Spiritual Digest's Weblog

HOW LONG, O LORD?

spiritualdigest — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:00:10 +0000

Dearly Beloved,

The incessant incidents of bomb blasts in Nigeria in recent time claiming lives of hundreds of people and the seemingly helplessness of the Nigerian government to curb the situation while the faceless wicked people are having a field day in perpetrating their evils made me to go into my archive and bring out the message below first posted on July 17, 2005:

HOW LONG, O LORD?

“How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked be jubilant? Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?” (Psalm 94:3, 16 NIV).

I was chatting online with one of my spiritual fathers when he who resides in London told me the news of the series of bomb attacks by some terrorists. I quickly visited some news websites to get the details of what befell the city of London, nay the whole world and discovered there the havoc these heartless people have done again.

The September 11 attack in the US and another attack on a moving train in Madrid, Spain quickly came to mind as I was reading the news. To add insult to injury, these callous people still promised to do more harms to other cities in other countries. Evidently the terrorists have joy in causing these needless pains of loss of lives and property.

Nevertheless, for how long will these heartless people continue to break the hearts of people throughout the world? For how long will they triumph in their inhuman acts? For how long will they be jubilant in their hiding places for their seeming success? Who will rescue the world from these terrorists that are making life unsafe? Will they continue in these callous acts unchecked and unpunished? Who will rise up against these people and avenge for the evils they have done?

The psalmist also asked similar questions in Psalm 94 when his nation was facing some calamities. However, he found solace in God, the Judge of the earth. He called on Him in verses 1-3 to rise up and avenge.

Interestingly, in verses 8-11, he described the senselessness of these wicked people and the fact that God was, and still is, not indifferent to these situations. He gave a reassuring fact in verse 14, “…the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance” (NIV).

No matter what these terrorists and other wicked people may be doing, the Lord “will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the LORD our God will destroy them” (Psalm 94:23 NIV). So, if you have been doing evil, know that the Lord will repay you one day according to your deeds.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

I dedicate this message to all that were affected in one terrorist attack or the other, especially the victims of the many bomb attacks in Nigeria.

REVIVAL AGAIN?

spiritualdigest — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:44:43 +0000

Dearly Beloved,
REVIVAL AGAIN?
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6 NIV).
Psalm 85 is one the popular psalm especially its sixth verse that talks about revival. The title of the Psalm, “For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm,” does not give the name of the author or its background. It was evidently composed in view of the fact that God had, on some former occasion, stepped in when His people were in trouble, but that now for similar causes He was again angry with them, and they were suffering similar calamities (cf. Judges 2:18, 19 and Psalm 78:8). The psalm contains a fervent prayer that God would again appear for them, and it implies a confident expectation that He would do this, so that the calamities which had come upon them would be removed.
Verses 1-3 of the psalm deal with God’s goodness in the past. It begins with praise to God for restoring the nation. This restoration showed the fact that God had forgiven and covered all their sins, and had set aside His wrath and anger. One can liken this situation to the Judges’ era in the history of Israel. Verses 4-7 are about people’s prayer for revival. The verses partly described the state of the people. It is clear that the nation was suffering from some calamity; that the anger of God seemed to be upon them; that it appeared as if His wrath would never be turned away; and that unless He should interpose the nation must perish. This may likely be related with the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of the Jews in 2 Kings 25, Jeremiah 39. The psalmist prayed that the Lord would again turn His wrath away and deliver them. He wanted the Lord to put away His displeasure, and not continue to be angry. Apparently the past restoration referred to in verses 1-3 inspired this prayer for another restoration. By been revived, they would again be able to rejoice and experience His unfailing love. Perhaps no other prayer is more welcome in the ears of God than the one for revival, as expressed here in verse 6.
Verses 8 and 9 are the promise from God. The psalmist said he would listen for word from the LORD who promises peace to His saints. He gives salvation so that His glory may be evident in the land. “Glory” here means the manifestation of God’s presence (cf. Isaiah 60:1-2; Zechariah 2:5). These ideas expressed in God’s revelation to Israel find their ultimate fulfilment in Christ. This promise of peace and salvation through the glory of the One who dwells among men may have been in John’s mind when he wrote John 1:14. Verses 10-13 are about the faith of the psalmist. He was confident that the LORD would cause His attributes (love, faithfulness, and righteousness) to work together to provide peace, righteousness, and prosperity.
It should be noted that only a child of God can be revived. Sinners cannot be revived; they need to be resurrected. A dead person cannot be revived; only a live person can be or should be revived. God is ready to revive us if we sincerely pray for revival. However, we must not, because of this, continue to sin. God will forgive and revive, but the scars of the sins will still be there! (Cf. Romans 6:1).
Revival again?
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2012

spiritualdigest — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:03:58 +0000

