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Dearly Beloved, THE GOD IN WHOM I TRUST “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust’” (Psalm 91:2 NKJV). The people were enjoying their flight when they suddenly heard that the pilot had lost control of the plane. The likely consequence of this is a plane crash and that probably would be the end of all the passengers and the crew of the plane. The tranquillity that reigned in the plane metamorphosed into fear and uneasiness. People were calling on their gods to deliver them. Some were calling on their dead ancestors to come to their aid. There were even some that were saying their last prayers! Nevertheless, there was a woman in the plane who was not moved by the news of the impending danger. She was calm where she sat. Others around her were wondering what could be the secret of her calmness in such a situation. The people were still expecting the worst when they heard another announcement, a good one, that the pilot had regained control of the plane. They eventually landed safely at their destination. As they were alighting from the plane, a curious man came to the calm woman and inquired from her the secret of her calmness. The woman just said: “God, in whom I trust, He is my refuge and fortress. He is there for me always.” People have options to trust in anything or anybody in times of distress. The thing may be past experiences, power, knowledge, human wisdom, expertise, or capability. People trusted may be superior officers, parents, political, traditional, or religious leaders, teachers, supervisors, or mentors. The object of trust may even be oneself. Who or what would you trust in times of trouble? The psalmist declared, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7 NKJV). Do you also trust in that God? Can you boldly say in times of trouble that God is your refuge and fortress? Who will you even turn to when you are in trouble? God says in Psalm 50:15, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (NKJV). Also in Psalm 91:15, He says, “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him” (NKJV). The God, in whom I will trust, will always save you from all evil. Amen. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to always trust God in any situation of life. _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +2348055159591 https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/spiritualdigest /g/spiritualdigest https://www.facebook.com/afolabayo "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, LET’S TAKE A STOCK “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV). It is the end of another year! The journey of another 365 days is about to come to an end. Just in few days, we will be in another year. Glory be to God! It is the usual practice of most companies to take stock of their activities for a financial year at the end of such year to ascertain their profits, loss, assets and liabilities. It is good for each of us to take stock of not only our businesses, but our lives, especially spiritual lives. You were at a point in your spiritual life at the beginning of this year. Have you improved on or even maintained that level? Can you say you have grown older and better spiritually this year? Many resolutions were made at the beginning of this year. How far could you go in line with those resolutions? You set a goal for yourself at a point in time this year. How far could you achieve such goal? Having discussed many issues with the Corinthians church in his epistles to them, Apostle Paul enjoined them to examine themselves to see whether they are still in the faith. Likewise, having sent messages to you every week this year, I am also encouraging you to examine yourself. Evaluate yourself. How will you rate yourself this year? Are you below average, on average, or above average? If you rate below average, do not be discouraged. You still have the opportunity to do better next year. If you rate above average, I congratulate you. However, do not relax next year till your average becomes the best. There is a song we used to sing when I was in primary school that goes thus: Good, better, best; I shall never rest; until my good is better; and my better is best. Join Apostle Paul to boast, “I can do everything through [Jesus Christ] who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NIV). As the year runs to an end, taking stock of our lives will really help us to fare better in the coming year. By His grace, the year 2024 will be far better for you in all ramifications in Jesus’ name. Amen. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to examine yourselves as the year ends so that you will fare better in the coming year. _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +2348055159591 https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/spiritualdigest /g/spiritualdigest https://www.facebook.com/afolabayo "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, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV). Christmas season every year has been dedicated to the celebration of the Child Jesus Christ that was born “...wrapped... in swaddling cloths, and laid... in a manger” (Luke 2:7 NKJV) in Bethlehem some two thousand years ago. It is interesting that Prophet Isaiah rightly prophesied that a Child would be born, and a Son would be given. However, it is unfortunate that many people take no or little notice of this, especially the Son that was given that day! While the Child that was born signifies the humanity of Jesus Christ, the Son that was given signifies His deity. The attraction centred on the Child that was born has belittled the significance of the Son that was given. The Child that was born was the Son that was given through the demonstration of the love of God the Father to the world “…that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV. See also John 1:14, 18; Romans 5:6-10; 8:32; 1 Timothy 1:15-16). The latter part of the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 is referring to the Son that was given. He is the Messiah that “the government will be upon His shoulder” - the eternal King that will reign and rule over the Universe. This Son’s “...name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV). He is indeed more than a child that many people are celebrating during Christmas. While it is good to decently celebrate the Child that was born in Bethlehem, it is far better to believe in the Son that was given during that event for the salvation of humankind. Do not let the celebration of the born Child blindfold you to the importance of the given Son who will judge the world one day. Unto us a Son is given! