THE DANGEROUS LIST

"Think seriously about how you live. Watch carefully for danger. Remember that the Devil is your enemy. He wants to hurt you. He walks about like a hungry lion. He is looking for someone to kill and then eat them!"- 1 Peter 5:8 (EASY)

The story is told of a woman who was bitten by a mad dog. When it was obvious that she was going to die of rabies, the doctor told her to make her will. Taking her a pen and paper she began to write; in fact she wrote and wrote. Finally the doctor said, “That is surely a long will you’re making.” She snorted, “Will nothing! I’m making a list of all the people I’m going to bite!” 

The above story describes what Devil did after he was bitten by his mad dog of rebellion. Then, God dethroned him in heaven and threw him into this world (Isaiah 14:12-15). However, instead of repenting and pleading for his restoration, Devil decided to compile the list of people that will eventually go down with him into the bottomless pit. What a terrible and wicked decision!

In Genesis 3, Devil staged his first coup by camouflaging as a serpent to deceive and bite the first man (Genesis 3:1-19). He promised man the same thing he was after which is to be like God (Genesis 3:5). His wicked plan worked out perfectly as he succeeded in transferring the deadly rabies of disobedience and rebellion to man. Those evil rabies made God to drive man out of his original habitation in Eden (Genesis 3:23).  

"So, the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden. To get his food, Adam had to dig the ground that God had used to make him"- Genesis 3:23 (EASY)

Beloved, the Devil has not changed his old tactics and wicked plan. Yes, he is still compiling the long list of people he wants to bite and kill. He is working tirelessly to write the names of those he had defiled with that terrible rabies of sin and ungodliness in every generation. Those who will eternally be separated from God. Those who will eventually miss the rapture of the faithful saints of God. Those who will go down with him to the bottomless pit. I hope your name is not on that dangerous and terrible list of the Devil.

"But I will punish all the other people. They include: People who do not believe in Jesus; People who do dirty things; People who murder other people; People who have sex in a wrong way; People who do magic; People who worship idols ; People who tell lies . All these people will go into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur. That is the second death for people.’- Revelation 21:8 (EASY)

Friends, your name is on that dangerous list if you are a liar, unbeliever, fornicator, adulterer, drunkard, murderer,  whoremonger etc (Revelation 21:8, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5). However, you can delete your name from that terrible list today by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. And His precious blood will blot out your name from that evil register of hell (1 John 1:7). Please do it today because tomorrow may be too late (2 Corinthians 6:2). Thereafter, be on your guard with prayers and watchfulness at all times (James 4:7).

"So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. You are sinners, so clean sin out of your lives......"- James 4:7‭-‬8 (ERV)

One special hymn that lends more voice to the admonition of the Apostles in James 4:7-8 and 1 Peter 5:8 is titled "Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose". As you meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn below, please trust God to keep you standing till Jesus Christ returns.

CHRISTIAN, SEEK NOT YET REPOSE By Charlotte Elliott (1836)

1.Christian, seek not yet repose,

   Cast thy dreams of ease away;

   Thou art in the midst of foes:

   Watch and pray.

2.Principalities and pow'rs,

   Must'ring their unseen array,

   Wait for thine unguarded hours:

   Watch and pray.

3.Gird thy heav'nly armor on,

   Wear it ever, night and day;

   Ambushed lies the evil one:

   Watch and pray.

4.Hear the victors who o'ercame:

   Still they mark each warrior's way;

   All with one sweet voice exclaim,

   "Watch and pray."

5.Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,

   Him thou lovest to obey;

   Hide within thy heart his word,

   "Watch and pray."

6.Watch, as if on that alone

   Hung the issue of the day;

   Pray, that help may be sent down:

   "Watch and pray".

It is my prayer that Heaven will remove the names of many hell bound souls from that dangerous list or register of Hell that the Devil is compiling this day in Jesus name. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we shall escape every ambush of the Devil in Jesus name, Amen. 

Good day and God bless you. 

Maranatha! 

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE PARADE OF MASK

“It will be bad for you teachers of the law and you Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You are like tombs that are painted white. Outside they look fine, but inside they are full of dead people’s bones and all kinds of filth. It is the same with you. People look at you and think you are godly. But on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and evil"-Matthew 23:27‭-‬28 (ERV)

A Sunday school teacher was endeavoring to impress upon a class of boys the importance of living the Christian life. “Why do people call me a Christian?” the man asked. After a moment’s pause, one young boy said, “Maybe it’s because they don’t know you.”

