THE DEMAS SYNDROME

"Demas has left me and he has gone to Thessalonica city. He wanted to enjoy the things of this world too much.......".- 2 Timothy 4:10 (EASY)

In October 1944, Stephen Weiss, a 19 year old soldier walked away from the 36th Infantry Division in France during World War II. Weiss deserted his duty post and sought the safety of the rear as his unit was pounded by German artillery. When he was asked during his court martial procedures why he walked away, he said: “Because I broke down inside. The artillery shells were coming, and I shook all over and just went to pieces.” He was then dishonourably discharged and sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour. (The Deserters: A Hidden History of World War II by Charles Glass)

"From that time, many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life" -John 6:66-68 (KJV)

Whenever I hear stories of how valiant soldiers of the Cross are walking away from their duty post like Stephen Weiss, my heart bleeds uncontrollably. Then, I understand why the question that Jesus Christ asked the twelve disciples in John 6:67 is still relevant in our generation. It is quite saddening to see many Demas' absconding to Thessalonica to satisfy their inordinate personal ambitions. The Demas Syndrome disconnected many soldiers of Christ from their commanding officers during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul is still wrecking havoc in our generation. This terrible syndrome turned many great destinies away from the path of faithfulness and loyalty to the heavenly mandate. Like Weiss, they fled the path of honour because something broke down inside them. Yes, something happened within them that loosened their rope of allegiance and consecration to God. The unrestrained craving for the things of this world has poured cold water on the blasting altars in their souls. The artillery of worldliness has decimated their souls and torn into pieces the armoury of God within them. 

It is obvious that we have many absconded believers or deserted soldiers of Jesus Christ everywhere in this  generation. They seek the safety of the rear by shying away from their duties and responsibilities in the Kingdom. They have been distracted and lured away from kingdom service by their jobs, careers, businesses, friends, spouse, and even family members. Some deserted the Kingdom's Army because of unfulfilled dreams and expectations. Many have walked away because no one appreciated them, while others chose to step aside because of pride, unresolved conflicts, unforgiveness, pleasure, and sinful habits. Like Demas, these people have mortgaged their everlasting rewards in heaven for the ephemeral pleasure, money and prestige in Thessalonica (Matthew 19:28-29). They chose the mundane things of this world at the expense of their eternal souls (1 John 2:15-16). What a grievous blunder!

Beloved, I hope you are not one of the Demas - the Deserter in the Lord's Army. I hope Heaven has not declared you AWOL (Absent Without Leave). Hope the altars of sacrifice and faithfulness within you has not broken down? Hope you are not the Brother/Sister/Deacon/Pastor/Evangelist Demas of your church/Parish/Area/Zone? Are you still in your Rome, or you are now in Thessalonica? Are you still in the Lord's Army, or have you absconded? If your answers to these questions are not affirmative, then repent now or prepare to face the heaven's court marshal for being Absent Without Leave. 

Beloved, I strongly believe God is calling us to renew our commitment to serve Him like a valiant and faithful soldier in our Rome until the trumpet sounds. In the court of Heaven, abandoning our Paul in Rome is a serious capital offence. The consequences can be terrible and unbearable. 

One very simple but powerful hymn that describes what God expects from His valiant soldiers is titled "Faithful Unto Death."

FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH by Fanny J Crosby

Up and onward, Christian soldier,

Hear thy lord’s divine command;

Be thou ready when he calls thee

In the foremost ranks to stand.

Refrain:

      Unto death, O be thou faithful,

      Strong in Him, thy Strength and Shield;

      Go thou forth where duty calls thee,

      Truth’s eternal sword to wield.

Up and onward, Christian soldier,

To the conflict and the strife;

God will test thy zeal and courage,

Ere thou enter into life.

Up and onward, be not weary,

Do not lay thy armor down;

Thou must fight the battle bravely,

Ere thy soul can wear a crown.

Up and onward, firm and fearless,

Like the vet’rans of the past;

Then, thro’ him whose grace redeems thee,

Thou shalt overcome at last.

May nothing in this world be able to lure us away from our commanding officer - Jesus Christ. The oil of mercy will mend everything broken thing within us. And God's grace will keep us standing at our duty posts till the trumpet sounds in Jesus name. Amen.

Good day, and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE JUDAS SYNDROME

'“Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 'for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.." - Acts 1:16-19 (NKJV)

The above Biography is one of the most pathetic biographies in the history of man. Every statement in that biography clearly brings to fore the fact that man can live in two worlds on earth. The first being the public world which is visible for all to see and the second, the private world which is not visible. These two worlds are inextricably tied together as what happens in the private world will eventually play out in the public world (Luke 8:17).  

Unfortunately, Judas Iscariot lacked the understanding of this salient truth. There was a sharp contrast between who he claimed to be in private and public. Judas was numbered with the disciples publicly but chose to drift away from them privately. He was a disciple in public but a backslider privately. He was a believer who stood aloof from the kingdom agenda. He was numbered with them but he was never a part of them. Judas was numbered with them but absent. He was numbered with them but not committed. He was numbered with them but not consecrated. In summary, Judas was a huge deficit or liability in the Balance Sheet of Heaven. That is simply the Judas Syndrome!

Beloved, who you are in public is important but who you are in private is even more important. You can occupy an highly revered position like Judas – the Treasurer and still be a misfit or disappointment to God privately. It is possible for your name to be on the membership register even when you are not a genuine member like Judas. Outwardly, Judas looked like he fitted in very well but inwardly he was in a slow state of rot. There was a corrupt and decaying process going on secretly within him. Outwardly he looked like a disciple but inwardly there was a terrible cancer that was spreading its wide tentacles rapidly but unknown to many people. He was a superstar in public but a traitor privately. Hmmm! What a deceptive and hypocritic lifestyle.