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not only join others to celebrate this Christmas season, but really believe in the Son that was given during the event. _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +2348055159591 https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/spiritualdigest /g/spiritualdigest https://www.facebook.com/afolabayo "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, OUT OF THE MIRY CLAY… “[God] brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:2-3 NKJV). I used a group photograph taken around forty-five years ago when I was in primary school to celebrate my birthday recently on some social media platforms. As I looked at the picture again, I noticed that I was without school sandals or shoes. I took the picture barefooted! Then I remembered my life in those days. I was not opportune to have school sandals and many other basic things that a primary schoolboy should have. My parents were not rich, but they insisted that all their children must go to school. Thanks to the government of the day that made schooling affordable for as many as those who wanted to attend then. My life did not fare better when I was in secondary school. Over forty years later, I look at myself today, and I have many reasons to thank God for it. I am not a rich man today, but I will be counted among people that are not poor in my immediate society. The old primary schoolboy without sandals is now an erudite scholar lecturing in a private university with scores of international writings. This is apart from ministering daily to thousands of people through the Internet and being an ordained pastor in one of the leading evangelical churches. The Lord has indeed brought me “out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock”. Many are seeing it and are praising God with me. My life story is similar to the story of the writer of Psalm 40. King David likely wrote this psalm because of his background as an unnoticed shepherd boy who later became the king of Israel (see 1 Samuel 16:11; 2 Samuel 5:1-5). This was after many perils instituted against him by King Saul out of jealousy (see 1 Samuel 18:6ff). He became a vagabond in a foreign land. His relatives had to be relocated with him to a seeming safer place (see 1 Samuel 22:1-2). However, he eventually became the king of Israel. God indeed established his steps and put a new song in his mouth. Many saw it and trusted in the Lord. What has been your situation in the past or currently? What “miry clay” are you currently? The Lord can bring you out of the “miry clay”, set your feet upon a rock, and establish your steps. He can turn your story to glory. What you need to do is to trust in Him. If you believe, you will see the glory of God (see John 11:40). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Bring me out my miry clay and establish my steps, O Lord! _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +2348055159591 https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/spiritualdigest /g/spiritualdigest https://www.facebook.com/afolabayo "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, WHY THANKING GOD? “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP). The Yorubas and many other tribes in Africa are fond of saying “Thank God” whenever they are been appreciated for anything they do. I am greatly influenced by this practice and it reflects in my chat with people regardless of who they are. Some people who are not Africans have questioned me more than once why I or they need to thank God for a mere conversation. However, the Holy Bible enjoins us to give thanks to God in everything (see Psalm 34:1; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 13:15). In fact, most part of the book of Psalms (which is the largest book in the Bible) is full of thanksgiving and praises of God. Have you ever thought why you should thank God? One of the most popular psalms, Psalm 100, gives some reasons why one should thank God. One, He is the LORD God (verse 3a). Two, He is the One that created everything and everybody, and everything and everybody belong to Him (verse 3b). Three, He is good to His creation and His love for them endures from generation to generation (verse 5). Apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 said that thanking God is the will of God for us. Interestingly, as Job demonstrated, thanking God should not be only when things are pleasant. Even, in one’s adversity, one should learn how to thank God. Thanking God in such situation means that one knows that God is above the situation and that our relationship with Him should not be conditional. A careful study of the psalms in the Bible will reveal that in spite of the fact that they are full of thanksgiving and praises of God, most of them were composed in distress. Is thanking God your habit? In this Thanksgiving season, do you have reasons to thank God? Thanking God should never be conditional or out of season. As for me, I have countless reasons to thank God and I will always thank Him. God, I thank You! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for a thankful heart that will be thanking God in all situations. _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +2348055159591 https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/spiritualdigest /g/spiritualdigest https://www.facebook.com/afolabayo "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, JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NKJV). Life in Nigeria in particular and many other parts of the world has not been easy since the beginning of the year. The announcement of the new Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his inaugural speech on the day of his swearing-in as the president that “fuel subsidy is gone” worsened the life situation in Nigeria. Petrol pump price increases astronomically. The exchange rate of US Dollars (the world most determinant currency) to Nigerian Naira is not helping matters. So, prices of goods and services keep on increasing every day. My worries grow every day as I see people languishing under the worsening economic situation of the country. I have counselled and preached to people not to worry, but a Yoruba hymn ministered to me one night. The lyrics of the hymn in Yoruba (inter alia) are: “Gbori re soke alare, tori ayo n bo lowuro. Olorun so n'nu oro Re pe ayo ma n bo lowuro. Ayo ma n bo lowuro, ekun le pe titi dale sugbon ayo n bo lowuro.” [Its English lyrics: “Oh, weary pilgrim, lift your head: For joy cometh in the morning! For God in His own Word hath said that joy cometh in the morning! Joy cometh in the morning! Joy cometh in the morning! Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning!”] Mary M. Weinland (1818-1899) composed this hymn. Little is known about this lady, but it is evident that she based the hymn on Psalm 30:5 possibly when she or some people around her were passing through a trying time. In the hymn, she referred to the troubled person (or persons) as “weary pilgrim”, “trembling saints”, “weeping mourner”, “every burdened soul”, and “every trembling sinner”. She reminded this person (or these people) that God has said in His Word, “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NKJV). So, this person (or these people) should cheer up for the trying time is momentary. What a great assurance! Apostle Paul explained this futuristically, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV). Yes, joy will come in the morning! Do not be dismayed by this worsening economic situation of the country. You will survive it. It is just a “night” of hardship and uncertainty. The “morning” of a better economic situation is imminent. You will outlive this trying period. Joy will indeed come in the morning! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be one of the people who will experience the joy that will come in the “morning” of this worsened economic situation. _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +2348055159591 https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/spiritualdigest /g/spiritualdigest https://www.facebook.com/afolabayo "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, NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE “Then [Jacob] dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:11 NKJV). “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8 NKJV). As I was led to base my weekly devotional message on a hymn this week, my mind was on a particular hymn. However, a situation led me to another hymn - NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE. This hymn is one of the popular hymns that I have known and loved since childhood. It was composed by Sarah Flower Adams (1805-1848). Sarah was born on February 22, 1805 in Essex, England. She married William Bridges Adams and moved to London. She was a British actress. Health problems disrupted her plans to continue as an actress. However, as somebody who was nurtured in a home where poetry and songwriting were loved, she found comfort in writing poems and hymns. She wrote the hymn in a week to follow a sermon on Genesis 28:11-19 that recounts the encounter of Jacob in a dream. One event that first made the hymn popular was the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. History has it that the band on the ship played the tune of the hymn, and the passengers, all of whom were looking death in the face, joined in singing the hymn. This hymn has to do with the joy and comfort found in being close to God. The first stanza introduces the theme of the hymn, with the repeated phrase “Nearer, my God, to thee.” The story of Jacob and the ladder to heaven, found in Genesis 28:10-22 forms the basis of second through fourth stanzas. Jacob was a wanderer running away from the anger of his twin brother. He rested for the night using a stone as a pillow when he had the dream where God’s angels were descending and ascending on a ladder. God's close connection to Jacob in this story is seen as a form of relief from the darkness and “stony griefs” of his human journey. He woke up and came to the realization that God was nearer to him. The last stanza looks forward to the time when we will come to stand before God in eternal song. God desires to have a closer fellowship with you. As wanderers on this life’s journey, are you aware that He is with you? Are you drawing yourself nearer to Him? Are you drawing yourself nearer to God? James counseled, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (4:8 NKJV). If you do, you will enjoy His eternal presence, safety and comfort. No matter your circumstance, let your aspiration always be to be nearer to God. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Draw me nearer to You, O Lord, in my life’s journey.

