stories in the Bible. Joseph, a loved child, was hated by his elder brothers
because of his destine. He was thrown to an empty cistern by these brothers who
earlier planned to kill him. They sold him as slave to foreigners who took him
to Egypt. In Egypt, he was sent to prison for a sin he did not commit. You can
imagine the hardship he would have as a slave and a prisoner – the bruises of
shackles in his feet, the pains of iron chains on his neck, etc. Even in
prison, he was forgotten by those that should have rescued him from all these
misfortunes. In spite of this, God was working behind the scene for his good.
Remember that in each of these situations, the Bible records it that the Lord
grant him favour in the eyes of everybody (see Genesis 39:4, 5, 21-23). In
fact, he confirmed it to his brothers later that it was God that sent him ahead
of them to Egypt to preserve lives (see Genesis 45:5-7; 50:20). Actually, Joseph's
story was not a tragedy, for he was made the prime minister of Egypt the very
day he was brought out of prison.
Think of yourself. What are you passing through? What is
happening to you now that seems as misfortune? What shackles and irons of
hardship are you experiencing now? Who knows, it may be God that sent you to
this apparent misfortune to bring something good out of you. He may be
purifying you as gold in fire of life so that you will come out more shining
(see 1 Peter 1:6-7). The Psalmist corroborates this. Hear him: "For you, O
God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid
burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and
water, but you brought us to a place of abundance" (Psalm 66:10-12 NIV).
Beloved, no matter what you are passing through, God knows about
it, and He has a purpose for allowing it. Paul confirms this in Romans 8:28,
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose" (NIV).
He sent you there – for a purpose!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Lord, let the purpose of bringing me to my present
situation come to pass in your own time in Jesus’ name. Amen.
NB
This message was first sent out on May 22, 2005.
 ____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS
“The eternal God is our hiding place; he carries us in his arms”
(Deuteronomy 33:27 CEV).
I am always captivated with hymns composed by Fanny Crosby – one
of the most prolific hymn writers in Christian history. Although the hymn,
“Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” is probably not her most well-known hymn, it is
another inspiring hymn. Fanny Crosby’s personal testimony is not only powerful,
but her writings are a constant reminder to maintain the proper perspective
about life, about grace, about trials and tribulations, and about God.  The story behind this particular hymn is a
rather difficult one.  According to a
source, the thought behind this hymn came to Mrs. Crosby after an awful tragedy
in her life.  She was pregnant, but lost
the baby during childbirth.  She was so
personally devastated by the event that she hardly spoke to anyone about
it.  Years later, a musician, William H.
Doan, stopped by her apartment and wanted her to write words for a tune he just
composed.  Having listened to the tune,
Crosby exclaimed, “That’s ‘Safe in the arms of Jesus!’”  She at once retired to an adjoining room,
where she spent half an hour alone and wrote the words of this hymn. She felt
that it was written for the bereaved, especially mothers that have lost their
children.  
Fanny Crosby felt safe in the arms of Jesus Christ and on His
gentle breast where His love over shaded. So, her soul sweetly rested in the
arms. She felt safe from corroding care, and from the world’s temptations.
Thus, sin cannot harm her there. She was free from the blight of sorrow, and
from her doubts and fears, though there remain only a few more trials and a few
more tears. Jesus was her heart’s dear Refuge because she believed that Jesus
has died for her. Consequently, her trust was ever firm on the Rock of Ages.
Confidently, she could wait here with patience, till the night was over, till she
saw the morning Break on the golden shore. In spite of her life’s travails, she
was indeed safe in the arms of Jesus Christ.
What trying time are you passing through? Are you safe in the
arms of Jesus in your trying times? Will you not throw yourself into those safe
arms and gentle breast of Jesus Christ? Your soul will surely find rest from
all corroding care, the blight of sorrow, doubts and fears of this world if you
do.
Safe in the arms of Jesus!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: I pray that you will be safe in the arms of Jesus
no matter the corroding care, the blight of sorrow, doubts and fears of this
world you may be facing in Jesus’ name. Amen.
 "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN" (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV)

Dearly Beloved,
YOUR SITUATION WILL NOT OVERCOME YOU!

“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed
you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by
your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with
you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk
through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God....’” (Isaiah 43:1-3a NKJV).

There have been controversies among Bible scholars about the date and
authorship of the later part of the Book of Isaiah especially Chapters
40-66. However, whether this part was written as a futuristic prophecy or
immediate one, it is a fact that the prophecy is applicable to us today.
Let me focus my devotional message this week on the first verses of Isaiah
43. From history as confirmed by many Bible passages, the people of Judah
were taken to captivity in Babylon. It seemed that all hope was lost for
them. They were indeed depressed and downcast. However, in this hopeless
situation, God reminded them that He was their Creator who have redeemed
them and summoned them by name, therefore, they needed not be afraid. God
promised to be with them in their miserable situation and that the
situation would not overcome them. He reminded them that they were precious
to Him and that He would rescue them out of their disheartened situation
and bring them back to their home land. God did fulfil these promises for
the people of Judah.

The Lord has been faithful in fulfilling these promises for His people,
especially those that diligently put their trust in Him. They may pass
through many waters and rivers of life, but they will not be drowned in
them. They may walk through the fire of life, it will not burn them nor
shall it scorch them. They need not fear all these adversities of life
because the Lord will be with them (compare Psalm 23:4).

