CHRISTMAS WITH CHRIST IN ABSENTIA

"For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah). When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger". Luke 2:11, 15-16 (AMP)

Early this morning, I remembered an old wise saying in my mother's tongue: "Won ki fari olori lehin e" which means "You don't cut someone's hair in absentia". Over the years, I have come to understand the meaning of that statement and how relevant it is even in our world today. I have come to understand that Christmas celebration without Christ in the centre of our heart is just an empty jamboree. As far as God is concerned, it doesn’t really matter how many cow/goat/turkey/fowl we slaughter to celebrate Christmas. It doesn't  matter how gorgeous and expensive our Christmas dresses/wears and shoes are too. It doesn't matter how many gifts we gave or received this season. It doesn't matter how big and attractive our Christmas trees and decorations are. If we don't have a personal encounter with the Saviour that was born in Bethlehem about 2000 years ago, then we are just acting foolishly by celebrating Christmas with Christ in absentia. And that is a serious blunder!  It is like cutting  or weaving someone hair in his/her absence. Can you imagine how foolish or stupid that sounds ? But unfortunately,  there are many people today that are celebrating Christmas without having any personal encounter with Christ the Saviour. This is the height of foolishness.

In the above scripture, before the shepherds could celebrate the first Christmas,  they left everything they had behind in search for Christ who is the real reason for the season. They knew that Christmas is not complete until they have met Christ. They refused to celebrate Christmas until they have discovered who their Saviour is. That is simply wisdom. No wonder God himself called those Shepherds  "wise men" in the scritpure.

Beloved, are you celebrating Christmas today with Christ in absentia in your heart. Are you among the foolish ones in this generation who are celebrating Christmas without having any encounter with Christ? Are you one of those who are celebrating "Xmas" today; those who have substituted "X" for "Christ" on the table of their heart. If only you will seek and embrace the Saviour like those Shepherds, this years Christmas will mark a new beginning of true greatness and colourful destiny for you. I urge you to please walk away from the camp of foolishness and join the wise men/women  who are celebrating Christmas with Christ in their hearts  today.

As we celebrate Christmas day, please let us join the wise men/women to seek the King of kings by singing the First Noel which was compiled in 1823 by Davies Gilbert.

The First Noel

The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Refrain:
            Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
            Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.

And by the light of that same star
Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.

This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both Pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.

Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.

My prayer is that the reason for the season shall manifest Himself in your home/life/business/health/ministry and give you many reasons to continue to celebrate Him till He returns to take you to your mansion above in Jesus name. Amen

On behalf of my darling Queen and lovely children, I wish you a very merry Christmas and a Prosperous  Year 2018 in advance.

Good day and God bless you.  Amen

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE WONDERS OF CHRISTMAS

"Every boot that marched in battle and every uniform stained with blood will be destroyed and thrown into the fire. This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be “Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:5-6 (ERV)

On the eve of Christmas in 1914, World War I was about five months old then, and several people had been wounded or killed. And as Christmas was approaching, the soldiers were wondered whether or not Christmas Day would bring another round of fighting and killing. But something strange happened that day that made enemies behave like brothers. One of the British soldier placed a sign post with the inscription "Merry Christmas" on their trenches and they sang christmas carol.  On seeing the sign post on the British soldiers trenches, their enemy - German soldiers started singing carol songs in their own trenches too. Then the British and German soldiers later came out of their trenches unarmed to celebrate Christmas together. They exchange plesantries and sang Carol together even though some of the senior officers from both sides tried unsuccessfully to stop their troops from meeting the enemy in the middle of no-man’s land for songs and conversation when they were expected to be fighting each other. The Soliders also exchanged souvenirs and celebrated Christmas Day peacefully along miles of the front. The British even played soccer with the Germans and the spontaneous truce continued the next day as neither side was willing to fire the first shot.

There are many wonders that is linked with the season of Christmas. One of such wonders is that visible or invisible swords and spears in the trenches of our life can be converted into plowshares and pruning hooks (Micah 4:3). The cold war/conflict/enmity triggered by sin between God and man can be resolved (Romans 5:10). The verdict of judgment and death passed on humanity in the garden of Eden can be reversed to message of goodwill, peace and joy (Luke 2:14).

"At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him". Luke 2:13-14 (MSG)

Beloved, who is dangling the swords of judgment and condemnation at you today? Which type of wars in going on secretly in the trenches of your body/home/business/office today? Are you still living under the curses of Eden? Then, you need to align yourself with the Prince of Peace this Christmas season and let your life pleased Him. If you do, Jesus will speak peace to every storm in your life, body, home, career and ministry. And those silent/cold wars of sickness, stagnation, barrenness, failure striving in your life shall cease completely in Jesus name (Psalms 46:9).  As the Lord lives, every power beating the battle drums of untold hardship, pains and shame in the trenches of your life shall be deleted before this year's Christmas season is over in Jesus name.

May I urge you to please join the Angels this beautiful morning to hail the Heavenly Prince of Peace with this wonderful Christmas hymn composed in 1739 by an highly anointed hymn writer- Charles Wesley:

HARK, THE HERALD ANGELS SINGS

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain:
       Hark! the herald angels sing,
       “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year in advance.

Good morning and God bless you in Jesus name.

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo

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DRUNKARDS ON DUTY 

“Leaders can’t afford to make fools of themselves, gulping wine and swilling beer, Lest, hung over, they don’t know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt. Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living death"- Proverbs 31:4-7 (MSG) 

An Aircraft Hostess approached a man traveling on an aircraft with a complimentary alcoholic drink, which the man politely refused. The Air Hostess returned but this time brought the drink on a platter, designed to appeal and impress. However the man again politely refused, explaining he doesn't drink alcohol. The Air Hostess was concerned and informed the Manager. The Manager approached the man with another platter, now designed with flowers, and asked, “is there something wrong with our service? please enjoy the drink, it is a complimentary offer.” The man replied, “I am a Christian and I do not drink alcohol.” The Manager still insisted that the man should accept the drink. Then, the Christian proposed that the Manager should give the drink to the Pilot first. The Manager stated, “how can the Pilot drink alcohol, he’s on duty! And if he drinks on duty, the chances for the plane to crash will be high”. The passenger replied, “I am a Christian and I am always on duty in order to protect my faith and if I drink alcohol I will crash my whole life here and hereafter.

Unfortunately, there are many drunk Pilots (Leaders) and Passengers (Followers) on duty in the kingdom today. These drunk Passengers and Pilots are enjoying the complimentary offers of this world at the expense of their soul. Their hearts are overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness. As they scramble for those enticing freebies of life, they loose touch with the Control Tower in Heaven and mortgage their place in divine agenda like King Saul (1 Samuel 15:26). The freebies have intoxicated them and impaired their vision, balance and sense of direction in the journey of life. Like Judas Iscariot, they have sheepishly used their hands to sign their own death warrants unto eternal damnation (Acts 1:17-20). What a big tragedy!

"I meant you must not associate with people who claim to be believers but continue to live in sin. Don’t even eat with a brother or sister who sins sexually, is greedy, worships idols, abuses others with insults, gets drunk, or cheats people"- 1 Corinthians 5:11 (ERV) 

Beloved, I hope you are not one of those drunkards on duty in the kingdom today. I hope your Pilot (Leader, Pastor, General Overseer, Prophet, Apostle, Bishop etc) is not a drunkard too. I hope you are not intoxicated with the wine of pride, greed, riches, worldiness, power, sexual perversion, addictions and all manners of ungodly vices. Why make a fool of yourself with alcohol/strong drinks? Why will you allow those complimentary offers to crash your airplane of destiny. This morning, I urge you to please repent and pray earnestly for God's Mercy so that you and your Pilots will not make a shipwreck of your glorious destiny in the voyage of eternity.

