JUST KEEP IT CLEAN

 “The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah’s...Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind. So stay awake and alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up"- Matthew 24:37, 40‭-‬42 (MSG)

A gentleman visiting a certain school promised that he would give a prize to the pupil whose desk he found in the best order when he returned. “But when will you return?” the student asked. “That I cannot tell,” was the answer. A little girl, who had been noted for her disorderly habits, announced that she wants to win the prize. “You!” her schoolmates jeered; “why, your desk is always out of order.” “Oh! but I mean to clean it the first day of every week.” “But suppose he should come at the end of the week?” someone asked. “Then I will clean it every morning.” “But he may come at the end of the day.” For a moment the little girl was silent. “I know what I’ll do,” she said decidedly, “I’ll just keep it clean.”

The above story reiterates the need for us to live ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:13). When He returns, the sheep shall be separated from the goats. The much awaited admission list to Heaven will be published. Every believer who by grace had kept their tables clean and garments undefiled till He comes shall march out of this wicked world (Rev. 21: 27). They shall meet the Bridegroom in the sky for the marriage solemnation in the Father's mansions above (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, John 14:2-3). Oh, what a glorious day will it be. 

Friends, are your tables clean and garments undefiled? Are you living daily with the consciousness of His return. Are you ready to board the flight to Heaven? If Jesus Christ returns today, will you go with Him? The worst thing that can ever happen to anyone is to miss the rapture of the saints. Nothing in this world is worth losing eternity with Christ for. Therefore, I urge you to make your way right with God today. Please surrender or rededicate your life to Jesus Christ today. Don't let anything make this golden moment slip off your hands. Keep your tables clean at all times in readiness for His glorious appearing. 

One special song that reechoes the need to live ready for Christ's return is titled "The Day Approaches":

THE DAY APPROACHES (by Unknown)

The day approaches; Jesus soon is coming.

Redeem the time; it must not slip away.

Lord, make us ready for the cry: “Behold Him!”

By using every moment of each day. 

When Jesus comes, will we go in to meet Him?

When Jesus comes, will we from self have ceased?

He’s coming soon to take the wise ones with Him.

Oh, let us not be left outside the feast.

Lord, ever turn us from our soulish pleasures

To gaze upon Thy tender, loving face.

Oh, keep us running forth to meet the Bridegroom

And patiently attending to the race. 

When Jesus comes, will we be in His presence?

When Jesus comes, will we His face behold?

Oh, let us not return to sloth and folly,

But jealously His loving presence hold.

As His dear Bride, let us go forth to meet Him,

Our lamps well-trimmed, our fires burning bright,

Our vessels filled, our eyes set on His glory,

To be with Him completely satisfied. 

Yes, satisfied—Christ and His Bride together.

Yes, satisfied—throughout eternity.

Oh, what a rest, what joy, what love, what favor

To be His Bride when He comes to His feast!

My prayer is that the temporary pleasures of this world will not rob us of the everlasting rest waiting for us in the city of Gold above. May we live every day with eternity in view so that we will not miss our flight out of this wicked world in Jesus name, Amen.  

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE CRUCIAL QUESTION

 "Pilate spoke again to the crowd, “What, then, do you want me to do with the one you call the king of the Jews?”  They shouted back, “Crucify him!”  “But what crime has he committed?” Pilate asked. They shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” - Mark 15:12‭-‬14 (GNT)

Barabbas - a troublemaker, thief and murderer was arrested and convicted for the atrocities he had committed in Jerusalem. At about the same time, Jesus was also arrested and charged for treason. The penalty for these two offenses was death by crucifixion. Although, Barabbas deserved every bit of the pain and humiliation he was going to get on the cross. His demise would have brought great relief to everyone in Jerusalem and no one would have missed him. However, Jesus has never committed any offence.

While attempting to release one prisoner during the feast of passover, Pilate asked a crucial question:- "What will you do with Jesus" (Mark 15:12). He was expecting them to say "release him". Unfortunately, the crowd's response  was very strange and  disappointing. The crowd yelled "Crucify him!". They choose Barabbas and rejected Jesus. Yes, the crowd embraced Barabbas - the wicked man and turned their back on Jesus - the righteous one. Pilate was totally confused and asked, "Why, what crime has he committed?" But they all shouted louder, "Crucify him." Jesus was whipped, spat on, mocked, and turned over to be crucified. 

