THE PRISON OF UNFORGIVENESS

THE PRISON OF UNFORGIVENESS

"And his master’s heart was moved with compassion and he released him and forgave him [canceling] the debt.  But that same slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began choking him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe!’ Then his master called him and said to him, ‘You wicked and contemptible slave, I forgave all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me. ‘Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave [who owed you little by comparison], as I had mercy on you?’  And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (jailers) until he paid all that he owed. My heavenly Father will also do the same to [every one of] you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” - Matthew 18:27-28, 32-35 (Amplified).

In the autobiography of the former President of South Africa - Nelson Mandela titled "Long Walk To Freedom", there are some very striking statements about forgiveness that I wish everyone will never forget. When Mr Mandela was asked whether he hated the people who imprisoned him for 27 years, he responded by saying, "Absolutely I did, because they’d imprisoned me for so long. I was abused. I didn’t get to see my children grow up. I lost my marriage and the best years of my life. I was angry. But as I got closer to the car that would take me away, I realized that when I went through that gate, if I still hated them, they would still have me. I wanted to be free. And so I let it go.”

The phrase "to let go" literally means "to forgive". Jesus Christ emphasized  the importance of forgiveness when he narrated the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35. Forgiveness is not an option, but rather a must if we want to enjoy true freedom. Our Saviour demonstrated how to forgive when he choose to let go of the offenses committed against Him on the cross of Calvary ( Luke 23:34). Like Nelson Mandela, Jesus shows that forgiveness is the key that unlocks the prison gates of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. Therefore, anyone who refuses to forgive or let go has deliberately endorsed his/her warrant of arrest and detention in the prison of bitterness and dungeon of hatred. But unfortunately, many people who appear to be free today are actually living in the prison of unforgiveness. They have been tied down with the invisible chains of bitterness and the fetters of hatred. They may appear free but their souls have been bound and caged for everlasting torments in Hell.

Beloved, one of the most subtle but potent baits that satan is using to populate the prison of hell in every generation is unforgiveness. But many careless individuals are falling sheepishly into this wicked trap everyday. I hope you are not one of them! If you are, I urge you to please let go of those offenses like Jesus Christ our prefect example. Please emulate Nelson Mandela by walking out of the prison of bitterness and resentment today before it's too late.

Today, my heart cry to God is that many people will escape from that terrible prison of unforgiveness before this week is over. The love of God will permeate our heart and help us to let go of all resentments. And God will give us a heart that truly forgives. One song that clearly expresses my heart cry is titled " A Heart That Forgives". This song was composed in October 2010 by a gifted songwriter - Kevin LeVar Gray. May I urge you to please join me to make the lyrics of  this wonderful song our prayer focus as we trust God to give us a heart full of love and compassion so that the terrible prison of unforgiveness will be depopulated indeed.

A HEART THAT FORGIVES

I want a heart that forgives
A heart full of love
One with compassion just like yours above
One that over comes evil with goodness and love
Like it never happened, never holding a grudge

I want a heart that forgives that lives and lets lives
One that keeps loves over and over again
One that men can't offend
Cuz your word is deep within
One that loves without price like you lord Jesus Christ

I want a heart that loves everybody
Even my Enemies
I want to love like, be like you, just like you did
I want a heart that forgives, want a heart that forgives

I want a heart that forgives!
When the ones that are closes and that I've known the longest
They hurt me the most; I still wanna love them just like you loved me
Even though I'm hurting, God should know they hurt me deep

Ohhh, want a heart that forgives
When the pain is so deep and it's so hard for me to speak about it
To any one just like your son
I give up my rights to hold it against them with hatred inside
I want a heart that loves everybody, even my Enemies

Good morning and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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KEEP THE FIRE BURNING - 4

"When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them". Acts of the Apostles 2:1-4 (Message) 

"It only takes a spark to get a fire going" is the opening stanza of one of my favourite hymn which is titled "Pass It On". It’s a simple song with a powerful message, which reminds us of the Great Rescue Mandate in Matthew 28 :18-20 and how the spark kindled upon the souls of those timid disciples on the day of Pentecost grew like wildfire. The fire equipped the disciples with uncommon boldness, dynamic conviction and transformed them into an unstoppable, fearless and enthusiastic force everywhere they went. They however kept that ‘fire’ burning by their unswerving dedication to preaching the gospel. The lives and ministries of the disciples were full of many undeniable proofs which validated the fact that the fire of God was truly burning and reaching mutiltude for Christ through them. For example, the fire burning upon the altar of Apostle Peter was able to set 3000 souls ablaze for Christ in one day (Acts 2:41).

"And Peter solemnly testified and continued to admonish and urge them with many more words, saying, “ Be saved from this crooked and unjust generation!” So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers]." Acts 2:40-41 (Amplified)

The fire burning upon the souls of the disciples was true and fierce, hence it was practically impossible for any form of opposition to extinguish it. Prison bars and chains could not restrain them from spreading the fire of God's love, grace and mercy. Floggings could not hinder them from showing sinners the way to heaven. Intimidations and harrassments could not silence them from telling everyone about the ultimate sacrifice made for the sins of man on the cross of Calvary. Threats of death could not stop them from making disciples of all nations as they had been commanded. Having been invigorated by the power from on high, the disciples just kept on doing what they had been ordained/commissioned to do - that is to pass the fire of God's love to everyone around them.