"The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: committing sexual sin, being morally bad, doing all kinds of shameful things, worshiping false gods, taking part in witchcraft, hating people, causing trouble, being jealous, angry or selfish, causing people to argue and divide into separate groups, being filled with envy, getting drunk, having wild parties, and doing other things like this. I warn you now as I warned you before: The people who do these things will not have a part in God’s kingdom". Galatians 5:19-21 (ERV)

The lyrics of a hymn titled "Living for Jesus" composed in 1917 by Thomas O Chrisholm speaks volume on the subject. May I urge you to please join me to meditate on this wonderful hymn below:

LIVING FOR JESUS
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Refrain:
           O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
           For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
           I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
           My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.

Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

May God grant you and I more grace to truly live for him everyday by saying "no" to all the enticing/ tempting complimentary offers that the world dangles at us in Jesus name

Good morning and do have a blessed day in Jesus name.  Amen

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo.

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SONGS OF FREEDOM AND RESTORATION 

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed". John  8:36

A man passing through a field where elephants were being raised was surprised to see that those huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not. He saw the owner of the elephants nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” the owner said, “when they are very young and much smaller I use the same size of rope to tie them and at that age, it’s enough to hold them down. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them down, so they never try to break free.”

"This is what the LORD says: Prisoners will be freed from mighty men. Loot will be taken away from tyrants. I will fight your enemies, and I will save your children". Isaiah 49: 25 (God's Word)

Many people are living like those Elephants in the above story. They are born to rule in the jungle of life like elephants but they are struggling to survive like rabbit in holes. By default, they were born to run like a cheetah in the race of life but they are crawling like snails. The evil/manipulative tiny ropes tying them to the ancient trees of stagnation, defeat, failure, barrenness,  sickness,  loneliness from childhood are still very potent. But, as the Lord God of Heaven lives, the captives of the mighty shall be delivered tonight. And every visible or invisible rope of wickedness tying you down like a goat in life shall be burn into ashes before this day is over in Jesus name. And every power that is manipulating your progress in life remotely with evil ropes shall expire before the day will break tomorrow in Jesus name. In the mighty name of Jesus, your journey in circles ends today and  you shall be completely liberated/delivered, energised and empowered to excel beyond human understanding in Jesus name.  Amen.

Beloved, It's time to break away from those invisible and manipulative ropes holding your down in life. Tonight is your night of Great Restoration and Total Freedom from all yokes of bondage. The Great Deliverer and Restorer Himself will be at work in our mist at the Redemption Camp this evening for the Day 3 of 2017 Holy Ghost Congress of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God.

Talk One:     The Great Restorer.
Minister:       Dr Mensa Otabil
Talk Two:     Free Indeed
Minister:       Our Beloved Daddy G.O, Pastor E.A Adeboye
Venue:          Redemption Camp. Km 46, Lagos - Ibadan Expressway. Mowe, Nigeria.
Time:            6pm to 12:30 am

You can also watch the programme live on YouTube,  Dove TV, Redeemed Television Ministry (RTM). It is going to be unforgettable encounter and we shall go home singing our songs of complete restoration and total freedom tomorrow morning in Jesus name. Please join me to sing one stanza from the Congress theme song; Songs of Victory this evening as we prepare to attend the evening session of the Holy Ghost Congress tonight:

SONGS OF VICTORY
I will sing my song of victory
Halleluyah
Victory from all yokes of bondage
Halleluyah
Jesus is my song of victory
His truth freed me from all bondage
Come and hear my shout of victory
Halleluyah

Good evening and God bless you in Jesus name.

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo

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SONGS OF VICTORY  

"A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years—a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before—had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, “If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well.” The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with." Mark 5:25-29 (MSG)

For over a decade, the woman in the above scripture had fought several battles but lost all of them. She had lost physically, financially, emotionally, maritally, academically and socially. The woman's battles was so tough that it drove people around her away. Every attempt the woman made to secure her permanent victory over the Goliath of infirmity and diseases that is beating the drums of pain, shame, embarrassment and perpetual losses in her body proved abortive.

This woman's predicament continued until the day she discovered that victory belongs to Jesus Christ. On that day, she pushed her way through the crowd, got close to Jesus and stretched her hands towards him. Immediately she felt the knots of his garment between her fingers,  streams of victory flowed into her life and those sound of battles in her body ceased instantly. Within a twinkle of an eye, Jesus turned her Songs of Defeat to Songs of Victory. The woman experienced victory physically, financially, maritally,  emotionally and spiritually that same minute and her plague was over. Her secret Songs of Losses and Defeat became a public Shout of Victory. The demons beating the drum of perpetual defeat and shame in her body were arrested and slaughtered like rams. The evil fire burning secretly in her life was quenched by the consuming fire and she went home that day singing, shouting, jumping and dancing to her own Songs of Victory. This woman's twelve years tenancy in the city of losses expired on that day.

It is good to know that the same God that changed this woman's  songs of shame, defeat and ridicule to Songs of Victory is set to replicate that awesome wonder in our lives again before this year is over. The Man of War Himself will fight all our battles and give us victories on every side in Jesus name. Our Songs of defeat and failure will change to Songs of Victory and success in Jesus name. With His strong and mighty hands, the God of all flesh will deal with all the Goliaths that are beating the drums of defeat, failure, poverty, stagnation, barrenness in our home, career, business, marriage, health, ministry, state and nation in Jesus name.

Beloved, do you really want to sing Songs of Victory? Are you tired of singing that old Songs of Defeat and Disappointment? Do you want to have a taste of Sweet Success and Uncommon Victory? Then, you have to do what the woman in the above scripture did. With your whole heart,  go after the Almighty God that has never lost a battle before. Stretch your hands of faith until the Streams of Victory flow from the helm of Jesus garment into your life during this year's Holy Ghost Congress of the Redeemed Christian Church of God at the Redemption camp, Nigeria. The program is scheduled for Monday, 4th to  Saturday, 9th December 2017. The theme is "Songs of Victory". Ministering is our beloved Daddy G.O, Pastor E. A Adeboye and other anointed Ministers of God.  As the Lord liveth, before this year is over, you and I will have many reasons to sing our Unlimited Songs of Victory in Jesus name.

May I urge you to please join me this morning  to sing two stanza from the "Songs of Victory" that I believed the woman in above scripture sang after her encounter with Jesus. This song is the theme song/hymn for the 2017 Holy Ghost Congress and it was composed by our beloved Daddy G.O under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.

SONGS OF VICTORY

I will sing my Song of Vict'ry
Halleluyah
Vict'ry over all diseases
Halleluyah
Jesus is my Song of Vict'ry
His stripes freed me from diseases
Come and hear my Shout of Vict'ry
Halleluyah

I will sing my Song of Vict'ry
Halleluyah
Vict'ry over all yokes of bondage
Halleluyah
Jesus is my Song of Vict'ry
His truth freed me from all my bondage
Come and hear my Shout of Vict'ry
Halleluyah

Good morning and Happy new month. As the Lord liveth, before this month is over you will surely sing your own Songs of Victory in Jesus name. And God shall crown this year for you with goodness and your path shall drop fatness in Jesus name. Amen.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo.