The Judas syndrome is still brooding and infecting many people all over the world today. They are Judas-like in private but Christ-like in public. They have drifted away from the cross privately but pretend as if they were still carrying the cross in public. They don’t seem to understand that the further away they get from the Cross privately, the greater the propensity for them to fail and become a deficit to heaven in public like Judas. On the other hand, the closer we get to the Cross privately the greater the degree of God’s glory, power and love that manifests within or through us publicly. 

This wonderful hymn below re-echoes what should be the prayer of anyone who sincerely desires to finish well and strong on earth: 

JESUS, KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS By Fanny Crosby (1869)

Jesus, keep me near the cross,

There a precious fountain;

Free to all, a healing stream,

Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.

REFRAIN:

       In the cross, in the cross

       Be my glory ever,

       Till my ransomed soul shall find

       Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,

Love and mercy found me;

There the Bright and Morning Star

Shed His beams around me. 

Near the cross! O lamb of God,

Bring its scenes before me;

Help me walk from day to day

With its shadow o'er me.

Near the cross! I'll watch and wait,

Hoping, trusting ever;

Till I reach the golden strand,

Just beyond the river.

May God keep us near the cross till we finish our race on earth. And may God revive His church and restore backsliders into the fold before it is too late. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE CONTAMINATION TEST

‘'...for the ruler of this dark world is coming. But he has no power over me, for he has nothing to use against me.’'  John 14:30 (TPT)

The contamination test involves subjecting a substance to thorough examination with a view to detecting the presence of any suspected contaminants or pollutants therein. For example, athletes are subjected to doping test to detect any contaminants that can put a question mark on the integrity of the sport. Any sportsperson who tests positive for any contaminants (illegal substances) is usually sanctioned to serve as deterrent to others.   

In Genesis 3:11, when man failed the first contamination test in the Garden of Eden, he was sanctioned heavily by God. Man is still groaning under the heavy burden of that sanction till today (Romans 5:12). God has not stopped the contamination testing procedure He began in the Garden of Eden. Heaven is still checking to see if we have been polluted while running the race of life. And God will soon publish the contamination test result of all men (Rev. 22:10-12). If yours is published today, what will it look like? Will it be good or bad? Please be sincere with yourself. 

In John 14:30, the contamination test result of our Lord and Saviour was published and it was a very good one. According to the result, there was no contaminants in Him that could attract the Devil’s wrath or Heaven’s sanction. However, unlike our Saviour, Judas Iscariot’s result was not good at all. As a potential Apostle, no one knew that he had been harbouring the legions of greed and lust in his heart secretly for a long time. He had several opportunities to amend his ways, but he never did. By the time his test result was published, it was already too late for him to repent. Judas could not transit from being a Disciple to an Apostle. He was alienated from God - physically and spiritually for the rest of eternity (Acts 1:16-20). Hummm! What a terrible and shameful way to end a glorious journey! May you and I not end our journey on earth like Judas Iscariot. 

Beloved, are you sure there are no contaminants or pollutants in your life that the ruler of this dark world can lay hold on to hinder you from making Heaven? Are you sure you are not eating forbidden fruits that can separate you from God eternally? Are you sure you are not meddling with things that can damage your integrity, defile your purity, and frustrate the grace of God upon your life? Are you really sure that you are not harbouring pride, bitterness, lust, anger, and other vices that can shut the gate of eternity against you (Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Cor 6:9-10)? These contaminants are excess luggage valued and paid for with the currency of man's soul (Hebrews 12:1, Romans 6:23). They are simply too heavy and expensive!

This powerful hymn captures what should be our watchword till we finish our race on earth: 

NOTHING BETWEEN By C. A. Tindley (1851-1933)

Nothing between my soul and the Saviour,

Naught of this world’s delusive dream;

I have renounced all sinful pleasure;

Jesus is mine, there’s nothing between.

 REFRAIN: 

        Nothing between my soul and the Savior,

        So that His blessed face may be seen;

        Nothing preventing the least of His favor,

        Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

Nothing between, like worldly pleasure;

Habits of life, though harmless they seem,

Must not my heart from Him e’er sever;

He is my all, there’s nothing between.

Nothing between, like pride or station;

Self-life or friends shall not intervene;

Though it may cost me much tribulation,

I am resolved; there’s nothing between.

Nothing between, e’en many hard trials,

Though the whole world against me convene;

Watching with prayer and much self-denial,

I’ll triumph at last, with nothing between

By God’s grace, we shall remain undefiled until Christ returns to take us home. And nothing in this world will be able to separate us from Christ and the commonwealth of Israel.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE FUEL OF COMPASSION

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd"- Matthew 9:36

Several years ago, some ministers visited D.L. Moody to enquire about the secret of his exploit in ministry. Moody took his guests to the window of his hotel room and asked them what they saw. One by one, the ministers described the people in the park below. Then, as Moody looked out through the window, tears began to roll down his cheeks controllably. "What do you see, Mr. Moody?" asked one of the ministers. "I see countless thousands of souls that will one day spend eternity in hell if they do not find the Saviour." (Culled from Today in the Word, February 1, 1997)

Cambridge Dictionary defines compassion as a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them. Compassion is the approved fuel for powering the engine of a believer for profitable kingdom service. The difference between those who weep and those who laugh at the pitiable condition of sinners is compassion. This fuel drove the engine of Jesus Christ from His highly exalted position in Heaven to the humble manger in Bethlehem (Philippians 2:5-8). Powered by the fuel of compassion, Jesus Christ also went ahead to accomplish the reconciliation agenda and executed many mighty works for God on earth (2 Corinthians 5:19). It was practically impossible to have achieved such great feat with the fake fuel of worldly gains or personal aggrandizement. 

