THE DANGER OF FLOATING WITHOUT A SEAL

THE DANGER OF FLOATING WITHOUT A SEAL 

"And you also became God's people when you heard the true message, the Good News that brought you salvation. You believed in Christ, and God put his stamp of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit he had promised". -Ephesians 1:13 (GNT)  

In the ancient times, whenever business men purchase timber in Lebanon, they stamped it with their seal. The logs were then floated down the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea to the port where the buyers could collect their logs. On arrival, the timber merchants inspects the seal with a view to identifying the logs that belongs to them. Any log without their mark of ownership will not be moved into the saw mill for further processing.

Life is a sea with many floating logs moving from the market to the final destination i.e the port of eternity. There are many dangers on the sea that will necessitate that a wise timber merchant install a tracking device on his logs to safeguard them from the perils on the waters. 

The soul of man is much more precious than the timber of Lebanon. So, when Jesus bought back the lost soul of man from the market of sin (1 Corinthians 6:20), He installed a tracking device in man to enable him nagivate the troubled waters of this world to heaven seamlessly (Ephesians 1:13-14). This divine tracker is the seal of power and the mark of ownership that God stamped on every soul that have confessed Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Life on earth is extremely risky and difficult to nagivate without the seal of God in the soul of man. This seal of ownership is the pumping machine of God's power, wisdom and glory in this present dispensation. The seal is the Quickening Fire of God (1 Corinthians 15:46), Living Breath of God (John 20:22) and the Eternal Spirit of God ( Hebrews 9:14) that is deposited in the soul of man. What an awesome privilege?  

Unfortunately, there are many logs on the sea of life in this generation without the seal of God on them. These floating logs will be defiled, polluted or tampered with by thieves on the sea of life before getting to the port of eternity (John 10:10). Obviously, everlasting destruction awaits every floating log that rejected or grieved the seal of God while still living on earth ( 2 Thessalonians 1:9). 

"And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free".- Ephesians 4:30 (GNT)

Friends, do you have the seal of God in your soul? Is there any divine mark of ownership in you? Has God installed the tracker of eternity in your soul? Or have you grieved the Holy Spirit with your sinful lifestyle? Has the Holy Ghost said "farewell" to you? Don't you feel the emptiness in your soul since the Holy Ghost departed?  

"Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me. Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your holy spirit away from me.  Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach sinners your commands, and they will turn back to you" -Psalm 51:10‭-‬13 (GNT)

King David understood the danger of floating on the sea of life without the seal of God and he cried desperately for restoration (Psalms 51:10-12). Don't you think you also need to do the same thing today? I see God reaching out to you if you dare to seek Him wholeheartly for restoration and establishment on the path of life. And every lost and wandering soul on the sea of life shall experience genuine salvation and restoration of lost privileges in Christ this day in Jesus name.  

In 1900, God inspired a 28 years old Evangelist to write the lyrics a very simple but powerful hymn that summarises the word of God in Ephesians 1:13. Please prayerfully meditate on the lyrics of this hymn and trust God for heaven to place His divine seal upon your soul so that you can navigate this sea to the final destination in heaven safely:  

SEAL US, O HOLY SPIRIT By Isaac H. Meredith (1872–1962)

Seal us, O Holy Spirit,

Grant us Thine impress, we pray;

We would be more like the Savior,

Stamped with His image today.

Refrain:

        Seal us, seal us,

        Seal us just now, we pray;

        Seal us, O Holy Spirit,

        Seal us for service today.

Seal us, O Holy Spirit,

Help us Thy likeness to show;

Then from our life unto others

Streams of rich blessings shall flow.

Seal us, O Holy Spirit,

Make us Thine own from this hour;

Let us be useful, dear Master,

Seal us with witnessing power.

My prayer for you and my humble self is that the quickening spirit of God will come afresh upon us today. Through, this fresh baptism of fire, we shall become more useful vessels in the hands of the Almighty till Christ returns. And when God will be inspecting His logs on arrival at the golden shore,  we shall be among those ransomed logs/souls that will be moved into the mansions above in Jesus name.  