Hello ? I hope all are okay. The group has been quiet for some time. It's very unusual. God bless Sherry

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: Is it possible to have a personality change? I’m a negative person who always sees the dark side of things. I pride myself in saying it’s because I am a realist and choose not to live in a fantasy world, but this may be a cop-out. Am I like I am because God made me this way, or can I become a more likable person? – P.T. A: God doesn’t want to erase our personalities — although He does want to take the sharp edges off them! We are all different. The Bible is full of various personality types. For instance, Saul of Tarsus (who became the Apostle Paul), would have been what we might call a “Type A” personality — hard-driving, determined, energetic, absolutely focused on his goal of destroying the Christian faith. But God intervened and replaced Saul’s hatred of Christ with love. His basic personality didn’t change, but God redirected his energies and used him, instead, to advance the very thing he tried to destroy — the Gospel. God softened his heart. Paul’s young companion Timothy, on the other hand, had a different personality — shy, sensitive, perhaps even a bit introverted. But God helped Timothy overcome his shyness so he could reach out to others, and God also used his sensitive nature to make him an effective and caring pastor. True Christianity in a person’s life is revealed when the fruit of the Spirit is evident (see Galatians 5). Christian virtues round out a Christ-like personality. Thank God for making each person unique. When we follow Him and receive His salvation, He will shape us and use us according to His will. ========

Losing Everything The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. Job 1:21 READ Job 1:13–22 The timing couldn’t have been worse. After making a small fortune engineering bridges, monuments, and large buildings, Cesar had aspirations of starting a new endeavor. So he sold his first business and banked the money, planning to reinvest it soon. During that brief window, his government seized all assets held in private bank accounts. In an instant, Cesar’s lifesavings evaporated. Choosing not to view the injustice as a cause to complain, Cesar asked God to show him the way forward. And then—he simply started over. In one awful moment, Job lost far more than merely his possessions. He lost most of his servants and all his children (Job 1:13–22). Then he lost his health (2:7–8). Job’s response remains a timeless example for us. He prayed, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (1:21). The chapter concludes, “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (v. 22). Like Job, Cesar chose to trust God. In just a few years he had built a new business more successful than the first. His story resembles the conclusion of Job’s (see Job 42). But even if Cesar had never recovered economically, he knew his real treasure wasn’t on this earth anyway (Matthew 6:19–20). He would still be trusting God. By Tim Gustafson REFLECT & PRAY How did you feel when you experienced your greatest loss? What is the Holy Spirit showing you about your losses? Dear God, please teach me something about Your love today. There’s so much I don’t understand. SCRIPTURE INSIGHT Job is one of the oldest books of the Bible. The mention of the nomadic Chaldeans (1:17) and that Job lived 140 years after his testing (42:16) suggest he lived in a patriarchal era like Abraham’s (around 2000 bc). In this setting, wealth was measured in terms of livestock and slaves instead of gold and silver (see Genesis 12:16; Job 1:3; 42:12). The apostle James singled Job out as an example of persevering faith (James 5:11). Job’s challenges encourage us to have an authentic faith in God even in the face of pain, suffering, and death (Job 1:20–22; 2:10). K. T. Sim

Exodus 36 Exodus 36 is written to describe the work of constructing the tabernacle, but this passage is also rich with insights about church leadership and ministry in the context of the new covenant church of Jesus Christ. First, the text makes it clear that not only do Bezalel and Oholiab have significant skill, intelligence, knowledge, and craftsmanship to do everything needed for the construction of the entire tabernacle—working gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood (Ex. 35:31–33)—but also that Yahweh had filled these two with the Spirit of God (Ex. 35:31). The work of building God’s tabernacle was not merely human artistry and craftsmanship—God himself was intimately involved in this work by his Holy Spirit. And in the same way, we should learn from this that there is not a single part of ministry—not even construction projects—that we can faithfully accomplish apart from the Spirit of God. Second, Bezalel was from the tribe of Judah (Ex. 35:30) and Oholiab was from the tribe of Dan (Ex. 35:34)—in other words, these craftsmen were not Levites. Furthermore, Exodus 36:1 makes it clear that Yahweh was also calling other craftsmen to take part in building the tabernacle as well: “every craftsman in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.” As we talked about in yesterday’s meditation, Yahweh is graciously giving everyone (not just priests) a role in building his holy tabernacle. Third, Yahweh not only had inspired Bezalel and Oholiab to lead this group of people whom God had given skill and intelligence (and whose hearts God had stirred; Ex. 36:2) to do the work, but he also called them specifically to teach (Ex. 35:34) the other people how to do this work. This calls to mind Paul’s charge to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2: “what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Paul had taught Timothy personally in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and here he explains that Timothy’s own call as a pastor was to teach other leaders in the church who could also teach other people the gospel. Personal training for ministry is the method that God has laid down to raise up new leaders for every succeeding generation. As God builds his new covenant temple in the church, Exodus 36 offers us practical wisdom. We cannot be the church apart from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We need everyone’s contributions to be the church God has called us to be, and we need to focus on training the next generation for faithful ministry. What role has God appointed to you in the construction of his holy temple in the church?