Beloved, that crucial question that Pilate asked over 2000 years ago is still very relevant in our generation. God is still asking: "what will you do with Jesus". Will you reject Him and choose Barabbas? Will you join the mixed multitude to crucify Him? Will you betray Him with a kiss like Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:47-48)? Will you forsake and deny Him like Peter (Matthew 26:69-75)? Or will you surrender to Him and advertise Him like the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:28-29)? Will you release your boat to Him like Peter (Luke 5:3)? Will you release your home to Him as an house fellowship centre like Mr & Mrs Aquila (1 Corinthians 16:19)? Hope you will respond wisely!

The chorus of one special hymn that re-echoes that crucial question God is asking us everyday is titled "What will you do with Jesus?" Your answer to this crucial question will determine whether you will spend your eternity in heaven or hell. Please respond wisely today by choosing Jesus so that you will not end your journey in hell.  

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS? By Albert B. Simpson (1905)

Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall--

Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;

Hearken! what meaneth the sudden call!

What will you do with Jesus? 

Chorus:

    What will you do with Jesus?

    Neutral you cannot be;

    Someday your heart will be asking,

   “What will He do with me?” 

Jesus is standing on trial still,

You can be false to Him if you will,

You can be faithful thro' good or ill:

What will you do with Jesus?

Will you evade Him as Pilate tried?

Or will you choose Him, whate’er betide?

Vainly you struggle from Him to hide:

What will you do with Jesus?

Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny?

Or will you scorn from His foes to fly,

Daring for Jesus to live or die?

What will you do with Jesus?

“Jesus, I give Thee my heart today!

Jesus, I’ll follow Thee all the way,

Gladly obeying Thee!” will you say:

“This I will do with Jesus!”

After celebrating the resurrection of Christ, may we never crucify Him again with our words, actions and dispositions till we see Him in glory.

Good day and God bless. 

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE GOOD NEWS FROM CEMETERY

"The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, the one who was killed on the cross. But he is not here. He has risen from death, as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was"- Matthew 28:5‭-‬6 (ERV)

A cemetery is a place where the remains of dead people are buried or interred. The emotional atmosphere at the cemetery is usually very tensed as people grieve for the passing of their loved ones. The waves of emotions at the cemetery often ranges from profound sadness, emptiness, and despair to shock, confusion, numbness, guilt, or regret. The cemetery is simply a place synonymous with sorrow and bad news.  

However, the best news the world has ever had came from a certain cemetery in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. On that glorious Easter morning, Mary Magdalene and some other women went to the cemetery where Christ was interred with spices. On arrival, they discovered that Christ had risen and His tomb was empty. What a good news! They left the cemetery with great joy to disseminate the news to the disciples who were still mourning their Master (Matthew 28:8).

The good news turned the sorrow of the disciples to great joy but some found it very hard to believe it (Luke 24:11). They couldn't imagine how such good news can come from a strange place like cemetery. How can God turn a cemetery to the headquarters of Jerusalem's Good News Broadcasting Station? The news was simply too good to be true. It is unbelievable and unthinkable!

"And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not" (Luke 24:11)

Friends, may I assure you that the good news of Christ's resurrection is absolutely true and it is obviously the best news in the history of man. The news reaffirms believers' victory over judgment and death. It also validates our redemptive testimony in Christ.

Beloved, the tomb is empty! The price for man's redemption has been paid. Christ has risen and ascended up to heaven. But the question now is, "Are you enjoying the benefits of His resurrection or are you still languishing in the tomb of sin and judgment?" Why not connect yourself to the finished work of grace that was perfected on that glorious Easter morning over 2000 years ago? Please surrender your life to Jesus Christ and begin to take delivery of all the amazing freebies offered to man as Easter bonus.

One very powerful song that reiterates the good news from Jerusalem's Good News Cemetery Broadcasting Station  is titled "COME AND SEE, THE TOMB IS EMPTY". As you meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful song, please trust God for grace to see more evidences of the finished work of grace in your life everyday till you see Christ in glory.