The response of this Sunday student above re-echoes the issue of hypocrisy that Jesus Christ accused the Scribes and Pharisees for in the temple (Matthew 23:25-27). What is hypocrisy? Hypocrisy can be defined as an art of organising and participating in self-made parade of mask. It involves dissimulation and pretense. An hypocrite conceals his/her real nature or identity with mask of deceit/pretense. Masked Christians are not really the person that they claimed to be. They are fake!  

Friends, have you ever wondered why there has been deplorable moral and spiritual climates in our world today despite the growing number of people who profess to be Christians. Is this not a clear indication that we have more masked or fake Christians in the fold more than the unmasked or genuine ones? Is it not obvious that we have more "Title Carrying Christians" (TCC) in the kingdom more than "Mantle Carrying Christians"(MCC)? If the secret dealings of many professing christians are mirrored through the x-ray of heaven, how disgusting will the outcome looks like (Matthew 23:27).

Beloved, have you joined the parade of mask? Are you a masked Christian or a unmasked one. Are you a true disciple of Jesus Christ or you are a certified pretender. Are you really who you claimed to be or are you hiding behind the transparent wall of hypocrisy? Are your external activities or actions covering up your internal filthiness or unrighteousness? Does your lifestyle contradicts your profession? Are there are convincing evidences in your life that can attest to the fact that you have truly been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus" -Acts 4:13

One poem that describes this science of hypocrisy that is attacking the roots of revival and Christians testimony in this generation is titled "Masks". May I urge you to please examine your life closely today and trust God to deliver you from that ungodly parade of mask. 

"MASKS" By Author Unknown

Don't be fooled by the face I wear, 

for I wear a thousand masks,

And none of them are me.

Don't be fooled, for goodness sake, don't be fooled.

I give you the impression that I'm secure, 

that confidence is my name and coolness is my game,

And that I need no one. 

But don't believe me.

Beneath dwells the real me in confusion, in aloneness, in fear.

That's why I create a mask to hide behind, 

to shield me from the glance that knows,

But such a glance is precisely my salvation.

That is, if it's followed by acceptance, if it's followed by love. 

It's the only thing that can liberate me from my own self-built prison walls.

I'm afraid that deep down I'm nothing and that I'm just no good, 

And that you will reject me.

And so begins the parade of masks.

I idly chatter to you. I tell you everything that's really nothing and

Nothing of what's everything, of what's crying within me.

Please listen carefully and try to hear what I'm not saying. 

I'd really like to be genuine and spontaneous, and me.

But you've got to help me.

You've got to hold out your hand.

Each time you're kind and gentle, and encouraging, 

Each time you try to understand because you really care,

My heart begins to grow wings, feeble wings, but wings.

With your sensitivity and sympathy, 

and your power of understanding,

You alone can release me from my shallow world of uncertainty.

It will not be easy for you. 

The nearer you approach me, The blinder I may strike back.

But I'm told that Love is stronger than strong walls, 

And in this lies my only hope.

Please try to beat down these walls with firm hands,

But gentle hands, for a child is very sensitive.

Who am I, you wonder.

I am every man you meet, and also every woman that you meet,

And I am you, also.

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will stir up genuine repentance in the heart of many professing but masked Christians all over the world. May the fire of hypocrisy burning fiercely in this generation be put out and replaced with the light of sincerity and genuineness. 

Good day and God bless you, Amen.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE GRASSHOPPER MENTALITY

 THE GRASSHOPPER MENTALITY  

"So those men gave a report that discouraged the people. They said, “The land we saw is full of strong people. They are strong enough to easily defeat anyone who goes there. We saw the giant Nephilim people there!... We felt like little grasshoppers. Yes, we were like grasshoppers to them!”- Numbers 13:32‭-‬33 (ERV)

A newly married woman insisted on going to the desert to stay with her husband. The only place the couple could find to live was a small apartment near an Indian village. The daytime heat was unbearable and the dry wind blew constantly, covering everything with dust. None of the Indians spoke English. The young wife was miserable. Then, she learned that her husband was going deeper into the desert for two weeks. So, she wrote her mother and asked if she could come back home.

