AN ALLEGORY OF PRUDENCE

"All these things happened to them as examples, as object lessons to us, to warn us against doing the same things; they were written down so that we could read about them and learn from them in these last days as the world nears its end." - 1 Corinthians 10:11 (TLB)

In his painting “An Allegory of Prudence,” the 16th-century Italian artist, Titian displayed three human heads facing different directions. One head was of a youth facing the future, another of a mature man eyeing the present, and the third, a wise old man gazing at the past. Over their heads Titian wrote a Latin phrase that means, “From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future.”

 

The above Latin phrase provides a simple illustration of a crucial lesson that God inspired Apostle Paul to teach the Church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 10:11). This lesson affirms that God does not expect anyone to repeat the same mistake that someone else has made in the past. God treats every mistake or error of the past as red flag on the pages of history. Anyone who ignores these red flags are bound to fail in the race of life.

 

The Bible is a compendium of divine red flags waved by God to man from the beginning of creation till when Christ will return for the rapture of the Church. These red flags are divine warning signals that must guide our actions and decisions everyday. It is practically impossible to live a glorious life now and in the future without paying close attention to these red flags. Unfortunately, many people in this generation are gazing and running aimlessly into the future without paying close attention to these critical divine warning signals. This is very sad!

 

There are many anointed ''Pharaohs and Jezebels'' around us who have chosen to ignore the red flags that God hung on the pages of history about ungodliness and wickedness. The red flags written in Matthew 27:1-5 about the Chief Accountant of Jesus Ministry is still being ignored today. There are many ordained Judas Iscariot who specialises in planning and executing betrayal and greed operations in town. The fire of rebellion is still burning fiercely among us today because the story of how fire descended from heaven to consume Korah and his 249 co-conspirators for rebelling against Moses is being ignored (Number 16:1-40). This is quite unfortunate!

 

Beloved, I hope you have not being ignoring some divine red flags in your sojourn in this world. Please, have you responded to the clarion call of salvation? If you have not, then you are ignoring a very important divine red flag. You stand the risk of spending eternity in Hell if you continue to ignore this special red flag (Revelation 20:15). Therefore, I urge you to please pay close attention to the red flag of eternal condemnation today by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour. You will never regret that you did.

 

One special hymn that urge us to respond positively to the clarion call of salvation recorded in  Revelation 3:20 is titled "LET HIM IN''.

 
LET HIM IN By Barney E. Warren, 1893
 
Who is knocking at your heart today?
Let the Savior in;
Sinner, do not grieve the Lord away,
Will you let Him in?
 
Refrain:
        Let Him in, let Him in,
        Sinner, rise, let Him in.
 
He is ling’ring at the closed door,
Let the Savior in;
You have heard Him knocking o’er and o’er,
Will you let Him in?
 
On the cross His blood was shed so free,
Let the Savior in;
Do not let your will thus dormant be,
Will you let Him in?
 
Is your heart now like the granite stone?
Let the Savior in;
Soon His blood for you will not atone,
Will you let Him in?

May the Holy Spirit breathe upon every stony heart and change it to heart of flesh that will yield completely to the call of salvation today. May we never ignore any divine red flags that Heaven is waving at us till we see Christ in glory in Jesus name, Amen.

 
Good day and God bless you.
 
Maranatha!
 
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
 
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THE FRUIT SELLS THE TREE

''O taste and see that the LORD is good:...'' Psalms 34:8 (KJV)

 A nursery owner was considering various ways he could use to sell his peach trees. He thought of displaying the leaves of the tree in conspicuous locations or creating a colourful catalogue showing the peach trees or giving the peach to the customers to taste. Finally, he concluded that what really sells a peach tree is not the leaves or the colourful catalogue but the peach (fruit) it produces. So, he plucked a ripe peach, cut it open and offered a slice to customers as they came. When they tasted the fruit, they desired the tree.