Talking to Yourself with God By Steven Rodriguez Read: Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (v. 2) There’s an odd thing about Psalm 103. The singer is singing to himself. He opens the psalm not by talking to God, but by talking to his “soul.” He’s talking to his deepest self, telling it to worship God. Sometimes when we worship God, we point our words right at God. Sometimes when we worship, we point our words at each other, as when someone says, “The Lord be with you!” and everyone responds with “And also with you!” But sometimes in worship we point our words right back at ourselves, like a verbal boomerang. When we tell ourselves to worship God, we tell ourselves who we really are at our core. We tell ourselves that we are human beings created to praise God. Psalm 103 is a reminder, almost like a journal entry that someone wrote down in a hurry, trying feverishly to remember all the ways that God had been good to them. This is the best path to self-knowledge. We come to know ourselves most faithfully when we reflect on God’s actions in our lives. And we need the reminders, because sometimes we don’t feel like praising God at all, and sometimes we feel completely lost when we look at ourselves. When we worship God, we come to know God better, we come to know each other better, and, perhaps most surprisingly of all, we come to know ourselves better. As you pray, ask the Lord to help you know yourself more faithfully by praising him.

The Joy of Working Together Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Colossians 3:17, nkjv What task has God assigned you? Has He assigned you to establish a home, strengthen a marriage, lead a family, serve a church, teach in a classroom, or comfort in a sick room? Check your attitude toward the assignment. Do you grumble and complain about it? Do you neglect and ignore it? Do you resent and reject it? Or do you enjoy fulfilling it as your service unto the Lord? God wants you and me to enjoy our service to Him, whatever it may be. And He also wants us to discuss each detail with Him as we do the work. One of His pleasures, as well as ours, is the joy of working together as we complete the task. Often, the more difficult the task, the greater the joy because it enables us to see the power of God and just what He can do in and through and for us.

INITIATIVE We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 FROM THE FATHER'S HEART My child, when I saw the product of My special design—the day you were born—I was overjoyed. Did you know I "danced" at your birth? I loved you then, but in fact, I loved you long before you entered your mother's womb. So much did I want our fellowship and love relationship to be secure that I died for you, rose again, and began filling you with blessings from day one. In fact, I have chased you with blessings—so you would love Me, too. The day you said "I do" to Me was a happy day for Me. A GRATEFUL RESPONSE Before I even knew Your name, You loved me, Lord. It didn't matter what I looked like, or where I'd been. Even in my "unloveliness" You took the initiative and loved me first. I don't understand why You did that for me. How could anyone resist a love like that? SIMPLE TRUTH Genuine love doesn't need a reason to express itself.

WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY GOD IS HOLY? “Something that is holy is set apart as something special,” says Jennifer, 11. “The Israelites took all their gold earrings and jewelry and things like that and made them into a golden calf. Moses was on Mount Sinai so he couldn’t tell them not to. They worshiped the calf and considered it holy. “God is not like the calf though. He is the real thing. He is holy.” Yes, holy means to be set apart. The problem is that we set apart the wrong things as holy. The creation of a visible “god” is always a sign of spiritual deadness. Even though a man-made god may be big, shiny and golden, it can never impart life. Have you ever seen a guy who has turned his car into an idol? What about hunting and fishing? Hey, I like to hook a trout, but no sport can serve as a substitute for a relationship with the living God. Even when women turn their homes into museums, they can’t fill the void in their souls for an infinite, loving God. “Do be sacred like a saint spiritually, belonging to God, set apart for God, spiritually perfect, very good, pure in heart,” says Wesley,11. The word “saint” comes from the same root as “holy.” In the Apostle Paul’s New Testament letters to churches, he addresses all Christians as “saints.” Sainthood is not something achieved by living on birdseed and wilted lettuce. We can’t make ourselves saints by doing good works. Amazingly, Paul even called the Corinthians “saints” in the letter he wrote to rebuke them for their carnal behavior. He reminded them that because their bodies were temples of the Holy Spirit, they should glorify God in their bodies and spirits (I Corinthians 6:19). Spiritual regeneration works from the inside out to change behavior. When God changes your desires, your behavior will follow. Christians who consistently fail to act like saints will be reminded of who they are by the loving discipline of a heavenly Father who truly wants the