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DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE GERMAN SOLDIERS

“Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]."- Matthew 7:15-16 (Amplified) 

During the Second World War, there was a group of German soldiers who dressed themselves in the uniforms of the Allies. These German soldiers used American military vehicles and went through the German countryside changing the road signs. When the American troops came to the various crossroads, they were often fooled and lead off in the wrong direction. This deception by the Germans almost gave them the victory in that very decisive battle of the second world war.

There are many "German soldiers" in the uniforms of the Allies in this generation. The Bible actually called them "ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing". They appear gentle, innocent and harmless but they are as dangerous as wolves. They use intellectual abilities to cover up their cosmetic sincerity. They also display charisma but lack character. Like those smart German soldiers, they have succeeded in luring many people away from the narrow path by changing the road signs of faith. They bring destructive teachings and tell people only what they want to hear. By providing layers of truth mixed with errors, they have stylishly removed the ancient landmark and many careless believers are following them blindly to hell.

"In the past there were false prophets among God’s people. It is the same now. You will have some false teachers in your group. They will teach things that are wrong—ideas that will cause people to be lost. And they will teach in a way that will be hard for you to see that they are wrong. They will even refuse to follow the Master who bought their freedom. And so they will quickly destroy themselves. Many people will follow them in the morally wrong things they do. And because of them, others will say bad things about the way of truth we follow. These false teachers only want your money. So they will use you by telling you things that are not true. But the judgment against these false teachers has been ready for a long time. And they will not escape God who will destroy them."2 Peter 2:1-3 (ERV)

Beloved, there is no doubt that we are living in the mist of modern day wolves - (the smart German soldiers) in this generation. Like the German soliders, these wolves don't attack wolves, but they do go after sheep, deceive them and rip them off completely. Their primary agenda is to make the sheep miss the narrow path and head for the pit of shame. So, I hope you have not been fooled/deceived by those modern day German soldiers/wolves friends, confidants and leaders of yours. If you have, It's never too late to make a "U" turn and part ways with these ravenous wolves so that you will not end your journey on earth with deep sorrow and regret.

"They went across the whole island to the city of Paphos. There they met a Jewish man named Barjesus who did magic. He was a false prophet. and said, “You son of the devil, full of lies and all kinds of evil tricks! You are an enemy of everything that is right. Will you never stop trying to change the Lord’s truths into lies? Now the Lord will touch you and you will be blind. For a time you will not be able to see anything—not even the light from the sun.” Then everything became dark for Elymas. He walked around lost. He was trying to find someone to lead him by the hand" Acts 13:6, 10-11 (ERV)

In case you are one of those modern day wolves who are dressed in sheep's clothing, please hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to you: "..the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?" (Job  20:5). If you don't repent, a terrible mist and deep darkness shall descend upon you and you shall be blind like Elymas (Acts 13:11). The blood of those sheep of God that you have polluted and misled is crying against you this morning. There is an invisible handwriting on the wall that your days are numbered and swift destruction is coming your way soon if don't repent (2 Peter 2:1-3).

May God's spirit within us blow the divine alarm whenever the ravenous wolves approaches. May we be able to discern the secret snare set to capture us. May God keep us safe in his divine canopy when men and devil joins hands together to lead us astray.  May you and I finish well and strong in Jesus name. The lyrics of the wonderful hymn below which was composed by Charles Wesley in 1884 should be our prayer point and watchword this week and forever. 

BID ME OF MEN BEWARE

BID me of men beware,
And to my ways take heed,
Discern their every secret snare,
And circumspectly tread;
O may I calmly wait
Thy succours from above;
And stand against their open hate,
And well-dissembled love!

My spirit, Lord, alarm
When men and devils join;
'Gainst all of the powers of Satan arm
In panoply divine;
O may I set my face
His onsets to repel;
Quench all his fiery darts, and chase
The fiend to his own hell!

But, above all, afraid
Of my own bosom-foe,
Still let me seek for thee for aid,
To thee my weakness show;
Hang on thy arm alone,
With self-destructing care,
And deeply in the spirit groan
The never-ceasing prayer.

Give me a sober mind,
A quick-discerning eye,
The first approach of sin to find,
And all occasions fly.
Still may I cleave to thee,
And never more depart,
But watch with godly jealousy
Over my evil heart.

Good morning and do have a blessed week in Jesus name. Amen

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo.

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ON WHICH PATH ARE YOU TRAVELING?  

"The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker— travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces."-  Proverbs 4:18-19 (MSG)

"There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak." Proverbs 14:12-13 (MSG)

Yesterday, I woke up thanking God and singing my favourite birthday hymn titled "Sweeter Than The Day Before". According to the above scriptures, everyone on earth is either traveling on the road that has a glorious prospect (the path of the just) or the road that has a terrible prospect (the way of the wicked). And the longer the just are on the path to glory, the brighter their light shines. This understanding must have inspired Robert C. Loveless to compose this wonderful hymn in 1936.

Dear friend, on which path are you traveling? The path of life or that of the wicked? Please note that you are traveling on the wicked and terrible path if you have not surrendered your life to Jesus. But if you have, then be assured that your light will keep shining brighter and brighter as the days and years go by.

"Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” Psalms 50:22-23 (NLT)

Beloved, will you like to enjoy unending progress that is available in God? Then, please make the lyrics of my special birthday hymn below your prophetic declaration and receive grace to walk worthy on the glorious path till Christ returns. 

SWEETER THAN THE DAY BEFORE by Robert C. Loveless

Everyday with you Lord
Is sweeter than the day before
Everyday with you Lord
Sweeter than the day before
Every morning I will worship
Every evening I'll adore
Cause everyday with you is sweeter, sweeter than the day before

What a privilege to know you, like I know you
To be loved like you love me
What an honor to worship, truly worship
For this heart you have freed
From the raising of the sun
To the setting of the same

Everyday with you Lord
Is sweeter than the day before
Everyday with you Lord
Sweeter than the day before
Every morning I will worship
Every evening I'll adore
Cause everyday with you is sweeter, sweeter than the day before

What a wonder to live like, really live like
Overcoming anything
What reason to lift, really lift up
Everyday my everything
From the raising of the sun
To the setting of the same

Everyday with you Lord
Is sweeter than the day before
Everyday with you Lord
Sweeter than the day before
Every morning I will worship
Every evening I'll adore
Cause everyday with you is sweeter, sweeter than the day before

Everyday, Everyday with you Lord
Everyday, Everyday with you Lord
Everyday, Sweeter than the day before
Everyday, Sweeter than the day before"

As the Lord lives, every new day on earth shall be sweeter than the day before for you and I in Jesus name. May our tomorrow's exploit for God and humanity be greater than today's and yesterday's achievements in Jesus name. May our light keep shining brighter and brighter as the days and years go by in Jesus name. May we receive grace to keep walking on that glorious path until our saviour returns to take us home in Jesus name. Amen.

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God,  Pastor E. A. Adeboye, I will like to invite you to the 2019 Holy Ghost Congress. Theme: THE GREAT TURNAROUND. Date: December 9th - 14th, 2019. Venue: The Redemption Camp, Km 46 Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, Nigeria.  Ministering: Our beloved Daddy G.O - Pastor E.A Adeboye and other anointed Ministers of God.

