Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Dearly Beloved,
ARE YOU GROWING SPIRITUALLY?
“…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV).
Growth is very essential to any living being or organization.
Nobody would want to remain stagnant where he/she was last year. Also, no one
would want his/her child to refuse to grow. We all want to grow physically,
mentally, emotionally, financially, materially and in other ramifications. This
should be applicable also to our spiritual life. However, only believers grow
spiritually. Just like any other growth or development, spiritual growth is not
attained instantaneously. It is not dramatic experiences, climactic turning
points, or instant solutions to spiritual problems that many people are looking
for today. God’s design is that we be seasoned to maturity through a continual
process of growth. This made Peter to tell his readers in 2 Peter 3:18 to grow
spiritually.
Peter admonished believers to grow, not any other person. This
is rather a command, not an advice, so you have to desire and determine to grow
spiritually. The determination to grow must be consistent without any
distraction (compare Hebrews 12:2). If you are to be prepared for spiritual
growth, your focus must be right. The focus must not be on what you must do,
but on who you must be!
Peter instructed us to grow spiritually in two things: grace and
knowledge. Grace is important because it is the foundation of the spiritual
life (compare Ephesians 2:8). The spiritual life is impossible without grace.
You cannot know God apart from grace. You cannot grow apart from grace. You
cannot deal with failure apart from grace. Moses knew this, and he asked for it
(see Exodus 33:13). Grace also sustains you when you fail or when things are
not going the way you want (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). To grow in one’s
knowledge of Jesus Christ is not factual knowledge, but the experiential
knowledge of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 3:10). The order of these items is
important. Grace must precede knowledge. Therefore, keep things in order. Grace
comes before knowledge. Without Jesus there is no understanding of grace. You
cannot have knowledge without Jesus. Jesus is the embodiment of grace and
spiritual truth.
The last thing to note in this verse is the purpose of the
growth: God’s glory. Everything we do or whoever we are must be to God’s glory
(John 2:11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 5:10-11; Jude 25; Revelation 1:6;
5:9-14).
The second part of this message next week will briefly discuss
what spiritual growth is not.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Help me Lord to be growing in Your grace and
knowledge.
____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)
http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/

Dearly Beloved,
WHOSE DISCIPLE ARE YOU?

“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from
beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary,
because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the
disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of
God's throne” (Hebrews 12:2 TEV).

Being somebody who wants to minister to as many people as possible through
the Internet, I joined as many Internet groups, forums, blogs, pages, and
the likes, and I allow people to add me to their groups, forums, blogs, and
pages. Some of these people even made me an administrator/ moderator or
co-owner of their groups, forums, blogs, or pages. The fact that I am an
administrator/ moderator or co-owner of any Internet group, forum, blog, or
page does not mean that I agree totally with the activities in, or the
contents of the Internet group, forum, blog, or page. However, I was
embarrassed when I discovered recently that I was made an administrator
(and by implication a co-owner) of a Facebook page titled “Disciples of
[founder of a denomination] .” I could not bear the misrepresentation that
the page gave me: that I am a disciple of a man. Never! I am a disciple of
only my Lord Jesus Christ. I follow no man no matter how great or good the
man was/is!

Because of their love and admiration for a religious leader, it is a pity
that many Christians have turned such leader to a small god. They extremely
revere such leader. They behave like the leader. They speak like the
leader. At times, they value the leader’s words more than God’s words. They
even use the leader’s name to pray to God! While some religious leaders
want their followers to do such for them, some are ignorant of the
activities of their followers, while some who are aware of such try to
dissuade their followers from doing so.

It is good to revere spiritual leaders. The Bible encourages it. However,
there should be a limit to the reverence one would give them. The moment
the reverence for them is being place side by side with, or replacing one’s
reverence for God, one should be very careful. Apostle Paul advised against
this: “...each one of you says something different. One says, ‘I follow
Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Peter’; and another,
‘I follow Christ.’ Christ has been divided into groups! Was it Paul who
died on the cross for you? Were you baptized as Paul's disciples?” (1
Corinthians 1:12-13 TEV). Rather, the writer to the Hebrews advised, “Let
us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning
to end... ” (Hebrews 12:2 TEV).

I am not, and will never be, a disciple of any man. I am a disciple of the
Lord Jesus Christ. Whose disciple are you?

In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Prayer Point: Lord, help me not to follow any man no matter how good or
great he/she may be, but help me to always fix my eyes on You. Amen.
___________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
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Bible verses.
"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,
THERE IS NO OTHER INTERMEDIARY!
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6 NIV).
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV).
The supremacy of Jesus Christ (as explained briefly two weeks
ago) cannot be over-emphasized. This was the thrust of the book to the Hebrews.
However, it amuses me to see some people trying to place other prophets,
priests, and even religious leaders side by side with Jesus or even above Him
when these people are relating with God. To some of these people, they are
honouring Jesus Christ by going to God through other means. To others, they are
following the Old Testament examples of relating with God through prophets,
priests and angels. Others are just ignorant of their position in God or are
too lazy to relate with God directly, so, they depend on their religious
leaders to relate with God for them. However, the truth of the matter is that
there is no other mediator or intermediary between God and man except Jesus
Christ, and He has encouraged us to come boldly and directly to Him.
The scope of this message cannot accommodate all the
explanations and Bible verses about this matter. Nevertheless, let me use this
illustration to buttress the matter: my son will boldly and directly come to me
for anything he needs, and I do not need any intermediary to relate with him.
If he cannot come boldly and directly to me, then something is wrong somewhere.
If God is your heavenly Father, and you are genuinely His son or daughter, you
should be able to relate with Him directly without any other intermediary apart
from Jesus Christ.
Let me briefly quote some verses from the book to the Hebrews:
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets
at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us
by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the
universe” (Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV).
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone
through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we
profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —
yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”
(Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV).
“But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as
the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is
founded on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6 NIV).
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our
faith...” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV).
You may ask about the roles of religious leaders. They are not
intermediaries between God and people like the Old Testament priests and
prophets. Their roles are now advisory. They are like a shepherd to the flock
(see 1 Peter 5:1-4). They are to lead and disciple others who will be able to
lead and disciple other people (see Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 2:2).
Are you still relating with God through any other intermediary
apart from Jesus Christ? Or, are you making people to depend on you or any
other means to relate with God? That is an aberration. There is no other
intermediary between man and God except Jesus Christ! Relate with Him directly
and you will really enjoy your relationship with Him.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: God, help me to relate with You directly and
boldly without any other intermediary apart from the Lord Jesus Christ so as to
enjoy You wholly, and do not let me mislead other people to have any other
intermediary between them and You apart from the Lord Jesus Christ.

