CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR - 3

''Reuben, you are my oldest, born at the peak of my powers; you were an honored leader. Uncontrollable as a flood, you slept with my wife and disgraced my bed. And so you no longer deserve the place of honor''- Genesis 49:3-4

One day, a rabbit boasted about how fast he could run. He laughed at the tortoise for being so slow. Much to the rabbit’s surprise, the tortoise challenged him to a race. The rabbit thought this as a good joke so he gladly accepted the challenge. As the race began, the rabbit raced way ahead of the tortoise, just like everyone thought. The rabbit got to the halfway point and could not see the tortoise anywhere. He was tired and decided to stop and take a short nap. He thought, even if the tortoise passed him, he would still be able to race to the finish line ahead of him. All this time the tortoise kept walking step by step. He never quitted no matter how hot or tired he got, he just kept going. The rabbit on the other hand slept longer than he had thought. When he woke up, he could not see the tortoise in sight. He went at full-speed to the finish line but found the tortoise there waiting for him.

Good attitude is a Critical Success Factor in the race of life. From the above story, the rabbit finished badly because he had some very terrible attitudes. He was so boastful, proud and arrogant. He seemed not to understand that a good talent with a bad attitude equals bad talent. Only a good attitude can guarantee access to the place of honour in the race of life. 

​In Genesis 49:3-4, God told us about the story of Reuben - a young man with some impeccable credentials like that of the Rabbit but who also stumbled before getting to the finish line. Reuben had virtually everything but lacked good attitude. He was an ungodly, rude, disobedient and unruly young man who enjoyed the pleasure of sin to the fullest. Reuben's bad attitude deflated his rear tyre (his past) and broke his front mirror (his future). Eventually, he was cursed and his name was deleted from his father's register of honour long before he reached the finish line.

A bad attitude is a major disability in life. It is a serious impediment on the road to the place of honour. Anyone with bad attitude can never go far in life. Unfortunately, there are still many people like Reuben in this generation. These people believe they can live recklessly and still finish their race on earth very well. They simply place more premium on their skills/qualifications/anointing/wealth/positions etc more than their attitudes or dispositions to God and man. This is absolutely wrong!

Friends, are you one of the Reubens or Samsons in town? I urge you to please make conscious efforts to stop those bad attitudes capable of turning your destiny in an anti-clockwise direction like Reuben or Samson. Obviously, you need God's help to make this a reality. The Holy Spirit can help you through the process known as sanctification (Galatians 5:22-26) but you must first surrender your life to Jesus Christ.  

​One interesting poem that re-echoes this critical success factor is titled ''Success And Attitude''. 

SUCCESS AND ATTITUDE by Nsikak Andrew

Success and attitude walks hand-in-hand,

The good news is, you can never get to one;

Without the other and the bad news is,

You can’t do without working in both pathways.

True success is built on attitude,

And success can only be attained;

If you have the right attitude towards,

Dealing with everyone that comes your way.

Being smart has its own limits,

But having the right attitude;

Is limitless and a panacea,

To open many doors of success.

The factor needed for success is attitude,

It is through this you will attain your set goals in life;

If you can solve your attitude problem,

Then you can live without any regret.

This day, the grip of bad attitude holding you in captivity is broken and every curse of Reuben hanging over your destiny is reversed now in Jesus name (Deuteronomy 33:6).

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR - 2

''Moderation is better than muscle, self-control better than political power'' - Prov. 16:32 (MSG)

One day, a rabbit boasted about how fast he could run. He laughed at the tortoise for being so slow. Much to the rabbit’s surprise, the tortoise challenged him to a race. The rabbit thought this as a good joke so he gladly accepted the challenge. As the race began, the rabbit raced way ahead of the tortoise, just like everyone thought. The rabbit got to the halfway point and could not see the tortoise anywhere. He was tired and decided to stop and take a short nap. Even if the tortoise passed him, he would still be able to race to the finish line ahead of him. All this time the tortoise kept walking step by step. He never quitted no matter how hot or tired he got, he just kept going. However, the rabbit slept longer than he had thought. When he woke up, he could not see the tortoise in sight. He went at full-speed to the finish line but found the tortoise there waiting for him.