What are you passing through now? Do not lose heart! No matter the seeming
hopeless situation, the Lord is with you. The situation will not overcome
you. You will indeed overcome the situation for the Lord is with you.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Point: According to Your word, oh Lord, save and deliver me from all
my adversities and do not let my situation overcome me in Jesus Christ’s
name. Amen
_______ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Dearly Beloved,
WHERE IS YOUR HOUSE?
“Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a
wise man who built his house on rock” (Matthew 7:24 ERV).
In the real life, each one of us has a shelter where we recess
to at the end of the day. The shelter as one of the basic needs of life
protects us from some physical hazards. This house may belong to us permanently
or it may be rented for a period of time. No one would want to have a shelter
that is not safe for habitation, so, we do everything possible to secure the
house. However, the truth of the matter is that every house is prone to one
danger or the other. The location, foundation, and status of the house will
determine how the house will withstand the danger.
Similarly, each one of us has a spiritual cum everlasting
shelter that serves as protection from some spiritual and everlasting hazards.
These hazards are inevitable (see John 16:33), but the location, foundation,
and status of our house will determine how the house will withstand the
spiritual and everlasting hazards.
As Jesus Christ was rounding off His sermon on the mount, He
told a parable of two people - a wise man and a foolish man. Both of them built
houses to shelter them. The houses were confronted with similar hazards. The
house of the wise man could withstand the hazards while the house of the
foolish man could not. The locations and foundations of each house determined
their ends. While the wise man located his house on a solid foundation, the
foolish man located his house on a shaky foundation. The house of the wise man
withstood the test of time while the house of the foolish man could not.
Where is your spiritual cum everlasting house? On what
foundation did you build it? Will it withstand the test of time? In that
parable, the wise man was the person that heard and obeyed the teachings of
Jesus Christ, while the foolish man was the person that heard but did not obey
the teachings of Jesus Christ. Are you a wise man or a foolish man? The hymn
writer, Edward Mote, declared, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’
blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean
on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking
sand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
Where is your house?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Dearly Beloved,
DON'T GIVE UP!

"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should
change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not
fulfil?" (Numbers 23:19 NIV).

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will
receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, `He who is
coming will come and will not delay'" (Hebrews 10:36-37 NIV).

I was still trying to come out of the trauma of my third consecutive visa
denial by the US embassy in my country when an elderly pastor from UK wrote
an encouraging mail to me. In the mail, he asked me to tell him the area he
could be of help to me in view of the fact that I would not be able to go
to the US as I planned before. I did not hesitate to ask for a new laptop
because the one I was using then is problematic. Responding, the pastor
told me that I should consider the request granted (though he clarified
that the promised laptop would be a fairly used one). He told me that he
would be coming to Nigeria the following month, and that he would come with
the laptop.

That was July 2004. I waited for the laptop throughout the month of August
and I did not hear from the pastor nor see the promised laptop. I wrote an
email to him and he told me that he had actually come to Nigeria but could
not bring the laptop because of some problems he had when he was coming. He
promised to send it through another person that would come in the month of
September. That month also passed without getting the promised laptop. The
pastor asked me to wait till the end of November when many would accompany
the general overseer of his denomination to the UK for a gospel rally.
According to him, he would find somebody out of those people that would
bring the laptop to me in Nigeria. The month of November also came without
the promise fulfilled. When I contacted the pastor again, he told me that
he had found somebody who was ready to bring the laptop but that the person
had gone to the US. According to him, the person would bring the laptop
when he is coming from the US via the UK. The person did not come till the
end of the year.

It was early this year that another person in the UK told me that he would
visit Nigeria in the month of February. When I told him about the promised
laptop, he accepted to contact the elderly pastor and help me bring it. I
linked both of them together and arrangement was made how he would collect
the laptop when he was coming to Nigeria. However the arrangement could not
work out.

I was about to give up on the promised laptop when the elderly pastor wrote
me again that I should not give up on the issue. He informed me that he
would come to Nigeria in the early April and promised to bring the laptop.

He did come to Nigeria and sent a mail to me so that I would give him my
phone number and contact address. I wanted to go and meet him in his place,
but he decided to come to my place. After some unsuccessful attempts to get
me, he eventually handed over the promised laptop to me. That was after
nine months of waiting, writing of mails, phone calls etc.

This is my testimony. I am composing this message with that promised
laptop. I want it to be an encouragement to others that are waiting for
something either from other people or even from God. If a man could fulfil
his promise after nine months in spite of all odds, how much more God will
not fulfil His numerous promises for you? Delay is not denial. The promises
will soon be fulfilled. Just wait patiently.

Don't give up!

In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
This message was first sent out on April 24, 2005.

Dearly Beloved,
SINCE JESUS CAME INTO MY HEART
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old
things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NASU).
Honestly, I was not familiar with the hymn, SINCE JESUS CAME
INTO MY HEART, until an elderly pastor sang it as solo in one of the chapel
services of my office. The way the pastor sang it made me have interest in the
hymn and its lyrics. The hymn was written by Rufus Henry McDaniel who was born
in 1850 and started preaching at age nineteen. In 1914, following the untimely
death of his son, Rufus Henry McDaniel penned the words of this hymn as an
expression of his faith and hope. Undoubtedly, the message of the hymn is
captivating. If Jesus indeed has come into one’s heart, there should be obvious
changes. This hymn talks about some of these changes. 
If Jesus has come into one’s heart, a wonderful change will take
place in one’s life; there will be a light in one’s soul for which everyone has
been longing for. Floods of joy will roll over the soul of such person like the
sea billows. Anyone that Jesus comes into his/her heart will cease from his/her
wandering and going astray, and his/her sins which are many will all be washed
away. Such person will possess a hope that is steadfast and sure, and no dark
clouds of doubt will obscure his/her pathway. There will be a light in the
valley of death now for anyone who Jesus comes into his/her heart and he/she
will be able to see the gates of the heavenly City beyond. In fact, he/she
shall go there to dwell in that City at the end of this Age.
“Since Jesus came into my heart....” Can you honestly and
joyfully sing that hymn? Have you experienced that wonderful change that
happens to anyone that Jesus comes into his/her heart? Jesus Christ says,
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the
door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation
3:20 NASU). Will you accept that He come into your heart today? If you have
accepted Him before, how has your own faith in Christ transformed your life?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Lord Jesus, I sincerely invite you into my heart
today. Come, and let me experience Your wonderful change in my life.
 