____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
As this year’s Valentine’s Day come and gone, let me resend a
message originally sent on October 16, 2010 to remind us of true love:
LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE
“Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain
strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember
the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you
yourselves are in the body also” (Hebrews 13:1-3 NKJV).
The book of Hebrews was mainly about the superiority of Jesus
Christ over the Old Testament prophets and religious systems (as briefly
explained last week). In concluding his message, the writer of the book
admonished his audience to let brotherly love continue. The Greek word
(filadelfia) translated “brotherly love” in most English translations of the
Bible can mean mutual love of brothers (and sisters) or “love for one's fellow
believer, affection for a fellow believer.” It is in contrast with another
Greek word (agapee) also translated “love” which is the unconditional and
unparallel love that God has for the mankind. The implication of the admonition
was that brotherly love already existed among the Hebrews that the book was
addressed to. So, it must continue and the continuation should have no end. The
writer of the book went ahead to give two explanations on how to demonstrate
brotherly love (Hebrews 13:2-3). One, by entertaining strangers: he inferred to
Abraham who unknowingly entertained angels (see Genesis 19). Two, by caring for
the less privileged: Jesus Christ alluded to this in one of His parables (see
Matthew 25:34-46). There are other ways of making brotherly love continue among
us.
It is evident from these two ways of demonstrating brotherly
love that the “brother” that one is to love may not necessarily be a sibling or
a fellow believer (as a commentator put it) or somebody of common interest, but
anyone that one can help at a given time. The Samaritan in the popular parable
of the Good Samaritan has been a classic example of demonstration of brotherly
love (see Luke 10:25-37).
Many people would say that they love God, and they are ready to
do anything for Him. However, do they love their fellow “brother”? Such people
are hypocrites! Apostle John said, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his
brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has
seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20 NIV).
A very important reason why one should let brotherly love
continue is that one may on one occasion or the other be at the receiving end
of such love. The “strange” stranger who leads the love or care may be YOU!
Do you have brotherly love? Be ready to demonstrate it to anyone
that comes your way. Let brotherly love continue!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Pray that God will help you to continue to
demonstrate genuine brotherly love to anyone that comes your way.

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
THE SUPREMACY OF JESUS CHRIST
“[Jesus Christ] is the radiance of God's glory and the exact
representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After
he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he
has inherited is superior to theirs� (Hebrews 1:3-4 NIV).
Some churches and many other uninformed Christians believe in
praying to the angels. It is a common thing seeing them praying to Angel
Michael, Angel Gabriel, Angel Raphael, and other heavenly hosts. It is also a
common practice among these churches to burn incenses and candles to invoke the
spirits of these angels. At times, they even go to the extent of making
sacrifices to the angels. In the theology of some of these churches, Angel
Michael is regarded as the third person of the Godhead! This belief in angel as
mediators is a carry-over of African belief in the fact that God, the Supreme
Being, cannot be approached directly, so one has to go through deities who in
turn take human pleas to God. Interestingly, some Jews also had a similar
belief in angels that made the writer to the Hebrews to address the issue when
he was addressing the issue of supremacy of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ represents the exact Being of God. As the Heir of
all things, He sustains all things by His power. He provided purification for
sins of mankind by His death on the cross. Having done this, He sits at the
right hand of the Majesty in heaven interceding for us. Although, in the past,
God dealt with His people through the prophets (and sometimes angels), now, He
is dealing with the world through Jesus Christ because of the supremacy of
Jesus over any other prophet and angel. A Bible scholar highlighted the
supremacy of Jesus to other prophets who declares God's Word this way: while
Jesus Christ is God the Son, the prophets were mere men called by God; Jesus
Christ is one and only Son of God, there were many prophets of God; and Jesus
Christ brought the final and complete message of salvation, the prophets only
brought fragment and incomplete messages.
Jesus Christ is not only superior to the prophets. He is also
superior to the angels. This is so because of His “inheritance� as a result of
His being the Son of God. No angel could be heir to God’s sovereignty,
authority, and power because no angel was a son. Jesus’ superiority also has to
do with His redemptive work as the Saviour of the world. No angel has done the
work of a Saviour. So, angels (and all other prophets) are not to be worshipped
and should not be objects of our prayers.
How do you see Jesus Christ in the light of other prophets and
angels? Do you see Him as Someone that is superior to other prophets and
angels, or you see Him as just one of the prophets? Acknowledge the supremacy
of Jesus Christ over any other person or being, and you will never regret doing
so.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Jesus, help me to always acknowledge Your supremacy
and worship You only.

