"Minute Messages" - Word for Life World Ministries

HOW OPEN-MINDED ARE YOU? (by Pastor Bayo Aflomorani)

"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another" (Romans 1:22-24 NIV). (CLICK HERE to read Romans 1)

I get in contact with different kinds of people on the Internet almost every day. Some of these people willingly extend hands of friendship to me, something that I also willingly accept. One of such people is a fifty-year-old woman whose interest is to be chatting with people online. From one of our chats, she professed to be a Christian from childhood and a member of one of the leading denominations of the Christian faith. One day as we were chatting, she suggested that we share pictures and comment on such pictures. Naively, I accepted her suggestion and she started sending pictures to me.

The first one was that of her friend. I appreciated the beauty of her friend. Then she sent another one that she claimed was her own. I immediately rejected this second one because she was half-naked in the picture. She was surprised that I rejected it, and she took offence at me that I did not appreciate her. I told her that I appreciate her, but not her nude body. She then went ahead to be saying some immoral things to me. When I told her about my Christian morality, she sent another picture that is purely poxxnographic (Editor's note:word altered for posting) to me. I then asked her whether she has children. She told me that she has a son, 25, and a daughter, 22. When I asked her if she could recommend such picture and the immoral language to her children, she answered in the affirmative and claimed that they are open-minded as she is.

I was baffled with her so-called open-mindedness. How can a woman of her age be involved in such immoral things and feel proud to encourage her children in them also? Can a professed Christian be so open-minded that he/she will be proud of acts of immorality? No matter the part of the world one may find oneself, should open-mindedness become a licence to sin? The Bible says, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body" (1 Corinthians 6:18 NIV. See also verse 13; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7).

Let me ask you also: how open-minded are you? Are so open-minded that you cannot differentiate from sinful acts and godly acts? Are you so open-minded that you have rationalized most of the sinful acts? Are you so open-minded that you cannot check your children and the younger generation when they are doing something bad? How open-minded are you?

In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Link: http://wordforlife.com/b2e/blog1.php/2012/05/14/solid-foundation

Solid Foundation - by Michael D. Inman

"The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Matthew 7:25)

Scripture Focus: Matthew 7:24-29

The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, stand 1,453 feet high. The towers were the tallest buildings in the world from 1997 through 2003. They are also famous for their deep foundations. Bedrock in Kuala Lumpur is located far below the earth's surface, so builders were required to dig 394 feet to create a stable base for each of the skyscrapers.

Jesus taught us the importance of building our lives on a sure foundation. The world tells us to place a priority on pursuing our own interests. But Jesus said that when we build our lives on the solid rock of His Word, we gain a stable foundation for life.

As Christians, we might not think of rejecting the Word of God outright. Still, we often treat His commands as suggestions. We delay obedience or rationalize why we have chosen not to obey at all. Then we wonder why we lack the strength to withstand the temptations and trials of life. Rest solidly on Jesus Christ - He is the only foundation on which to build lives that will glorify Him.

Insight: Do You Receive God's Word As A Suggestion Or As Your Solid Foundation? Follow The Holy Spirit's Prompting To Obey His Word Today.

(Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups)

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Michael D. Inman

Link: http://wordforlife.com/b2e/blog1.php/2012/05/12/lesson-learned

Its Mother’s Day. I cannot think of a more precious day than this one. Memories flood back into our minds of years past when we were young and still being cared for by our moms. Have you ever seen anyone more unselfish than mom?

My mother passed away a few years ago and I still miss not being able to call her and wish her well. She raised eight children during some rather difficult years. My dad was not home for a number of those years and it was left up to mom to teach us values and to see that we were cared for.

It was shortly after my wife and I married that mom taught me a valuable lesson. I do not remember all the events that surrounded the circumstances nor do I remember the words I spoke at the time. They were however words harshly spoken to my wife and my mom heard them. She took me aside and told me in no uncertain terms that I had better straighten up. I believe she said, “You do not speak to your wife in that manner.” There was no overlooking my conduct. I was wrong and she made sure I understood it.

To all you moms, I pray you have a wonderful day and that you leave great memories for your children.

Come worship with us Sunday.