____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
DO YOU NEED TO ASK FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT?
“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our
hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave,
but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir” (Galatians
4:6-7 NIV).
Recently, one of my online contacts asked me whether one can ask
for the Holy Spirit or not. Let me based my devotional message this week on
this question and the answer I gave the contact. The question about asking for
the Holy Spirit is both theological and semantic. It is theological because it
has to do with the third Person in the Godhead, and it is semantic because it
is somehow a wordplay on when and how the Holy Spirit indwells a believer. Let
me say here that when the Holy Spirit indwells a believer has been a
controversial issue between the Pentecostals and the Evangelicals because of
their different ways of interpreting the Bible. Since I am an Evangelical, I
will first give the Evangelical position and later refer to the Pentecostal
position. The Holy Spirit indwells a believer the moment such person believes
in Jesus Christ and invites Him into his/her life as his/her personal Saviour
and Lord (John 1:12-13; 14:16; Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:5-7; Ephesians 1:13)
and He is there forever! However, the Holy Spirit may be “dormant” in the life
of any believer that does not allow Him to operate. That is why Paul urged
against such in Ephesians 4:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19. So, it is not out of
place to pray that the Holy Spirit should have full control of one’s life after
one has consciously surrendered oneself to Him.
The Pentecostals on the other hands capitalize on some passages
of the Bible like Luke 11:13; Acts 1:8 and other similar passages (especially
in the Old Testament) to say that one has to ask for the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit. Those passages are interpreted by the Evangelicals in line with what is
called “Dispensational Theology.” How and why will I ask for Who (that is, the
Holy Spirit) God has graciously given me if truly I am a believer in Christ? 
Another mixed-up issue that the Pentecostals make has to do with
the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. These are entirely different
from the Person of the Holy Spirit that is already living eternally with the
believer! A believer can pray for the gifts and/or the manifestations of the
Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1).
Either Evangelical or Pentecostal, the big question is: are you
really a child of God? “[Jesus Christ] came to that which was his own, but his
own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in
his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of
natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband' s will, but born of God”
(John 1:11-13 NIV). Have you received Him into your life? You do not need to
ask for (the indwelling of) the Holy Spirit if you have done so, but you can
ask that He fill you with His power.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Pray that you make your life conducive for the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit and that you will yield yourself to His
leadership so that He will manifest His power in your life.
 
____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

-------------------------------
A REPLY
As a Pentecostal minister, I felt a need for an important correction. 

Pentecostals agree with Evangelicals that the Holy Spirit indwells a believer the moment the person believes in Jesus Christ and invites Him into his/her life as his/her personal Saviour and Lord. All Christians are indwelt by the Spirit immediately upon salvation. 

What Pentecostals believe is that there is SECOND experience for the Christian with the Holy Spirit AFTER salvation and the indwelling which is being FILLED with the Holy Spirit to overflowing. Other names for this experience is being baptized (Acts 1:5) (immersed, submerged completely, full competely with the Holy Spirit.) 
Another expression for the same thing is "endued with power from on high"-- Luke 24:49 
We believe this is only for those who are already saved and indwelt by the Spirit. The Spirit has taken up residence in the believer but he wants to fill, anoint, clothe, baptize the believer. 

Jesus told the believers that they should receive this power: 

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me .... unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8) 

Notice it doesn't say they will be saved. They already were. It says they will be witnesses. This experience with the Holy Spirit is for power. Power to witness and work for Jesus. 
This promise of Jesus was immediately fulfilled on the day of Pentecost: 

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4 ) 

It continued to be fulfilled in the Church in Acts in the same way each time a new group of people believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized in water. 

"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17) 

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. (Acts 10:44-46 ) 

"Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Acts 19:4-6 )
Thanks Brother, just wanted to let you know we agree with you that all Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit when they receive Christ, and that we can also ask Him to fill us with His power. 

God's richest blessings on you! 
Larry Clay 
Missionary in Europe

Dearly Beloved,
DO NOT REJECT YOUR GOD!

"Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah...,
therefore the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of
the River...” (Isaiah 8:6-7a NIV).

The kingdoms of Israel and Aram were waging war against the kingdom of
Judah (see Isaiah 7:1). The Lord sent Prophet Isaiah to the people of Judah
to give them the opportunity of trusting in Him for victory. However, the
people of Judah under the leadership of King Ahaz acted foolishly. They
rejected their God and trusted in a seemingly powerful king of Assyria (see
2 Kings 16:7). The Lord prophesied through Isaiah that since they have
rejected their God who is like “the gently flowing waters of Shiloah”, the
“mighty flood of Assyria” that they trusted will indeed overflow their
enemies, but it will also sweep on into Judah and overflow it as well
(Isaiah 8:5-8). It would have been better to trust wholly in God. No
wonder, the psalmist said, “Those who rush to other gods bring many
troubles on themselves” (Psalm 16:4 TEV).

It is unfortunate that many people nowadays are like those foolish Jews.
Like in Paul’s words, they “...claimed to be wise, they became fools and
exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal
man and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:22-23 NIV). Some of them
even claim that there is no God! Interestingly, these foolish people
indirectly worship what is less than God and they are been tormented by
their self-imposed “gods”. They only will not be ready to openly admit this.