Beloved, what is powering your engine in the kingdom? Is it personal gains or compassion? The truth is that the engines of many professing believers are being powered by worldly gains and personal aggrandizement like that of Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27). The pulpit and pew of many churches are filled with many knocked or grounded engines powered by fuel of greed and personal gains. Many of us are moneybag disciples like Judas Iscariot (John 12:6). Affluence, power and position are now the motivating factors for kingdom service in our generation. The lackadaisical attitudes of believers to soul winning clearly attest to this fact. There is no more fuel of compassion in the engine of many Christians. We lack empathy for sinners and backsliders. This is very sad!

Friends, is there still fuel of compassion in your tanks? Are your engines already knocked or grounded? Does the terrible plight of sinners and unbelievers disturb you and makes you reach out to them with the Gospel? 

Please be sincere with yourself and cry to God for mercy before it is too late. And if you are not yet saved, please surrender to Jesus Christ today and escape from hell.

This wonderful hymn below re-echoes the need to have compassion on lost souls: 

FEEL THE SAVIOUR'S HEART FOR PEOPLE

Feel the Savior’s heart for people

As He shares Himself with all.

All are brothers, sisters, neighbors.

All are welcome, great and small.

See Him live His deep compassion.

Watch Him shepherd, heal, and feed,

Through the Father’s rich abundance

Freely meeting every need.

Feel the Savior’s heart for people

When it gives Him only pain.

Now engulfed in vicious hatred,

Selfless love seems all in vain.

Though alone, condemned, abandoned,

Taunted, tortured, crushed, betrayed,

With His dying words He loves them –

Love triumphant, unafraid.

Feel the Savior’s heart for people.

Feel His deepest longings burn.

As He yearns for love’s completion,

Hear Him promise His return.

See Him come for all His family,

Gathering us from every race.

We will feast on love together

Heart-to-heart and face-to-face.

May God refuel our empty tanks with great compassion and grant us grace to weep for lost souls like D.L Moody. May  every sinner or backslider that crosses our path  be rescued by the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus name, Amen 

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord- Pastor E.A Adeboye,  I would like to invite you to our October 2024 Holy Ghost Service and International Youth Convention. Theme:

DOMINION. Date: 30th Sept to 4th October 2024. Venue: The Redemption City of God, Mowe, Nigeria.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE DELIVERY ROOM; THE INTERVENTION ROOM

''But Moses answered, “Don’t be afraid! Don’t run away! Stand where you are and watch the Lord save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again. 'You will not have to do anything but stay calm. The Lord will do the fighting for you.” - Exodus 14:13-14 (ERV)

There are three (3) basic stages in the delivery room procedure. The final stage is the detachment of the placenta from the uterus. This stage can be very sensitive and delicate as it involves loss of blood due to the opening of blood vessels in the uterus. However, unlike the first two stages, a pregnant woman is not expected to do anything at this stage. The procedure is solely handled by the midwife or an obstetrician.  Moses corroborated this when he assured the Israelites that they don’t have to do anything about cutting the placenta called "Pharaoh". The Greatest Midwife himself will help them clamp the umbilical cord and cut off the stubborn placenta that had held them down in the womb of Egypt for over 400 years (Exodus 14:13-14). What an intervention! Therefore, the delivery room can be described as the room of divine intervention. That is, a place where heaven takes action against everything that is holding on to our babies/testimonies.  

According to Exodus 14:23-31, God truly intervened when the delivery of the Israelites had reached the final stage. The Almighty God used the overflowing waters and strong waves of the Red Sea to cut off the placenta of their stubborn pursuers and there was a great flood of blood in the delivery room. Also, in 2 Chronicles 20:20-23, when the people of Judah had reached the final stage of their delivery, God used the swords of three (3) different nations (Ammon, Moab & Edom) to clamp the umbilical cord and cut off the placenta of harassment and reproach in the delivery room. Glory be to God!

Beloved, as you approach the final stage of delivery this year, please take a look at those placentas for the very last time today. Emulate the Israelites by saying "goodbye" to those placentas because you will never see them again. Any moment from now the Almighty God will arise on your behalf to cut off every placenta that is withholding the arrival of your testimonies. The blood of the wicked must be shed this year for your babies/testimonies to be given to you. Yes, blood must flow before you hear "Congratulations". The Egyptian army must perish in the Red Sea before you can enter your Promised Land. Everyone beating the drum of confusion, disaster and agony in your homes, marriages, careers, neighbourhoods, offices and nations must expire before you can experience the real joy and peace you have been longing for. 

However, you need to be saved to qualify for God's intervention in the delivery room of life. Therefore, I urge you to confess you sins, forsake them and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Thereafter, trust God for grace to walk with Him until He returns to take you home. 

This wonderful African-American Heritage hymn below re-echoes how God intervenes in the delivery room: 

BE STILL, GOD WILL FIGHT YOUR BATTLES By  Nolan Williams, Jr.,1969

Be still, God will fight your battles.

Be still, God will fight your battles.

Be still, God will fight your battles.

God will fight your battles if you just keep still.

Keep a prayin', God will fight your battles.

Keep a prayin', God will fight your battles.

Keep a prayin', God will fight your battles.

God will fight your battles if you just keep still.

Keep a waitin', God will fight your battles.

Keep a waitin', God will fight your battles.

Keep a waitin', God will fight your battles.

God will fight your battles if you just keep still.

Keep a singin', God will fight your battles.

Keep a singin', God will fight your battles.

Keep a singin', God will fight your battles.

God will fight your battles if you just keep still.

I'm a witness, God will fight your battles.

I'm a witness, God will fight your battles.

I'm a witness, God will fight your battles.

God will fight your battles if you just keep still.

May we never be tired of waiting, praying, and singing till the helper of the helpless shows up for us in Jesus name, Amen.  

