HAVE YOU GIV'N YOUR HEART TO JESUS?

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" - John 3: 1-3,15 - 17 (KJV)

Several years ago, God inspired a young lady to ask a man who was about to give his offering this question: "Sir, are you truly saved? The man replied and said " Yes,  off course" but the lady was not satisfied with his response and she pressed further: "I mean, have you really given your life to the Lord?". At this point, the man thought he should enlighten this persistent lady about his identity: "I am the chancellor of a university, I am also the President of its school of theology." The lady considered his response for a moment, and then replied, "Sir, it doesn’t matter what position you occupy, or what you have accomplished, you can still be genuinely saved."

The above story emphasis the obvious truth that Jesus Christ placed on the table when Nicodemus, an highly influential leader in Israel visited him at night over 2000 years ago (John 3:1-17). There are still many Nicodemus around us today who need to know that exalted position is not a prerequisite for entering the kingdom of God. Hence, someone needs to be reminded that it is possible for ones name to be on the Hall of Fame on earth and still be missing from the Lamb's Ultimate book of Honour in Heaven. Someone needs to know that one can build great edifice on earth in God's name and still miss his/her massive mansion above. Someone needs to be told that it is possible to be respected/celebrated on earth and still end up in the place of unending humiliations in Hell.  Someone needs to know that mere membership of church groups doesn't even guarantee access into the Palace of the King of kings in the City of Delight.

In John 3:3, Jesus said "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God". So, my dear friends, please be sincere with yourself. Are you truly saved? Are your genuinely born again? If Christ returns today, will you join Him in the air? If your answer to these questions is "No" or you are not sure then I urge you to please confess your sins and surrender your life genuinely to Jesus Christ today. But, If your answer is "Yes", then, please continue to trust God for grace to run the eternal race faithfully to the finish line. By the grace of God, my family and I will see you there (City of Delight) in Jesus name. Amen.

One very special hymn that summaries the discussion in the above story and scripture is title :"Have You Giv’n Your Heart To Jesus?". May I urge you to please join me to meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn as we trust God to save souls, restore backsliders and also keep us burning for Him till Christ returns. The hymn was composed by Mrs. C.H Morris.   

HAVE YOU GIV'N YOUR HEART TO JESUS

Have you giv’n your heart to Jesus, do you now to him belong?
Will you be among the number of the happy blood-washed throng
Who around God’s throne forever sing the hallelujah song?
Will you, will you be one?

Refrain:
      Yes, by God’s assisting grace I will run the Christian’s race,
      And I’ll be among the ransomed over there;
      In that city of delight where our faith is lost in sight,
      By the grace of God I’ll meet you there.

Will you be among the number who their golden sheaves will bring
To the feet of their Redeemer and unite to crown him King,
Joining in the shouts of triumph making heaven’s arches ring?
Will you, will you be one?

Will you be among the number of the soldiers brave and true
Who, in spite of all against them, with their Lord are going through?
Will you gather in the homeland at that glorious, grand review?
Will you, will you be one?

As the virgins wise were waiting, are you watching day and night
For the coming of the Bridegroom, with your lamps all trimm’d and bright;
Ready with the saints to gather dressed in garments spotless white?
Will you, will you be one? "

Good morning and do have a blessed week.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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

WHEN I GET TO WHERE I'M GOING.

WHEN I GET TO WHERE I'M GOING.

"But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? ” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 (NLT)

Few days ago, while walking out of the Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens after the final commendation service of my wife's Uncle, I noticed some people were sobbing profusely beside a casket. The atmosphere around them was so tense and I could feel their grief since the fellow they had come to bury was quite young. As I walked towards my car, the following questions flashed into my mind about the eternal destinations of all the corpses brought into the Cemetery on that fateful day: Where are these people heading to? Where will they spend their eternity? Will they be rejoicing now or they will also be sobbing profusely like their loved ones here too?  Will they truly rest in perfect peace as everyone had  wished them?.

Death is bleak, depressing and mysterious. It often brings many tears and sorrow but for everyone who have truly surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, death will usher him/her into unending season of victory, celebration and eternal rest. (Hebrews  4:1; Revelations 21:4). The scripture in 1 Corinthians 15:52 confirms that death is a transformation agent for Christians. It helps to take off the mortal bodies and put on the immortal bodies that will enable them fly to meet Jesus Christ in the air when He returns (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Early this morning, while reflecting on this scripture, I remembered the lyrics of a song titled "When I get where I'm going". This song which was composed by Brad Paisley described what will happen to everyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Saviour before leaving this world. May I urge you to please join me to meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful song below as we trust God to keep us rapturable and undefiled till Christ returns.

"WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING"

"When I get where I'm going
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly

I'm gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

Chorus:
       Yeah when I get where I'm going
       There'll be only happy tears
        I will shed the sins and struggles
        I have carried all these years
        And I'll leave my heart wide open
        I will love and have no fear
        Yeah when I get where I'm going
        Don't cry for me down here

I'm gonna walk with my grand daddy
And he'll match me step for step
And I'll tell him how I missed him
Every minute since he left
Then I'll hug his neck

So much pain and so much darkness
In this world we stumble through
All these questions I can't answer
So much work to do

But when I get where I'm going
And I see my maker's face
I'll stand forever in the light
Of his amazing grace

Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
Hallelujah
I will love and have no fear"

Good night to our beloved - Pa. Anthony Abosede Olumuyiwa CARDOSO (June 11, 1939 to August 7, 2018). Sir, hope you are where you have always wanted to be. Hope you have shed the mortal body of sin and struggles of this world. Hope you are ready to spread your wings and fly to meet Jesus in the air. Hope the tears of joy is running down your cheeks now. Hope we will see you again when the roll is called up yonder. Sir, we love you but God loves you more. Continue to rest in the bossom of your Lord and Saviour. E sun re oo.

Good morning and God bless you (Amen).

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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

O TASTE AND SEE

O TASTE AND SEE

"O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him. O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear. The young lions lack [food] and grow hungry, But they who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing " - Psalms 34:8-10 (Amplified)

A Professor told his students that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was false and Christianity is based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who in fact, never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He made reference to many scholars and books to buttress his points. Thereafter, he asked if there were any questions. One of the students stood up and said "Sir, I have one question". As he attempted to ask his question, the student reached into his lunch pack, pulled out an apple and began to eat it, then he said to the Professor "Sir, this apple I'm eating, is it bitter or sweet?” The Professor paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly manner: "I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven’t tasted your apple." Then, the student looked up at the Professor and said calmly, “Neither have you tasted my Jesus.”

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating" is an old Spanish Proverb which means one can only evaluate the quality of something after it has been tried, tasted, used or experienced. There are many amazing paradigm shifts on the pages of history which confirms that this proverb is true. For example, it was after Saul of Tarsus- a renowned prosecutor of the church, had tasted the sweet saviour on the road to Damascus, that his life took a new turn and he became a promoter of the gospel (Acts 9:1- 6). The scintillating taste and aroma oozing forth from the radiant glory and contagious power of resurrection changed a highly dreaded terrorist to a specially anointed Apostle of Jesus Christ. Who could  have believed that merely tasting the living water by the well of Jacob can turn a depressed woman into a city transforming Evangelist in Samaria (John 4:1-30). Indeed, the proof of the pudding is in the eating!

It's obvious that the question that student asked his Professor is still very relevant even in our generation. Friends, have you tasted the amazing fruits of salvation that Jesus bought with His precious blood on the cross of Calvary? If you have not, then I need to remind you that "the proof of the pudding is in the eating!" Please taste and see that the Lord is good. You will never regret you did. In case you have tasted the power of the resurrected Christ, then you should be kind and bold enough to show the whole world how sweet your Jesus is. Please don't be selfish, share your apples with people whose heads are full (like the above professor) but their hearts are completely empty. Don't be silent but rather tell everyone around you that your sweet Lord (Jesus Christ) is risen and he's coming back soon!

Beloved, the heart beat of God is that everyone should come to Jesus and taste the gift of eternal life that He paid for with His blood. Before this week is over, I trust God will touch many Saul of Tarsus wherever they are hiding in the forest of life. May I urge you to please meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn below and trust God to empower you like the Samaritan woman to draw the attention of everyone around you to their Saviour - Jesus Christ. This hymn is titled "Oh, Come and See A Man."

OH, COME SEE A MAN

One day as the Lord passed a well,
A woman so thirsty was there.
He was not content until
He left her the water that’s real, pure, and clear.

Chorus:
               Oh, come see a man,
               Oh, come see a man,
               Who told me all things that ever I did.
               Is this not the Christ?
               Is this not the Christ?
               He fills me forever and ever! Amen.

He spoke words that I’d never heard,
Yet how He did stir up my thirst!
He spoke of the water that lives,
To all who are thirsty, He freely will give.

Now this living water have I!
I drink and I soar to the sky!
His praises now fill all the air
Because I am speaking Him, now, everywhere!

My prayer for you and my humble self is that, God will create in us genuine thirst and hunger to see lost souls reconciled to their Saviour. May we never go a day without telling someone about the love of God and the redemption of man (2 Corinthians 5:18).

"All this is what God does for us. Because of what Christ has done, God has brought us back to himself, as his friends. Now he wants us to bring other people to be his friends too. That is the job that he has given to us." - 2 Corinthians 5:18 (EASY) 

Good day and God bless you.  Amen

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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