In what ways are you also rejecting your God? Do you acknowledge Him in all
your endeavours? Do you think you can succeed without Him? Do not reject
your God. Trust wholly in Him, and you will testify to His goodness over
your life in Jesus’ name. Amen. Jesus promises, "Come to me, all you who
are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest
for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew
11:28-30 NIV).

In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Point: Pray that you will in no way reject God, but wholly trust in
Him in all your endeavours.

Dearly Beloved,
WHO IS YOUR "GOD" ?
"When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down
from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, 'Come, make us gods who
will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we
don't know what has happened to him'" (Exodus 32:1 NIV).
"As for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken
him" (2 Chronicles 13:10 NIV).
The nation of Israel that Moses led out of bondage in Egypt was
stubborn. Their stubbornness against God's plan started to manifest the day
Pharaoh increased their burden for asking for "a three-day journey into
the desert to offer sacrifices the LORD" (see Exodus 5). However, their
statement in Exodus 32:1 indicates that Moses had become their god. When Moses
stayed with the LORD on their behalf and they did not see him, they wanted
another "god" that would continue to lead them in their journey.
Was Moses really the person that led them out of Egypt or he was
just an instrument in the hands of God, the real Deliverer? Was it necessary
for the people of Israel to see Moses before they could proceed in their
journey to the Promise Land? Should they have any visible "god" that
would lead them to their destination?
Many at times we also think and behave like the Israelites. We
worship a particular person or thing. Knowingly or unknowingly, we idolize such
person or thing. Any attempt to lose the person or thing, we would also lose
hope and try to find alternative in another person or thing.
To some people, pastors and other leaders are "gods."
When the pastors or the leaders are in sight, such people would be active in
the church activities and in their spiritual lives. Reverse would be the case
when the pastor or the leader is not.
Who or what is your "god" ? In who or what do you put
your hope? The writer of the book of Hebrews admonishes, "Let us fix our
eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith?" (12:2 NIV). Fixing
your eyes on any other person or thing will land you in the same syndrome as
the people of Israel. Let the LORD God be your God. Trust only in Him. He will
not let you down.
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in
the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7 NIV).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on February 29, 2004.

Dearly Beloved,
MAKING FAILURE YOUR FRIEND
“When these troubles came to him, Manasseh begged for help from
the Lord his God. He humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. Manasseh
prayed to God and begged God to help him. The Lord heard his begging and felt
sorry for him, so the Lord let him return to Jerusalem and to his throne. Then
Manasseh knew that the Lord was the true God” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 ERV).
Undergoing leadership studies of EQUIP® founded by the renowned
author and speaker, Dr. John C. Maxwell has been fascinating to me. One of the
studies which is seemingly awkward is titled “Failing Forward”.  More awkward is one of its lessons sub-titled
“Make Failure Your Best Friend”. How can one make failure one’s best friend?
The writer of the lesson admitted that the idea may seem odd, but he went
further to explain that “...the truth of the matter is that failure is either
your friend or your enemy, and you are the one who chooses which it is. If you
whine and complain every time you fail, then failure will remain your enemy.
But if you learn from your failures, then you actually benefit from them and
that makes failure your friend.” This can be possible if one is ready to make
one’s failure a stepping stone to one’s future successes. 
Three biblical case studies were used to buttress this point.
One, Jacob, the deceiver who became Israel, a prince with God that God used to
raise a nation separated unto Himself (see Genesis 25-32). Two, Manasseh, a
wicked king in Judah who God taught a lesson in the hard way by making him
become a captive in a foreign land. He learnt from his failure and cried unto
God. God restored him back to his throne (see 2 Chronicles 33:10-20). Three,
the prodigal son in Luke 15 who willfully lost himself. He accepted full
responsibility for his wrong choices and came back the lost joy of his family.
All these people learnt from their failures by admitting their wrong doings and
the end of their stories became desirable.
Twice in Psalm 119, the psalmist endeared himself to failure. Hear
him: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.... It was
good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Psalms 119:67,
71 NIV). What are your failures or things that are hurting you? Are you trying
to distance yourself from them? Make them your friend and learn from them as
you allow them to be your teacher. They will indeed become your stepping stones
to your breakthrough.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to make failure your friend by
learning from it and making it your stepping stone to your success and
breakthrough in life.
 ____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,

WHAT WILL BE YOUR SCORE SHEET?

“[Jotham] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father
Uzziah had done” (2 Kings 15:34 NIV).

Recently, the theme of the morning devotional thought in my family was
about following good examples of fathers as it was demonstrated by Uzziah
and Jotham. Both of them were kings in Judah. The former was the father of
the latter. In the early years of Uzziah as king, he did what was right in
the eyes of the Lord, and, undoubtedly, he instructed his children in the
ways of the Lord and laid good examples for them until later in his years
when he was successful and became proud towards God. However, his son
followed his good example.

As I led the devotional thought that morning, I laid emphasis on the fact
that fathers should not only instruct their children to do good things,
that they (the fathers) should be ready to show the example of doing good
things to their children. Since the message that day was directly for me,
the father of the house, I was challenged to allow my children to frankly
tell me the good and bad examples they see in me. It was like giving them
score sheets to evaluate me. Each of the children told me what they
consider as good and bad in my behaviours. I decided not to defend myself
that day for the good and seemingly bad behaviours they pointed out.

As a father or a leader, can you allow your children or subordinates to
openly evaluate you? What will be your score sheet if your children or
subordinates have such opportunity? Fathers have great responsibilities in
showing their children good examples. That is the best legacy they can give
their children. Will your children score you high on this? What will be
your score sheet?

Happy Father’s Day!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Pray for fathers that we will lay good examples for our
children to follow.

