From: Bayo Afolaranmi Dearly Beloved,
THE LORD WILL PROTECT YOU "The LORD will protect you from all danger; he will keep you safe. He will protect you as you come and go now and forever" (Psalm 121:7-8, TEV). The LORD has promised in many places in the Bible to protect His people from all danger (see Job 5:19-27; Psalms 41:2; 91:9-16; 97:10; 145:20; 121:3-8; Proverbs 2:8; 3:23-26; 2 Timothy 4:18). These promises were literally fulfilled in the lives of some people including me recently. The men of the underworld invaded the city where I reside some days ago and unleashed terror on the residents, killing many police officers and civilians as they freely robbed some banks in the city. I was in one of the downtown churches with a pastor-colleague when the operation started. The Lord protected me and I got back home safely that day. However, my testimony was not as spectacular as those of another pastor-colleague and a member of his church. The pastor was caught up in one of the hot spots of the operation while the member was caught up in another spot. The daredevil armed robbers killed two police officers in the presence of the pastor. The church member was in his vehicle for over an hour lying down inside the vehicle as the robbers were shooting sporadically everywhere. Bullets shattered the windscreen of the vehicle while there was another bullet mark on the door of the vehicle. It was a real protection of God! These testimonies are just a vivid example of the protection of God. He has been protecting people even in every normal situation. If He opens our eyes to see the dangers from which He is protecting us everyday, we would be more grateful for His unending protection. As this year is running to an end and throughout the days of your life, the Lord will continue to protect you. He will save you from all evils. He will guide and guard you in all your ways. He will preserve your life in Jesus' name. Amen. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). ==================================================== From: Suzianty Herawati "The Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself." --Daniel 9:26 Blessed be His name, there was no cause of death in Him. Neither original nor actual sin had defiled Him, and therefore death had no claim upon Him. No man could have taken His life from Him justly, for He had done no man wrong, and no man could even have lain Him by force unless He had been pleased to yield Himself to die. But lo, one sins and another suffers. Justice was offended by us, but found its satisfaction in Him. Rivers of tears, mountains of offerings, seas of the blood of bullocks, and hills of frankincense, could not have availed for the removal of sin; but Jesus was cut off for us, and the cause of wrath was cut off at once, for sin was put away for ever. Herein is wisdom, whereby substitution, the sure and speedy way of atonement, was devised! Herein is condescension, which brought Messiah, the Prince, to wear a crown of thorns, and die upon the cross! Herein is love, which led the Redeemer to lay down His life for His enemies! It is not enough, however, to admire the spectacle of the innocent bleeding for the guilty, we must make sure of our interest therein. The special object of the Messiah's death was the salvation of His church; have we a part and a lot among those for whom He gave His life a ransom? Did the Lord Jesus stand as our representative? Are we healed by His stripes? It will be a terrible thing indeed if we should come short of a portion in His sacrifice; it were better for us that we had never been born. Solemn as the question is, it is a joyful circumstance that it is one which may be answered clearly and without mistake. To all who believe on Him the Lord Jesus is a present Saviour, and upon them all the blood of reconciliation has been sprinkled. Let all who trust in the merit of Messiah's death be joyful at every remembrance of Him, and let their holy gratitude lead them to the fullest consecration to His cause. CH Spurgeon =================================================== From: Suzianty Herawati "Tell me . . . where Thou feedest, where Thou makest Thy flock to rest at noon." --Song of Solomon 1:7 These words express the desire of the believer after Christ, and his longing for present communion with Him. Where doest Thou feed Thy flock? In Thy house? I will go, if I may find Thee there. In private prayer? Then I will pray without ceasing. In the Word? Then I will read it diligently. In Thine ordinances? Then I will walk in them with all my heart. Tell me where Thou feedest, for wherever Thou standest as the Shepherd, there will I lie down as a sheep; for none but Thyself can supply my need. I cannot be satisfied to be apart from Thee. My soul hungers and thirsts for the refreshment of Thy presence. "Where dost Thou make Thy flock to rest at noon?" for whether at dawn or at noon, my only rest must be where Thou art and Thy beloved flock. My soul's rest must be a grace-given rest, and can only be found in Thee. Where is the shadow of that rock? Why should I not repose beneath it? "Why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?" Thou hast companions--why should I not be one? Satan tells me I am unworthy; but I always was unworthy, and yet Thou hast long loved me; and therefore my unworthiness cannot be a bar to my having fellowship with Thee now. It is true I am weak in faith, and prone to fall, but my very feebleness is the reason why I should always be where Thou feedest Thy flock, that I may be strengthened, and preserved in safety beside the still waters. Why should I turn aside? There is no reason why I should, but there are a thousand reasons why I should not, for Jesus beckons me to come. If He withdrew Himself a little, it is but to make me prize His presence more. Now that I am grieved and distressed at being away from Him, He will lead me yet again to that sheltered nook where the lambs of His fold are sheltered from the burning sun. CH Spurgeon