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
IF THE EARTHLY KING DOES NOT SEE YOU…
“For God will bring every work into judgment, including every
secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14 NKJV).
The Yoruba have a proverb that goes thus: O tafa si oke yi odo
bori, bi oba aye ko ri o, ti orun n wo o. Literally, it means one who is doing
anything secretly, if the earthly king does not see him, the heavenly king is
looking at him. This is applicable to many people who are not only secretly,
but even openly, doing nefarious activities and think that they can get away
with it. Unfortunately, the judicial systems of some countries encourage these
people, and the people think they are above the law. They may be above the law
of their countries, but God will bring them to judgment accordingly one day.
There have been miscarriages of justice in favour of some very
important personalities here in Nigeria recently. Just some days ago, there was
such a case where a high profile public servant was sentenced to two years
imprisonment with a fine option of N750,000 for conspiracy and stealing of
N32.8 billion from police pension funds; a fine the convict happily paid on the
spot and walked away a free man. Although, there have been public outcry
against the judgment and the man has been re-arrested for more criminal
charges, but it indeed sends a bad signal to the younger generation.
There were many misuses of power by many high profile
personalities in the Bible. Although, these people thought that people did not
see them, or could not question them for their injustice, God saw, and brought
them to judgment accordingly. I will cite two cases to prove this. King David
committed adultery with Bathsheba, craftily murdered her husband to cover the
sin, and eventually married her. God sent Prophet Nathan to David to rebuke him
and pronounce judgment on him (see 2 Samuel 11-12). King Ahab wanted to have
the vineyard of Naboth because it was close to his palace. Naboth would not
want to do away with his family inheritance, so Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, conspired
with some people, they murdered Naboth, and Jezebel handed over Naboth’s
vineyard to Ahab. However, the King of kings saw this and sent His prophet,
Elijah, to rebuke and pronounce judgment on the wicked couple (see 1 Kings 21).
Indeed, there are many Bible passages that teach about God’s judgment on every
action either good or bad, done secretly or openly (see Psalm 96:13;
Ecclesiastes 11:9; 12:14; Matthew 12:35; Luke 12:2; John 5:29; Acts 17:31;
Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-20).
Are you in any high position? What are doing with the position?
Do not think that you can get away with any secret thing done in that position.
People may not see you, or pretend not to see you, but, remember that the
Ultimate King – God – sees you and He will judge you accordingly.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: God, let me be conscious of your presence and
judgment both now and hereafter.
NB
COMPILATION OF MY ONLINE WEEKLY MESSAGES
As part of celebrating ten years of ministering through the
Internet, the first compilation of 200 messages out of my online weekly
messages for the past ten year has been published.
The 432-page book is titled “Salient Truths About Christian
Life: A Collection of Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi&# 39;s Online Weekly Devotional
Messages” compiled by Rev. Dr. Emmanuel O. Malomo published as paperback (http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/salient- truths-about-christian-life-a-collection-of-pastor-bayo-afolaranmis -online-weekly- devotional- messages/13515246)
and eBook (http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/salient-truths-about- christian- life-a-collection-of-pastor-bayo-afolaranmis -online-weekly- devotional- messages/13515200).
Order your copies now.
God bless you!
____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
"SHE CLOSED ONLY ONE EYE!"
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother' s
eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your
brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a
plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother' s eye"
(Matthew 7:3-5 NIV).
Although it is not specifically stated in the Scriptures that we
have to close our eyes when we are praying, but it has become a general norm.
This norm made my five-year old son to accuse his two-year old sister
immediately we finished our morning devotion one day that she closed only one
eye when we were praying. The question that his mother and I asked him was that
how did he know that she did not close her two eyes when we were praying.
Definitely, he did not close his eyes when we were praying. He could not deny
this fact.
This incident reminded me of the words Jesus Christ quoted
above. Many people are quick to see the weakness and wrongdoing of others while
they find it difficult to identify theirs. Actually, it is easier to see the
faults of other people around us, but failure to see our own faults would be an
act of hypocrisy.
Therefore, let us learn to always look inward to ourselves
before we look outward to others to point an accusing finger for anything done
wrong. Even when it is glaring that the other people are at fault, let us be
slow and wise is pointing this out, remembering that we also are not perfect.
King David fell into this act of quick judgment when Prophet
Nathan came to accuse him about Bathsheba affair. He was quick to see the
wrongdoing of a rich man that had cheated a poor man, and even pronounced
judgment on the rich man immediately. Nathan's response was, "You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7,
NIV).
Lord, help me to be slow to see the faults of others, but quick
to see mine and even be ready to change my ways for good. Amen.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent on March 20, 2005.

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
THOU MY EVERLASTING PORTION
"'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope
in Him!'" (Lamentation 3:24 NKJV).
"Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your
hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites!" (James 4:8 TEV).
Hymns of Fanny Jane Crosby have always fascinate me. Here was a
blind lady who in spite of her disability surrendered her life to be used by
her Creator as a hymn writer whose hymns are still blessing millions of souls
till today. From available history, one of her hymns titled "Close to
Thee" was composed when Silas Jones Vail came to her with a composed tune
and asked her to think of some words to go with the tune. As Vail played the
tune, Crosby remarked that the refrain sounded like "Close to Thee; close
to thee." Vail consented, and Crosby composed the lyrics of the hymn with
the first line "Thou my everlasting Portion."
For anyone who really knows whom he/she is serving, God is
indeed a believer' s everlasting Portion, who is more than friend or life to the
believer. Therefore, every believer' s desire should be to walk with the Saviour
closely in all the believer' s pilgrim journey on earth. It should not be for
ease or worldly pleasure, nor for fame, but the believer' s prayer should be to
gladly toil and suffer, just to walk closely with the Saviour. Fanny Jane
Crosby then added these prayers that the Saviour should lead her through the
valley of shadows, and bear her over life’s fitful sea so that she may enter
the gate of eternal life with the Lord.
Have you also made God your everlasting Portion? Is your desire
is to walk closely with Him? If yes, then He will draw nearer to you and you
will know indeed that He is more than a friend to you as He will lead you
through any valley or mountain of life till you reign eternally with Him.
Indeed, God is my everlasting Portion!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Point: Lord, help me to walk closer with You as my
everlasting Portion till I reign eternally with You in Your kingdom in Jesus'
name. Amen.
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)
http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/

Dearly Beloved,
GOD TALKS NONSENSE!
"We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom
which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of
this age knew.... the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of
God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:7-8a, 14 NKJV).
Times without number, I have met people online who declared that
there is no God. If I tried to point to the Holy Bible, they would say that the
Book is one of the fabricated stories of some Jews. If I went further to assert
that the Holy Bible is the Word of God, they would conclude that God, if He
exists, is talking nonsense!
Let us agree that such people are atheists, agnostics, liberals,
free thinkers or simply unbelievers or non-Christians. Apostle Paul referred to
them as "natural men." However, many so-called Christians can also be
referred to as natural men because they find it difficult to believe some
teachings of the Bible, not to talk of practicing such teachings.
Apostle Paul admitted in 1 Corinthian 2 that the Word of God is
a mystery, and only people that have the Spirit of God can understand it. No
wonder, he had earlier said, "For the message of the cross is foolishness
to those who are perishing" (1 Corinthians 1:18 NKJV). The Word of God is
foolishness to the natural man because he is not of the Spirit of God, and does
not reason with the Spirit of God.
God does exist, and He does NOT talk nonsense! He has made
Himself known to all. Only a fool will have a contrary opinion on this. There
may be difficult messages in the Word of God. Yet, they are understandable.
Only those that yield themselves to the leadership of God will understand Him
and His Word.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Prayer Point: Lord, give me a humble spirit to seek you and a
teachable heart to learn and understand your words in Jesus' name. Amen.


Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

Dearly Beloved,
A NEW COVENANT
"Then the Lord said: 'I am making a covenant with you.
Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all
the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I,
the Lord, will do for you. Obey what I command you today'" (Exodus
34:10-11 NIV).
As the people of Israel were on their way out of the land of
slavery to the Promised Land, they lost focus on God and sought after man-made
god. Moses, their visible leader was then on the mountain with God. God wanted
to destroy these rebellious people, but Moses interceded for them. God thereby
decided to begin again with them by making a new covenant with them.
In the process of beginning again with the Israelites, God asked
Moses to make new tablets for the Ten Commandments. Most especially, He
promised to make a new covenant with them. In this new covenant, God promised
to do wonders that He has never done before in any nation. He promised that
other people that lived around them would see how awesome the work He would do
for the Israelites would be.
Nevertheless, as good as this covenant was, it had a strict
condition: obedience. The Lord was ready to drive out all the enemies before
the Israelites, but they must obey Him in not making any treaty with the
people. They must breakdown all the idols that the enemies worshiped and never
attempt to worship them. The reason is that the LORD God is a jealous God.
Do you also want God to make a new covenant with you this year?
Of course, God will indeed make a new covenant with you and do wonders in your
life that people will see and rejoice with you. However, you have to obey God
and be ready to serve Him only.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Dearly Beloved,
OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2013
Praise the Lord for witnessing another year 2013!
As usual, Opeyemi (my wife) and our children
(Boluwatife, IfeOluwa, Michael and Abraham) are joining me to welcome you into
the New Year with these prophetic prayers adapted
from Exodus34:10 (TEV):
- The Lordwillmake a new covenant with you this new year;
- Hewill do great things in your life in people's presence
such as have never been done anywhere on earth;
- And all the people will see thegreat things the Lordwilldo, because He isgoing to do an awesome
thing for you this year in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Happy and prosperous New Year!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor),

Dearly Beloved,
COME WITH CONFIDENCE
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so
that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”
(Hebrews 4:16 NIV).
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with
freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12 NIV).
At last, this old year is winding up! The new year is coming
with many hope and expectations. Do we need to be afraid? Absolutely not! For
we are serving the One who holds the future. We can sing with that hymn writer,
“Because He lives I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, just because
He lives.”
Take an honest look at yourself. Has this passing year been
tough for you? Cling on to God for better greater thing in the coming year.
Were you disappointed in something this year? Next year will be an appointed
year for good for you.
What you need is to come with confidence to the throne of grace
and make known your desires unto God. Feel free in His presence. Jesus Christ
says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will
receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24, NIV). Tell Him what you
want Him to do for you in the year 2013, and believe that He will do it.
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by
the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain,
that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, LET
US DRAW NEAR TO GOD WITH A SINCERE HEART IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH, having our
hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies
washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, FOR HE
WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL” (Hebrews 10:19-23 NIV).
God is waiting for you. You need to enter His presence with
assurance that He would never withhold good things for you this coming year.
Happy New Year (2013) in advance!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on December 28, 2003.

Dearly Beloved,
THE FIRST NOEL

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch
over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the
glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel
said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that
will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been
born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will
find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger'" (Luke 2:8-12 NIV).

Historically, December 25 was the climax day for the celebration of
Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival in honour of the deity Saturn.
However, the day has been adopted worldwide as the birth date of Jesus
Christ, thereby dumping the worship of Saturn to the celebration of God the
Son who "was made visible in human flesh" to "save His people from their
sins" (1 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 1:21 AMP). Matthew Chapters One and Two and
Luke Chapters One and Two chronicled the birth of Jesus Christ regarded as
the first Christmas. An unknown poet composed a popular Christmas hymn
titled "THE FIRST NOEL THE ANGEL DID SAY" to portray the event. This hymn
is a traditional classical English carol, most likely from the 18th
century, although possibly earlier. The word Noel comes from the French
word Noël meaning "Christmas", from the Latin word "natalis" that means
"birthday".

On the first Noel, after the birth of Jesus Christ, an angel went to
certain poor shepherds as they lay in fields keeping their sheep on a cold
winter's night that was so deep, and informed them that the King of Israel
was born. The shepherds looked up and saw a star shining in the east beyond
them far. The star gave great light to the earth as it continued to shine
both day and night. By the light of that same star some wise men came from
a far country. Their intent was to seek for the King, and to follow the
star wherever it went. This star drew near to the northwest and took its
rest over Bethlehem, right over the place where Jesus was laid. The wise
men entered in full reverence upon their knees, and offered there in His
presence their gifts made of gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

The unknown poet then concluded his hymn with this great lesson: "let us
all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord; that hath made
heaven and earth of nought, and with his blood mankind hath bought." As we
are celebrating Christmas this year, let us worship the King, Jesus Christ,
with our lives and everything that we have for what He has done for us
through His coming to the world.

Once again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (2013) in advance!

