Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo's Blog: November 2018

MENDING CRACKED AND TORN THINGS

MENDING CRACKED AND TORN THINGS

"God’s the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who regathers Israel’s scattered exiles. He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and assigns each a name. Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we’ll never comprehend what he knows and does. God puts the fallen on their feet again and pushes the wicked into the ditch" - Psalm 147:2-6 (MSG)

There is an ancient practice in Japan of fixing or mending broken things known as Kintsugi, meaning “golden joinery” or “to patch with gold." It is an age-old custom that includes repairing cracked pottery with real gold. With this practice, the Japanese do not just fix the cracks in the old item, they increase it value. Instead of hiding the flaws, the Kintsugi artists highlight them, creating a whole new design and bringing a unique beauty to the original piece. They turn a problem into a plus. The pottery actually becomes more beautiful and valuable in the restoration process because, though it was once broken, it now has history and a new story.

A wise man once said, "Men throw away broken things, but God uses them."

The bible is full of many examples of people who were thrown away because of some obvious cracks or torn things in their life but God came to their rescue. Their cracks were mended and decorated. People who had been written off from birth, like Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10) but later became a mighty pillar of honour in their generation. People who have been thrown away like Joseph but later became a Global agent of preservation and deliverance (Genesis 45:3-8). Those whose garments of royalty, glory, and honour were torn, like Mephibosheth from childhood, but who eventually got restored back to the Palace - (2 Samuel 9:1-13).

According to Psalms 147:3, God specializes in mending scattered, broken or cracked things such as dreams, destiny, business, health, finance, academic, marriage, etc placed in His hands. But unlike the Japanese, God can never be overwhelmed by the size, weight, or magnitude of the broken objects or torn things. And whenever God finishes his mending, beautification, and glorification works in our lives, we become a masterpiece of God's awesome wonders to the world.

Friends, has anyone thrown you away like a piece of garbage because of those broken things in your life? Are you ashamed of your scars and those deep crevices that line your soul and the broken places of your life? Then, may I inform you that, your crack is not too big for God to mend. Please do what Jabez did. Go to the Lord in prayer. Pray with me - "Father, before this week is over, let that mighty potters hands of yours mend my cracks and decorate my broken situations/destiny in Jesus name." Amen. Your challenges can never overwhelm the Great Potter. Your case is never beyond restoration. You are never too shattered for repair. Those ugly cracks you see today will be decorated by the hand of the omnipotent God. Those problems will end up as a plus. You will become a testimony in His hands. And as the Lord lives, everyone who had thrown you away like garbage will come begging you for help, as they did for Jepthath (Judges 11:1-11), before this year is over in Jesus name. Amen

If you dare to believe God for uncommon mending, restoration, and divine beautification this week, please join me to meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful song (below) titled: "Fix It, Man". The song was composed by Joe Bill Houston (August 22, 1947 - March 01, 2018).

FIX IT MAN

God can fix it He's a fix it, Man
He fixes souls and bodies all over this land
He said he'd return to His home on high
Fix me a mansion up in the sky.

God created this world in six days
It was in an awful fix
Without form or void darkness on the deep
I'll fix a light so that you can see.

God said it wasn't good for man to be alone
From old Adam, he took a bone
He made the woman and He said from the start
This woman is yours till the day you part.

If every sinner in this fair land
Would take one trip to the fix it, Man
Go to Him get it fixed for free
Would cure our society.

God started fixing me up inside
He said I'm looking for a place to abide
Give me your heart and live by the plan
And then you'll know I'm the fix it, Man.

Someday His son is coming back for His church
He said we'd be judged according to our works
So pour your heart and affections on me
And I'll fix your life for all eternity.

He fixes the black He fixes the white
Red yellow-brown He fixes the right
Has no respect of person you see
For that same spirit, He gave it to me.

Beloved, let Jesus Christ fix it for you. Please surrender your soul and those broken things - relationships, dreams, marriage, etc to Him today. You will never regret you did. Our beautiful Saviour will turn those cracks to world-class edifices/monuments to His glory.