Please join us at our beautiful garden of prayer and praise (RCCG, Place of His Power Area) as we position ourselves in the Delivery Room to push some awesome testimonies into manifestation this month. The Divine Midwife is waiting for you, please come and take the delivery of your long-awaited babies. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE DELIVERY ROOM; THE DILATION ROOM

"Yahweh, your God, says, “Do I allow you to conceive and not to give birth? Do I shut the womb when I’m the one who delivers?” - Isaiah 66:9 (TPT)

Dilation is one of the most important thing that happens in the delivery room. The word "dilation"  simply refers to the opening of the cervix whenever a pregnant woman is about to deliver her baby(ies). That is, the cervix becomes thin and then begins to open (dilate) gradually until it is big enough to serve as a passage (birth canal) for the baby. 

The delivery room is a divine dilation room where any door or gate closed against an individual or nation can open to full capacity. For instance, the womb of the Red Sea dilated to full capacity when Moses entered the delivery room (Exodus 14:21). The chains and prison doors that held Paul and Silas bound also dilated completely at midnight in the delivery room (Acts 16:25-26). The womb of the Land of Egypt that had been firmly locked up for over 400 years dilated fully when the excruciating labour pains and groanings of the Israelites reached heavens (Exodus 3:9). Also, the womb of the grave that had swallowed the destiny of Lazarus for four days dilated completely when Jesus entered the delivery room (John 11:44). The Delivery Room is an unusual room indeed!

Beloved, are you going through some closed doors, gates or womb situations today? Has anyone turned himself/herself to overflowing Red Sea or unmoveable grave stones on your path to the promised land? I have good news for you. Thank God you made it into the Delivery Room this year. I perceive that your season of divine and total dilation has finally come. It doesn’t matter who shut the doors or rolled the grave stone against you, there is a God in the Delivery/Dilation Room. The God of the Delivery Room who divided the Red Sea and caused the womb of the grave to dilate has not gone on sabbatical leave. I have no doubt that God will show up for you the same way he showed up for the Israelites in the wilderness. The divine happenings that will trigger the unusual dilation your destiny has been waiting for shall begin from this day. And as the Lord lives, you will carry your own babies out of this delivery room in Jesus name, amen. However, you must make your way right with God by forsaking your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and saviour. 

This wonderful hymn below describes what the God of the delivery room can do for us if we dare to push harder in prayer and trust him more: 

THE GOD TO WHOM I PRAY By Eliza E. Hewitt

1 The God who led His people thro’ the parted sea,

And from Egyptian bondage, set His children free,

Who rain’d down bread from heaven all the pilgrim way,

Is the God to whom I pray.

REFRAIN:

    Just the same today,   

    Just the same today,

    As when He led His 

    people thro’ the sea;

    His trustful child I’ll be,

    For in His word I see,

    The God who doeth wonders

    Is just the same today.

2 The God who rescued Daniel from the lion’s den,

And from the fiery furnace, sav’d the three young men,

Who speaks, and constellations will His voice obey,

Is the God to whom I pray.

3 The God who stills the tempest with a word divine,

And on the clouds of sorrow, makes His rainbows shine,

Who from the tomb of Jesus rolled the stone away,

Is the God to whom I pray. 

4 The God who clothes the lily in its robe of snow,

Who in the barren desert makes His rivers flow;

The God who lifts the sinner from the miry clay,

Is the God to whom I pray.

Please join us at our beautiful garden of prayer and praise (RCCG, Place of His Power Area) as we position ourselves in the Delivery Room to push some awesome testimonies into manifestation this month. The Divine Midwife is waiting for you, please come and take delivery of your long-awaited babies. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE DELIVERY ROOM; THE ROOM OF CONCLUSION

"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go" -  John 11:43-44

The Merriam-Webster dictionary define the word "conclusion" as the last or final part of something. The delivery room is the last room that a pregnant woman must enter/visit before she can carry her baby(ies). The room is simply the room of conclusion where God gives His final word or verdict on all issues of life. Therefore, any other contrary report received before entering the delivery room are still subject to alteration or complete cancellation in the delivery room- the room of conclusion. 

In John 11:1-44, after the doctor had issued Lazarus’s death certificate, Mary and Martha felt they had heard the conclusion of their brother’s story. It was a painful loss and they were really devastated. Then, Lazarus was buried and four days later, Jesus Christ visited the family and requested to be allowed to carry Lazarus into the delivery room. Delivery room! For what? But Lazarus is already stinking by now! Which type of game or comedy is this? Then, Jesus told Mary and Martha emphatically that they haven’t heard the final word about Lazarus’s story yet. He reassured them that it is wrong to believe the doctor's conclusion/report until God gives His final word in the delivery room. Finally, they obliged him and Jesus wheeled the decomposing body of Lazarus into the delivery room with a simple prayer. Immediately, the story of Lazarus changed. Lazarus came forth like a new baby from the womb of the grave. Yes, that little push of prayer in the delivery room on that day turned a dead, decomposing and smelling man to a vibrant and healthy man. What a testimony! Glory be to God! Halleluyah!

Also, In Isaiah 38:1-5, God sent a message to King Hezekiah that he should prepare to bid farewell to this world. On receiving that prophesy, instead of fidgeting and feeling depressed/confused/sorrowful, Hezekiah decided to approach the delivery room for possible cancellation or reversal of the prophesy. And as he did, God honoured his doggedness and faith by overriding the conclusion of death and giving him 15 additional years to live.  

Beloved, did you enter the delivery room (September) this year with some Lazarus or Hezekiah challenges? Has there being some foul odours (negative reports) from the grave of your Lazarus for the past few days, weeks or months? Has your Hezekiah received a bad news lately? Please don’t be disturbed. As long as the Lord lives, you haven’t heard the conclusion of those matters yet. Before this month is over, I see God ushering you into the delivery room – the room of conclusion and giving you His final verdict of testimony. The same God who tore the death certificate of Lazarus and Hezekiah in the delivery room will tear every strange and negative conclusion or verdict about you in Jesus name. However, you must be in right standing with God for these prayers to be answered. God loves you but hates your sins. Therefore, please repent of your sins today and accept Jesus as your Lord and saviour. You will never regret you did. 