Dearly Beloved,
OUR PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THE YEAR 2012
Praise the Lord for witnessing another year 2012!
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 Psalm 126 (BBE):
- The Lord will change your story for the better this year;
- He will fill your mouth with laughter, and your tongue with a glad cry;
- You will labour and eat the fruits of your labour;
- You will testify among the people this year that the Lord has done great things for you;
- People will indeed rejoice with you this year in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Happy and prosperous New Year!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor),
Baptist Building, Oke Bola,
PMB 5113, Ibadan 200001, Nigeria.
+234 805 515 9591
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GOD IS STILL FAITHFUL!

spiritualdigest — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 19:59:08 +0000

Dearly Beloved,

GOD IS STILL FAITHFUL!

“It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is your stability and faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 AMP).

“But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not ‘Yes’ and ‘No’” (2 Corinthians 1:18 NIV).

Apostle Paul planned to visit the church at Corinth, but some circumstances beyond his control hindered him from doing so. It seemed the church doubted his sincerity. His adversaries there sought all occasions to blemish his character, and reflect upon his conduct; and, it seemed, they took hold of this to reproach his person and discredit his ministry. In emphasising his commitment to what he planned to do for the Corinthians in his second epistle to them, he used the faithfulness of God as example. When God promises to do anything, He will do it. He is not the type of person that is not consistent with His words. In fact, Jeremiah exclaimed, “It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is your stability and faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 AMP).

God is indeed faithful to His promises for His children. His words are “yes” and “Amen.” He will certainly do what He promised that He will do, because “the one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV. See also Hebrews 10:23).

Has God promised to do something for you this year? Have you lost hope in Him or are you doubting Him? He is faithful, and He will do it. Continue to rely on Him because as late as the year is, God can still surprise you. The Yorubas have this saying: “Oorun ti o ku ni oke yii si to aso i gbe.” Literally meaning “the sun that remains in the sky can still dry a wet cloth.” In other words, there is still hope in a seemingly hopeless situation! The fulfilment of the promise of God may tarry, but it will surely come. No matter the case, God is still faithful! Do you believe this? If you have faith, you will see the glory of God (cf. John 11:40).

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

THE MYSTERY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

spiritualdigest — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 19:48:46 +0000

Dearly Beloved,
THE MYSTERY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).
We are in another Christmas season! It is a season set apart to commemorate the birth of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ over two thousand years ago. The season is one of the most celebrated seasons throughout the world. There have been many arguments for and against the season. Some say that the season has a pagan origin. Others rightly observe that December 25 could not be the birthday of Jesus Christ. Most people that celebrate it devote the season to the birth of Jesus Christ. However, no matter your position about the season, have you ever pondered on the mystery of the birth of Jesus Christ? What was special in His birth?
The Child that was born in Bethlehem by the Virgin Mary is the King of kings. The Son that was given to us is the Creator of the heavens and earth. As the Mighty God, He is so powerful that He did not need any help to carry the government of this world on His shoulders. He was born as an ordinary new-born baby, but He is the Everlasting Father. He is the Wonderful Counsellor and the Prince of Peace.
The birth of this special Child has brought light, peace and joy to the lives of many people, especially people that put their total trust in Him. He is ruling and reigning in their lives now. But He will rule and reign over the whole universe one day when His kingdom will have no end.
It does not matter whether you believe in the celebration of Christmas, the supposed birthday of Jesus Christ, or not. What matter is: have you experienced the light, peace and joy that Jesus Christ brought to the world? Do you have His inner peace and joy? Are you sharing these light, peace and joy with other people? Are you shining His light to the darkness of the world? Will you rule and reign with Him when He finally establishes His eternal kingdom over the universe?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (2012) in advance!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

CONDUCT, NOT CONDOM (resent)

spiritualdigest — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:17:20 +0000