In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
"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,
STILL ON PRAYING FOR THE DEAD
"May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus,
because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the
contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May
the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very
well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus" (2 Timothy 1:16-18 NIV).
Before I sent my message on praying for the dead out two weeks
ago, I have decided not to engage in any debate on the issue because I knew
that it is a controversial issue. My determination was to make known the simple
message of the Bible about the issue. However, I followed people's reactions
and counter-actions to the message with interest. It amused me to discover that
some people are using a somewhat obscure passage of the Bible to support the
issue. According to these people, Paul in the passage cited above prayed for
Onesiphorus who was dead by then. Can you read the passage again? What in the passage
suggests that Onesiphorus was dead by the time Paul said this prayer? Some will
claim that the phrase "on that day" suggests that. Interesting!
Well, the purpose of this message is not to debate this issue,
but to point out a fact: never use any controversial Bible passage to propagate
a teaching or doctrine, rather, let other clearer passages of the Bible explain
the controversial passages. The Holy Bible never contradicts itself in any way.
Only a Bible critic who is ready to discredit the word of God will adamantly
say that the Bible contradicts itself. I know that most of the people that are
in support of praying for the dead are not Bible critics. They are people that
have been taught dogmatically about some practices based on traditions and cultures
and now try to find biblical supports for such practices.
As for praying for the dead, one's beliefs about God, life after
death, salvation and other salient doctrines of the Bible will determine
whether to pray for the dead or not. Man's doctrines and cultures may thrive
for awhile, but the undiluted words of God will stand for ever. No amount of
prayers will change the state of the dead. Instead of praying for the dead,
pray for the living ones that the dead left behind.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
Your reactions to this issue are still welcome. I have gone into
my archive to retrieve an article "WHERE DO THE DEAD GO?" that I
wrote some years ago. If you have interest in it, contact me at
spiritualdigest@yahoo.com. God bless you!

____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)
+234 805 515 9591
+234 816 304 5450
BBPIN:27C6552C
http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/
http://groups. yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/
https://www.facebook.com/bayo.afolaranmi
Visit http://inspirationaldailyquotes blogspot.com/ for updated daily inspiring quotes from notable Christians. Also visit http://bibleverseofthedaybypastorbayo.blogspot.com/ for daily edifying Bible verses.

"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,
HEROD'S PALACE
"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the
time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem... . After they had
heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east
went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was"
(Matthew 2:1, 9 NIV).
The Lord revealed to some wise men from the East (or simply, the
Magi) through a special star that a King was born. They decided to come and pay
homage to the King. The star led them to Israel. Because there was a famous
king in land that time, King Herod the Great, the Magi thought that the best
and right place for the birth of the newly born King must be in the palace of
Herod in Jerusalem, so they abandoned the guidance of the star and went to the
palace to inquire of the newly born King. However, they were surprised to
discover that even King Herod and all his wise men were not aware of the birth
of the new King. They only knew from prophecy that such King would be born in a
remote town called Bethlehem. Herod then told the Magi to go and find out in
Bethlehem about the newly born King. Interestingly, when the Magi came out of
Herod's palace, the abandon star led them to the right place.
Similarly, God has given a specific vision to some people, but
they have, on many occasions, abandoned God's guidance and relied on human
wisdom to pursue the vision. Many have even abandoned God and relied on
themselves or other people to accomplish their God-given vision. Until such
people come back to God and follow His guidance, they will not reach their
God-assigned destination. According to the Bible, "This is what the Lord
says: 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his
strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in
the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the
parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is
the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a
tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not
fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year
of drought and never fails to bear fruit'" (Jeremiah 17:5-8 NIV).
Where is your "Herod's palace"? Where are you seeking
help outside of God's will and purpose for your life? Come back to God and
allow Him to lead you to your divine destination. As the Magi rejoiced and
worshipped Jesus, you also will rejoice and worship God soon in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (2013) in advance!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
Â
____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)
+234 805 515 9591
+234 816 304 5450
BBPIN:27C6552C
http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/
https://www.facebook.com/bayo.afolaranmi
Visit http://inspirationaldailyquotes. blogspot.com/ for updated daily inspiring quotes from notable Christians. Also visit http://bibleverseofthedaybypastorbayo.blogspot.com/ for daily edifying Bible verses.

"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,
PRAYING FOR THE DEAD?

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment"
(Hebrews 9:27 NKJV).

Recently, my mother died after a brief illness. Expectedly, many people
that heard the sad news condoled with me. However, what interested me about
the condolence was the fact that most of the people that condoled with me
were praying for my dead mother. I was not surprised about this, but I
hardly say "Amen" to such prayers because I do not believe in praying for
the dead. I would rather prefer praying for the beloved living ones that
the dead left behind.

The act of praying for the dead is an established one in many cultures,
religions and even some Christian denominations. There are even strong
doctrines in support of the practice in some of these denominations. There
have been arguments for and against the practice. Nevertheless, the act is
contrary to the teachings of the Holy Bible. Our prayers have no bearing on
a person once he has died. The reason is that at that point his eternal
future is confirmed. Either he is saved through faith in Jesus Christ and
is in God’s presence where he is experiencing rest and the joy of being in
His presence, or he is in hell or torments. The parable of the rich man and
Lazarus the beggar (in Luke 16) is a good illustration of this. Hebrews
9:27 reads thus: "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after
this the judgment" (NKJV). Paul was confident that to be absent from the
body was to be at home and present with the Lord (see 2 Corinthians 5:1-8).
He also said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to
go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what
shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to
depart and be with Christ, which is better by far" (Philippians 1:21-23
NIV). In Revelation 14:13, it is declared that those that are dead in the
Lord are blessed already and are resting from any labour because their
deeds are following them.

No matter how acceptable the practice of praying for the dead may be, it
negates the teachings of the Scriptures. The simple gospel message is:
"[Anyone] who believes in [Jesus Christ], though he may die, he shall live"
(John 11:25 NKJV). The implication of this is that one must settle one's
eternal destination here on earth. No amount of prayers will change one's
eternal state once one is dead. Period!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB

While I do not intend to engage in argument with anyone on the matter of
praying for the dead, you may send your reaction(s) to this message to me
at spiritualdigest@ yahoo.com. God bless you!

Dearly Beloved,
YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation" (Matthew 26:41
NIV).