This powerful worship song below re-echoes the fact that only our God, the God of the Delivery Room has the final word on all issues of life: 

THE FINAL WORD BY Sinach 

Everything You do is good

You are God

You are God alone

Everything You do is good

You are God

You are God alone

You have the final Word

Final Word, Final Word

Your Word is Yea and Amen

Dependable God

You have the final Word

Final Word, Final Word

Your Word is Yea and Amen

Dependable God

You are the Owner of my Life

(Owner of my Life)

Captain of my Salvation

(Captain of my Salvation)

Beginning and the End

Your live inside of me

As the Lord lives, every good thing that the womb of the grave had swallowed in your life shall be vomited violently this month (Job 20:15). The God of the Delivery Room shall show up for you with His final word of Testimony that will overrule every contrary report or conclusion you might have received before this month is over in Jesus name. 

Please join us at our beautiful garden of prayer and praise (RCCG, Place of His Power) as we position ourselves in the Delivery Room to push some awesome testimonies into manifestation this month. The Divine Midwife is waiting for you, please come and take delivery of your long-awaited babies. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit:

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THE DELIVERY ROOM; THE ROOM OF POSSIBILITY

“I’m coming back about this time next year. When I arrive, your wife Sarah will have a son.”.. Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old. Sarah was far past the age for having babies. Sarah laughed within herself, “An old woman like me? Get pregnant? With this old man of a husband?..” - Genesis 18:10-14 (MSG)

The delivery room is an extremely powerful place. Every pregnant woman that enters that room does not come back the same way. For example, they go in tired, and restless but walk out relieved and joyful. They go in alone but come out with as many children as they can carry in their hands. It is simply the room of possibility.

Several years ago, God decided to carry a 90 year old woman into that room and the story of that family is still making headlines all over the world till this day. Medically, it is practically impossible for a 90 year old woman to conceive and deliver her child unassisted. But God chose to use the life of that couple to prove to the whole world that the word "impossibility" doesn't exist in His dictionary (Luke 1:37). 

"For with God nothing shall be impossible" - Luke 1:37 (KJV)

God told that aged couple that they will conceive naturally, give birth and breastfeed their own child. When they heard the news, they thought Heaven wanted to use their house to shoot the latest comedy movie in town. The news sounded like a very big joke and the couple couldn’t resist the urge to laugh profusely for a while (Genesis 17:17, & 18:12). So, is God a liar? How can a woman who has passed the age of childbearing become a mother? 

There are times when it appears that God is a liar, when His promises sound like a joke, when our present conditions contradict the blueprint of God for our lives, when the womb of our testimony has been locked up permanently by nature or circumstances beyond our control, even when efforts made to help ourselves like Sarah seem to plunge us further into the ocean of ridicule and mockery (Genesis 16 :4). 

"God is not a man; He will not lie. God is not a human being; His decisions will not change. If He says He will do something, then He will do it. If He makes a promise, then He will do what He promised...” - Numbers 23:19-20 (ERV)

Beloved, are those great promises of God for your life for this year now sounding like big jokes as you approach the last quarter of this year? Please relax, the midwife of Heaven will pay you a visit soon. You are the next in line for Sarah’s order of testimony. Why? Because, God cannot lie and there is absolutely nothing that is too difficult for Him to do (Genesis 18:14). He has a track record of keeping His promises. It doesn’t matter how dead your Sarah's womb is. It doesn’t even matter how long you have been swimming in the ocean of mockery and barrenness. At the appointed time, the Almighty God will fulfil the promises He made to you as He did to Father Abraham and Mummy Sarah. Yes, if you dare to believe the Impossibility Specialist, He will visit your home and speak life into the dead womb of your Sarah. Before this month is over, the Midwife of Heaven will usher you into the Room of Possibility (Delivery Room) and help you to push your babies into manifestation safely in Jesus name.

The lyrics of an old Christian hymn below speak volume:

Nothing Is Impossible By Eugene L. Clark

I read in the Bible the promise of God

That nothing for him is too hard;

Impossible things he has promised to do

If we faithfully trust in his word.

Chorus:

Nothing is impossible when you put your trust in God,

Nothing is impossible when you’re trusting in his word;

Hearken to the voice of God to thee,

“Is there anything too hard to me?”

Then put your trust in God alone and rest upon his word,

For ev’rything, O ev’rything!

Yes ev’rything is possible with God!

The word of the Lord is an anchor secure

When winds of uncertainty blow;

Tho man in his weakness may falter and fail,

His word will not fail us we know.

‘All things are possible,’ this is his word.

Receive it, ’tis written for you:

Believe in his promises, God cannot fail,

For what he has said, he will do.

Creator of all things, with infinite pow’r.

He spoke! They appeared by his mouth;

Impossible things are not known unto him,

He made us, he ruleth the earth.

As the Lord God of heaven lives, the season of barrenness, delay, stagnation, frustration, reproach, mockery (spiritually, materially, emotionally, financially, academically, maritally) shall come to an end in your life before this month is over. All your long awaited promises shall be fulfilled and your Sarah shall embrace her Isaac in Jesus name. Amen

Please join us at our beautiful garden of prayer and praise (RCCG, Place of His Power) as we position ourselves in the Delivery Room to push some awesome testimonies into manifestation this month. The Divine Midwife is waiting for you, please come and witness the delivery of your long awaited babies. 

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord- Pastor E.A Adeboye, I would like to invite you to our September 2024 Special Holy Ghost Service - which is specifically for people trusting God for the fruit of the womb. Theme: HEAVENLY REWARDS. Date: Friday, September 6th, 2024. Venue: The Redemption City of God, Mowe, Nigeria. 