Dearly Beloved,
On December 3, 2006, I first sent out the message below to commemorate that year’s World AIDS Day. There were many reactions both for and against the message. On Decemeber 5, 2009, I decided to resend it again to commemorate the year’s World AIDS Day. Inasmuch as the situation of AIDS is still almost the same, I decide to send it out again to commemorate the year’s World AIDS Day. Here is it:
CONDUCT, NOT CONDOM
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 NIV).
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a clinical syndrome (a group of various illnesses that together characterize a disease) resulting from damage to the immune system caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has been on the rampage since early 1980s. The unfortunate thing about it is that no cure has been found for it. Therefore, there have been many campaigns to prevent it and to manage it in the lives of those that it has infected or affected.
Because it is contacted mainly by sexual intercourse, the use of condom has been one of the ways advocated by many people to prevent the spread of this deadly disease. This has made many people to be more promiscuous. It even seems that people are promoting the use of condom to the detriment of being faithful to one’s spouse, or total abstinence from sexual intercourse till marriage, which is the original will and purpose of God. However, research has shown that the use of condom is not totally safe to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. This new discovery has vindicated some religious organizations that preach total abstinence for unmarried people or faithfulness to one’s spouse for married people as one of the ways to prevent the spread of the virus.
Recently, I was in a gathering where some representatives of an organization came to enlighten us more about the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS. These people were the first non-religious people to say it openly to my hearing that they do not advocate condom but conduct as a way of preventing the spread of the virus. To them, since condom is not totally safe, it is better to switch from condom to conduct – a manner in which an unmarried person will totally abstain from sexual intercourse, and where a married person will be faithful to his/her spouse.
Yes! Conduct is better than condom because apart from preventing you from that deadly virus and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), it will make you to do according to the will and purpose of God (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:20; 20:10; Proverbs 6:24-35; Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 5:3-5; Colossians 3:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 12:16; 13:4).
HIV/AIDS is real! Conduct yourself in godly ways and take note of other prevention of its spread so that you will not be infected by it.
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

FROM OBSCURITY TO LIMELIGHT

spiritualdigest — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:21:03 +0000

Dearly Beloved,

FROM OBSCURITY TO LIMELIGHT

“You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance; you have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy” (Psalm 30:11 TEV).

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:2-3 NIV).

Do you know that God can move you from obscurity to limelight? Do you know that He can turn your hopeless situation to a hopeful one? Yes! He can do it. He has done it before. He has been doing it now, and He will continue to do it.

God did it in the life of Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, son of King Saul of Israel. After the death of Saul and Jonathan in battle, David became the king of Israel. Mephibosheth was not born lame, circumstance of the death of his father and grandfather made him lame at age 5 when his nurse was trying to save him (see 2 Samuel 4:4). He was left in obscurity in a town not popularly known (see 2 Samuel 9:3-4). An heir apparent became a fugitive in a strange land. An ordinary servant of his father was controlling his property. However, when God remembered him through King David, he was relocated to Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel; he started dining with the king, and all his property was restored to him fully (see 2 Samuel 9). He was taken from obscurity to limelight!

Many prominent men and women in history had been taken from obscurity to limelight. Even, presently, some of the most influential men and women are taken from obscurity to limelight. President Barak Obama of the United States was born to an unknown Kenyan immigrant. Today, he is the president of the most influential and most powerful nation in the world. President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria was of obscured background before he became the deputy governor of a state. Today, he is the president of the most populous black nation in the world.

You also can be brought from obscurity to limelight. No matter where you are now or what is happening to you, God can change your situation overnight. He will change your sadness into a joyful dance. He will take away your sorrow and surround you with joy. People will see and they will rejoice with you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR?

spiritualdigest — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:25:43 +0000