Self-control is another critical success factor (CSF) in the race of life. This is the ability to control oneself. It involves moderation, constraint and the ability to say “no” to our desires and fleshly lusts.      

In the above story, the rabbit finished badly because his self-control button was turned off somewhere between the starting point and the finish line. Instead of running, he was gratifying his flesh by sleeping. On the other hand, the Tortoise made a deliberate effort to keep his self-control button on till the race was over. He refused to indulge himself and that decision eventually paid off at the end. The tortoise decision resonates with the critical success factor mentioned by Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27. Little wonder he finished well (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

"... I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to be caught napping,...." 1 Cor. 9:24-27 (MSG)

Beloved, self-control is a critical success factor in the race of life. It is better than muscular and political power (Prov. 16:32 MSG). You and I cannot afford to turn off our self-control button like the rabbit. A little moment of rest or carelessness may cost you a great deal. There is no room for frivolous or sloppy living in the race to eternity. That is why, in the RCCG, we have been taught to exercise self-control over our belly by fasting and praying regularly. By God's grace, the self-control button of our belly must be  switched on from 11th January to 1st March, 2023. It won't be a bad idea if you can join us for this spiritual exercise.

One hymn that re-echoes the scripture in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 is titled ''No Parking On The Highway'':  

NO PARKING ON THE HIGHWAY By Joel A. Erickson (2006)

1. If you have started on the heav’nly road

Pay heed to every sign:

The One who paid the weighty debt you owed

Made it by His design,

And He will help you make the best of it,

Though raging storms may blow,

No matter what the way is, never quit—

Forever onward go! 

Refrain:

     There is no parking on the holiness highway,

     Just keep straight and true on track;

     Beware of going down a beckoning byway,

     Many never make it back;

     Though there are often many troublesome trials,

     Jesus knows about your load,

     And He will help you on the holiness highway—

     It’s the one and only road. 

2. When there are mountains on the road ahead

Just onward, upward climb;

Remember then the warning sign that said:

“No Parking Any Time”;

When all across the way it seems a wall,

Our God will make a way—

Just trust and listen for your Leader’s call;

Keep on without delay. 

Friends, If you are yet to start the heavenly race, please do so now by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. May we receive grace to run the race to finish line like Apostle Paul in Jesus name, Amen

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR

"So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" Romans 9:16

One day, a rabbit boasted about how fast he could run. He laughed at the tortoise for being so slow. Much to the rabbit’s surprise, the tortoise challenged him to a race. The rabbit thought this was a good joke and he accepted the challenge. As the race began, the rabbit raced way ahead of the tortoise just like everyone thought. The rabbit got to the halfway point and could not see the tortoise anywhere. He was tired and decided to stop and take a short nap. He thought, even if the tortoise passed him, he would still be able to race to the finish line ahead of him. All this time the tortoise kept walking step by step. He never quit no matter how hot or tired he got. He just kept going. However, the rabbit slept longer than he had thought. When he woke up, he could not see the tortoise anywhere! He went to the finish line at full speed but found the tortoise there waiting for him.

Critical success factor (CSF) is a management term for an element that is necessary for an organization or project to achieve its mission (Wikipedia).  

One critical success factor in the race of life is to understand that talent is not enough. For instance, the rabbit would have won the race in the story above if talent is the only prerequisite for success in life. Goliath would have defeated David if physical strength is all that is required for victory in the battle of life. Many eloquent men in Egypt would have been chosen ahead of Moses if talent or charisma is all that is needed for success. According to Romans 9:16, an unseen force or God Factor always guarantees success in the race of life. 

Friend, please don't run the race of 2023 with those impressive credentials of the rabbit. You cannot win the race of 2023 by merely relying on your skills, qualifications, experience, or talents. You definitely need the backing of God to succeed this year. Whenever we go without God, we are bound to come back with nothing (John 15:5). That is why you must align yourself with God and leverage on the God Factor called "Mercy" for a glorious and fruitful life this year.

As you position yourself to run the race of 2023, please let the lyrics of this powerful hymn titled "Dew of Mercy" echo in your heart every day:

DEW OF MERCY by Fanny Crosby 1820–1915

1. Like the still quiet fall

Of the silent dew of night

On the leaves, that are folded to rest,

Is the mercy of God

When it droppeth from His throne,

Bringing balm from the fields of the blest.