Good morning and do have a blessed day.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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YOU SHALL BE RESTORED

"Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler"  Genesis  40:13

In the early 1600s, the Japanese introduced a dwarf potted tree called Bonsai tree to the world. The tree is measured in inches instead of feet as other trees are measured. It is not allowed to reach anywhere near its full growth potential but instead grows in a stunted miniature form, having been transplanted  into a small pot with crown and root pruning. The reason it grows in a stunted form is that when it first sprots out of the ground as a sapling, the owner pulled it out of the soil and tied off its main tap root and some of its branch feeder roots and then replanted it. By doing this, its owner deliberately stunted its growth by limiting the roots ability to spread out and grow deep and take in enough of the soils nutrients for a normal growth.

Many people are like the Japanese dwaft potted tree. The wicked farmer in charge of their lineage has tied off the tap roots of their progress,/advancement/breakthrough in life. Their feeder roots of prayers, holiness and consecration has also been damaged and cut off from divine nourishment by sin . Their branches of devotion to God and His kingdom has been tampered with and trimmed off. And they have been uprooted from their place and transplanted into the wicked pot of limitation and bondage so that they will never reach their full growth potential. What a great tradegy!

Beloved, Is your life like the dwaft Japanese potted tree above? Has Satan succeeded in doing to you what the Japanese did to the Bonsai tree? What is your height, size and weight in God and in life today? Are you measured in inches or in feets? Are you a dwarf maritally,  academically,  emotionally and financially? Have you been transplanted from the palace to the prison like the Bulter of Pharaoh? If your answer is "Yes", then, let me assure you that God has whatsoever it takes to uproot you (physically, financially, academically etc) from that wicked pot where you have been planted. If you dare to believe His word, the Almighty God who relocated the Bulter and Joseph from the prison to the palace will take you to where you truly belong before this month (eleventh hour of year 2017) is over. The songs of divine restoration will come forth from your home this month as God visits you and give you your eleventh hour testimony of victory, deliverance and total restoration in Jesus name. However,  you must surrender your life to Jesus Christ if you sincerely want to enjoy a true and lasting restoration.

The lyrics of the song titled "Restoring The Years" composed by Donald Lawrence is highly prophetic and speaks volume. May I urge you to please join me to sing as we get set for divine repositioning and restoration of lost glory this month. 

"Restoring The Years"

Lend me your ear
Thus sayeth the lord
Just know that my word
Will not return void

The time I've sustained
There's no need to fear
I'm restoring the years
You've sewn in tears

Restoring the years
You've sewn in tears
I am the author
The writer of time

No matter how long
Things will work out just fine
Deposit this word
There's no need to fear

I'm restoring the years
You've sewn in tears
Restoring the years
You've sewn in tears

Restoring the years
You've sewn in tears
I'm healing you
Healing you.

As the Lord liveth, you shall be restored before this month is over in Jesus name.  Amen

May I use this opportunity to invite you to the November 2017 Holy Ghost service of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God.  Theme: Victory Ahead. Date: Friday,  November 3, 2017. Venue: Redemption Camp,  Nigeria. Ministering: Our beloved Daddy,  Pastor E.A Adeboye. Time: 6pm.

Good day and do have a blessed weekend. Happy new month.

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
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ALL THINGS WORKING FOR MY GOOD

"He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son...." Romans 8:28-30 (MSG)

Early this morning, the above scripture came alive in my spirit and while meditating on it, I remembered the story of the Clark Family. It was in the early 1900, the Clark family had a dream to relocate from Scotland to America. They planned, worked and saved towards actualising their dreams. After several years, they finally saved enough money to buy the tickets that will take them on a new ship to America. The entire family was filled with anticipation and excitement about their new life. However, seven days before their departure, the youngest son was bitten by a dog. The doctor treated the boy but quarantined the entire Clark family for fourteen days.

Therefore, the family’s dream was dashed. They were not able to make the trip to America as planned. The father, filled with disappointment and anger, stomped to the dock to watch the ship leave – without his family on board. The father shed tears of disappointment and cursed both his son and God for their misfortune. Five days later, the tragic news spread throughout Scotland that the mighty Titanic had sunk. The unsinkable ship had sunk, taking hundreds of lives with it. The Clark family would have been on that ship, but because the son had been bitten by a dog, they were left behind in Scotland. When Mr. Clark heard the news, he hugged his son and thanked him for saving the family. He thanked God for saving their lives and turning what he had felt was a tragedy into a blessing.

Beloved, has your dream ship left the dock without you on board? Are you feeling terribly bad today because of those missed opportunities? Do you feel like blaming or cursing God, your parents, spouse, siblings, Uncle, Aunty, Boss, colleagues for missing the cruise. Please hear what the Spirit of God is saying: It's intentional. God knows about it. You missed the ship because, it is not going to where God wants you to go. That plan was yours not God's. Please stop crying. Stop the blame game. All things are working together for your good. May I assure you that the God of All flesh doesn't make mistake. He is capable of turning what you felt was a big tradegy or great loss to a great blessing. So, I urge you to please celebrate God in the midst of those challenges this week with this powerful song composed by Pastor Travis Greene. The song is titled "Intentional".

INTENTIONAL

All things are working for my good, yeah
'Cause He's intentional
Never failing
I know that all things are working for my good, yeah
He's intentional
Never failing

All things are working
All things are working for my good, yes they are, yeah
All things are working for my good
All things are working for my good"

Good day and do have a blessed week in Jesus name. Amen

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
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HOME ON MY MIND

"The promise of “arrival” and “rest” is still there for God’s people. God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God. So let’s keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience". -  Hebrews 4:9-11 (Message)

Few days ago, I came across a very wonderful hymn titled "Home of the Soul". The hymn was composed in 1912 by James Rowe (1865 - 1933). While meditating on the lyrics of this hymn, the Holy Spirit reminded me about some of the most challenging journeys I have embarked on in life. 

In October 2006, I travelled to a state in the northern part of Nigeria by air and was scheduled to return to Lagos few days later but the return flight was cancelled due to bad weather. My hope of leaving the location by air on the proposed departure date was dashed. After much hesitation, I decided to board a bus back to Lagos. The trip was a 24hour odyssey of pain and discomfort because I have never travelled such a long distance by road before. I was really tired and bored.  After several hours on the road, we finally rounded a bend, climbed the long bridge at Wawa village, and l saw the signpost with the inscription -"Welcome to Lagos- the State of Aquatic Spendour" at Berger bustop. And as we approached the final bustop, the air cooled, the sun appeared more spectacular, more serene, and brighter. I was sighing for my beautiful home; eagerly looking forward to embrace my darling Queen and lovely Princess. Few minutes later, that long and boring journey eventually ended and I was glad to be home at last. 

Life is a journey and we must endeavour to go through it with the end in mind. There may be some discomfort or pains on the way but one day, arriving in our mansion above (home) will make the journey on this earth seem like such a short drive, even if our life has been like one long road trip from the north to the west. We will eventually round a bend, feel a cool, fresh whisper of wind on our cheeks, knowing that we have been raised to a higher elevation and there we will be: in the splendor and glory of heaven, with Jesus, forever and ever. We will be so glad that we finally made it home.

"There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I'm taking." John 14:2-4 (Message)

Beloved, where are you today in the journey of life? Where is your soul heading to? Heaven or Hell? If Jesus returns today, are you sure you will go with Him to that glorious home He promised us in John 14:2-4? Will your soul be among the redeemed ones that will enter that beautiful HOME OF REST? Will you reach the eternal shore? Are you a true child of God? If your answers are not positive, then, I urge you to please amend your ways now and surrender to the Saviour today. You will never regret that you did because the sand of times are sinking and we may soon be going home. Please don't be left behind.