Christians' primary task on earth is to sell the good news (gospel) to everyone around them (John 15:16). However, unlike the above nursery owner we have chosen the unproductive method to sell the tree of life to a thirsty and hungry world. We are busy displaying our leaves and catalogues to unbelievers instead of cultivating and harvesting fruits that can quench their thirst. Are these methods effective? The answer is a capital "No". Despite the spread of  Christianity across nations and continents, the whole world is still being starved of righteousness and godly virtues. It is now obvious that the fresh leaves and colourful catalogues that believers are flaunting around cannot quench the hunger and thirst in this world. The leaves and catalogues of affluence, popularity, exposure, charisma, riches etc cannot save souls from drowning in the polluted sea of life. Therefore, God expects our lives to produce fruits that are good and inviting enough to draw unbelievers to the ever flowing fountain of Calvary. 

The best way to sell a fruit is to give it to customers to taste (Psalms 34:8). Jesus Christ corroborated this assertion by offering a woman who has been physically and emotionally drained, an opportunity to taste and see how sweet our God is (John 4:6-20). Instead of showing the woman His colourful catalogues and fresh leaves, Jesus chose to offer her the fruit that quenched her thirst and hunger permanently. Immediately, an uncommon transformation took place and the Harlot became an Evangelist, distributing the fruit of life to everyone in town. Wow! What an amazing transformation!

Beloved, are you hungry and thirsty for change of story like the Samaritan woman? I perceive your own journey of amazing transformation is about to begin. But you need to surrender your life to Jesus Christ first and then ask Him to give you the same fruit of transformation He gave to that Samaritan woman. If you do, God will respond to you speedily and amazing things will begin to happen in your life in quick succession. Are you already saved? I say "congratulations" to you. But I hope the fruits growing on the tree of your life are inviting and good enough to sell Jesus Christ to unbelievers? If your answer is "No" then, kindly find your way back to the feet of the Cross of Calvary now before it will be too late. 

"Our actions tell the story of Christ's life. Let others see Christ before they see you" - Cory Lamb 

I pray that our lives shall become a sacred and tasty fruit that God can use to sell the gospel to unbelievers in every generation. As we labour fervently to rescue drowning souls from hell, may the leaves and catalogues that we display not become a stumbling block in the path of others. Finally, may others see Jesus in us even if they don't know our names. 

Happy Father's day in advance to all the amazing Dads all over the world. I celebrate you all Sirs. May you live long to enjoy the fruits of your labour in Jesus name, Amen.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE BEST SELF-DEFENSE TACTIC

''Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor, only fools insist on quarreling'' - Proverbs 20:3 (NLT)

The introductory lesson on Aikido, a traditional Japanese form of martial arts, was an eye-opener. The lesson simply says when faced with an attacker, your first response should be to “run away.” But, how can a martial art  instructor advice his tutors to first consider running away from a fight? This seems strange and counterintuitive but it must have been based on the premise that the best form of self-defense is to avoid fighting in the first place.

According to the wisest man that have ever lived, the easiest way to have one's name deleted from God's Register of Honour is to fight or launch an attack instead of showing love (Proverbs 20:3). Unfortunately, many people have not  come to terms with this simple but very effective self-defense tactic of God. They believe that the best form of defense is to attack. These people have developed an attack mentality in life!

One of such person with strong attack mentality in the scripture was Apostle Peter. In Matthew 26:47-56, when the Roman soldiers came to arrest Jesus Christ, Peter quickly brought out his sword and smote one of the soldier's ear in self defense. He must have been expecting Jesus to thank him for striking the soldiers. Instead Jesus rebuked Peter publicly for using that crude self-defense tactic (Matthew 26:52). He knew that the tactic can delete Peter's name from God's Register of Honour. Jesus could have engaged the services of twelve legions of angels to deal with the Roman soldiers, but he chose to repay evil with kindness. Rather than asking Peter to cut the soldier's second ear, he chose to mend the one that Peter had struck. Jesus could have also commanded the ground to open and swallow Judas Iscariot instantly for betraying Him, but He never did.

''Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword'' - Matthew 26:52

Friends, have you ever been attacked like Jesus and His disciples? How did you respond? Do you think Jesus would have responded the way you did? Did you smite someone's ear in self defense like Peter? Or did you repay your attacker's evil deeds with kindness like Jesus? Please don't forget only a fool will insist on fighting or quarreling and you cannot afford to be a fool. Your name must not be deleted from God's Register of Honour. It will be very sad and extremely painful if you choose to be a fool.