Dearly Beloved,
HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BODY
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were
bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20
NIV).
In 1987, World Health
Organization (WHO) created World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) to be observed every
year on May 31 around the world intended to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence
from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe. Furthermore, the day is
intended to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use
and to negative health effects, which currently lead to 5.4 million deaths
worldwide annually. Since 1988, the day has been observed every year with
different themes. The theme for this year was “Ban tobacco advertising,
promotion and sponsorship”.
Recently, I watched a documentary on a national network
television programme on adverse effects of smoking cigarette in particular and
using tobacco in general to human beings. These effects were analyzed in the
documentary, then some people, especially those that have the smoking habit,
were interviewed. One of the people admitted that smoking is not good, and that
he has been trying to stop the habit, but he cannot stop it because he has been
addicted to it. Another person was indifferent to the adverse effects. To him,
something will eventually kill one, so what is the big deal in warning people against
smoking cigarette or using tobacco?
It is interesting that some people even argue that smoking
cigarette or using tobacco is not condemned in the Bible, so, it is never a sin
to smoke cigarette or use tobacco! Well, it is a fact that the Bible does not
expressly condemn smoking cigarette or using tobacco, but it teaches how to
take care of our body which belongs to God. If smoking cigarette and using
tobacco are dangerous to one’s body, why knowing destroying that body that
really belongs to God? If one does not like oneself or cares about what happens
to one’s body, why not honor God who really owns the body?
Honor God with your body!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Pray for all that have been addicted to smoking
cigarette or using tobacco that they will conscious make efforts to forsake the
habit.

____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
"WHERE DID IT FALL?"
“The man of God asked, ‘Where did it fall?’ When he showed him
the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float” (2
Kings 6:6 NIV).
“The company of the prophets” (or theological students of
Elisha) faced a problem of lack of space for their training, so they tried to
find a way of solving the problem. They suggested that they should relocate to
Jordan where they would have a lot of space. They thought they could solve the
problem on their own. We should not be surprised when Elisha gave them up to
their arrogance. However, one of the students realized their folly and humbly
invited their master to follow them. Surprisingly, Elisha agreed to follow
them.
The students with their master went near River Jordan to prepare
another place for themselves. As they were working, the axe head of one of the
students fell into the river. He could use the opportunity to rest or pretend
as if nothing had happened, but he cried out for help instantly.
Elisha asked the most important question from the embattled
student, “Where did it fall?” He did not ask him how it fell or the cause of
the problem. He asked him about the exact place where the axe head was. God is
not interested in the trivial detail of your problem. His interest is in the
problem and how it will be solved.
The blind Bartimaeus was crying for help to Jesus, but Jesus
seemed to be telling him, “Man, be specific. Do not bother me with the detail
of your problem. What exactly do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). As
if he also got the message, he declared, “Rabbi, I want to see.” When you are
in any problem, instead of grumbling, specifically make your request known unto
God, and a miracle is waiting at your doorstep. Hannah was childless, she went
to God and specifically told Him about her predicament, and she was blessed
with Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9-20). Jabez cried out to God for a particular problem
in his life, and He bailed him out of the big mess (1 Chronicles 4:9-10).
The Bible says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to
God” (Philippians 4:6), and “cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for
you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Do you involve God in your day-to-day activities, or you are
thinking that you can do without Him? Are you using your problems as an excuse
not to serve God? Who do you turn to when you are in trouble? Only God can help
you. Call upon Him; He is ready to help you. However, you have to be SPECIFIC.
Tell Him exactly what you want, and He will surprise you.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on September 15, 2003.
I recently replaced the BlackBerry device that I used to
minister through BlackBerry Messenger. Please add this BB PIN:29275BB9 to your
BBM contact list to be able to receive my daily messages (if you have not done
so). God bless you!
____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
ARE YOU MINDFUL OF DEATH?

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in
me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me
will never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26 NIV).

Honestly, I am not afraid of death. My favourite Bible verse has always
been Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”
(NIV). However, as I was reading John 11:25-26 some weeks ago, I was struck
with the phrase, “even though he dies…” as if I never heard or read it
before. “Even though he dies….” It was as if the phrase meant that I would
die that day. I paused reading the Bible and started thinking of death.
Death is inevitable. People are dying every minute. I have witnessed and
even officiated in the burial services of many people. In fact, I once
buried a very young niece-in-law who lived with my family. Death is not
strange to me. But, it dawned on me that day that I had not prepared for
death.

Humanly speaking, no one would want to die. We want to have a long life,
and if possible, live forever on earth. Nevertheless, each of us will die
one day. No one knows when it will be his/her turn. This turn is not by age
or any other factor. So, anyone can die at any time. Are you mindful of
this?

While being mindful of death, a believer in Jesus Christ does not need to
be afraid of death. He will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives
and believes in Jesus Christ will never die eternally. It means that
physical death is not the end of a person. This was what Jesus Christ was
asking Martha whether she believed or not. Thank God, Martha answered in
the affirmative. Do you also believe this?