Dearly Beloved,
WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR?
“I expect and hope that I will not fail Christ in anything but that I will have the courage now, as always, to show the greatness of Christ in my life here on earth, whether I live or die. To me the only important thing about living is Christ, and dying would be profit for me” (Philippians 1:20-21 NCV).
It has always been my desire to live for Christ and be a channel of His blessings to the humanity. This has been my driving force in everything I do, especially in every aspect of my Internet ministry. When I recently joined the BlackBerry network, I got connected with as many people as possible, and I have been using that network to fulfil my aspiration in life. However, it baffled me one day to see one of my BlackBerry contacts using the network to do a nefarious and unedifying act. It came to my notice also that some people have been using the network to harm other people.
Nefarious acts and atrocities are not limited to the use of BlackBerry devices. People are doing nefarious acts and perpetrating atrocities through other technological devices and means and even in other various ways. A typical example is what some people are posting on their Facebook pages, needless to mention numerous scam emails that some people send out every day to unsuspecting recipients. Such people are simply demonstrating what they are living for.
Apostle Paul categorically said it times without number in his epistles that his living was to advance the kingdom of God on earth and the well being of people with whom he came in contact. He was even ready to die for the Gospel!
What are you living for? What is paramount in your life? Are you living to be a channel of God’s blessings to people? Are you a source of joy and encouragement to them? Or are you living to be a source of the downfall of, or sorrow to other people? Your words, actions, and even, at times, inactions will determine what you are living for!
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 NIV).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
NB
If you are in the BlackBerry network, and you are not one of my BlackBerry contacts, you can invite me to be one, or send your BBPIN to me to invite you. Here is my BBPIN:27C6552C. You will be blessed that you did!

SODOMY: THERE IS NO OTHER WORD FOR IT

spiritualdigest — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:16:44 +0000

Dearly Beloved,

SODOMY: THERE IS NO OTHER WORD FOR IT

“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.” (Romans 1:26-28 NIV).

The Yorubas have a saying, “Ohun ti ko dara ko ni oruko meji. Ohun ti ko dara ko dara ni.” Literally, this means, “What is not good has no other name. What is not good is not good.” For a right thinking person throughout the world, the trend of same-sex marriage is detestable and an aberration of nature. However, the trend is gaining more ground every day. The supporters of this trend are of the opinion that there is nothing wrong in the fact that two grown-up people of the same sex agree to live together as “husband and wife”! Many countries of the world have legalized or recognized this. The United Nations has even passed a resolution in its support. The debate is still going on in many countries for and against the trend.

Interestingly, the trend is not new. It has been in existence for centuries. The word “sodomy” came from the homosexual act of the people of the city of Sodom in Genesis 19:5. The act was one of the reasons why God destroyed the city. Unfortunately, this did not serve as a warning to other people. In spite of God’s expressed laws against such act (see Leviticus 20:13; 18:22), even some of the people of Israel engaged in the act (Judges 19:22)! It is even unheard of that there are gay bishops now in some Christian denominations! Because people that perpetrate and support such act have closed their minds to right thinking, Apostle Paul, while addressing this issue, said thrice that “God gave them over to” their depraved minds.

It is of no use to dissuade the perpetrators and supporters of same-sex marriage from the act. A normal person would not think of such a thing, not to talk of doing or supporting it! Prophet Micah said, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you…” (6:8 NKJV). However, a note of warning should be sounded here: one who engages in sexual act with another person of the same sex and/or people who support such act will probably one day engage in and/or support other worse sexual perversions like incest and bestiality. There is no other word for it. “What is not good has no other name. What is not good is not good!”

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD

spiritualdigest — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:55:46 +0000

Dearly Beloved,

NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD

“Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:13 NIV).

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV).

A typical Yoruba Baptist cannot so easily forget the hymn, “A F’Ope F’Olorun.” The hymn is one of the most popular hymns among the Yoruba Baptists especially during a naming ceremony. It is sung to thank God for the new-born baby. However, the hymn – originally written in German by Martin Rinkart (1586–1649) titled “Nun danket alle Gott“ and translated to English by Catherine Winkworth (1827–1878) before it was translated to Yoruba – is more than a naming ceremony hymn. It is a hymn that was testifying to the goodness of God especially in the time of a war. The lyrics of the hymn attest to this.

Stanza One is full of appreciation to God “with heart and hands and voices.” The reason is that God has done wondrous things in blessing us with countless gifts of love from our mothers’ arms till this moment. In Stanza Two, the composer of the hymn wanted this bounteous God to be near us through all our lives by keeping us in His grace, guiding us when we are perplexed, and saving us from all evils in this world. Meanwhile, Stanza Three continues to eulogize God. It gives a profound concept about God as the one eternal God who manifests Himself as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is the one that the earth and the heavens will continue to adore both now and evermore. Amen.

In spite of the circumstance that led to the composition of this hymn, the hymn is full of praises of and thanksgiving to God. What is your circumstance presently? Learn to praise God for who He is, and thank Him for what He is doing in your life. Paul advised the Thessalonians, “…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). We can indeed thank God even during our most trying times. Thanks be to God!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).