One powerful poem that re-echoes the best self defense tactic of God in 1 Peter 3:9 is titled "Overcoming Evil With Good".

OVERCOMING EVIL WITH GOOD By Jim Pemberton (2011)

Overcoming Evil With Good... "
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
This verse from scripture is
often misunderstood.

Many tend to "get back" at someone who's "wronged them."
Whether it be from a stranger...or even a friend.
You cannot fight evil with evil-- this isn't God's plan!

His concept of love and mercy-- you need to understand.
Remember the words Jesus said in the beatitudes.
Perhaps this can stop any "revengeful attitudes."

You were called to be holy-- with Godliness in mind.
To be filled with his mercy... being gentle and kind.
Rise above whatever evil may come your way/
Overcome by doing this with God's goodness... today!

Allow the cross of Christ to be lifted up in your life.
Allow his spirit to remove all malice, bitterness and strife.
A compassionate and loving person in you... others will see!

What you do today--will impact your eternity!
An overcomer of evil is often difficult to do.
Obey and trust God-- He will see you through!

May God help us to be like His Son - Jesus Christ who has mastered the art of overcoming evil with good deeds at all times.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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NEVER WALK ALONE

''...Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.." - Matthew 28:20

There is a story of a little boy who had been invited to his friend’s birthday party. He was so excited and started counting the days to the party. But the morning of the party he was devastated when he found that a terrible storm had struck their town. Then, his father said “Son, I don’t think you should go to the party''. The boy was so disappointed. He began to importune his father, begging to be allowed to go. Finally, his dad said, “All right, you can go to the party.” The boy quickly dressed up and started walking down the street to his friend’s house. When he got to the door, he turned around and saw his father turning to walk back home. It was then he realized that his father had been walking behind him all the way to make sure he was safe.

 

''Never Walk Alone'' is the anthem of a popular football club in England. This phrase re-echoes Jesus' closing remarks to His disciples before His ascension to Heaven (Matthew 28:20). They are strong words of assurance to a group of people whose world had suddenly been turned upside down and inside out. The phrase really worked wonders as the disciples were motivated to weather the storm based on the assurance that they were not alone on that seemingly lonely and narrow path. They were ready to please God even when threatened and persecuted (Acts 4:17-19). They chose to remain on the narrow way even when the whole world was running in the opposite direction. They were convinced that their Father in Heaven was right behind them, watching over their shoulders to see that they reached their destination safely. 

 

Friends, are you feeling lonely and abandoned like the Disciples today? Are you being embarrassed for remaining on that narrow way? Have you even started considering the option of joining the multitude on the path of damnation. Please don't ever do it? If you do, you will regret your action. You may be feeling lonely now but the truth is you are never alone on that narrow way. Yes, your Heavenly Father is right beside you watching every step you take. If you remain undefiled, you will always enjoy His abiding presence till you reach the venue for the grand reception in Heaven.

 
'Never Alone' is the title of a wonderful hymn that describes the assurance of God's abiding presence to believers on the road of life:
 
NEVER ALONE by Unknown, 1892
 
I’ve seen the lightning flashing,
And heard the thunder roll,
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing,
Trying to conquer my soul;
I’ve heard the voice of my Savior,
Telling me still to fight on,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
 
Refrain:
          No, never alone,
          No, never alone;
          He promised never to leave me,
          Never to leave me alone.
 
The world’s fierce winds are blowing,
Temptation’s sharp and keen,
I have a peace in knowing
My Savior stands between—
He stands to shield me from danger,
When earthly friends are gone,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
 
When in affliction’s valley
I’m treading the road of care,
My Savior helps me to carry
My cross when heavy to bear,
Though all around me is darkness,
Earthly joys all flown;
My Savior whispers His promise,
“I never will leave thee alone.”

He died for me on the mountain,
For me they pierced His side,
For me He opened the fountain,
The crimson, cleansing tide;
For me He’s waiting in glory,
Seated upon His throne,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
 

May we continue to enjoy the abiding presence of God till we see Him in glory. And everyone who has walked away from the narrow way shall be restored in Jesus name. Amen.

 
Good day and God bless.
 
Maranatha!
 
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
 
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