Are you mindful of death? You do not need to be afraid of this. If you die
in Jesus Christ, you will live with Him forever. If you die without Him,
you will die eternally. The choice is yours.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Dearly Beloved,
REPENTED, BUT…
"In [Manasseh' s] distress he sought the favor of the LORD
his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he
prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so
he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that
the LORD is God" (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 NIV).
"I will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the
earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in
Jerusalem" (Jeremiah 15:4 NIV).
Our God is compassionate and forgiving (Daniel 9:9). Yet one has
to be very careful in relating with Him especially in keeping His commandments.
The reason is that if one sins against Him and later on repents, one would
still face the consequence of one's sins (Proverbs 11:21; 16:5).
The story of Manasseh attests to this. Manasseh was one of the
worst kings in Israel. He was the direct opposite of his godly father,
Hezekiah. He did many detestable things to provoke the Lord. Tradition has it
that he was the one that killed prophet Isaiah. After God had warned him and
his people, and they did not heed to God's warning, God made him a prisoner in
the court of another powerful king. However, in his distress, he repented and
asked for God's forgiveness. The compassionate and forgiving God heard his
prayers and restored him back to his kingdom. He later spent his life doing
good things (see 2 Chronicles 33). Nevertheless, his people faced the
consequence of his atrocities (see Jeremiah 15). The Lord promised to make them
suffer because of what he did.
One should not view this as injustice on the part of God. The
people also had their own share of the blame, but that is not the emphasis
here. The emphasis is a particular repented and forgiven person was made as a
reference point for the impending judgment. This indicates that though God
forgave Manasseh, the punishment of his sins were still there.
The punishment of Manasseh' s sins might not be directly on him,
but the cases of David and Paul were different. David committed the sins of
adultery and murder. When confronted by prophet Nathan, he repented and said
the prayer found in Psalm 51. Undoubtedly, his sins were forgiven, but he paid
dearly for them (2 Samuel 12:13-14; 13-21). Paul (formerly Saul) persecuted the
disciples of Jesus Christ. When he had an encounter with God, God promised,
"I will show him how much he must suffer for my name" (Acts 9:16
NIV). He did suffer.
What are you doing now? Is it good or bad? You may be thinking
of later repentance. However, hear the words of Solomon: "Now all has been
heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his
commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed
into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil"
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NIV).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on November 14, 2004.

Dearly Beloved,
MOTHERS DESERVE MORE HONOUR!
“A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman — who is he who can
find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above
rubies or pearls” (Proverbs 31:10 AMP).
Mother’s Day is a celebration honouring mothers and motherhood,
maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in the society. It is celebrated
on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March (in most
European countries and especially by the Roman Catholics and some Protestant
denominations) or May (in the United States of America and among many Evangelical denominations) .
Because these various countries and denominations have influences on the
African Christians, the Day is celebrated at least twice in many African
countries around the months of March and May.
A friend on Facebook joking posted on his Facebook wall last
year that the honour for mothers is too much and asked why two days should be
dedicated for them in a year. To him, if care is not taken, women will ask for
more days of celebration in their honour. The post might be a joke, but I
replied him that mothers indeed deserve more days of honour in a year. spiritualdigest@ email.com

My mother was superb when it comes to taking care of her
husband, children, grandchildren, relatives, and even other people that she had
contact with. I can never forget her. My wife is more than excellent when it
comes to exhibiting virtues of motherhood. She demonstrates this even to the
livestock that we rear at home. As young as my daughter is (just above ten
years of age), she has been showing the enviable traits of motherhood! Almost
all my sisters, female cousins, nieces, and female intimate friends have these
virtues in considerable degrees. I thank God for their lives! Indeed, mothers
deserve more honour. It is not too much if every day is dedicated to
celebrating them.
However, not every mother deserves this honour, because there
are some worthless women that care less about their children. They do not have
the virtues enumerated in Proverbs 31:10-31. Their husbands and children cannot
praise them because of who they are and what they have done (and is still
doing). Are you such a mother?
Virtuous mothers deserve more honour. Happy Mother’s Day!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Points:
1. Thank God for all virtuous mothers throughout the world.
2. Pray that the Lord will honor them for all their sacrifices
to their husbands, children and others.
3. If you are a lady, pray that the Lord will make you a
virtuous woman indeed.
NB
I dedicate this message to all virtuous mothers, especially my
late mother, Hannah Abiola Afolaranmi, who slept in the Lord on October 28,
2012. You all deserve more honour!
____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN VOICE
"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ"
(1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV).
"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and
take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you"
(Philippians 3:17 NIV).
My one-year-old daughter has adopted his older brother' s way of
greeting. Instead of kneeling down (as the custom of girls and young women
among the Yorubas), she likes to prostrate (as boys and young men do). She
likes to imitate his brother rather than taking to our (her parents' )
instruction about mode of greeting.
Her action has a spiritual and moral meaning. Young people tend
to imitate what they see more than what they hear. Young ones often look up to
people older than them for direction. To imitate what people do than listen to
their instructions is no doubt natural.
The history of the Israelites points to this. In spite of the fact
that Israelites had the written Law through Moses and many priests and prophets
they loved to do what the ungodly leaders did. However, when godly leaders
reigned, they were focused. Why? Leaders influence followers.
People seldom read the Bible. We Christians, especially
Christian leaders are their "books. " They read us. They have a
tendency of imitating what we do than what we say at times.
You are a leader! Some people are looking up to you as their
role model. Are your actions matching your message? Example is better than
precepts. What will people imitate from you? Can you say like Paul,
"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians
11:1 NIV)?
Whatever our verbal instructions to other people, our action
(character) speaks louder than our voice. Ask God to enable you live a life
that will be a portrait of your message.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Help me, O Lord, that my action will not mislead
other people.
NB
This message was first sent out on June 20, 2004.

