THE POTTER'S HOUSE ENCOUNTER

"O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel". Jeremiah  18:6 

There is an ancient practice in Japan of fixing or mending broken things known as Kintsugi, meaning “golden joinery". It is the custom of repairing broken things with liquid gold, silver or lacquer dusted with gold to bring together the pieces of the fractured pottery. This process not only fixes the cracks but dramatically increases the value of the piece and makes it more beautiful than the original (Culled from Fox News, Meghan Howard, March 27, 2019)

The Potter's House encounter narrated in Jeremiah 18:1-6, reinforces the ability of God to turn every messy or hopeless situation around like the Kintsugi artists. God does not throw away any broken things, rather, He usually remodel them for His glory. For example, when Joseph was stripped of his coat of many colours and sold to Egypt, the fingers of God rescued and decorated him. He eventually became a Global agent of preservation and deliverance (Genesis 45:3-8). God also picked up Mephibosheth from the trash in Lodebar (with his torn garment of royalty) and remodelled him for the Palace's lifestyle of dignity (2 Samuel 9:1-13).

Friends, are there some broken things in your life today? Has anyone thrown you away like a piece of garbage because of those broken things? Then, may I inform you that, your crack is not too big for God to mend. In fact, God specializes in mending broken or cracked things (business, health, academics, marriage) that is placed in His hands (Jeremiah 18:6). Then, why not place your life in His hand by obeying the call of repentance now (Luke 5:32). Only then, can the Great Potter start His remodeling works of grace and glory in your life. And by the time God finishes, you would become a masterpiece of wonders in your generation.  

"I came not to call righteous, but sinners to repentance" - Luke 5:32

"Jesus heard about it and spoke up 'who needs a doctor:the healthy or the sick? I'm  here inviting outsiders,  not insiders - an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out" Luke 5:31-32 (MSG )

Are you ready for the Potter's House Encounter of uncommon remodeling and beautification? Please join me to meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn (below) titled: "God The Sculptor of The Mountains". 

"GOD THE SCULPTOR OF THE MOUNTAINS" by John Thornburg, 1993

  God the sculptor of the mountains,

God the miller of the sand,

God the jeweler of the heavens,

God the potter of the land:

you are womb of all creation,

we are formless; shape us now.

 

God the nuisance to the Pharaoh,

God the cleaver of the sea,

God the pillar of the darkness,

God the beacon of the free:

you are gate of all deliv’rance,

we are sightless; lead us now.

 

God the unexpected infant,

God the calm, determined youth,

God the table turning prophet,

God the resurrected Truth:

you are present every moment,

we are searching; meet us now.

 

God the dresser of the vineyard,

God the planter of the wheat,

God the reaper of the harvest,

God the source of all we eat:

you are host at every table,

we are hungry; feed us now.

I pray that the Great Sculptor will take you into His remodeling room for some breathtaking and amazing world-class beautification projects (spiritually, materially, maritally, financially, academically) before this month is over 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 69th Annual Convention with the theme "A NEW WAVE OF GLORY". Date: Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th August, 2021. Ministering: Our beloved Daddy G.O - Pastor E.A Adeboye and other anointed Ministers of God.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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DON'T DIP YOUR HAND INTO THE CANDY JAR

"You give to them, they gather it up; You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good"- Psalm 104:28

A young boy went to the local store with his mother. The shop owner, a kind man, passed him a large jar of candy and invited him to help himself to a handful. Strangely, the boy held back. So the shop owner pulled out a handful for him. As soon as they left the store, the boy’s mother asked why he had suddenly been so shy and wouldn’t take a handful of candy when offered. The boy replied, “Because his hand is much bigger than mine!”

The world is a mega store with many candy jars of freebies that the shop owner (God) wants to give to everyone who patronises him (Matthew 6:33). Many people have being dipping their hands into the candy jar to picked a handful of everything they desire in life. For example, some picked for themselves a handful of degree, career, friend, life partner, etc. While picking from the candy jar, they used their feeble hands, limited strength and human wisdom. Consequently, most of the things they picked for themselves are not the best that the shop owner had planned to give them. 