In her mother’s reply were these words: "Two men looked through prison bars; one saw mud, the other saw stars." As the woman read those lines over and over, she decided to change her attitude. She decided to look for the stars. She set out to make friends with the Indians. When they saw her genuine interest, they taught her weaving and pottery. She learned their culture and language. Then, she began to study the desert and its trees. Not only did she survive, she became known as an expert on the area and later published a book about it.

The old woman's reply to her daughter in the above story describes the grasshopper mentality of ten spies who submitted negative assessment reports of the Land of Canaan to the children of Israel. All the things that those ten spies saw in the land of Canaan was mud and no stars at all. Everyone who heard their reports were discouraged, wept profusely and wished they had opportunity to go back to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-3). They concluded that the land of Cannan cannot be the promise land that God had  promised them. They believed that taking over the land was an impossible task and they were ready to give up on their dream and God's promise. As a result, the entire nation was made to wander in the desert for 40 years, until almost the entire generation of men died. Joshua and Caleb - the two spies who brought back a good report were the only men from their generation permitted to go into the Promised Land (Numbers 14:30)

"The whole community was in an uproar, wailing all night long. All the People of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The entire community was in on it: “Why didn’t we die in Egypt? Or in this wilderness? Why has God brought us to this country to kill us? Our wives and children are about to be plunder. Why don’t we just head back to Egypt? And right now!” - Numbers 14:1-3 (MSG)

Beloved, how has life been at your end? Has COVID-19 pandemic put you in an unbearable situation? When you look through the window of life today, what do you see? Do you see mud or stars in your promise land? Do you see giants or a land flowing with milk and honey? Are you already thinking of changing course like the woman in the above story and the children of Israel? Hear the word of the Lord, - "Life is always hard for the poor, but the right attitude can turn it into a party" -  Proverbs 15:15 (Easy to Read Version)

Friends, in the midst of that challenging situation, why not ignore the mud around and focus on the stars in your sky. Like Joshua and Caleb, please refuse to be intimidated or discouraged by the size and numbers of the giants in your promise land. Like the woman in the story above, please look for the stars in that unbearable situation. Yes, you may not have control over what happens to you, but you do have control over your attitude. So, I urge you to climb the positive attitude pyramid today and make the best of that situation with the help of God. Who knows? You might end up writing a best selling book on the subject matter very soon. As the Lord God of Heaven lives, before this month is over, those hard times shall turn to lavish celebration for you and your household in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. (Amen). 

One special hymn that describes our expected positive attitude in difficult situation and  splendour of the wonderful land that God promised us is titled: "God Has Set The Land Before Us". May I urge you to please let God minister to you as you meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn below.

GOD HAS SET THE LAND BEFORE US By Lowell Mason (1792- 1872)

God has set the land before us,

And the land we will possess.

God has finally found a people

Tired of the wilderness.

Down with every weight and sin;

Let’s go up and enter in.

Refrain:

       Hallelujah,  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen.

God has cleared the way before us

Through the victory of His Son;

Raised the Victor’s banner o’er us,

All the battles He has won.

All that’s left for us to do

Is by faith to follow through.

It’s a land of hills and valleys,

Brooks of water flowing free;

Fountains rich with living water,

Streams that flow abundantly.

Brothers, joyfully we stand

In His promise, Christ the land.

God has made the fruit to grow here,

Filled the land with produce sweet:

Olive oil and pomegranates,

Fig trees, honey, vines and wheat.

We need nothing else besides,

All we need the land provides.

We have eaten unto fullness,

And with joy we bless the Lord,

For the good land He has given;

Faithful to His promised Word.

Here we find there is no lack—

Never, never we’ll go back!

All we need to do is labor,

Working on the land each day;

Not expecting ’manna’ blessing,

Working in a normal way.

God and man cooperating

While for harvest we are waiting.

Labor thus will bring the increase

Of the land with all its worth,

And the Lord will have the harvest,

When He comes to reap the earth.

To provide the Lord the way,

We must labor day by day.

My prayer for you and my humble self is that God will baptise us afresh with the Caleb and Joshua's anointing to possess the promise land set before us. And as the Lord lives, we shall be delivered completely from the grasshopper mentality that wants to lure us back to Egypt. Finally, we shall receive more grace to labour earnestly in preaching the gospel in the land until Jesus Christ returns. 