This week, kindly let us meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn as we trust God for grace to make it "home" whenever Christ returns:

HOME OF THE SOUL

If for the prize we have striven,
After our labors are o’er,
Rest to our souls will be given,
On the eternal shore.

Refrain
       Home of the soul, beautiful home,
       There we shall rest, never to roam;
       Free from all care, happy and bright,
       Jesus is there, He is the light!
       Oft, in the storm, lonely are we,
       Sighing for home, longing for Thee,
       Beautiful home of the ransomed,
       Beside the crystal sea.

Yes, a sweet rest is remaining
For the true children of God,
Where there will be no complaining,
Never a chastening rod.

Soon, the bright homeland adorning,
We shall behold the glad dawn;
Lean on the Lord till the morning,
Trust till the night is gone.

I don't know about you, but I'm seriously sighing for my home beyond the sky. How I wish you are too. May God grant us grace to finish strong and well so that we can all enter that beautiful HOME OF REST in Jesus name. Amen.

Good day and do have a fruitful week IJN.

Maranatha!

Bro  Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
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LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU

"Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it." 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (MSG)

“..You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven" - Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG)

Few days ago, while ministering, our guest minister - the wife of a Senior Pastor in the Mission sang a very wonderful song that stirred up a burning sensation in my spirit. The song is titled "- Let others see Jesus in you". It is an old Christian hymn that was composed by Baylus B. Mckinney in 1924. When the service ended, I kept on singing the hymn and the Lord led me to read the above Bible passages and the story below:

"A group of salesmen who traveled for a regional sales convention had assured their wives that they would be home for dinner on a particular Friday. However, the convention lasted longer than anticipated and they had to race to the airport. With tickets in hand, they barged through the terminal to catch their flight back home. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table, which held a display of baskets of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding, all but one. He paused, took a deep breath and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned. He told his colleagues to go on without him and that he will take a later flight home. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the floor. He was glad he did. The girl at the apple stand was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled apples as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping or to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them into the baskets, and helped set the display up once more. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, “Here, please take this cash for the damage we did. Are you okay?” She nodded through her tears. As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, “Mister….” He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, “Are you Jesus?” He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: “Are you Jesus?”

Beloved, what sermon is your life preaching everyday? Is your life pointing people to God or sending them away from Him? Can someone see Jesus in you? Do people mistake you for Jesus? Yes, God expects us to be so much like Jesus that people will find it so difficult to tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace. According to 1 John 2:6, If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It’s actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.

I urge you to please join me this morning to make the wordings of this powerful hymn below our prayer focus and action points this week and beyond.

LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU

While passing thro' this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain:
          Let others see Jesus in you,
          Let others see Jesus in you.
          Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
          Let others see Jesus in you.

Your life's a book before their eyes,
They're reading it thro' and thro'
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?

Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.

May I also use this opportunity to invite you to the October 2017 Holy Ghost service of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God.  Theme: Agent of Transformation. Date: Friday, October 6, 2017. Time: 6 pm.  Venue: Redemption Camp,  Nigeria. Ministering: Our beloved Daddy,  Pastor E.A Adeboye.

I wish you a blessed week and a glorious month, full of the manifold wonders of His Double Grace.

Happy new month. Good morning and God bless you IJN.

Maranatha!

Bro  Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
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KEEP THE SHORE LIGHTS ON AND FIRE BURNING

"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning"- Luke  12:35

Several years ago, while delivering a sermon, Evangelist Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) told a story of a ship nearing the harbour on a dark stormy night. The pilot knew that he could only find the harbour channel by keeping two lower shore lights in line with the main beacon. "Are you sure this is the harbour?" asked the captain. "Quite sure, Sir," replied the pilot. "Where are the lower lights?" he asked. "Gone out, Sir!" was the reply. The pilot turned the wheel, but in the darkness, he missed the channel. He tried again to make for the harbour, but the boat crashed on the rocks and many lives were lost that night.  Why? Simply because the lower lights of the boat had gone out. Evangelist D.L. Moody's closing words were, "Brethren, the Master will take care of the great lighthouse; let us keep the lower lights burning."

Beloved, as your boat and mine approaches the harbour of eternity, the heart beat of Heaven is that we should keep our shore lights on and fire burning. Whenever the lights goes off, the risk of crashing the boat before reaching the harbour is very high. Therefore, the salient question we must ask ourselves is whether we really desire to reach the harbour/shore of Heaven safe and sound. If our answer is "Yes" , then we need to make the lyrics of the hymn below our prayer focus this week. This wonderful hymn was composed in 1871 by Philip P. Bliss.

LET THE LOWER LIGHT BE BURNING

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy
From His lighthouse ever more,
But to us He give the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.

Chorus:
        Let the lower lights be burning!
        Send a gleam across the wave!
        Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
        You may rescue, you may save.

Dark the night of sin has settled,
Loud and angry billows roar;
Eager eyes are watching, longing,
For the lights along the shore.

Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;
Some poor seaman tempest-tossed,
Trying now to make the harbor,
In the darkness MAY BE LOST.

May the dark night of sin not put out our shore lights. May we receive grace to trim our lamps/lights daily and remain in top condition as we approach the harbour. May God use us mightly to rescue all drowning men in the sea of life. And may we not miss the Harbour of Heaven after being used to rescue others in sea of life.

"..I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself". -  1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Message)

Good morning and do have a blessed week in Jesus name.  (Amen).

Maranatha!

Bro  Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
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THE VOICE AND ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SAVED LIVES.

"John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord ’s coming!"-  John 1: 23 (NLT)

"A mysterious man appeared at one point, his mouth and nose covered with a red handkerchief. He was looking for a fire extinguisher. He pointed to the stairs and made an announcement that saved lives with his strong and authoritative voice: Anyone who can walk, get up and walk now. Anyone who can perhaps help others, find someone who needs help and then head down" - (Judy R, 2002)

The statement above was credited to one of the survivors of the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Centre. Judy Rein described the man who rescued her as a mysterious man with a strong and authoritative voice. According to her, the man used his powerful voice to order them (the survivors) out of the burning building through the stairway. He also encouraged them to help others while he carried an injured woman on his back. With his voice, the man made the announcement that eventually saved the lives of many people on that fateful day. Although, he eventually lost his life in the process.

Today, there are many people who have been trapped under the debris of all manners of ungodly acts or vises like lesbianism,  adultery, fornication, occultism, idolatory, drug addiction, same-sex marriage etc. The smoke and chaos of this world has  barricaded their paths. They are injured, stranded and confused. Obviously, they desperately need  help. They need  someone who will show them the stairway out of their predicaments. Someone with a strong and authoritative voice to rescue their precious souls from the danger of eternal pains and suffering in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14-15). They will be eternally grateful if someone showed up like that mysterious man above .

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!" - Isaiah 6:8 (Amplified)

Beloved, will you like to be a Voice for the Master in this generation? Will you allow God to use your voice to make the announcement that will save souls from the blazing flame of Hell? If your answer is "Yes", then please join me to make the declaration below. It's the lyrics of a hymn written in 1902 by J.W Carpenter.

I'LL BE A VOICE FOR THE MASTER

I’ll be a voice for the Master,
Speaking for Jesus today;
Guiding the souls He is seeking,
Into the beautiful way.

Refrain
      I’ll be a voice! I’ll be a voice!
      Teaching the truth and the way;
      I’ll be a voice! I’ll be a voice!
      Speaking for Jesus today.

I’ll be a voice to the wand’rer,
Though far away he may roam;
Telling love’s welcome is waiting,
Guiding the prodigal home.

