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

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
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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.

For more articles please visit - http://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
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