Dearly Beloved,
"IS IT TOO LATE?"
"The children born during your bereavement will yet say in
your hearing, 'This place is too small for us; give us more space to live in.'
Then you will say in your heart, 'Who bore me these? I was bereaved and barren;
I was exiled and rejected. Who brought these up? I was left all alone, but
these--where have they come from?'" (Isaiah 49:20-21 NIV).
I was with my father in his farmhouse some years ago when he was
telling me his life story. It was the early part of his marriage with my
mother. They had lost their first three sons in succession. All his
contemporaries were successfully having children. It seemed that there was no
hope of having another child. As he was in that same farmhouse one afternoon pondering
about his dilemma, he heard a voice saying: "IS IT TOO LATE?" He did
not know the source of the voice, but he believed that it came from God, and
that it was actually not too late for him and his young wife to have children
that would live.
That was about forty years ago. The Lord has now blessed my
parents with five sons, three daughters and eight other grandchildren - all
alive to God's glory! It was indeed not too late for my father to be a
biological father and even now a grandfather. The bereaved family of two is now
about twenty. My parents still wonder till today that they could have such
number of living children.
I remembered this situation as I was reading the above Bible
passage recently. Hannah was in a similar situation. The Bible introduced her
as a sad childless woman (1 Samuel 1:2-7). However, God changed her story. She
later had three sons and two daughters after giving birth to that great man of
God, Samuel (1 Samuel 2:21).
What is your situation? Do you also have a similar situation? It
may not be childlessness. It may be any other seemingly hopeless situation. Let
me reaffirm it that IT IS NOT TOO LATE! The Lord is not done with you yet. He
will arise in His appointed time and manifest His power in your life. Remember
the words the Psalmist, "When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues
with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great
things for them.' The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with
joy" (Psalm 126:1-3 NIV. Read also Jeremiah 31:16-17).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)
Prayer Point: Lord, arise in Your appointed time and manifest
Your power in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
NB
This message was first sent out on October 31, 2004.

Dearly Beloved,
EVERYTHING?
"So they
pulled their boats up on shore, left EVERYTHING and followed him" (Luke
5:11, NIV).
"But all
those things that I might count as profit I now reckon as loss for Christ's
sake. Not only those things; I reckon EVERYTHING as complete loss for the sake
of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For
his sake I have thrown EVERYTHING away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so
that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:7-8 GNB).
In spite of all
their struggles, Simon Peter and his colleagues could not catch a single fish.
But the words of Jesus Christ saved the day, "they caught such a large
number of …" (Luke 5:6 NIV). This event changed their life goals. They
left everything to become disciples of Jesus Christ! Also, Abraham left what he
had to do the will of God (Genesis 22). In his old age, he was ready to give up
his only son to God. In fact, the Bible says he did sacrifice the son (Hebrews
11:17). Undoubtedly, Isaac, the son, was everything to him and his wife. Paul
was an accomplished scholar, yet he considered it invaluable so that he might
experience Christ! All of them prized their faith above the temporal benefits.
Can one say that
all of them were sensible? How could they abandon what they had toiled for -
achievements, status, prestige and the like? Would they gain anything from such
actions? In fact, once, Peter asked the same question: "What is our
benefit?" (see Mark 10:28). Jesus Christ's answer was captivating: "I
tell you the truth… no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother
or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a
hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers,
children and fields-and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come,
eternal life" (Mark 10:29-30 NIV).
Faith is not a
gamble. It is giving of what you cannot keep into the hands of Him who keeps
and multiplies all things for your own benefits, no matter how painful and
unreasonable.
What is your
"everything&qu ot; that God asks you to leave for Him today? Probably God
has just given you what He asks for. Are you ready to leave it? Think of the
outcome of Abraham' s faith. Every decision taken due to God's word is a road to
life. You will get "everything&qu ot; back if you leave them for God (see
Hebrew 11:19). Everything!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi
(Pastor).
NB
This message was
first sent out on November 9, 2003.

Dearly Beloved,

O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED

“You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey your words” (Psalm
119:57 NIV).

“As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, ‘I will follow you
wherever you go’” (Luke 9:57 NIV).

“Mo ti seleri, Jesu” the Yoruba version of the hymn, “O Jesus, I Have
Promised” was one of the hymns I loved when I was growing up as a teenager.
I could sing off-hand almost all the lyrics of the hymn in Yoruba. It is a
hymn of commitment composed by John Ernest Bode (1816-1874), an Anglican
clergyman serving a small parish near Cambridge, England when his three
children, a daughter and two sons, were ready for confirmation. As the
priest of the church, he would preside over the ceremony. So, he composed
the hymn to remind the children of their commitment to Jesus Christ, the
spiritual warfare that is associated with Christian life, and the fact that
if Jesus Christ is with them, they will overcome and in the end be with Him
in Heaven.

In this hymn, John Bode declared that he had promised to serve Jesus to the
end and asked Jesus who he knew as “my Master and my friend” to be near him
forever. He confessed that he would not fear the battle if Jesus is by his
side, nor wander from the pathway if He would be his guide. Because of many
temptations that the world often offers the Christian and the fact that
foes are ever near both within and without, John Bode prayed that he feels
Jesus near him and shield his soul from sin. He continued to pray that he
hear Jesus speaking in accents clear and still above the storms of passion
and the murmurs of self-will. Because Jesus is the guardian of his soul, he
wanted Him to speak to reassure him and make him listen to Him. John Bode
reminded Jesus that He has promised all who follow Him that where He is in
glory there shall they also be. Therefore, he reaffirmed his promise to
Jesus to serve Him to the end. John Bode also prayed that he see the
footprints of Jesus, and desired to plant his own footprints in them. He
affirmed that his hope is to duly follow alone in the strength of Jesus. He
wanted Jesus, his Savior and Friend, to guide him, call him, draw him,
uphold him to the end, and receive him in Heaven. What a great commitment!

What is your commitment to Jesus Christ? Have you promised to follow and
serve Him till the end? Are you ready to listen to Him and let Him be your
Guide? You will never regret you did!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Point: Pray that you will be committed to faithfully following and
serving Jesus for the rest of your life.

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.