I’ll be a voice for the Master,
Unto the sad and oppressed;
Guiding the feet of the weary
Unto His haven of rest.

Beloved, I sincerely desire to be a voice for the Master. And I hope you do too. A specially Consecrated Voice and not an ordinary Vibrating Echo. A compassionate voice to guide the prodigal back home. A voice amplified by the power of the Holy Ghost to point sinners to Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for them on the Cross of Calvary. My heart cry and prayers this morning is :- Lord, please make me and all your disciples a voice in this generation. Father, please touch our lips with your coal of fire. Purge and use us to your glory in Jesus name.

Good morning and do have a fruitful week IJN.

Maranatha!

Bro  Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
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THE GENTLE GIANT HAS GONE TO BE WITH HIS FRIEND 

"You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father". John 15:14-15 (MSG) 

Few days ago, when the news about the demise of the great American country music legend - Donald Ray Williams filtered in, I said to myself "The Gentle Giant has finally gone to be with his friend". Don Williams, popularly known as "Gentle Giant" because of his 6-foot, 1-inch frame and smooth bass baritone voice was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010. During his 50 years music career, he composed several wonderful country music hit tracks. My favourites of those hit tracks includes "He's a friend of mine", "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good", "You’re My Best Friend", "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend", "Sing me back home" and "Why Lord goodbye".

Although Don Wiliams said "goodbye" to this sinful world at the age of 78, his life and songs will forever continue to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. While on earth, he used his talents and gifts to promote the agenda of his friend- Jesus Christ. Even when he has gone, his voice will continue to echo around the globe with the message of salvation and a closer walk with God. This fact was clearly expressed in the lyrics of some of his songs, one of which is written below:

HE’S A FRIEND OF MINE

You brought me down when I was up to see you
Then tried to tell me everything was fine
But in my heart I knew I never knew you
I knew your name and you knew mine

Chorus:
         But there’s Someone I would like for you to meet
         He’s a friend of mine
         At home alone or in the street
         He’ll stay much closer, closer to you than I can
         Let me tell you of this Jesus Saviour man

The times you’re low and no-one’s here to please you
Or fear will freeze you when the night would fall
There is no other one I know to ease you
For He is love and loves us all
And He’ll help us, if we listen to the call

Beloved, we are all going to leave this sinful world one day like Don Williams. But before we bid the world farewell, we need to answer these questions: "Have you met the Saviour that Don Williams sang about", "Have you responded to His call of salvation?", "Have you find a friend in Christ Jesus", "Have you conquered  the sting of second death?" If your response is "Yes", then, I rejoice with you and pray that God will keep you standing until Christ returns. But if your response is "No" or "Not sure", I urge you to please surrender to the Saviour - Jesus Christ today. Please don't procrastinate.

One salient thing we can also learn from the life of Don Williams is that we don't need a physical pulpit to preach the gospel. We don't even need ordination certificates as Deacon/Deaconess, Pastor, Bishop or General Overseer to share the good news. Our office, studio, workshop, car or phone (Social media platforms) can be our pulpit. We can use our gifts and talents to share the good news. Since soul winning is the key criteria for induction into the Eternal Hall of Fame in Heaven, I urge you to please engage whatsoever God has given to you to propagate the good news. If you do, great shall be your reward in the mansions above.

To the family of Don Williams and his fans, please don't sorrow over the passing away of the Gentle Giant of country music. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, he's not dead but sleeps. And on the resurrection morning, when the roll is called up yonder, we shall see him again and never to part forever.

Good night dear Mr Donald Ray Williams. Keep sleeping in the bosom of your friend - Jesus Christ until we meet again.

Good morning and do have a fruitful week IJN.

Maranatha!

Bro  Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Follow on Twitter: @tammytaiwo

THE SANDS OF TIME ARE SINKING

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh". - Luke 21:25-28

"More than a week after Hurricane Harvey swept through Texas, thousands of people are still unable to return home. At least 53 people died from the storm and tens of thousands of people are still living in shelters seeking aid. As the government works to help those affected by Harvey, Hurricane Irma is looming in the Atlantic as a threat to Caribbean islands -- and potentially, by next week, to the United States". (CNN report Nicole C. (2017, September 4)

According to the above news, while recovery effort for Hurricane Harvey is still ongoing, another hurricane is looming and may hit the Carribeans Island and possibly the United States in a couple of days. This is the roaring of the sea and waves mentioned in the above scripture.  It's obvious we are witnessing the events that will precede the end of age. The earth is seriously groaning and the current realities indicate that the end is near. The order in which Christ listed the events that will precede the end shows that the next event the Church is waiting for is the rapture.

The rapture is the glorious exit of people, whose names are written in the Book of life from this present world, it will be heralded by a sudden sound of the archangel’s trumpet. The translation of Enoch in the Old Testament was a pointer to the rapture of saints (Genesis 5:24). As his translation was sudden, so will the rapture be unexpected and unannounced. So, everyone who desire to experience this glorious translation must live to please the Lord in their dispositions, thoughts, words, actions and plans like Enoch.

Beloved, the sands of times are sinking, the sea and the waves are roaring, dark had been the midnight on earth and it's obvious the dayspring is at hand. There is therefore need for personal preparation. We must watch and be ready, because we “know not what hour (our) Lord doth come.” If you have not surrendered  your life to Jesus, I urge you to please do so today. Delay may be dangerous. Come and stand on the platform of His mercy to secure your eternity with God.

The lyrics of that wonderful old christian hymn titled  “The Sands of Time are Sinking” composed by Mrs. Anne Ross Cousin in 1865 speaks volume on the subject. May I urge you to please join me to meditate on the lyrics of this hymn as we look foward to the coming of our Saviour and rapture of the saints.

THE SANDS OF TIME ARE SINKING

The sands of time are sinking,
The dawn of heaven breaks;
The summer morn I've sighed for -
The fair, sweet morn awakes:
Dark, dark had been the midnight
But dayspring is at hand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel's land.

O Christ, He is the fountain,
The deep, sweet well of love!
The streams on earth I've tasted
More deep I'll drink above:
There to an ocean fullness
His mercy doth expand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel's land.

The bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear Bridegroom's face;
I will not gaze at glory
But on my King of grace.
Not at the crown He giveth
But on His pierced hand;
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Emmanuel's land.

O I am my Beloved's
And my Beloved is mine!
He brings a poor vile sinner
Into His house of wine
I stand upon His merit -
I know no other stand,
Not e'en where glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel's land.

In case the rapture takes place before next week Monday, by God’s grace I hope to see you in Emmanuel's Land - The City of unending Halleluyah and Glory.

“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” - Luke 21:34-36 (MSG)

Good morning and do have a fruitful week IJN.

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Follow on Twitter: @tammytaiwo

THE POTENCY OF PRAYER

"Hannah was reduced to tears and had no appetite. So Hannah ate. Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary. The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to God ’s Temple in the customary seat. Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow: Oh, God -of-the-Angel-Armies, If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain, If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me By giving me a son, I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline"- 1 Samuel 1:7, 9-11 MSG 

"The Eagle does not fight the snake on the ground. It picks it up into the sky and changes the battle ground, and then it releases the snake into the sky. The snake has no stamina, no power and no balance in the air. It is useless, weak and vulnerable unlike on the ground where it is powerful wise and deadly. Take your fight into the spiritual realm by praying and when you are in the spiritual realm God takes over your battles. Don't fight the enemy in his comfort zone, change the battle grounds like the Eagle and let God take charge through your earnest prayer. You'll be assured of clean victory. Pray without ceasing." Author Unknown.