COME AND SEE, THE TOMB IS EMPTY (Unknown)

When I came to see the Master, someone rolled away the stone

I saw the tomb was empty and my precious Lord was gone

The angel said why are you looking for Jesus here today

He's not here, He has risen. Come and see where He lay

Chorus:

        Come and see the tomb is empty

        Come and see where He laid

        Death could not hold Him, He has risen from the grave

        Now He lives and reigns forever and He's coming back someday

        Come and see the tomb is empty, come and see where He laid.

When I heard that He had risen, I doubted in my mind

So I ran into the tomb to see what I could find

The angel said why are you seeking the living among the dead

He’s not here, He has risen tell the others what I’ve said

As you celebrate Easter this year, may God send good news to your household from places that you could never imagine. May God turn every cemetery around your family to Good News Broadcasting Station. More importantly, may God use you to rescue others as you prayerfully disseminate the good news of resurrection in Jesus name, Amen. 

Good day and do have a glorious Easter celebration. 

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE FAITHFUL GARDENER'S MENTALITY

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation  22:12

A gardener was taking his visitor round the castle and the beautiful, well-groomed fields. The visitor commended the gardener and his wife for the way they were keeping the gardens. He asked, "By the way, when was the last time the owner of this garden was here?". "Several years ago", the gardener replied. The visitor asked, “Then why do you keep the gardens in such an immaculate, lovely manner?” The gardener replied, “Because I’m expecting him to return.” Then the visitor asked again “Is he coming next week?” The gardener replied, “I don’t know when he is coming, but I am expecting him today.”

One important promise Jesus Christ made to the Church in the last chapter of the book of Revelation is about the timing of His return to the world. The phrase "I come quickly" should keep every gardener on his/her toes till the owner of the garden eventually shows up. The gardeners must work tirelessly for their master everyday as if He would return by the end of that very day. They must consider themselves highly privileged to be among the few people that God has entrusted His garden to. Their commitments in serving God joyfully and faithfully at all times should not be in doubt. They must be loyal to their master and look forward to seeing him again when He returns. That is simply the Faithful Gardener's Mentality. 

It is unfortunate that many people in our world today do not have the faithful gardener's mentality. It is obvious that many gardeners are no longer working for the owner of the garden but for themselves. They have turned the garden to business centres by commercialising almost every activity around them. Immeditate gratifications, earthly rewards or "What is in it for me" mentality, are now the driving forces of many gardeners in this generation. Many people are more committed in their place of work than in the garden of God. They work extra hours in their offices but never spend an extra minute in the garden for God. This is quite absurd. 

Beloved, are you one of the few faithful gardeners around? Are you still keeping the garden or have you walked away in search of greener pastures? Have you commercialised your gifts and talents in the garden? Will the owner of the garden find you still standing when He returns? Please be sincere with yourself!

Friends, there is no doubt that the owner of this garden is on His way. The events unfolding all around the world today clearly reaffirms this fact. Yes, Christ's second coming is very imminent, hence, the need for many people to realign themselves with Him now is very crucial. We also need to stop commercialising our efforts in the garden.   

"The King Is Coming" is the title of a wonderful hymn that reiterates the fact that Christ's return is imminent. As you meditate on the lyrics of this hymn, please trust God for grace to remain steadfast till Christ returns. 

The King Is Coming by Ira David Sankey (1853)

Rejoice! Rejoice! our King is coming!

And the time will not be long,

Until we hail the radiant dawning,

And lift up the glad new song.

Refrain:

       Oh, wondrous day! oh, glorious morning,

       When the Son of Man shall come!

       May we with lamps all trimmed and burning

       Gladly welcome His return!

       Rejoice! Rejoice! our King is coming!

       And the time will not be long,

       Until we hail the radiant dawning,

       And lift up the glad new song.

With joy we wait our King’s returning

From His heavenly mansions fair;

And with ten thousand saints appearing

We shall meet Him in the air. 

Oh, may we never weary, watching,

Never lay our armor down

Until He come, and with rejoicing

Give to each the promised crown.

May we never be weary of serving in the garden until the Master returns to give unto us our rewards in Jesus name, Amen.

Good day and God bless. 

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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