"...So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan valley and Lot journeyed east;....Genesis 13:10-13

Friends, it is time you stop dipping those feeble hands of yours into the candy jar of God. Let the mighty and everlasting hand of God pick the very best that heaven can afford for you. Have you forgotten how Mr. Lot dipped his hand into the candy jar and ended up in Sodom? (Genesis 13:10-13). The hand of God is much bigger and better than yours. Only God's hand can pick a good wife for you among all the fake wife materials in the candy jar. Only His hand can choose the best husband for you among several fake husband materials in the candy jar. Only God can pick the best job for you among those tempting offers in the candy jar. Only His hand can pick the golden fish from the river for you. If you dare to let God -the greatest shop owner choose for you, then, you will get the best of everything that Heaven have kept in store for you financially, maritally, materially, etc (Proverbs 3:5-6). However, it is important to note that you cannot collect from God if you are not connected to Him. The only way to connect to God is to accept His only begotten Son - Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour (Acts 4:12). This is so simple but very true! 

"Jesus is the only one who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save anyone. We must be saved through him!” -Acts 4:12 (ERV)

One short but very power song that reiterates the kind heart of our God and His readiness to supply all our deepest needs much more than the raven is titled "The Raven He Feedeth". As you meditate on the lyrics of this hymn, recieve grace to trust God's hands to provide all your needs till you finish your race on earth.

THE RAVEN HE FEEDETH by Lew­is E. Jones, 1898 

In tender compassion and wonderful love,

The Father looks down from on high;

He knoweth the raven hath need of its food,

And heareth in mercy its cry.

Refrain:

        The raven He feedeth, then why should I fear?

        To the heart of the Father His children are dear;

        So, if the way darkens or storms gather o’er,

        I’ll simply look upward and trust Him the more.

        His arm is abundantly able to save,

        His eye is a guide to my feet;

        Since love sought and found me,

        I constantly dwell

        With Him in companionship sweet.

No need have I ever to trouble my breast,

Or fear what the morrow may bring;

The heart of the Father is planning my way,

And I am the child of a king.

It is my prayer that we shall never bite the mighty hand that is feeding and sustaining us till we see Him in glory. And may God have mercy upon everyone frustrating His plan by dipping their hands into His candy jars.

Good day and God bless you, Amen. 

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE EXPANSION PROJECT IN HELL

"Help those who have doubts. Rescue those who are living in danger of hell’s fire." - Jude 1:22‭ (ERV)

On 25th February 1879, when Charles Peace, a notorious criminal in England, was about to be executed, a minister said to him: “Those who die without Christ experience hell, which is the pain of forever dying without the release which death itself can bring.” Charles stopped the minister and said, “Sir, if I believed what you and the church of God say that you believe, even if England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would walk over it, if need be, on hands and knees and think it worthwhile living, just to save one soul from an eternal hell like that!” (Culled from Why Revival Tarries, Leonard Ravenhill) 

Many people all over the world are currently on the danger list of hell. It is worthy of note that Hell has enlarged itself to accommodate more unbelievers from every generation (Isaiah 5:14). However, many careless Christians are silently supporting the expansion project in hell. They indirectly offer their support to hell by refusing to witness to unbelievers around them. They seat on the fence or give flimsy excuses when it is time for evangelism and follow up. They bluntly ignore God's directives to passionately go after unbelievers and rescue them from their voyage to hell (Jude 1:22). Some believers are too preoccupied with their business or career than the great commission (Matthew 28:19). The terrible plight of sinners no longer move them to pray and trust God for the salvation of lost souls (2 Corinthians 5:11). What a misnormal!  

"Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it" - Isaiah  5:14 (KJV)

Friends, are you part of those careless Christians that are supporting the expansion project in hell? Why are you not concerned about the  terrible plight of sinners around you? Why are you so docile or inactive when it is time to go for evangelism and follow up? Are you sure you have not backslided? Do you really love those sinners the way Christ loved them? (Romans 5:8)

"But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" - Romans 5:8 (Amplified)

One special hymn that provide reasons why many christians are not witnessing to unbelievers is titled "All Because We Do Not Love Them! " Please prayerfully meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn below and trust God to rekindle fresh passion in our heart to witness to lost souls in Jesus name. 

ALL BECAUSE WE DO NOT LOVE THEM by Daniel O. Teasley, 1910

Many souls today are dying,

Sin and sorrow is their lot;

Darkness shrouds them with its mantle,

All because we love them not.