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, I want to invite you to our 68th Annual Convention with the theme "WONDERFUL". Date: Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th August, 2020. Venue: Watch live on DoveTv,  YouTube and other streaming channels. Ministering: Our beloved Daddy G.O - Pastor E.A Adeboye and other anointed Ministers of God. 

#wonderful

#RCCGVIRTUALCONVENTION2020

Good day and God bless you.  Amen

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit -

http://okanlawon.webnode.com

http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

Twitter: @tammytaiwo

WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING

WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING 

"Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight. Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will bring you honor. She will be your crowning glory.”- Proverbs 4:7‭-‬9 (GNT)

One hot day, a thirsty crow flew all over the fields looking for water. For a long time, he could not find any. He felt very weak, almost lost all hope. Suddenly, he saw a water jug below the tree. He flew straight down to see if there was any water inside. Yes, he could see some water inside the jug!. The crow tried to push his head into the jug. Sadly, he found that the neck of the jug was too narrow. Then he tried to push the jug to tilt for the water to flow out but the jug was too heavy. The crow thought hard for a while. Then looking around it, he saw some pebbles. He suddenly had a good idea. He started picking up the pebbles one by one, dropping each into the jug. As more and more pebbles filled the jug, the water level kept rising. Soon it was high enough for the crow to drink. His plan had worked!

There is a limit to what one can achieve with ordinary skill, physical and mental strength in this present dispensation. Like the crow in the above story, everyone needs divine wisdom to nagivate the way to their desired haven in life. Divine wisdom is the fuel that powers the engine of stressless triumphant in the journey of destiny (Ecclesiastes 10:10). In spite of the hash economic conditions all over the world due to COVID - 19 pandemic, those people who are truly connected to the source of  divine wisdom (Jesus Christ) will never be stranded till the storm is over. 

"But wisdom will make any job easier. It is very hard to cut with a dull knife. But if you sharpen the knife, the job is easier." -  Ecclesiastes 10:10 (ERV)

Friends, how have you being navigating the terrain of life in your business, career, academic, family since this pandemic invaded the whole universe? Are things going on very well for you as if there is no pandemic at all? If your answer is "yes", then, I say "congratulations" and I thank God for your life. But in case, things have not been going on smoothly as expected. I urge you to please trust God for a turnaround by seeking for divine wisdom today. 

"But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living". - Job  28:12-13

Where can one seek wisdom? According to Proverbs 9:10, the only path to wisdom is the fear of God. Are you on that path. If you are not, I urge you to locate that path today by surrendering your life to Jesus Christ. Please let Jesus Christ (the wisdom of God) sharpen your knife of destiny so that you will not labour in vain in life. Let the only wise God baptise you with the spirit of wisdom so that you will be able to nagivate every challenging terrain you are passing through now with ease, Ecclesiastes 10:10 (ERV). 

WHERE CAN ONE LOOK FOR WISDOM? By Susan H. Peterson (1950 -2004)

Where can one look for wisdom?
Where understanding find?
Man does not grasp its value—
More than can be mined.
It can’t be bought with finest gold,
Silver, or jewels so rare.
Priced far beyond all rubies,
Nothing can compare.

Where then does wisdom come from?
Where understanding dwell?
God comprehends the pathway,
He alone knows well.
He views the ends of all the earth;
He sees the world He formed.
He has established wisdom,
Tested and confirmed.

Fear of the Lord is wisdom;
Seek it and you will find.
Cry out for understanding;
Let it fill your mind.
Search as for hidden treasure;
Look for it every day.
This is the path to wisdom;
Follow all the way.

My prayer for you and my humble self is that we shall truly follow the path of wisdom till Christ returns. The wings of wisdom shall carry us into our desired haven with ease even in this challenging period that the whole world is passing through (Psalms 107:30).  And we shall return with heart of gratitude for all the WONDERFUL testimonies that the only wise God will use to decorate us in such a time like this in Jesus name. 

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, I want to invite you to our 68th Annual Convention with the theme "WONDERFUL". Date: Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th August, 2020. Venue: Watch live on DoveTv,  YouTube and other streaming channels. Ministering: Our beloved Daddy G.O - Pastor E.A Adeboye and other anointed Ministers of God. 