 

Refrain:

Dew of mercy, dew of mercy,

Ever dropping, gently dropping from above;

Dew of mercy, how it cheers us,

Ever dropping from a Savior’s love!

 

2. How it cheers and revives

Every bud of Christian hope!

How it takes every sorrow away!

O ’tis sweeter by far

Than the drops of nature’s dew,

And it falleth by night and by day.

 

3. When we ask of the Lord,

In our simple fervent prayer,

For His blessing at morn and at even,

Let us pray that our souls

May be watered and refreshed,

By the dew of His mercy from Heav’n.   

 

Beloved, please note that sin is a license for failure and reproach in the race of life (Prov 14:34). You need to run to the feet of the cross for the dew of mercy to wipe away your sins today. Please repent and surrender your life to Jesus Christ now before the gate of mercy is shut against you. 

As the Lord lives, the dew of mercy shall heavily fall upon you and your household this year. The dew of mercy shall empower your destiny to run and break every generational record of limitations hanging over everyone in your lineage this year in Jesus' name, Amen. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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IS THERE ANYTHING AT YOUR BACK?

''You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act.."- Isaiah 1:15-‬16 (MSG)

 A boy had seen people smoking cigarette and it looked so enticing, hence he decided to try it one day. Unfortunately, the day he attempted to smoke, he saw his father coming down the street towards him. He quickly placed the cigarette behind his back in an attempt to hide it from his father. Meanwhile, there was a signpost across the street about a company of acrobats coming to town. As his father got closer, he tried to distract him by pointing at the signpost and asking, “Daddy, can we go see the acrobat when it's in town?” His father replied, “Son, never make a request while holding a flaming disobedience behind your back!”

The response of the boy's father above reinforces a crucial matter that God raised in Isaiah 1:15 about things that can hinder our prayers. God clearly affirms that He has zero tolerance for sin and He is not under any obligation to answer prayers offered by anyone whose hands are not clean before him (John 9:31, Psalms 66:18). Everything done on earth are lay bare before the omnipresent God, hence it is impossible for anyone to hide his or her sins from Him (Daniel 2:22, Jer. 23:24). 

"Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD...." Jer. 23:24.

The Bible clearly states that concealing one's sin from God carries grave consequences. For example, when Achan hid some accursed Babylonian garment, a wedge of gold and silver behind his back, the entire nation of Israel suffered humiliating defeat. God turned His back on them and Achan's household was stoned to death on that fateful day (Joshua 7:1-26). Also, when Gehazi decided to hide the proceeds of his covetous act behind his back, his entire lineage were afflicted with leprosy  ( 2 Kings 5:20-27). 

Friends, what are you hiding behind your back that will make God turn His back at you this year? Does that thing really worth losing your testimony this year for? Why will you mortgage your destiny because of those things at your back? Please repent now and cry to God before the door of mercy is shut against you (Psalms 51:2-3).

Beloved, there is no better time to make one's way right with God than the beginning of a new year. God is merciful and will forgive you. Stop using religious activities to distract God from seeing your secret deals. It is possible to be a Sunday school teacher, yet heaven over you has become brass. You can be a Deacon or Pastor, yet God has deleted your name from the list of those who can access the throne of grace in the year 2023. Even if nobody else knows about those secret issues, I can assure you that God knows and He will not be able to answer your prayer this year until you make your way right with Him. 

One hymn that re-echoes the prayers of King David in Psalms 51:2-3 which should also be our heart cry till we finish our race on earth is titled ''Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me''. 

ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME by Rev. A. M. Toplady, 1762             

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save me from its guilt and power.

2. Not the labor of my hands

Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All could never sin erase,

Thou must save, and save by grace.

 

3. Nothing in my hands I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, look to Thee for grace:

Foul, I to the fountain fly,

Wash me, Savior, or I die.

4. While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.

This year, you and I will never do anything that will make our heavenly father turn His back on us in Jesus name. 

 

Happy New Year. Good day and God bless you. 

 

Maranatha!

 

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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