Refrain:

          All because we do not love them,

          Millions fill the heathen grave;

          Brother, can you see them perish,

          When a little love would save?

Brother, can we guiltless linger,

When to us the truth is giv’n?

Tearless, see the heathen dying,

Without God or hope of heav’n?

Love brought Jesus down from glory,

On the cruel cross to die;

Can we say we love the heathen,

If we turn away their cry?

Love undying, love eternal—

Love will send us o’er the wave,

Will impel us to our duty,

Helpless heathen souls to save.

Jesus said, “Go, teach all nations”;

They are lost if we delay;

Can we face Him at the judgment,

If His word we disobey?

My prayer is that God will help all believers to be more passionate, purposeful and fervent in reaching unbelievers with the gospel. As we throw our net out passionately, every soul on that terrible danger list of hell shall be rescued and released never to return to their vomit again. 

Good day and God bless you, Amen. 

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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A RANSOM FOR MANY

"Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin].”Matthew 20:28 (AMP)

One day, a man saw a very large cage by the road side. He noticed the cage was full of people of every kind, young, old, from every race and nation. Then, he asked the owner of the cage “How did you get these people?”. The cage owner replied “I lure them with porno, alcohol, drugs, lust, lies, anger, hatred, fornication, adultery, unforgiveness, pride and all manner of sins. I pretend that I’m their friend and promise them a good time, then when I have hooked them, I throw them into the cage and they become my slave forever”. Then, the man asked “Can I buy these people from you?”. The cage owner smiled and said, “yes, because the cage is pretty expensive, and I spent a lot of time collecting these people, hence it will cost you your life.” The man handed over his life, the door was opened and the people escaped.

"So that one sin of Adam brought the punishment of death to all people. But in the same way, Christ did something so good that it makes all people right with God. And that brings them true life".Romans 5:18 (ERV)

In the beginning, when man was lured into sin, his soul was kidnapped and packed inside the cage of eternal damnation (Romans 5:12 - 18). In order to secure man's release from the hands of his wicked adoptor, a huge ransom of death was placed upon him. The pitiable plight of man attracted the attention of God and He sent this only begotten Son as ransom for man's release (John 3:16). Jesus Christ came to pay the ultimate ransom to rescue humanity from the captivity of the devil (Matthew 20:28b). The Saviour laid down his life, and by the shedding of his blood, the ultimate ransom for man's redemption was paid in full (Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Revelation 5:9).

"For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven......" -Ephesians 1:7 (GNT)

Friends, please note that the wicked one who lured Adam and Eve into his terrible cage is still very active in this generation. He is still dangling his carrot of sin before man to lure him away from God and cage him in hell. However, the good news is that - the ultimate ransom paid by Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago is still valid and has opened the door of that terrible cage for every trapped souls to escape. Everyone lured or deceived and thrown into the cage of sin can be set free indeed (John 8:36). However, anyone who chooses to remain inside that wicked cage after the saviour has paid the ransom for many will definitely have himself/herself to blame eternally. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, paid for your release, your freedom from Satan’s trap, with His own life, on the cross at Calvary. Then, why are you still a slave of sin? 

"God paid a high price for you, so don’t be slaves to anyone else"-1 Corinthians 7:23 (ERV)

One special hymn that reaffirms the huge ransom paid for our liberty is titled "My Saviour Paid My Ransom". Please let's celebrate God for the great work of redemption as we meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn below: 

MY SAVIOUR PAID MY RANSOM By Fred P. Morris 

My Saviour paid my ransom

That He might set me free,

He climbed up to Golgotha

Laid down His life for me.

Refrain:

        He died for me, He died for me,

        How deep and strong His love must be,

        To pay the price of Calvary,

        For me, for me, for me, for me.

My Saviour paid my ransom

He found me steeped in sin,

He knew the heart so stubborn,

His love alone could win. 

My Saviour paid my ransom

My life is not my own,

He bought my full redemption,

I’m His and His alone. 

My Saviour paid my ransom

My all I gladly bring,

To bow in full surrender,

Before my Lord and King. 

My prayer is that everyone lured into the terrible cage of the devil shall surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ so that the ransom of Calvary over their souls will not be in vain. 

Good day. Happy new month and God bless you, Amen. 

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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