Welcome into the Delivery Room (September) of year 2024. Good day and

God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit:

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X: @tammytaiwo

THIS REPROACH MUST END

"Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day" - Joshua 5:9

The word “reproach” means disgrace, shame, discredit or stigma. Several situations or occurrences could make one to be termed as a reproach or an object of reproach in life. Often times, these reproaches becomes our appellation. For example, the reproach called "blindness" was the appellation of Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus for a long time. But one day, God intervened and put an end to that reproach in his life (Mark 10:46-52).

In Genesis 30, the Bible tells us the story of two sisters, Leah and Rachel - the wives of Jacob. Leah had children even though her husband did not love her. But Rachel was barren. At the time Leah had borne six boys and one girl, Rachel was yet to be pregnant. 

Barrenness was such a reproach to Rachel that she envied her sister and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!” (Genesis 30:1). But Jacob who had no power to take away this reproach told her categorically that only God can help her (Genesis 30:2). Yes, Jacob was actually right. Only God can remove the reproach of barrenness; no human being can. Even the most sophisticated medical innovations and support systems can still fail. Only God gives children as doctors can only try their best. Therefore, Jacob directed Rachel’s attention to the right Person; God. He was practically telling Rachel to go to the delivery room of heaven to collect her Joseph.

Rachel eventually did and God showed up for her. When it looked as if Rachel would die childless, God visited her and terminated her reproach (Genesis 30:22-24). 

Beloved, maybe you are feeling like Rachel today because of a certain reproach in your life. You feel like it’s either your condition changes or you die. Don’t contemplate suicide like Rachel. Please take your gaze away from your Jacob and start looking to the God who can take away this reproach. It doesn't matter if it is the reproach of barrenness, ill-health, poverty, loneliness or unemployment. God can terminate any reproach.

The God who remembered Rachel and put an end to her reproach will remember you too in your present condition and take away your reproach. Don’t lose hope; don’t give up on God. Your name is still on Heaven's priority list.

God specializes in terminating reproach. What He did for Rachel, He had earlier done for Sarah. Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born to him while Sarah was ninety years old. Despite their old age, God didn’t change His promise to give them a child and make them the father and mother of many nations. Friends, don’t lose hope. God who made Sarah laugh will make you laugh too. He who took away the reproach of Sarah will take away yours too.

Also, God took away the reproach of barrenness from Hannah, who was taunted by her rival, Peninnah. But one day God remembered Hannah (1 Samuel 1:20). The God who terminated the reproach of Hannah will remove whatever is representing a reproach in your life too.

This same God also rolled away the reproach of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt and before they entered Jericho (Joshua 5:8-9). Please be expectant too because God will roll away your reproach too.

The lyrics of an old time gospel song seems to drive home the fact that God is still in the business of rolling away our reproach. But we must first be in right standing with Him by forsaking our sins and accepting the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross of Calvary for the remission of our sins. There is no better moment to make that great decision for Jesus Christ than today. Please do and you will never regret you did. 

IT IS NO SECRET by Stuart Hamblen, 1951

The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through

Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength your courage to renew

Do not be disheartened, I have news for you

It is no secret what God can do

What he's done for others he'll do for you

With arms wide open, he'll pardon you

It is no secret what God can do

There is no night for in his light you'll never walk alone

You'll always feel at home, wherever you may roam

There is no power can conquer you while God is on your side

Take him at his promise, don't run away and hide

It is no secret what God can do

What he's done for others he'll do for you

With arms wide open he'll pardon you

It is no secret what God can do

As we enter the delivery room (September) of year 2024, God will show up for many Sarahs, Rachels, Hannahs and Elizabeths with their bundles of joy. The Almighty God will roll away everything that  represents reproach in our lives. As the Lord lives, before we step out of the delivery room of this year, we shall carry our Joseph, Samuel, Isaac and John testimonies in Jesus name.  

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord- Pastor E.A Adeboye, I would like to invite you to our September 2024 Special Holy Ghost Service - which is specifically for people trusting God for the fruit of the womb. Theme: HEAVENLY REWARDS. Date: Friday, September 6th, 2024. Venue: The Redemption City of God, Mowe, Nigeria. 

You are also cordially invited to our 2024 Delivery Room Encounter at our beautiful garden of Praise and Prayer. RCCG, Place of His Power. Date: All Sundays in September 2024. 

Good day. Happy new month in advance. God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit:

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https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

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X: @tammytaiwo

THE DAY APPROACHES

‘’..but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching’’ - Hebrews 10:25 (BSB)

A man visited a school and 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 his answer. A little girl, who had been noted for her disorderly habits, announced that she will win the prize. “You!” her schoolmates jeered; “how, knowing that your desk is always out of order.” “Oh! But I will 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, “Then, I’ll just keep it clean at all times.”

There is need for believers to be ready at all times for the second coming of Jesus Christ (Matt 25:13). When He returns, everyone who meets the cut off mark for admission into Heaven will be admitted. The sheep shall be separated from the goats and many people will be left behind (Matt 24:40-41, 25:32-33). Unfortunately, there will be no second batch admission to Heaven. All believers who by grace had kept their tables clean and garments undefiled till His coming shall march out of this wicked world. They shall meet the Bridegroom in the sky for the marriage solemnization (1 Thess 4:16-18, Rev. 19:7-9). Oh, what a glorious day this will be. 

‘’This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living….’’ Romans 13:11-14 (NLT)

Friends, Christ’s second coming is imminent. Yes, the night is almost over and the day is near (Romans 13:11-14). The worst thing that can ever happen to anyone is to miss the rapture of the saints. Nothing in this world is worth going to Hell for (Mark 8:36-37). Unfortunately, some of the people who are raising shoulders and boasting that they are doing great works for God today may eventually miss His glorious appearing (Matthew 7:23). Therefore, it is important that we constantly examine ourselves and make our ways right with God. This is very crucial and demands our urgent action. We cannot afford to let anything make this golden moment slip off our hands. Let us redeem the time now and live daily in readiness for His glorious appearance. Remember that nobody knows when Christ will return. Please be prepared.  