#wonderful
#RCCGVIRTUALCONVENTION2020

Good day and God bless you.  Amen

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles, please visit -
http://okanlawon.webnode.com
http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Twitter: @tammytaiwo

SALESMAN'S MENTALITY VS STAKEHOLDER'S PASSION

SALESMAN'S MENTALITY VS STAKEHOLDER'S PASSION 

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."  - Romans  10:1 

There is a story of a diamond collector who was seeking for a very rare diamond. A dealer heard of this inquiry and contacted him letting him know that he believed he possessed the diamond he was looking for. The diamond collector arrived, and the dealer had his salesman present the diamond. The salesman described all the technical aspects of the diamond, however within minutes, the diamond collector said what was presented was not what he was looking for. Watching from a distance, the dealer hurriedly intercepted him as he was walking out and he asked him if he could present the diamond again. The collector agreed. The dealer pulled out the same diamond and started describing his admiration for this particular diamond. Within minutes the diamond collector  purchased the diamond. As the gentleman was walking out, he asked, what just happened? Why was it so easy for me to say no to your salesman a little while ago, while with you I purchased the diamond? The dealer said "You see, he knows diamonds, but I love them.”

This story reinforces the fact that two or more people can be doing the same thing with the same resources and yet get different results. The key success factor is usually the differences in their motives, mentality and disposition. For example, a salesman works for his "pay" while a stakeholder works for his "place" in the business. 

Apostle Paul was a good example of someone with a stakeholder passion and mentality in the early church. Although, he was the least of the disciples of Jesus Christ, yet he commanded uncommon result among them all (1 Corinthians 15:9). He doesn't only know the product (Salvation), he understood the believers' stakeholder mentality that the Holy Spirit documented in 1 Corinthians 3:9. -"For we are partners working together for God,.." (GNT). 

It was obvious that Apostle Paul was more interested in getting multitude into the "place" than getting the "pay" for his service in the kingdom (Roman 10:1). His desire and prayer every day is to see every hell bound soul change his/her course to the path of eternal life in Heaven. What a selfishless ambition and desire! 

Beloved, are you a salesman working for the "Pay" or  you a stakeholder working passionately to take multitude to the "Place" like Apostle Paul? How many diamond have you sold for Christ this year? Do you really love Christ so much that you can do everything possible to tell others about Him and press them to accept Him as their Saviour. How many innocent diamond collectors have you confused with your eloquent grammar and oratory skills. Why are those potential converts that God sent to your store turning back without taking the diamond of salvation home with them? Don't you think something is actually wrong somewhere? Don't you think you have become too dependent on human wisdom more than the power of the Holy Spirit. Since it is impossible to give what you don't have, then, the possibility that you may have backslide cannot be ruled out.  

This powerful poem below captures the stakeholder's passion or drive that turned Apostle Paul to a global and eternal success figure in his generation. Could you please turn the wordings of this poem to prayer points until you have a release in your heart today.  

PASSION FOR SOULS By A.W Carmichael & M.W. Booth

O for a passionate passion for souls,
O for a pity that yearns!
O for the love that loves unto death,
O for the fire that burns!
O for the pure prayer-power that prevails,
That pours itself out for the lost!
Victorious prayer in the Conqueror's Name,
O for a PENTECOST!

Oh! for a heart that is burdened!
Infused with a passion to pray;
Oh! for a stirring within me;
Oh! for His power every day.
Oh! for a heart like my Saviour,
Who, being in an agony, prayed.
Such caring for OTHERS, Lord, give me;
On my heart let burdens be laid.
My Father, I long for this passion,
To pour myself out for the lost -
To lay down my life to save others -
"To pray," whatever the cost.
Lord, teach me, Oh teach me this secret,
I'm hungry this lesson to learn,
This passionate passion for others,
For this, blessed Jesus, I yearn.
Father, this lesson I long for from Thee -
Oh, let Thy Spirit reveal this to me.