I seldom watch movies these days because of my busy schedules. However, I
watched one recently that keeps me thinking. It has to do with a powerful
man who fell into the hands of mere men and women because he was not
watchful. In spite of the fact that the Yoruba movie is one of those
secular movies acted with no religious connotation, its music interlude was
the tune of the hymn, "YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION," composed by Horatio R.
Palmer around 1868. I knew the hymn (especially its Yoruba translation)
very well.

According to an online source, Horatio R. Palmer regarded this hymn, "YIELD
NOT TO TEMPTATION," as an inspiration. He was at work on the dry subject of
‘Theory,’ when the complete idea of yielding to temptation flashed upon
him, and he laid aside the theoretical work and hurriedly penned both words
and music of the hymn as fast as he could write them.

Stanzas One and Two of the hymn are warnings and advice. Horatio R. Palmer
warned us not to yield to temptation for yielding is sin. Every victory we
have over a temptation help us to win other temptations. Therefore, we
should fight manfully onward to subdue dark passions, and ever look to
Jesus, who will carry us through. We are to shun evil companions, and
disdain bad language. We should hold God’s name in reverence by not taking
it in vain. We are to be thoughtful, earnest, kind-hearted and true.
Horatio R. Palmer knew that we cannot do all these with our own strength.
So, in the refrain, he advised that we should ask the Savior to help
comfort, strengthen and keep us. He was sure that the Savior is willing to
aid us and carry us through. Horatio R. Palmer concluded the hymn by
affirming that God will give a crown to anyone that overcomes, and that
though are often cast down, we shall conquer through faith because our
Savior will renew our strength. Horatio R. Palmer repeatedly affirmed that
if we look ever to Jesus, He will carry us through.

Do not be like that powerful man who is not watchful. The devil is seeking
everyday for who he will devour. It is not a sin to be tempted, but
yielding to temptation is a sin. Beware!

In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor

Dearly Beloved,
WHY THANKSGIVING?
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises
to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And
Your faithfulness every night" (Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV).
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States on
the fourth Thursday in November. It has officially been an annual tradition
since 1863, when, during the US Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed
a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who
dwelleth in the Heavens," to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26.
However, most stories of Thanksgiving history start with the harvest
celebration of the Pilgrims (that came from England to settle in the "New
World") and the Native Americans that took place in the autumn of 1621.
Historians and Jewish sources have pointed out that America's Thanksgiving
holiday may not have been a totally new celebration, but that its roots may go
back thousands of years to the biblical Feast of Tabernacles - a celebration of
the ingathering of all the fruits of the year (see Exodus 23:16; Leviticus
23:34-36, 39-43; Numbers 29:12-38; Deuteronomy 16:13-15; 31:10-13). Many people
in other parts of the world have adopted or adapted this celebration as annual
event to thank God for His goodness in the year.
Apart from God's goodness, why should one thank God? Why
thanksgiving? The goodness of God alone is enough to thank Him! Many writers of
the books of the Bible declared this (see Psalm 31:19; 36:7-10; 73:1, 24-26;
92:1-15; 116:12; 136:1-26; 145:7-9; Isaiah 12:1-6; Lamentation 3:23-25; 1 John
3:1-2). However, it is a command to thank God, not only during Thanksgiving Day
or Celebration, but all the time (see Psalm 50:14; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians
4:6; Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 13:15). Paul, in 1
Thessalonians 5:18, further said that it is the will of God for us to do so.
Another reason why we should thank God is that we are honouring Him by doing so
(Psalm 22:23; 50:23; 69:30-31). Furthermore, if one is thankful, one is bound
to get more goodness from God. The story of the thankful leper in Luke 17:11-17
buttresses this. Someone has said, "Whoever possesses any good without
giving thanks for it deprives him who bestows that good of his glory, sets a
bad example before others, and prepares a recollection severely painful for
himself when he comes in his turn to experience ingratitude. "
We are already in the season of thanksgiving. Do you have any
reason to thank God? Why thanksgiving? Do not be unthankful. If you think very
well, you will know that it is indeed good to thank God and sing praises to His
name.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

COUNTDOWN TO THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF MY
INTERNET MINISTRY
The anniversary will take place exactly on
February 18, 2013. I am still contemplating on how to celebrate this milestone.
Do you have any suggestion? However, I have decided to publish three books to
mark the event:
1. A collection of my daily quotes (first
volume [A collection of 366 quotes, with corresponding Bible verses, hymns and suggested weblinks for the hymns] already
published online as eBook [http://www.lulu.com/shop/adebayo-afolaran mi/spiritual-digest-for-each-day-of-the-year-ebook/ebook/ product-20490074.html;jsessionid =FE537DE9AE21943 6969EB497AD64C820#] and printed book [http://www.lulu.com/shop/ adebayo-afolaranmi/spiritual-digest-for-each-day- of-the-year/ paperback/product-20490093 .html#]). You can order for it NOW!
2. A collection of my weekly messages (first
volume to be compiled by one of my pastor-friends) .
3. My experience in the ministry in the
past 10 years with people' s reactions. (I need your reactions to be included there!)
The three books will be published online
for people throughout the world to easily have access to them. Indeed, I thank
God for this unique opportunity. I need your suggestions and assistance in
celebrating the event.
You also will be celebrated in Jesus' name.
Amen.

____________ _________ ____
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)
+234 805 515 9591
+234 816 304 5450
BBPIN:27C6552C
http://www.thewordthruthenet.org/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/
http://www.facebookcom/bayo.afolaranmi
Visit http://inspirationaldailyquotes. blogspot. com/ for updated daily inspiring quotes from notable Christians. Also visit http://bibleverseofthedaybypastorbayo.blogspot.com/ for daily edifying Bible verses.

"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,
O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING

"My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day
long" (Psalm 35:28 NIV).