Beloved, has your day of Pentecost come? Has the mighty rushing wind of Holy Ghost ignited a glowing fire in your soul? If yes, then, what have you been doing with the fire? Have you been passing the fire to everyone around you? Are you joyfully and boldly telling everyone about the love of God ? Are you singing His praise from the mountain top like a true disciple? If your response is "No", then, am afraid your fire may soon be put out because the only way to keep a fire going is to use it to produce or ignite more fire. So, why don't you keep the fire going by spreading the fire everywhere you find yourself. Let God use that little flames or tongues of fire upon you to set ablaze the souls of many people who are already hell bound.

Before this week is over, I trust God to ignite a fresh fire in our soul that will never be put out until we see Him in glory. Our day of Pentecost shall come, every sleeping giant will be awaken and the dying fire of rugged evangelism in our souls will glow again like willdfire as of old. As we position ourselves for the uncommon outpouring of fresh fire from above, please join me to prayerfully meditate on this wonderful hymn below. The hymn was composed in 1969 by a reknown American Gospel Music Legend - Kurt Kaiser. 

PASS IT ON

It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing
That's how it is with God's love
Once you've experienced it
You spread His love to ev'ryone
You want to pass it on

What a wondrous time is spring
When all the trees are budding
The birds begin to sing
The flowers start their blooming
That's how it is with God's love
Once you've experienced it
You want to sing it's fresh like spring
You want to pass it on

I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I've found
You can depend on Him
It matters not where you're bound
I'll shout it from the mountain top
I want my world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on

Good morning and God bless you in Jesus name.  Amen

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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KEEP THE FIRE BURNING -3

"Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody" - Romans 12:11-16 (MSG) 

At the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, the torch race was introduced to bring the Olympic flame from Olympia to the site of the games. Unlike other races, where the person who crossed the finished line first is declared the winner and given the gold medal. The torch race is quite different as the only prerequisite for winning the race is getting to the finished line with the lit torch and blazing flame. As believers, we are called to run the torch race at the Olympic of Life. We are expected to run with lit torch/lamp from the starting point to the finish line in heaven. Our dazzling beginning counts for nothing unless it is followed right through to the end. Hence, no one can be declared a winner until he/she reaches the finish line with lit torch and blazing fire. Therefore, the question every genuine believer should always ask is, ‘how can we keep the heavenly flame ablaze so that our life will be constantly transformed and we will be able to impact the lives of others in a way that is pleasing to God, for as long as we live and journey to the finish line?’

In Romans 12:11-16, God mentioned some key spiritual fuel and oil of godly virtues that we must pour into our torch/lamp regularly in order to keep our fire burning till the end of age. These spiritual fuel and oil of godly virtues includes fervent prayer, hope, patience, generosity, hospitality, forgiveness and humility. But unfortunately, many believers who used to manifest these godly virtues have now grown weary of doing good while the spiritual fuel of many praying believers have been exhausted. We are now playing politics with God instead of praying to God. The result of this is quite evident in our world today and we urgently need revival to reverse the ugly trend.

Beloved, has the fire on the altar of your prayerlife gone out? Are you now living in the euphoria of your past exploit? Has your dazzling beginning and past glory formed thick ashes over your flame?. Has the fire of your hospitality, patience and generosity gone out? Are you hoarding God's treasures in your custody? Is your torch/lamp of humility still lit or the fire has gone out? Has pride and arrogance turned you to the "Great Somebody" who looks down on all the "Nobodies" around? Do you find it extremely difficult to forgive those who offend you?  If your answer to these questions is "Yes", then, I suggest you to plead with God for mercy. Please ask God to fill your lamp with fresh spiritual fuel and oil of godly virtues so that your torch/lamp can keep burning brighter and brighter till the end of age.

The wording of a popular old time Christian hymn titled "Give Me Oil in My Lamp" should be our prayer focus this week. May I urge you to please join me this morning to prayerfully sing this wonderful hymn below as we trust God for grace to finish the christian race with our torch/lamp still lit and fire burning till we see Christ in glory.

GIVE ME OIL IN MY LAMP

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray.
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.
Keep me burning till the break of day.

Refrain:
           Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
           Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
           Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
           Sing hosanna to the King!

Give me love in my heart, keep me sharing.
Give me love in my heart, I pray.
Give me love in my heart, keep me sharing.
Keep me sharing till the break of day.

Give me joy in my heart keep me praising
Give me joy in my heart I pray
Give me joy in my heart keep me praising
Keep me praising till the break of day.

Give me faith in my heart, keep me praying.
Give me faith in my heart, I pray.
Give me faith in my heart, keep me praying.
Keep me praying till the break of day.

Make me a fisher of men keep me seeking,
Make me a fisher of men I pray
Make me a fisher of men keep me seeking,
Seeking souls 'till Jesus comes again.

Give me love in my heart keep me serving
Give me love in my heart I pray
Give me love in my heart keep me serving
Keep me serving till the break of day.

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God,- Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye,  I will like to invite you to the July 2018 Holy Ghost service and Disciples Convention. Date: Friday, July 6th,  2018. Theme: Stronger Than Your Enemies -7  with the sub theme: Permanent All Round Victory . Time: 7pm (Nigerian Time). Venue: 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 God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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