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

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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
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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