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 2018 Holy Ghost Congress. Theme: GLORY AHEAD. Date: December 3rd - 8th, 2018. 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

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

THE SINNER'S CRY

THE SINNER'S CRY

"And at that time the sign of the Son of Man [coming in His glory] will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth [and especially Israel] will mourn [regretting their rebellion and rejection of the Messiah], and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory [in brilliance and splendor]. And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet and they will gather together His elect (God’s chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other" - Matthew 24:30-31 (Amplified)

There is a special song/hymn I love to sing whenever I have the opportunity of sharing the Gospel in public places. This short but very powerful hymn describes the terrible lamentation of those who refused to repent and respond to the call of salvation while they are still alive. The hymn which is titled "Oh No, Had I Known" was written in 1977 by a Nigerian - Eugene Mbaebie

There are many people who made that horrible lamentation - "Oh No, Had I know" in the Bible. For example, in Luke 16:22-24, while Lazarus was rejoicing in the bosom of Abraham, the rich man was weeping profusely in the fiery furnace for rejecting the call of salvation. Although, the rich man later pleaded for mercy but that was already too late since there is no repentance in the grave (Hebrews 9:27). That rich man must have been agonising and crying "Oh No Had I known" in that horrible lake of fire.

In Matthew 25:1-13, the five foolish virgins must have wept bitterly when they were denied access into the wedding venue. They must have been wailing and screaming: "Oh No, Had I known" when the bridegroom turned his back on them. They wished they could turn back the hands of the clock. Unfortunately, it was not possible again. The door of repentance had been closed against them. What a painful and sad ending!

"But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’ But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’ Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come]." -Matthew 25:10-13 (Amplified)

Friends, nobody knows when the bridegroom (Jesus Christ) will show up in the sky to take the saints home with Him for the final wedding feast. When He finally comes, I hope you will not be left behind? I hope you will not regret rejecting the call of salvation? I hope you will not end your journey in deep pain and great agony like that rich man and the five foolish virgins in the scriptures above? I hope "Oh No, Had I known" will not be your cry when the saints are marching to heaven? If you have not surrendered your life to Jesus or you are a backslider, I urge you to please repent, forsake your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour today. If you do, you will be privileged to join the victorious soldiers of Christ that will march to heaven on that glorious day.

Beloved, could you please join me to meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn (below) as we look forward to that glorious morning when Jesus will lead His royal and faithful soldiers out of this sinful world to their permanent home/mansions above.

OH NO, HAD I KNOWN

When the saints shall march to heaven
With Jesus as their Leader
Marching onward like soldiers
Yes, able soldiers
Singing and rejoicing
Oh hear the sinners cry,
Oh, no, had I known!

Chorus:
Oh no, the sinner's voice I hear...
Gone, gone, they have gone, they have gone
Marching to join the glory above;
Oh, no, had I known!

Oh wake up slumber wake up
And prepare for the glory
Meeting Jesus your Saviour
The Captain of the band
Prepare before it's too late
Or join the group that cries
Oh, no, had I known!

My prayer for you and my humble self this week is that we shall be among those valiant soldiers of the Cross that will march out of this sinful world with our Commander (Jesus Christ) into everlasting celebration in heaven. We shall not end our journey on earth with that awful sinner's cry of "Oh No, Had I known." And after labouring to show sinners the Way, we shall not be left behind in Jesus name. Amen.

WILL YOU LEAVE YOUR BOATS BEHIND?

WILL YOU LEAVE YOUR BOATS BEHIND?

"Jesus continued to say to all of them," “Any of you who want to be my follower must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you every day for following me. Any of you who try to save the life you have will lose it. But you who give up your life for me will save it. It is worth nothing for you to have the whole world if you yourself are destroyed or lost. Don’t be ashamed of me and my teaching. If that happens, I will be ashamed of you when I come with my divine greatness and that of the Father and the holy angels." - Luke 9:23-26 (ERV).

In Luke 9: 23-26, Jesus Christ engaged His disciples in a conversation. He told them in clear terms to deny themselves, to take up the cross daily and follow Him. This implies they must willingly renounce their right to choose for themselves, recognize His lordship in every area of life, and without hesitation, to choose the kind of life He lived. That, If they sincerely want to follow Jesus, then they have to leave some things behind. For example, Peter and Andrew left their fishing nets to become highly anointed vessel of honour in God's hands (Matthew 4:18-19), James and John left their father's business to work in the highly exalted office of the Almighty God (Matthew 4:21-22) and Matthew left his fishing profession to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ (Matthew 9:9).

Friends, what are those things you have to leave behind to experience God in His fullness this week? Don't you think it would be wise to leave them behind now before it is too late? If you don't, the Saviour will leave you behind when the trumpet sounds. Don't you know that Christianity is a call to a life of cross-bearing and sacrifice? Think about it! What do you have to leave behind in order to closely follow the Saviour today? Will you leave the ungodly lifestyle, pride, and arrogance? Will you jump out of the comfortable boats of sin, prayerlessness, stubbornness, anger and rebellion? Will you sacrifice your comfort zones to please the Master? If Apostle Peter could walk away from his nets to follow and embrace the Saviour, you need to do likewise.

"Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him" - Mark 1:16 -18 (KJV)

No other song summarises the teaching of Jesus in the above scripture better than the hymn titled "The Galilee Song". This hymn about the call to discipleship, was written by Frank Andersen. Could you please let us make the chorus of this wonderful hymn below our prayer focus and watchword throughout this week and beyond.

THE GALILEE SONG

Deep within my heart, I feel
Voices whispering to me:
Words that I can't understand,
Meanings I must clearly hear.
Calling me to follow close,
Lest I leave myself behind!
Calling me to walk into
Evening shadows one more time.

Chorus :
So I leave my boats behind!
Leave them on familiar shores!
Set my heart upon the deep.
Follow you again my Lord.

In my memories, I know
How you send familiar rains,
Falling gently on my days,
Dancing patterns on my pains!
And I need to learn once more,
In the fortress of my mind.
To believe in falling rains
While I travel deserts dry.

As I gaze into the night,
Down the future of my years,
I'm not sure I want to walk
Past horizons that I know.
But I feel my spirit called
Like a stirring deep within
Restless 'til I live again
Beyond the fears that close me in.

Beloved, my prayer for you and my humble self is that God will give us more grace to step out of our comfort zones for Christ. May we be bold enough to leave our familiar shores and launch into the great deep for our saviour. I pray for the grace for us to walk away from all that can cause us to be left behind when the trumpet sounds. May we not miss our crown and mansions in the City of Gold. (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 2018 Holy Ghost Congress. Theme: GLORY AHEAD. Date: December 3rd - 8th, 2018. 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 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

THE ETERNAL FATHER DESERVES OUR ADORATION

THE ETERNAL FATHER DESERVES OUR ADORATION

"Some sailed the sea in ships. Their work carried them across the water. They saw what the Lord can do. They saw the amazing things he did at sea. The waves lifted them high into the sky and dropped them into the deep sea. The storm was so dangerous that the men lost their courage. They were in trouble, so they called to the Lord for help, and he saved them from their troubles. He stopped the storm and calmed the waves. The sailors were happy that the sea became calm, and he led them safely to where they wanted to go. Thank the Lord for his faithful love and for the amazing things he does for people. Praise God in the great assembly. Praise him when the older leaders meet together." - Psalms 107:23 - 32 (ERV)

As we approach the end of another year, I remembered the lyrics of an old time Christian hymn ( known as the United States Navy Hymn) titled "Eternal Father, Strong to Save." The hymn which was composed by William Whiting in 1860 has become one of those captivating songs that reminds me of God's mighty act of deliverance in the stormy sea of life. Like the psalmist, many of us have seen the wonder working power of God in action this year. We have seen God calming the restless wave, speaking peace to the stormy sea and satisfying us with His abiding presence wherever we go. Yes, we can also attest to the fact that the Eternal Father has never failed to arise on our behalf whenever we cry to Him.

Beloved, can you also connect with the testimony in the above scripture? In few weeks from now, the ship of 2018 will finally reach the shore. The journey of 365 days will be over shortly. Don't you think that the Eternal Father has been extremely good to you and your entire household in the voyage of 2018. From January till today, He never allowed your ship/boat to capsize. He did not allow the same stormy wind that had crushed many precious lives and families this year to come close to your household. He bound the restless waves from sweeping your entire family into the deep sea of sorrow and mourning. Don't you think that the Eternal Father deserves your adoration this week? Don't you know that He is strong enough to preserve us even till the end of this year and beyond? Then, may I urge you to please join me to adore the Eternal Father for preserving us, our family, friends and relatives from the peril of the sea this year by singing this wonderful hymn below.

ETERNAL FATHER, STRONG TO SAVE

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm does bind the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Savior, whose almighty word
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walked upon the foaming deep,
And calm amid the rage did sleep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Holy Spirit, who did brood
Upon the waters dark and rude,
And bid their angry tumult cease,
And give for wild confusion peace;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and pow'r,
Your children shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire, and foe,
Protect them where-so-e'er they go;
Thus, evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

Friends, will you adore the Eternal Father? Is God your Eternal Father? God cannot be your Eternal Father if you have not surrendered to the Lordship of His only begotten son - Jesus Christ. So, why not make that decision today. And as you do, the Eternal Father will make you the apple of His eyes and all the remaining storms or tragedies on the road to the shore of 2018 will be calmed for you. As the Lord lives, you and your loved ones will surely sail safely to the shore of 2018 and fully partake of the overwhelming glory that is waiting for you in the new year.