My prayer is that God will initiate a fresh pentecostal fire in His church this day to turn many salesmen in His kingdom to committed and passionate stakeholders in Jesus name. Through, this fire of revival and passion for souls, believers shall be stirred up to go rescue every lost soul and take them along to the "Place" prepared for the redeemed in the city of Gold above (John 14:2). 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

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

THE MASTER'S STANDING OVATION

"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" - Acts  7:55-56

A story is told of a famous violinist who was to perform at a popular concert hall. As he stood before the crowded house that night and played his violin, he mesmerized the audience with his prowess and skill. As he lifted his bow off the string on his final note, the hall erupted with thunderous applause and he was given a standing ovation. He looked at the crowd for a moment and walked off the stage only to return to render an encore performance. To the amazement of the masses who gathered there that night, his encore performance was even more beautiful and flawless than the first.  

This sequence was repeated several times until finally this virtuoso of virtuosos finished his piece. He then took a bow and walked off the stage while the ferocious cheers continued long after he had exited. Thereafter, a reporter approached him and asked this question, “Sir, why did you give so many encore performances? You could have stopped after the first and everyone would have been amazed.” The violinist stopped and replied, “For the very first time in my career, my master, the one who taught me to play the violin, was in the audience. When I finished my performance, everyone stood except for one person. I played again, and everyone stood to applaud except him. I continued to play. On the conclusion of the last encore I looked into the seats and I noticed that everyone, including my master, was standing and applauding. It was only then that I was satisfied that I had done a good job.”

Life is a podium with two audience - The Master (God) and the Apprentice (Man). Some outstanding performances applauded by man (the apprentice) may not receive the standing ovation of the Master (God). While God may give a standing ovation for a performance that men booed on the stage of life. Therefore, believers must be sensitive to discern who is applauding them and never be satisfied until the Master's applause overshadows that of the apprentice (man) (John 12:43). Being satisfied with the praise of fellow apprentice when the Master is silent about our performance can be very dangerous. 

"For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." John 12:43

The great violinist in the above story must have learned some lessons from the life and ministry of Stephen in the early church. Stephen was so focus on the Master and his unwavering commitment/devotion  paid off at the long run. One day, after Stephen had delivered a very articulated expository sermon, the crowd booed him but Jesus stood up beside His father in heaven to honour him (Acts 7:40-56). Jesus gave Stephen a standing ovation for the great work he had done. Jesus must have said to him," Well done, Stephen, I am so proud  of you". Isn’t that amazing? 

Friends, are you being applauded by man today? I say congratulations to you. However,  please be sure the master is also applauding you too for your performance so far. Be very sure that the Master is pleased with your performance on this podium of life. And beware of the idol of fame and popularity. Are you being booed by men like Stephen for preaching the gospel, giving, praying, serving, living holy etc? Please don't be discouraged but rather, make up your mind to keep giving more encore performances until you see your Master standing up for you as He did for Stephen. 

"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" -. Matthew  25:21 

One old time Christian hymn that describes  the scripture in Mathew 25:21 is titled "He'll Understand and Say Well Done". May I urge you to prayerfully meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful song and trust God for more grace to receive the Master's standing ovation and warm embrace for your outstanding performances on this podium. 

HE"LL UNDERSTAND AND SAY WELL DONE By Lucie E. Campbell, (1885–1963)

If when you give the best of your service,
Telling the world that the Savior is come;
Be not dismayed when men don't believe you;
He understands; he'll say, "Well done."

Refrain:
         Oh, when I come to the end of my journey,
         Weary of life and the battle is won;
         Carrying the staff and the cross of redemption,
         He'll understand, and say, "Well done."

Misunderstood, the Savior of sinners,
Hung on the cross; he was God's only Son;
Oh! hear him calling his Father in heav'n,
"Not my will, but thine be done."

If when this life of labor is ended,
And the reward of the race you have run;
Oh! the sweet rest prepared for faithful,
Will be his blest and final "Well done."

But if you try and fail in your trying,
Hands sore and scarred from the work you've begun;
Take up your cross, run quickly to meet him;
He'll understand; he'll say, "Well done."

It's my prayer that when the journey of life is over, we shall be privileged to be among those faithful believers who will be honoured like Stephen with the Master's standing ovation. 

Good day, happy new month and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles, please visit -
http://okanlawon.webnode.com
http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Twitter: @tammytaiwo