The above article reinforces the need to always engage the potency of prayer at all times as enumerated in an old christian poem titled - the Exhortation to prayer, which was written by a reknown English poet and hymnodist - William Cowper in mid 1700s.

EXHORTATION TO PRAYER

What various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy-seat!
Yet who that knows the worth of pray'r,
But wishes to be often there?

Pray'r makes the dark'ned cloud withdraw,
Pray'r climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings ev'ry blessing from above.

Restraining pray'r, we cease to fight;
Pray'r makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles, when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel's side;
But when thro' weariness they fail'd,
That moment Amalek prevail'd."

In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah had been fighting the battle of barrenness, loneliness, frustration and delay for several years with weapons of self pity and weeping. But one day, she discovered that the cheapest way to win any battle in life is to engage the power of prayer. Immediately, she changed the battle ground to her knee and Heaven responded with her much awaited "Samuel" .

Beloved, do you want God to take over your battles this week? How long have you been waiting for your own samuel? Then, It's time to approach the mercy seat. It's time to climb Jacob's ladder in prayer. It's time to change the battle ground like Hannah. It's time for the "Hannah" in you to stop weeping but rather pray until that closed womb is opened. Yes, I have no doubt that Abba Father is calling us to take those old and recurring battles of loneliness,  barrenness, stagnation, shame, failure, disappointment to His Glorious Mercy Seat this week. The only one who has the keys of David is waiting to see you on your knee in Shiloh this week. So, please join us for the September 2017 Holy Ghost Service where God will be attending to everyone trusting Him for fruitfulness in every area of their lives.

Theme:         ABBA FATHER 7
Date:             Friday September 1, 2017
Venue:          Redemption Camp. Km 46, Lagos - Ibadan Exp. Nigeria.
Ministering: Our beloved Daddy, Pastor E.A. Adeboye. (The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God )

Have a blessed day and do have a glorious week.

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Follow on Twitter: @tammytaiwo

HAVE YOUR OWN WAY, LORD

"So I went down to the potter’s house and saw him working with clay at the wheel. He was making a pot from clay. But there was something wrong with the pot. So the potter used that clay to make another pot. With his hands he shaped the pot the way he wanted it to be.  “Family of Israel, you know that I can do the same thing with you. You are like the clay in the potter’s hands, and I am the potter.” Jeremiah 18:3-4, 6 (ERV)

During my devotion this morning, the Lord led me to sing the hymn titled "Have thine own way, Lord". This powerful hymn about accepting God's will which was composed in 1907 by Adelaide A. Pollard - a believer who was planning to travel to Africa as a missionary but found herself unable to raise the needed funds to make the journey. Greatly discouraged, she attended a prayer service one evening and as she sat there, she overheard an elderly woman say "It really doesn't matter what you do with us, Lord, just have your own way with our lives." The elderly woman inspired Pollard and she contemplated the story of the potter from Jeremiah 18:3 and, upon her return home that evening, she wrote all the four stanzas below before retiring for the night:

HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

Beloved, are you discouraged today like that missionary? Are things not going the way you would have wanted? Do you think God has abandoned you? May I assure you that God is secretly working on His perfect Will for your life. Because God's plans are better than our plans, you just have to let Him do it in his own way and at His own perfect time. If you surrender everything to Him, I have no doubt that the great potter will soon complete His work on your case and very soon something awesome and glorious will happen that will make you to shout unending Halleluyah to the King of kings.

Have a blessed day and a fruitful week in Jesus name.

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Follow on Twitter: @tammytaiwo

THE COLD LOVE SYNDROME

"Remember this: There are some terrible times coming in the last days. People will love only themselves and money. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. They will go on pretending to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that “devotion” change the way they live. Stay away from these people! "-  2 Timothy 3:1, 5 (ERV)

Some months ago, I came across a very wonderful hymn written by Mrs Lelia Morris when she was in her early fifties.  The title of the hymn is "Sweeter as the years go by". Mrs Morris was inspired to compose this song when everyone was expecting her to be angry with God or to be moaning/grousing the lost of her sight.  But rather, she was celebrating God's faithfulness, love and mercy with the wordings of this hymn. Despite living in physical darkness, Mrs. Morris had a glowing light shining forth from within her. She had an intimate walk with the One who said, “I am the Light of the world” (John. 8:12). In spite of her physical handicap, Mrs Morris loved God so deeply and was very proud to tell the whole world that Jesus love in her heart is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Below is the wordings of that wonderful hymn written by this great woman of faith - Mrs Lelia Morris:

SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY

"Of Jesus’ love that sought me, when I was lost in sin;
Of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again;
Of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea,
And higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be.

Refrain:
          Sweeter as the years go by,
          Sweeter as the years go by,
          Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter,
          Sweeter as the years go by.

He trod in old Judea life’s pathway long ago;
The people thronged about Him, His saving grace to know;
He healed the brokenhearted, and caused the blind to see;
And still His great heart yearneth in love for even me.

’Twas wondrous love which led Him for us to suffer loss,
To bear without a murmur the anguish of the cross;
With saints redeemed in glory, let us our voices raise,
Till Heav’n and earth re-echo with our Redeemer’s praise."

Beloved, according to the above, we are in the last days and the love of many people are already waxing cold. Unlike Mrs Morris, many believers love and devotion to God are now getting colder as the years go by. Many Christians have been infected with that dangerous end-time disease called - "The Cold Love Syndrome" that Apostle Paul mentioned in 2 Timothy 3. Although, many of us pretends to love God but deep inside our heart what we actually love and cherish most are riches, pleasure and earthly possessions. Please be sincere with yourselves. Are you living today with the symptoms of that terrible end- time spiritual disease - The Cold Love Syndrome?  Is your love for God waxing stronger as the years go by? Is your prayer, worship and study life waxing stronger as the years go by? Is your kingdom service waxing stronger as the years go by? What happened to your sanctification? Please stop that pretence and make things right with God this week.

Good morning and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Follow on Twitter: @tammytaiwo

STOP HOARDING YOUR BEST CORN 

"Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need." Proverbs 11:24-26 (NLT)

"The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. Curses on those who drive a hard bargain! Blessings on all who play fair and square!" Proverbs 11:24-26 (MSG)

A story was told of a farmer who grew superior quality and award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the Agricultural Fair where it won honour and prizes. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learnt something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his corn seed with his neighbours."How can you afford to share your best corn seeds with your neighbours when they are also participating in the corn competition with you each year?" the reporter asked. "Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbours grow inferior, sub-standard and poor quality corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbours grow good corn."

The farmer in the above story understood one of the secrets of true greatness in life. He was a generous man. According to Webster dictionary, generosity is the quality of being kind, understanding, and not selfish. This farmer understood that the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. Anyone who desire to win must also help others to win as well. And anyone who desire to be happy must help others to find happiness for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.

Beloved, are you hoarding your good grains from your neighbours or are you sharing it like this old farmer? Have you considered the pros and cons of sharing or hoarding your best corns/grains as recorded in the above scripture (Proverbs 11:24-26)?  The Bible says hoarding attracts curse while generosity brings prosperity. The reason why many people are struggling today is simply because they had chosen to hoard their seeds in the past. Unfortunately, many people are still hoarding those wonderful testimonies of their salvation, divine provision, fruitfulness , healing and deliverance from everyone around them. Why not stop this ridiculous hoarding business of yours which is attracting recurrent losses into your life everyday. Please help someone to have a feel of the good corn of salvation planted in the garden of your soul by the Holy Spirit. Share the good seed of the gospel and the wind of the Holy Ghost will blow across our villages, cities, nations and the whole world to trigger the supernatural cross-pollination that will lead to bountiful harvest of dominion as the second coming of Jesus Christ draw near.