best for his children. Sometimes we say to children, “Act your age.” God tells his children to act like the saints he created them to be. He also wants them to be rulers in his kingdom. If disobedient saints could see their loss in God’s kingdom, their current distractions would look like so many childhood toys. “God is holy because He is perfect, righteous and without fault,” says Karrah, 12. “We all can never be holy because we will never be perfect, even with God’s help.” Karrah, only holy people can live with the holy God. The same apostle who called all Christians saints wrote: “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5). The word translated “accounted” is an accounting term meaning “to credit to one’s account.” Jesus took our sins on himself when he died on the cross. He credits his righteousness to all who trust him as their savior. Think about this: At the moment of spiritual birth, the Holy Spirit comes to live as a permanent resident inside of every Christian. God will clean up every house he inhabits. Resist and experience divine discipline. Cooperate and enjoy God’s blessings in ways you never dreamed possible. God will make all his people holy. Memorize this truth: Romans 4:5 quoted above. Ask this question: If you’re a Christian, do you realize that God has made you holy by his indwelling presence? ###

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: Often I hear people say — incorrectly — that we are all God’s children, but the Bible doesn’t say this, but rather that we are all God’s creation. Therefore, I assume that God’s promises are not for everyone but only for those who follow Him as their Lord and Savior. Is there a Bible passage that clarifies this? – P.G. A: The Bible says, “Those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God” (Romans 9:8). The Bible also declares to the sinner who humbles himself before the Lord, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). The Bible is God’s book of promises, and, unlike the books of men, it does not change or get out of date. From one end of the Bible to the other, God assures us that He will never go back on His promises, and these promises are made real to us through saving faith in Christ alone. It is a personal and individual decision that God empowers when a person repents of sin against Him and receives Jesus as Savior and Lord. We are living in an age of grace, in which God promises that “whosoever will” may come to Him. Becoming God’s children opens up His promises to us, assuring us that He is with us as we abide in Him, and His Spirit takes up residence in our lives. But this doesn’t mean that life will be easy and without trouble and difficulties. He never promises that life will be perfect. There is no greater strength, no greater assurance that He is with us, and in us, when we go forth in battle equipped and nourished by His instruction and determined to stand firm on His promises. ========

Exodus 34 At the very end of Exodus 33, Moses had gone for broke. In the face of Yahweh’s threat to abandon Israel by withdrawing his own personal presence from their midst, Moses pleaded for Yahweh to go up to the Promised Land with them, and Yahweh had granted Moses’s request (Ex. 33:17). But then, Moses made another, greater request: “Please show me your glory” (Ex. 33:18). While Yahweh told Moses that no man could see his face and live, he nevertheless granted Moses’s request in part, agreeing to place Moses in the crevice of a rock to see the trailing part of his glory as Yahweh passed before him (Ex. 33:20–23). So, what does the glory of Yahweh, the living God who created the heavens and the earth, look like? Fascinatingly, the description we are given of what Yahweh looks like isn’t visual, but creedal. Moses sees what Yahweh proclaims about his own character: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation” (Ex. 34:6–7). What Moses saw was more than a really bright light—it was a description of the full, glorious character of Yahweh. Two results came from this vision of Yahweh. First, the reward of revealing his glory to Moses came as a confirmation of the fact that God had heard Moses’s prayer, relented from his wrath, and decided to renew his covenant with Israel. Second, this encounter with the glory of Yahweh transformed Moses personally, so that his face shone, causing fear among the people of Israel. From that point, Moses wore a veil that he only removed when he went to speak with Yahweh in the Tent of Meeting, a precursor of the Tabernacle (Ex. 34:29–34; cf. 33:7–11). But as great a mediator as Moses was in interceding to ask Yahweh to renew his covenant with Israel and remain in their midst, Moses was still not able to bring other Israelites with him into the Tent of Meeting. Today, we too have a mediator who speaks face-to-face with God the Father, interceding on our behalf in the heavenly temple—the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:34). Our mediator, however, has entered into the presence of his Father behind the veil, and by doing so he promises us that we too can enter into the holy places of God along with him. Meditate on Hebrews 10:19, 22: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.”