Norm Russel

Link: http://wordforlife.com/b2e/blog1.php/2012/03/26/you-are-mine-1

"You Are Mine" by Michael D. Inman

"But now, this is what the LORD says - he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 43:1-13

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I recently spent an afternoon in an urgent care facility and was amazed at how many people came in and out. There were people of all different ages, races and stature, all waiting to be acknowledged and helped. As I thought about the myriad of broken lives and hurting souls in the world just trying to survive another day, my heart was drawn to Isaiah 43.

God's words through Isaiah remind us that we "are precious and honored in His sight, and He loves us" (vs. 4). Although we have done absolutely nothing to merit His love and grace, God lavishes it freely on us - costly though it was to Him. He is the one true Savior (vs. 11), humbly demonstrating His love on the bloody cross of Calvary. He calls His children by name, declaring them to be His very own! God's Word is filled with precious promises offering hope and assurance for lonely, desperate, weary souls. Christ did not come simply to "acknowledge" us. Those who trust in Him are redeemed by His saving blood and belong to Him!

Insight: Whenever You Feel Alone In The Water And Flame, Remember God's Promise That The Holy One Of Israel Is With You!

Michael D. Inman

We Are What We Worship - by Michael D. Inman

"Those who make [idols] will be like them, and so will all who trust in them." (Psalm 115:8)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 115

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The psalmist in our reading today makes what is, in effect, the spiritual equivalent of our common saying: "You are what you eat." By claiming that those who worship idols will take on idol-like characteristics, he is saying: "You become what you worship."

This truth carries with it a profound warning as well as a quickening hope. It warns us by revealing the life-shaping consequences of valuing, trusting, serving, pursuing, desiring, and devoting ourselves to the "idols" of our age. Those who worship power will become tyrants. Those who desire control will be controlled by that desire. Those who rely on their own strength will be proven weak.

Yet this principle also contains great hope. Those who have been rescued by the living God from serving idols will become like Him! As we, through God's empowering and transforming grace, grow to value, trust, and serve our Lord, we will begin to take on His characteristics. As we worship His holiness, we will be holy. As we esteem His wisdom, we will be wise. As we trust His strength, we will be strong.

Insight: In What Ways Do You See Your Life Shaped By What You Value Most?

Michael D. Inman

"They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." (Mark 7:7)

Scripture Focus: Mark 7:1-13, Ephesians 2:11-22

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This was certainly the last thing they wanted to hear. Everything to which they were devoted, everything about which they were passionate, and everything they did in service to God was futile, purposeless, vanity. In essence, this was Jesus' charge against the Pharisees who, on the outside, appeared to be resolutely devoted to God and His ways. Yet while they honored God with their lips, Jesus, invoking the words of Isaiah, regarded their worship as vain because their hearts were far from Him.

Naturally, we all tend to worship like the Pharisees. We want to approach God on our terms. We think as long as we outwardly say and do the right things, we can keep God at arm's length. Indeed, our hearts are far from Him. Yet God Himself provides the antidote to vain worship. Those whose hearts were once "far away, have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). The death and resurrection of Christ alone has the power to change our worship from vain to vibrant.

Insight: Do You Ever Feel You're Just "Going Through The Motions" In Worship? Let The Gospel Transform Us When We Feel That Way.

Link: http://wordforlife.com/b2e/blog1.php/2012/03/17/even-your-enemies

Forwarded from "Lentenlessons" dated 3/15/12, original author unknown, but this is a great lesson to learn. Hard, but great.

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Richard Wurmbrand, founder of The Voice of the Martyrs ministry told of seeing Christians in communist prisons with 50 pounds of chains on their feet, tortured with red-hot iron pokers, in whose throats spoonfuls of salt had been forced, being kept afterward without water, starving, whipped, suffering from cold, yet praying fervently for their communist torturers.

Later, as political winds changed, some of the torturers were thrown into prison with their former Christian victims, who, instead of taking vengeance treated them with love and kindness.

Do you wonder what could possibly have motivated those Christian prisoners to love and pray for their enemies?

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:43-45. Those are the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

Do you think He was telling His hearers that the Old Testament says you are to love your neighbour but hate your enemy?

Look at the verses again.

You'll see that Jesus isn't saying the Old Testament instructed people to 'hate their enemies.' His words were, 'It is said.' Jesus was referring to a false proverb that had been going around. And He was setting the record straight, bringing back the truth that God has always loved His enemies and expects godly people to do likewise.

What is this 'love' that Jesus spoke of? It is not a 'warm, fuzzy feeling' for your enemy. The word Jesus used for love means that you have a heartfelt desire for the good of the person being loved. Yes, even your enemies!