Today, I feel so honoured to share my superior corn with all my friends, colleagues and relatives all over the world. Therefore, on behalf of my esteemed Daddy G.O, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, my sweet Mummy,  Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye and the entire Governing Council of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, I will like to invite you to our 66th Annual Convention with the theme "DOMINION". Please join us as we position ourselves for the touch of God that will guarantee our  Dominion, victory, deliverance, supernatural healing, unprecedented breakthroughs.

Date: :                     Monday 6th to Sunday 12th August, 2018
Theme:                   DOMINION
Venue:                    Redemption Camp, Km 46 Lagos Ibadan Expressway,  Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Time:                       8:00 am (Morning session), 3:00 pm (Afternoon session) & 8:30 pm (Evening session)
Ministering:           Our beloved Daddy G.O - Pastor E.A. Adeboye & other anointed Ministers of God.

May I urge you to please join me to praise the Almighty God in advance for what He will do for us during this program by singing the special hymn for this year's Annual Convention. The hymn is titled "Praise To The Lord ,The Almighty King of Creation"

PRAISE TO THE LORD,  THE ALMIGHTY KING OF CREATION.

Praise to the Lord,the Almighty,
The King of creation;
O my soul,praise Him,for He is
thy health and salvation;
All ye who hear,
Brothers and sisters draw near,
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord,who doth prosper
thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here
daily attend thee;
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord,who,when
tempest their welfare are waging,
Who,when the elements madly around
thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease,
Turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord,who,when darkness
and sin is abounding,
Who,when the godless do triumph,all
virtue confounding,
Shedeth His light,
Chaseth the horrors of night
Same with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me
adore Him!
All that hath life and breath,
come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Good morning and God bless you. Amen

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit -
http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Twitter: @tammytaiwo
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Facebook: Okanlawon Taiwo

QUESTIONS FOR GOD? 

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places...." Habakkuk  3:17-19

Have you ever passed through circumstances that made you ask God - "Why do I have to go through this?" We often ask this question when the challenges seems to be too hard for us to bear. My wife and I had experienced similar situation before.

In October 2005, a strange storm suddenly hit our home and took away our first child - Emmanuel Ireoluwatomiwa few weeks after his second year birthday. We were completely devastated and overwhelmed with sorrow. Like any other person, we couldn't resist the urge to ask the Almighty God questions. We asked him questions like " but why did you allow this to happen to us?", "what sin have we committed?, where did we missed it Lord? Why? Why? and Why?

In the midst of that storm, God spoke to us from the above scripture - Habakkuk 3:17-19. The voice of His Majesty brought unusual calmness to our  hearts. God's word inoculated us with faith that dispelled all our many doubts about His faithfulness at all times. He strengthened us to walk through the stormy season believing Him for the best. And today, God has not only restored our losses but we can boldly attest to how He had used these difficult experience to help us move closer to Him and to teach us how to depend on Him even more. We can really look back to those days and see how He carried us through those lonely hours. God graciously wiped away our tears and calmed the terrifying storm.   

Beloved, are you in the middle of a stormy sea? Are your challenges so overwhelming? Are there questions you have been asking God and it appears the heavens over you had become brass? I can assure you that our God is ever faithful. The Almighty God who calmed our storm and answered our questions will do same for you. And God will also give you "blessed consolation" if you dare to surrender to Him genuinely, love Him deeply and serve Him faithfully. 

There is no better hymn that describes our above testimony of God's faithfulness in the raging storm than the hymn titled" "Through It All". The hymn was written by Pastor Andrae Edward Crouch in 1971. Please allow God to speak to you from the wordings of this wonderful hymn below and trust God for divine intervention and great turnaround.

THROUGH IT ALL

I've had many tears and sorrows,
I've had questions for tomorrow,
There've been times I didn't know right from wrong:
But in every situation God gave blessed consolation
That my trials come to only make me strong.

CHORUS:
      Through it all, through it all,
      I've learned to trust in Jesus,
      I've learned to trust in God;
      Through it all, through it all,
      I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I've been to lots of places,
And I've seen a lot of faces,
There've been times I felt so all alone;
But in my lonely hours,
Yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus let me know that I was His own.

I thank God for the mountains,
And I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms
He brought me through;
For if I'd never had a problem
I wouldn't know that He could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God could do.

My prayer for you is that God will reveal Himself to you in that situation this week. As the Lord lives, before this month is over, Heaven will show up for you and give you a major turnaround. The event(s) that will answer your questions convincingly and wipe your tears away permanently shall manifest in Jesus name. Amen.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit -
http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Twitter: @tammytaiwo
Instagram: @lawontaiwo
Facebook: Okanlawon Taiwo

MY KINGDOM ANTHEM AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

“When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.  For the Good News must first be preached to all nations.  But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit" - Mark 13:9-11 (NLT)

On July 10, 2016, the venue of EURO 2016 final ( Stade de France in Paris) was filled to full capacity as the national football teams of Portugal and France matched majestically into the stadium to compete for the highest football trophy in the whole of Europe. As the footballers lined up and began to recite their national anthem as a mark of devotion and loyality to their respective countries, the Lord asked me a question:  Son, what is your Kingdom Anthem? While struggling to answer the question, some scriptures and lyrics of my favourite hymns on Christians devotion and loyalty flashed into my mind. I thought I had answered the question until few days ago when God ministered to me through the lyrics of a hymn titled- "I pledge allegiance to the Lamb". After meditating on the lyrics of the hymn, I was persuaded that there is no better Anthem to reaffirms Christians loyalty and devotion to God like this wonderful hymn. The hymn was written by Raymond Howard "Ray" Boltz in 1994. May I urge you to please join me this beautiful monday morning to sing and meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn of devotion and loyalty below:

I PLEDGE ALLEGENCE TO THE LAMB

I have heard how Christians long ago
Were brought before a tryant's throne
And they were told that he would spare their lives
If they would renounce the name of Christ
But one by one they choose to die
The Son of God they could not deny
Like a great angelic choir sings
I can almost hear their voices ring.

Refrain:
          I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
          With all my strength, with all I am
          I will seek to honor His commands
          I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

Now the years have come, and the years have gone
But the cause of Jesus still goes on
Now our time has come to count the cost
To reject this world, to embrace the cross
And one by one let us live our lives
For the one who died to give us life
Till the trumpet sounds on the final day
Let us proudly stand and boldly say

To the Lamb of God who bore my pain
Who took my place, who wore my shame
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

Beloved, have you pledge allegiance to the Lamb of God that bore your pains, shame and eternal sorrow on that old rugged cross? Have you forsaken the world completely and embrace the cross. Have you received the gift of eternal life? Have you denied the Son of God for worldly gains, approvals and applauds? Can you boldly say that your name is in the book of life? If the trumpet sounds today, are you sure you will rise to reign with Christ in the city of Gold?  If your answer to these questions are not positive,  then, I urge you to please pledge allegiance to the Lamb by surrendering your life to Him today. If your answer is positive, please call upon God to help you remain steadfast until the trumpet sound. May God grant us grace to endure to the end in Jesus name.

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved"- Mark  13:13 (KJV)  

Good morning and do have a blessed week and glorious new month.

Maranatha!

Bro Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com.
Follow on Twitter @tammytaiwo