Dearly Beloved,
JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE!
"I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for
ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades" (Revelation 1:18
NIV).
I once saw a sticker on a vehicle that reads thus: "If your
God is crucified, try Allah." I laughed to yourself and pitied the
originator of such idea. Apparently it refers to the crucifixion of Jesus
Christ, but the originator of the idea and those that are promoting it do not
know that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was not the end of His story. In fact
it was the beginning of His triumph over death and Satan. Paul put it this way:
"None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would
not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1 Corinthians 2:8 NIV).
It is a historical fact that Jesus Christ was crucified outside
the city of Jerusalem. He died on the cross according the Scriptures. He was
buried in a tomb. But praise the Lord, He was raised on the third day! He
appeared to many of His disciples and others for forty days before He ascended
to heaven (see Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20, 21 and Acts 1). He told
John: "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and
ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades" (Revelation 1:18 NIV). He is
now at the right hand of God interceding for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 1
John 2:1).
Jesus Christ is alive! He was the only religious leader that
died and was raised again. This is a great assurance that Christians are not
serving a dead God. It is a great hope that when Christians die, they also will
be raised with Him at the end of the age. Jesus said, "I am the
resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he
dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-26
NIV). Do you have these assurance and hope? If you are not sure of your eternal
life, try the eternal living Jesus.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on March 23, 2008. There is a
message written by me that proves the logic of the doctrine of resurrection of
Jesus Christ. It is titled "IF JESUS CHRIST HAS NOT BEEN RAISED...."
You may request for it by writing me at .
Happy Easter!

____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
ARE YOU GROWING SPIRITUALLY? (Part 3)

“…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2
Peter 3:18 NIV).

Spiritual growth entails knowing the Lord Jesus Christ progressively
better. This process starts after accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour
and Lord. Spiritual growth is therefore expected from every believer
because no believer reaches a point of no growth while living in this
world.

There are many things that a believer can do to enhance his or her
spiritual growth. Some of these things are: one, being born again: be sure
of being a new creation through accepting the Lord Jesus Christ. To
identify with spiritual growth you must first be born again because it is
not possible for a non-believer to grow spiritually. The moment you accept
Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you become a new creation and gain
entry into spiritual person (2 Corinthians 5:17). Two, abstaining from all
sins: it is not possible to grow spiritually if you still engage in some
ungodly practices (Romans 6:1-2). Three, communicating with Jesus Christ
through prayer: a believer should have a special prayer time (1
Thessalonians 5:17). Four, reading the Holy Bible at all times: the more
you read your Holy Bible, the more you change. The Holy Bible is a mirror
on which your life should reflect. Let the Holy Bible talk to you. Five,
telling others about Jesus Christ: spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ
helps you grow. Six, fellowshipping with other believers: belong to and be
active in a local church (Hebrews 10:25). This makes you have a spiritual
home and the pastor your spiritual leader. These are what spiritual growth
is all about.

Spiritual growth is critical. It is a way of: pursuing righteousness (1
Timothy 6:11); being transformed (Romans 12:2); perfecting holiness (2
Corinthians 7:1); pressing toward the goal (Philippians 3:14); or being
built up in the faith (Colossians 2:7). The goal is the same for every
Christian: to be transformed into the Lord’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Spiritual growth is not an option for any serious Christian. Are you
growing spiritually? In what area are you lacking in your spiritual growth?
There is nothing you can do to substitute your spiritual growth. It is a
necessity.

In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Point: Lord, help me to be growing spiritually in all ramifications.

NB
If you missed any part of this message or you want the whole message sent
to you, send a request to me by email at spiritualdigest@ yahoo.com.

Dearly Beloved,
ARE YOU GROWING SPIRITUALLY? (Part 2)

“…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2
Peter 3:18 NIV).

It is a pity that the contemporary Christianity is no longer emphasizing
spiritual growth. Our emphases have been shifted from spirituality to
religiosity and materialism. Many Christians no longer want to grow in God;
they rather want to work for God and expect God in turn to bless them
materially. No wonder, many so-called Christians cannot relate with God
directly without their so-called spiritual leaders.

Spiritual growth has been misunderstood to be some things that it is not.
This has misled some people to think they are growing spiritually. Some of
these things are: One, our position in Christ: we are positionally children
of God (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:16). He sees us as already perfect in His
Son (Colossians 2:10). We are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Two,
God’s favour: God does not like us better because we are more spiritual
than before. God’s love for us is not conditional upon our behaviour. The
Bible says, while we were still helpless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies,
God showed His great love for us by sending His Son to die for our sins
(see Romans 5:6-10). God cannot love us more just because we grow. Three,
time: maturity in the spiritual realm is not measured by the calendar. It
is possible for a person to be a Christian for half a century and yet
remain a spiritual infant. Four, knowledge: facts, data, information, and
intelligence cannot be equated with spiritual maturity. Unless your
knowledge results in conforming you to Christ, it is useless. Truth that
fails to change your life and behavior may in fact be hurtful, hardening
you instead of bringing you to maturity. Five, activity: some people make
the mistake of assuming that the most mature Christians are always the
busiest ones. However, busyness does not necessarily bring maturity, nor
can it be substituted for maturity. Excessive activity may, in fact, even
hinder what is really vital and important in the Christian life. Busyness
cannot earn salvation, let alone bring about spiritual maturity (see
Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 10:38-42). Six, prosperity: some people so dedicate
themselves to the pursuit of prosperity that they neglect everything else.
God might have allowed you to prosper, but that is no mark of spiritual
growth. Being poor is neither a sign of spirituality as well! Seven,
sinless perfection: some people think that someone who is growing
spiritually will not sin. This is based on misinterpretation of some Bible
passages especially 1 John 3:9.

Have you been equating your spiritual growth with any of the highlighted
things above? That is not it! What spiritual growth entails will be
discussed in the last part next week.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Point: Lord, help me not to equate my spiritual growth with anything
no matter how good the thing may be.