One special song that re-echoes the need to live ready for Christ's return is titled "The Day Approaches". 

THE DAY APPROACHES 

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, help us to redeem these golden moments;

Our vessels fill with ointment from above;

Help us amen each trial and tribulation;

Increase in us; make us abound in love. 

He’s coming soon—these moments are so precious.

The oil is here—Oh, let us buy the more.

Amen the trials and welcome tribulations;

The kingdom’s ours through these afflictions sore.

May we receive grace to live every day with eternity in view so that we will not be left behind.  

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor. E. A. Adeboye, I would like to invite you to the 72nd Annual Convention of RCCG. Theme: HEAVEN. Date:  Monday, 5th to Sunday 11th August, 2024. Venue: The Redemption City, Mowe, Nigeria. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit:

https://okanlawon.webnode.page/

https:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

Instagram: @lawontaiwo

X: @tammytaiwo

ALMOST DOESN’T COUNT

‘’Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” – Acts 26:28 (NKJV)

‘’Almost doesn’t count’ is the literal interpretation of Apostle Paul's  response to Agrippa’s comment in Acts 26:28. After Paul preached the Gospel in Caesarea, Agrippa was almost becoming a Christian but he never did. His name was almost written in the book of life but it wasn't  (Rev 20:15). He almost escaped the second death but never did. King Agrippa was very close to heaven but he eventually ended up in hell. What a narrow miss! And what a huge loss!

Unfortunately, there are still many cousins of King Agrippa all over the world today. They keep  hearing the gospel over and over again, but they never surrender to Christ. They almost confess their sins and repent genuinely but they never do. They almost abstain from all wrong doings to live a holy and consecrated life but they never do. They almost submit their homes, marriages, careers, resources, skills and talents to God but they never do. They are simply living in ‘’The World of Almost’’! 

In Luke 16:19-31, God described how one rich man lived in the World of Almost till he died. He almost yielded to the call of salvation like Lazarus but he never did. And while Lazarus was rejoicing in the bosom of Abraham, the rich man was weeping profusely in the fiery furnace for procrastinating his salvation. Governor Felix almost got converted but he kept on postponing making that crucial decision until he died (Acts 24:22-27). Also, the five foolish virgins almost bought enough oil for their lamp but they never did before the door of mercy was shut against them (Matthew 25:1-13). They eventually paid dearly for their lackadaisical attitude and wept bitterly when they were denied access into the wedding venue. They wished they could turn back the hands of the clock. Unfortunately, it was not possible again. The door of repentance had been closed against them (Hebrews 9:27). What a painful and sad ending! 

"And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." - Acts  24:25

Friends, are you one of King Agrippa’s cousins in town? Are you almost persuaded to become a Christian like your Uncle? Are you still hanging in the valley of indecision and procrastination like that rich man? Are you still postponing your day of salvation like Governor Felix? Please remember that almost doesn’t count in eternity! Yes, almost never killed a bird! Nobody knows when the bridegroom (Jesus Christ) will show up in the sky to take the saints home with Him for the final wedding feast. When He finally comes, you may be left behind if you keep postponing your day of salvation. Today is the acceptable time and now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). 

The lyrics of this powerful hymn below reiterates the subject matter: 

ALMOST PERSUADED By Philip P. Bliss, pub.1871

“Almost persuaded” now to believe;

“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive;

Seems now some soul to say,

“Go, Spirit, go Thy way,

Some more convenient day

On Thee I’ll call.”

“Almost persuaded,” come, come today;

“Almost persuaded,” turn not away;

Jesus invites you here,

Angels are ling’ring near,

Prayers rise from hearts so dear;

O wand’rer, come!

“Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!

“Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last!

“Almost” cannot avail;

“Almost” is but to fail!

Sad, sad, that bitter wail

“Almost,” but lost!

May the Lord knock on the doors of every cousin of King Agrippa in this generation today and rescue them before it is too late. 

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor. E. A. Adeboye, I would like to invite you to the 72nd Annual Convention of RCCG. Theme: HEAVEN. Date:  Monday, 5th to Sunday 11th August, 2024. Venue: The Redemption City, Mowe, Nigeria. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit:

https://okanlawon.webnode.page/

https:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

Instagram: @lawontaiwo

X: @tammytaiwo

LEAF IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR FRUIT

‘’The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”....’’ - Mark 11:12- 14 (NIV)

‘’Leaf is not a substitute for fruit’’ was one of the salient lessons that God taught us from Jesus encounter with the fruitless tree in Bethany (Mark 11:12-16). On that day, Jesus was attracted to the fig tree when he was hungry. The tree appeared to be fruitful from afar but when Jesus got close to it, He discovered it was just a facade - a tree with only leaves and no fruit at all. It was a seasonal fruit-bearing tree. Jesus was disappointed and he cursed the tree immediately. 

God expects us to be productive and fruitful for Him at all times (2 Timothy 4:2, Genesis 1:28). We must not be like that leaf- bearing and space occupying tree at Bethany. Leaves represents all the good things that can draw the attention of people towards us in life. They include our oratory skills, eloquent display and mastery of English, fat bank accounts, array of quality dresses, shoes and wristwatches, magnificent houses and cars, impressive academic qualifications, big titles and positions, affluence, social status etc. Obviously, these leaves are good to have but we must never forget that they cannot satisfy the hunger of God and give us eternal reward (John 4:34, 36). 

"The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!" - John 4:36 (NLT)

Another important point the Lord is drawing our attention to is the fact that "No Excuse is Tenable". Jesus would not have cursed that fruitless tree if it was possible for the tree to justify its fruitlessness with any excuse (Romans 2:1).

"Therefore you are inexcusable, O man,..." - Romans 2:1

Unfortunately, there are many leaf bearing and excuse fabricating believers in God's garden today. They give flimsy excuses for their inconsistency and unfaithfulness while flaunting their bogus leaves around. What a grievous blunder!