Good day and God bless you, Amen.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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SEIZE THE MOMENT!

SEIZE THE MOMENT!

"Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability, because there is no work, no planning, no learning, and no wisdom in the next world where you're going" - Ecclesiastes 9:10 (ISV)

One night a group of nomads were preparing to retire for the evening when suddenly they were surrounded by a great light. They knew they were in the presence of a celestial being. With great anticipation, they awaited a heavenly message of great importance that they knew must be especially for them. Finally, the voice spoke, “Gather as many pebbles as you can. Put them in your saddle bags. Travel a day’s journey and tomorrow night you will either be glad or sad for the rest of your life”

After having departed, the nomads shared their disappointment and anger with each other. They had expected the revelation of a great universal truth that would enable them to create huge wealth in their generation. But instead they were given a menial task that made no sense to them at all. However, the memory of the brilliance of their visitor caused each one to pick up a few pebbles and deposit them in their saddle bags while voicing their displeasure. They traveled a day’s journey and that night while making camp, they reached into their saddle bags and discovered every pebble they had gathered had become a diamond. They were glad they had diamonds. They were sad they had not gathered more pebbles. 

The story above reinforces the statement made by the wisest king of Isreal - king Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9:10 -"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,..". King Solomon was practically saying, "Seize the moment! make the most of every day, live life to the fullest. Give your very best and make the most of your opportunities now! (Colossians 4:5b). Time is a loan, spend it wisely"

".make the most of every opportunity...." - Colossians 4:5

Unfortunately, many of us are like the nomads in the above story. We often desire diamond in life but unwilling to gather every little pebbles on the way. While searching for the diamond of life, we neglect the pebbles deposited on our path. If the reward is not enticing, we turn down the offer without considering if there are some pebbles that heaven wants us to pick on the road. 

Friends, can you imagine how many precious pebbles you might have ignored in life? Yes, where you are working now may not be the best in town, but that place is where God has assigned you to pick pebbles that will turn to diamonds in years to come. The menial jobs that you are avoiding now may be the pebbles that God will turn to diamond in your saddle bag in future. Please ignore the distractions around and go gather all the little pebbles that comes your way. Put in your very best on that job even when the pay is like small pebble today. Enrol for another course now.  Learn another craft or trade now. Write that exam now. Take up that job or start the new business now. Write another book now. Compose another song now. And most importantly, witness Christ to everyone around you everyday. Please note that every minute we use to share our faith in Christ is  priceless and has a great eternal value. And if you dare to be steadfast and diligent, those little pebbles in your saddle bag will soon become diamonds and you will forever be glad tomorrow that you acted wisely today. A word is enough for the wise! 

One powerful hymn that summarises Colossians 4:5 and Ecclesiastes 9:10 is titled "We Must Redeem The Time". Please meditate on the lyrics of this hymn and trust God to help you redeem your time on earth with eternity in view.  

WE MUST REDEEM THE TIME! By John Darwall (1731 - 1789)

We must redeem the time!

Let it not slip away,

For we will stand before the Lord

That coming day.

Redeem the time!

Seize every opportunity;

Redeem the time!

We must redeem the time!

The Lord is drawing nigh.

And just around the bend

We’ll hear the midnight cry.

Redeem the time!

Seize every opportunity;

Redeem the time!

We must redeem the time!

Each opportunity

Will come and pass

Ne’er to return eternally.

Redeem the time!

Seize every opportunity;

Redeem the time!

We must redeem the time!

Buy back the time we’ve lost.

Forsaking all to pay the price

Is worth the cost.

Redeem the time!

Seize every opportunity;

Redeem the time!

We must redeem the time!

We have not time to spare;

Each moment He hath measured

For us to prepare.

Redeem the time!

Seize every opportunity;

Redeem the time!

My prayer for you and my humble self is that we shall live every day with the consciousness of eternity and the brevity of life on earth. May we receive grace to labour earnestly for Christ in gathering many pebbles that will turn to diamonds when we reach the golden shore.  And may God stir us up to diligently buy back all the time we might have lost on this race of destiny before the trumpet sounds. 

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. 

#wonderful

#RCCGVIRTUALCONVENTION2020

Good day and God bless you.  Amen

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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