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 2018 Holy Ghost Congress. Theme: GLORY AHEAD. Date: December 3rd - 8th, 2018. 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.

THE ELEVENTH-HOUR ENVIABLE TESTIMONIES

THE ELEVENTH-HOUR ENVIABLE TESTIMONIES

"And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, "These last have wrought but one hour and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. " - Matthew 20:9-12 & 16 (KJV)

On Thursday October 4, 2018, I walked into a banking hall and noticed some elated customers holding branded gift items like pens, key holders and mugs. It was customers appreciation week and the first ten customers for the day were being appreciated by the bank officials. While these lucky customers were posing for pictures with their gifts in the banking hall, I had a nudge in my spirit to go and join them. The instruction sounded quite absurd and I said to myself "what if the bank officials embarrassed me". Then, I said to God quietly, "Daddy, please don't embarrass me here. Sir, you know I can afford to buy all the gifts if I need them". But the more I struggled to ignore the instruction, the more I become restless. After a few minutes, I reluctantly left where I was standing and went to join the customers to pose for pictures as they displayed their gifts. Since I had no gift to pose with, I grudgingly displayed my empty hand. I thought God wanted to embarrass me but I never knew He wanted to teach me some great lessons in the school of obedience.

Then, one of the bank officials who noticed that my hand was empty ran into her office and came back immediately with a big new branded umbrella. As she handed the umbrella to me, all the ten customers who were holding pens, key holders and mugs began to grumble and murmur. She managed to calm them down by assuring them that she only intended to lend me the umbrella to pose for the pictures with them. Although, she collected the umbrella in the presence of all those customers but gave it back to me before I left the banking hall on that day.

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus Christ emphasized some of those salient lessons that God taught me in the banking hall that day: There is a level in God where enviable testimonies becomes the logo of a man. There is a level where God break protocols effortlessly for some people to be honoured. To reach that level, we must be willing to obey God foolishly and follow His instructions blindly. My heart cry is that God will take us to that enviable level in Him before this year is over. May we never become too stubborn and proud to obey divine instructions. But it is impossible to follow or obey the Almighty God that we don't even know or have any intimate relationship with. So, I urge to please enlist yourself for the last minutes (eleventh hour) enviable testimonies in year 2019 by connecting or reconnecting with Jesus Christ today. You will NEVER regret you did!

Beloved, as the Lord God of heavens lives, we shall not end this year empty handed - maritally, financially, academically, spiritually in Jesus name. Rather, we shall walk out of the banking hall of 2019 with our own eleventh-hour (last minutes) enviable testimonies that will make people grumble and protest. The divine force that moved things into their designated places will move on our behalf and also move us into your rightful position before this year is over in Jesus name. The kind of blessing that will make headlines and generate controversy will come knocking at our doors very soon in Jesus name.

One special hymn that describes the awesome working wonders of God is titled "God Moves In A Mysterious Way". This wonderful hymn was composed by Williams Cowper in 1774. Could you please meditate on the lyrics of this hymn below and trust God to move in a mysterious way on your behalf to actualize His eleventh-hour testimonies for your household before this year is over.

GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
and rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
of never-failing skill;
He treasures up his bright designs,
and works His sov'reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
the clouds you so much dread
are big with mercy and shall break
in blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
but trust Him for His grace;
behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding ev'ry hour;
the bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
and He will make it plain.

Please join us to celebrate the God of the eleventh-hour (last minutes) mind blowing and enviable testimonies during our Festival of Praise tagged "The Eleventh Hour". Date: Friday, 22nd November, 2019. Time: 10pm. Venue: RCCG, Great City Sanctuary Area HQ, 4 Abati Close, Vulcanizer Bus-stop, Akowonjo Road, Egbeda, Lagos. Please come and praise God for your own last minutes package.

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

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo's Blog

MENDING CRACKED AND TORN THINGS

THE SINNER'S CRY

WILL YOU LEAVE YOUR BOATS BEHIND?

THE ETERNAL FATHER DESERVES OUR ADORATION

THE ELEVENTH-HOUR ENVIABLE TESTIMONIES

THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BACKSLIDER

Report Abuse