Prayer for your enemies, abusers or persecutors cannot be worked up simply by knowing it is what you are supposed to do.

Maybe you wonder, "Are there really any people in the Bible who loved their enemies like this?" Yes, consider: Jesus, in Luke 23:34. Stephen, in Acts 7:54-60. Paul, in 2 Timothy 4:16;Romans 12:20. Peter, in 1 Peter 3:9.

Is anyone bullying you?

Have you suffered from someone's unkind words or actions? Are you feeling bitterness against another person? Is there anyone you feel you cannot forgive? Do you hate someone?

Do some quiet thinking and praying about what Jesus says in Matthew 5:43-45. Ask God to give you the right attitude to pray for the one who has hurt you. Now, pray for that person, believing what the Bible says in Philippians 4:4-7.

Link: http://wordforlife.com/b2e/blog1.php/2012/03/17/who-do-you-look-like

My Manna 3-14-12 - Who Do You Look Like?

“Whoever secretly slanders his neighbour, him [the Lord] will destroy; no one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will [the Lord] endure.” Psalm 101:5.

This is probably going to step on some toes!

Do you want to live like the devil?

For some of us, that's easy.For all of us, we come by it naturally.

But there are two character traits that make us most like Satan.

The utmost evil is pride.

Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness...are mere flea bites in comparison. It was through pride that the Devil became the devil. It is the complete anti-God state of mind.

Pride is thinking more highly of ourselves than we should--feeling we are better than others. It is arrogant conceit.

Pride is, most of all, feeling no need for God, considering yourself self-reliant. The person filled with this kind of pride is most like the devil himself.

Malicious gossip or slander: The Greek word for this is "diabolos," also translated "the Devil."

People who gossip and slander others are like the devil. In short, he's just a big liar.

Pride, malicious gossip, and lying are character traits that make us most like the devil.

Man made in the image of God looks pretty good- - but when man resembles the devil he sure is ugly.

Link: http://wordforlife.com/b2e/blog1.php/2012/02/18/the-inerrant-word-1

The Inerrant Word - - - - By Pastor Michael D. Inman

"All Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16a) “When you received the Word of God you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God." (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

We are all on a quest for truth. Every day, we are bombarded with lies that lure us down paths of emptiness and destruction. Praise God that there is a divine and ultimate Truth we can know with certainty (Luke 1:4)! Every word of God is flawless (Proverbs 30:5a) and the sum of His Word equals Truth (Psalm 119:160). The Holy Scriptures are completely trustworthy and sufficient because they come from a Holy God. They have the unique power to transcend time, culture, and human reasoning and are equally as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago.

A house built on shifting sand is sure to collapse. In the same way, we cannot build our lives on changing ideologies. But God our Father does not change like shifting shadows, and He has given us His absolute Word that we may confidently rest on (James 1:17-18). Our LORD Jesus is the same yesterday, today and always (Hebrews 13:8)! In an ever-changing world, how awesome it is to know that we can trust in The Inerrant Word.

Insight: Do You Believe That The Bible Is The Very Word Of God? If So, Do You Allow Its Infallible Truth To Permeate Your Life?

Michael D. Inman

Link: http://wordforlife.com/b2e/blog1.php/2012/02/18/taste-and-see-1

"Taste and See" - - - - By Michael D. Inman

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." (Psalm1:2) "My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times." (Psalm 119:20)

Scripture Focus: Psalm 1

Can you recall a time when your mind and thoughts were glued to something? Before my wife and I were engaged, I spent hours upon hours thinking about the woman I hoped to marry. It was a thrill to discover everything I possibly could about her.

Psalm chapter 1 addresses the fundamental importance of meditating on "the law of the Lord," which is the Word of God. It teaches that meditation on His Word is the way to blessedness. In fact, it reveals that "delighting" in God's law and "meditating" on it go hand in hand. God doesn't just want our minds; He wants our hearts.

There are many things in this world that vie for our attention. But none compares to the eternal, true, and beautiful words of Scripture. What else could make us wise, preserve us from sin, and free us to be the people God calls us to be? Christ invites us to the banqueting table where we can "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). When we feast on God's Word, we commune with Jesus Himself.

Insight: Do You Delight In The Law Of The Lord? Do You Meditate On Scripture? May God Produce Within Us A Holy Appetite For His Word.

Michael D. Inman