Charles Wesley is known as the co-founder (with his brother, John Wesley)
of the Methodist Church, however, he is more known for his hymns. He is the
author of some 6,000 hymns which after more than 200 years are showing no
sign of losing their appeal. One of his hymns is titled "O FOR A THOUSAND
TONGUES TO SING." He wrote this hymn while he and his brother were studying
under the Moravian scholar Peter Böhler in London and he framed the title
which now becomes the first line of the hymn from Böhler's words, "Oh,
Brother Wesley, the Lord has done so much for my life. Had I a thousand
tongues, I would praise Christ Jesus with every one of them." Undoubtedly,
Böhler said this in appreciation of God's goodness to him, Charles Wesley,
and the humankind. According to history, the Wesley brothers had earlier
had suffered a bout of pleurisy. The ailment led Charles Wesley to renew
his faith in God, and as a commemoration of that, he composed this hymn.

A thousand tongues are not enough to sing about the praise of the great
Redeemer, about the glories of God the King, and about the triumphs of His
grace! The reasons are not far-fetched. As Charles Wesley put it in the
hymn, "Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life, and health, and peace. He
breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can
make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me. He speaks, and listening
to his voice, new life the dead receive; the mournful, broken hearts
rejoice, the humble poor believe." Charles Wesley was talking about the
redemptive works of Jesus Christ here. He knew that Jesus did not only heal
him from physical ailment, but that Jesus saved him from spiritual death
that everyone is experiencing since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.
He therefore prayed that God should help him to proclaim His goodness to
all.

Without doubt, you also would have had many reasons to praise God for who
is and what He is doing in your life. Will you not join Charles Wesley to
pray: "My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread
through all the earth abroad the honors of thy name"? Will you not praise
Him with the tongue and other resources He has given you? Indeed, a million
tongues are not enough to sing about the goodness of God to mankind!

In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Dearly Beloved,
THE HUNDREDTH PSALM
"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD
with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It
is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to
him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his
faithfulness continues through all generations" (Psalm 100 NIV).
Psalm 100 is one of the most popular psalms. Many people have
memorized it. In fact I have learnt it since my primary school days. Why is the
five-verse psalm popular? The reason is that it is a thanksgiving psalm.
Recently, the beauty of this praise poem stirs my heart.
Verses 1 to 2 invite us to reverence God with gladness. How
often I forget to ponder on the reasons why we should do this.
Verses 3 and 5 give five reasons. First Reason: we serve THE God,
the one and only God. All other gods are not gods. They are sheer idols. They
cannot be compared with Him (cf. Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; 1 Kings 19:39; Psalms
86:8; 89:6; 95:3; 96:4-5; 97:9; Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 40:18; Jeremiah 10:10-16).
Second Reason: the Lord created us. Before He created us, He created everything
we need so that we will lack nothing (Genesis 1; Job 10:8-13; Psalms
139:13-24). Third Reason: we belong to Him, so He takes care of us; He sustains
us; He protects us; He provides for us, etc (Psalms 74:1-2; 78:52; 95:7; Isaiah
40:9-11; Ezekiel 34:11, 30-31; John 10:14-16, 26-28). We belong to Someone who
cares! (Psalm 34:15; Matthew 6:26; Luke 12:30; 1 Peter 5:7). Fourth Reason: the
Lord is good and He does good things (see Psalms 86:5; 106:1; 107:1, 8, 15, 32;
119:68; Jeremiah 33:11). The Bible presents it this way: "how God anointed
Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing
good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with
him" (Acts 10:38, NIV). Is He still doing good till today? Yes, indeed!
Think about your own life. Fifth Reason: the love, mercy, and faithfulness of
God are permanent (Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalms 36:5; 103:17;
119:90-91; Lamentations 3:22-23; Luke 1:50).
The above reasons made the psalmist to rejoice and advise us to
always worship God with thanksgiving and praise in verse 4.
Nevertheless, why do we need to adore, glorify and bless Him
when, at times, we do not receive answer to our prayers? The hundredth psalm
counsels us to simply serve God for who He is, and what He is doing for us, not
because of what we get from Him. He is more than what we need. Those who
rejoice in their unpleasant situation are convinced of God’s love which never
abandons anyone that hopes in Him. Feed your soul with the hundredth psalm and
you will see that the Lord is indeed good!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
Please find time to read and meditate on each of the Bible
references above. I extensively referred to them for your further studies. God bless you as you do so!
The message was first sent out on November 23, 2003.

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor

Dearly Beloved,
TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD
"Jesus replied, `You may go. Your son will live.' The man
took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his
servants met him with the news that his boy was living" (John 4:50-51
NIV).
The son of a certain nobleman was sick. The man did not want the
son to die, so he went to Jesus Christ so that He would come and heal the sick
son miraculously. Jesus Christ knew that he wanted a miracle to be performed on
his son, but He wanted him to exercise some faith in Him. Instead of following
him to lay His hand on the sick child, Jesus told him to go and believe that
the son would live. This nobleman believed Jesus Christ. He went back home and
found his son well. When he made enquiry about when the son got well, he found
out that it was at the very time that Jesus told him that the son would live.
What an effectual faith!
What is your own problem? In what way are you or someone dear to
you sick? This may not be physical sickness. It may emotional, financial, or
even spiritual sickness. Have you come to Jesus Christ for a miracle? Will you
also take Him at His word today?
Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha was very sick. The
expectation of the two sisters was that Jesus Christ would come and heal him.
They sent to Jesus but He tarried till Lazarus died. Martha and Mary accused
Jesus of late coming, but He assured them that Lazarus would live. Even when He
was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, Martha was arguing with Jesus.
"Then Jesus said, `Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see
the glory of God?'" (John 11:40 NIV).
If you also can call unto Him today, as He promised in Matthew
7:7-8, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and
the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks
finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" (NIV), and believe
in Him, you will see the glory of God (Matthew 18:19; 21:22; Mark 11:24; John
14:13; 16:24). Take Him at His word!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on May 21, 2006.