A Prayer for Loved Ones Who Don’t Know Jesus By Kristine Brown “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 NLT) I moved into my dorm room, excited about all the new experiences college life would bring. And boy, did I jump into those experiences without thought or care for the consequences. Late nights and poor choices became a way of life. But just two weeks into my newfound freedom, an unexpected phone call came. On the other end of the call, a deep yet somewhat familiar voice I hadn’t heard in years. A childhood friend who’d moved away long ago heard we were on the same campus and looked up my number. He invited me to the university’s gathering of Christian students. I laughed under my breath, then politely declined. Looking back now, I can see that my old friend’s call was an open door. God had a plan for me and knew I was headed in the wrong direction. Although I didn’t accept the invitation, I remember the moment so clearly. No doubt this friend’s prompting to reach out to me was the result of someone’s prayer. God hears our prayers for loved ones who don’t know Christ. Yes, the Lord gives us free will to accept or reject him, but he will never stop pursuing us. God will intersect our lives with others who he strategically puts in place to reach out with the love of Jesus. And when we’re ready, we will respond to that call. Romans 10:10 tells us, “For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” We want our friends and family to believe in God— to say yes to the unconditional love of Jesus. But their hearts may be distant from God for whatever reason. Thankfully, Jesus stands at that door, and he compels us to shine his light for others to see. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20 NIV) So we have hope today— hope in the One who is faithful. Let’s never give up praying for our loved ones who need salvation. God’s Word assures us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:15 NIV) As God listens to our prayers, he connects people for the purpose of introducing our loved ones to Jesus. He will keep knocking on their heart’s door. Rom. 10:10, inspirational image Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for my family and friends. They are a precious gift, and I love them more than words can say. I rejoice over my loved ones who’ve accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and I pray for those who have not. More than anything, I want to know we will all be in heaven together someday through your promise of eternal life. Forgive me for getting discouraged as I continue praying. When I don’t see results, I start to lose hope, so I stand against those lies right now with the power of your promises. You are a good and faithful Father who never stops pursuing your children. You have good thoughts toward my family and friends. So many they can’t be counted! (Psalm 139: 17) You love my people even more than I do. What an awesome truth! I know you hear my prayers and that you are working in their lives right now. Keep knocking on the door of their hearts, Lord. Send your servants as messengers, beckoning my loved ones to open the door and receive the abundant life you have planned for them. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Walk This Way Colossians 3:1–11 The other day during a conversation with one of my grown sons, I noticed a familiar facial expression and gesture. It was a bit like looking in a mirror. How did he learn it? Was it DNA or imitation? Perhaps it was a little of both. Living the Christian life is similar in one respect. There is a place for imitating Christ, but it is ultimately grounded in something much deeper. Christian living involves three important actions that are noted in Colossians 3: seeking, being, and doing. In verse 1, Paul urges us to “set your heart on things above.” The Greek word means to “seek.” It is referring to our aspiration and pursuit, but it is not “pie in the sky.” This seeking is only possible because the Christian has been united with Christ in His death and resurrection (vv. 1, 3). Being and seeking lead to doing. The Christian seeks the things above by living in the power of the cross. We put to death “whatever belongs to your earthly nature” by saying no to those sinful impulses that were part of our former life (v. 5). Our earthly nature, as Paul describes these sinful impulses, continues to assert itself even after we have been saved. Paul describes it almost as if it were an alien force. It may stir within us, but it is not who we are in Christ. Paul calls the Colossians (and us) to cast off the vestiges of the old self and walk in the new self (vv. 7–10). The change in life that Paul envisions for the Christian is not instantaneous. We are “being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (v. 10). The Greek verb is in the present tense. Our new life in Christ is a continuous and transforming experience. >> Christians do not walk a certain way so that we can obtain new life. That life is already yours if you are in Christ! Now, what we need to do, is walk in it. Pray with Us Knowing we are already forgiven, we ask You for the strength and discipline to say no to our sins, especially those that have become ingrained. Help us choose the righteous path over the easy path.

DIRECTOR OF MY PATHS In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6 kjv FROM THE FATHER'S HEART My child, do you want to be successful? Really successful? Do you want to discover My plans for you? Then make My ways known. Wherever you go, wherever I lead you, let others know whose you are, and who I am. Nothing is impossible to those who believe in Me. I love to give you wisdom and to chart your course for you. I am the director of your paths. Listen for My voice telling you, "This is the way. Walk there." You can trust your Father's voice. I'll never lead you astray. A GRATEFUL RESPONSE For charting the course, for designing the dreams, for renewing Your promises daily—a thousand thanks of gratitude go to You, Lord. You are the director of my paths. You alone will remove the obstacles in the road so I can find safe passageway on my journey. SIMPLE TRUTH Three reasons to trust God: (1) He is faithful; (2) He is faithful; (3) He is faithful.