Dearly Beloved,
PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR
"Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples,
together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus
(that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he
heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, 'Jesus, Son of David,
have mercy on me!' Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted
all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'" (Mark 10:46-48 NIV).
Undoubtedly, the hymn, "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior,"
is one of the most popular hymns of all time. Interestingly, it was composed
(like many other popular hymns) by Fanny Jane Crosby (1820-1915), a woman that
became blind at six weeks of age. There are two stories associated with this
hymn. One, it was reported that Ms. Crosby had a dream one night. She dreamed
that the Lord Jesus was walking among the people in her church and touching
each of those who would go to Heaven with Him. As He got closer she started to
fervently pray that He would not pass her by. When she awoke she penned the
words to this lovely song and was able to describe in detail the people in her
church even though she had never seen them. Two, it was believed that the
inspiration for this hymn was the result of a visit to a prison by Ms. Crosby
during spring 1868. After she had spoken and some of her hymns had been sung,
she heard one of the prisoners cry out in a pleading voice, "Good Lord, do
not pass me by." That evening, she wrote a hymn that incorporated the
line, “Pass me not, O gentle Savior.”
Whichever of the incidents that made Ms. Croby composed the
hymn, the lyrics are so inspiring. The hymn is a humble cry of Fanny Crosby and
any other person that does not want the gentle Savior to pass him/her by while
He is calling other people. Kneeling at the Savior's throne of mercy in deep
contrition, Crosby sought to find a sweet relief for her unbelief. She trusted
in the Savior's merit and grace for healing of her wounded and broken spirit.
She confessed that the Savior is the Spring of all her comfort, who is more
than life to her because He is the only One she had on earth and in heaven.
What is your own situation presently? Will you not also cry unto
this Savior of the world not to pass you by? Call unto Him like that blind
Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46. He will surely listen to you if you can call Him in
faith (see Psalm 50:15; 91:15; Jeremiah 33:3; Zechariah 13:9; James 5:13).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Dearly Beloved,
YOU ALSO CAN PRAISE GOD!
"The village musicians gather at the village well to sing
of the triumphs of the Lord. Again and again they sing the ballad of how the
Lord saved Israel" (Judges 5:11 TLB).
I was in a cybercafé one day when a young man just bursted into
song of praise to God. He was even rolling on the ground as he was appreciating
His Creator. All of us that were there surfing the Internet could not fathom
the cause of the sudden praise. It was in his praises that we heard that he has
just discovered that he got good result in the GCE examination he sat for
recently. He recounted in his praises how he had breakthrough especially in
some important subjects in the examination after many attempts in ten years.
Indeed, he deserves to sing song of praise to God!
Deborah and the people of Israel did not have good result in any
written examination, but they had more causes to sing song of praise to God.
They had just had resounding victory over one of their archenemies – the Canaanites.
They testified to the goodness of God in their lives.
Do you also have any cause to sing song of praise to God? God is
good all the time! Even when it seems that He has not done what you want from
Him, there are still many causes to sing song of praise to Him. Habakkuk
concluded his prophecy with words of praise in spite of the fact that it seemed
God did not act as he expected. Hear him: "Though the fig tree does not
bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the
fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in
the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he
enables me to go on the heights" (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV). The psalmist
said, "It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most
High" (Psalm 92:1 NIV). You also can praise God!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on July 10, 2005.

Dearly Beloved,
"ATTEMPT GREAT THINGS FOR GOD"
"After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had
given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet,
`Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a
tent'" (2 Samuel 7:1-2, NIV).
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed
down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with
the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38 NIV).
God had given David rest from all his enemies around him (verse
1). His intention was to build a befitting edifice for the Lord. He told
prophet Nathan about this intention that the latter readily approved (verse 3).
The intention is indeed laudable. However, God sent Nathan back to David to
tell him His mind – David would not be the one to build a house for Him!
Nevertheless, the "no" answer of God was with
promises: a) God would make his name great; b) God would provide a place for
His people Israel where they would have rest; c) God would give him rest from
all his enemies; d) God would establish a house for him; e) God would raise up
David's offspring to succeed him after his death; f) the offspring would build
a house for God's Name; g) God would establish his throne forever; h) God would
be with his successor; i) God would guide and correct David's offspring; j)
God's love would never be taken away from him; and above all, k) David's throne
will be established forever. What wonderful promises!
David decided to do one good thing for God, but God reciprocated
by doing many things for him. What do you want to do for God? What are you
doing for Him even now?
William Carrey says, "Attempt great things for God; expect
great things from God." If you attempt and do great things for God, God
also will not only promise you great things, He will do great things for you.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
This message was first sent out on May 15, 2005.

Dearly Beloved,
WAIT, AND MURMUR NOT
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for
the Lord" (Psalm 27:14 NIV).
Little is known historically about the hymn "WAIT, AND
MURMUR NOT" and its writer, W.H. Bellamy. However, the hymn is one of the
comforting hymns for anyone who is passing through a difficult time. The writer
referred to such a person as the "troubled heart" and reminded him
that there is a home beyond the reach of toil and care where changes never
come. Apostle Paul explained further about this home as "a building from
God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands" which is devoid
of any groan (2 Corinthians 5:1ff NIV). The home is an "an inheritance
that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter
1:4 NIV). Who would not want to go and rest there? Therefore, the trouble heart
should wait and murmur not!
Even though God may allow one to be bowed down beneath the
earthly load, because "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly
we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are
achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our
eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV). Therefore, one
should still look up to the blessings above and meekly wait and murmur not.
One may have some worldly thorns in one's path like Paul who had
an undisclosed "thorn in his flesh" (see 2 Corinthians 12:7). This
should remind one of Jesus Christ who bore thorns on His brow. Even if your
heart is full of grief, Remember that Jesus Christ was described as "a man
of sorrows, and familiar with suffering" (Isaiah 53:3 NIV), and He did
suffer when He was on earth, but He triumphed over His grief and suffering (see
Revelation 5:5).
Are you a "troubled heart"? What are you passing
through that is making you to lose hope? I join W.H. Bellamy as he concluded
his hymn by encouraging you that you should toil on without thinking that your
sigh is unheard or your prayers are forgotten, because the day of rest will
dawn for us. The psalmist declared, "I am still confident of this: I will
see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalm 27:13 NIV).
So, "Wait, meekly wait, and murmur not."
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).