Friends, leaf is not a substitute for fruit and no excuse is tenable for being barren in God's garden. God is not satisfied with those ordinary leaves that many of us are busy displaying. All the good things of life that we are flaunting around are not a substitute for souls. We do not need to wait for those special and seasonal outreach programs before witnessing to unbelievers around us. In fact, no single day should ever pass by without us reaching out to someone with the Gospel. Jesus is still passing through our Bethany every day and eagerly looking out for those who can truly quench His hunger and thirst through their consistent evangelism and soul winning lifestyle. I hope we will not disappoint the Saviour too like that barren fig tree. How I wish we can be so passionate about souls that we will never go to bed in a day without witnessing to someone.  

This powerful hymn below gives a graphical illustration of how God deals with all fruitless fig trees in His garden:

THE BARREN FIG-TREE By John Newton

1 The church a garden is,

In which believers stand,

Like ornamental trees,

Planted by God's own hand:

His spirit waters all their roots,

And ev'ry branch abounds with fruits.

2 But other trees there are,

In this enclosure grow;

Which, though they promise fair,

Have only leaves to show:

No fruits of grace are on them found,

They stand but cumb'rers of the ground.

3 The under gard'ner grieves,

In vain his strength he spends,

For heaps of useless leaves,

Afford him small amends:

He hears the Lord his will make known,

To cut the barren fig-tree down.

4 How difficult his post,

What pangs his bowels move,

To find his wishes cross'd,

His labours useless prove!

His last relief, his earnest pray'r,

"Lord, spare them yet another year. 

5 "Spare them, and let me try,

What farther means may do;

I'll fresh manure apply,

My digging I'll renew;

Who knows but yet they fruit may yield,

If not--'tis just they must be fell'd."

6 If under means of grace,

No gracious fruit appear;

It is a dreadful case,

Tho' God may long forbear;

At length he'll strike the threaten'd blow

And lay the barren fig-tree low.

May God have mercy on us and not cut us down or curse us like that barren tree in Bethany in Jesus name, Amen

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor. E. A. Adeboye, I would like to invite you to the 72nd Annual Convention of RCCG. Theme: HEAVEN. Date:  Monday, August 5th to 11th, 2024. Venue: The Redemption City, Mowe, Nigeria. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit:

https://okanlawon.webnode.page/

https:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

Instagram: @lawontaiwo

X: @tammytaiwo

REFUEL YOUR FIRE

"Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody" - Romans 12:11-16 (MSG) 

At the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, the Olympic torch race was introduced to bring the Olympic flame from Olympia to the site of the games. Unlike other races, the torch race is quite different as the only prerequisite for winning the race is getting to the finish line with the lit torch or blazing flame. 

As believers, we are called to run our race on earth like the Olympic's torch race. We are expected to run with our torch lit from the starting point to the finish line in heaven. Our dazzling beginning counts for nothing unless we consistently burn for God till the end. Therefore, the question every genuine believer should ask is, ‘how can we keep the heavenly flame ablaze so that our life will be constantly transformed and we will be able to impact the lives of others in a way that is pleasing to God for as long as we live and journey to the finish line?’

In Romans 12:11-16, God mentioned some key spiritual fuel and oil of godly virtues that we must pour into our torch regularly in order to keep our fire burning till the end of age. These spiritual fuel and oil of godly virtues includes fervent prayer, hope, patience, generosity, hospitality, forgiveness and humility. But unfortunately, many believers who used to manifest these godly virtues have now grown weary. The result of this is quite evident in our world today and we urgently need revival to reverse the ugly trend.

Beloved, has the fire on the altar of your prayer life gone out? Are you now living in the euphoria of your past exploits? Has your dazzling beginning, current or past achievements formed thick ashes over your flame? Has the fire of your hospitality, patience and generosity gone out? Are you hoarding God's treasures in your custody? Is your torch of humility still lit or has the fire gone out? Has pride and arrogance turned you to the "Great Somebody" who looks down on all the "Nobodies" around? Do you find it extremely difficult to forgive those who offend you? If your answer to these questions is "Yes", then, it is time to refuel your fire! Please ask God to fill your lamp with fresh spiritual fuel and oil of godly virtues so that your torch can keep burning brighter and brighter till the end of age.

The wording of a popular old time Christian hymn titled "Give Me Oil in My Lamp" should be our prayer focus as we trust God to keep us burning for Him till Christ returns. 

GIVE ME OIL IN MY LAMP

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.

Give me oil in my lamp, I so pray.

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.

Keep me burning till the break of day.

Refrain:

           Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,

           Sing hosanna to the King of kings!

           Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,

           Sing hosanna to the King!

Give me love in my heart, keep me sharing.

Give me love in my heart, I pray.

Give me love in my heart, keep me sharing.

Keep me sharing till the break of day.

Give me joy in my heart keep me praising

Give me joy in my heart I pray

Give me joy in my heart keep me praising

Keep me praising till the break of day.

Give me faith in my heart, keep me praying.

Give me faith in my heart, I pray.

Give me faith in my heart, keep me praying.

Keep me praying till the break of day.

Make me a fisher of men keep me seeking,

Make me a fisher of men I pray

Make me a fisher of men keep me seeking,

Seeking souls 'till Jesus comes again.

Give me love in my heart keep me serving

Give me love in my heart I pray

Give me love in my heart keep me serving

Keep me serving till the break of day.

May God refuel our empty lamps with enough oil to keep us burning, sharing, praising, praying, seeking and serving Him till the end of age. 

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor. E. A. Adeboye, I would like to invite you to July 2024 Holy Ghost Service. Theme: REFUEL YOUR FIRE. Date:  Friday, July 5th, 2024. Venue: The Redemption City, Mowe, Nigeria. 

Good day. Happy New Month and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit:

https://okanlawon.webnode.page/

https:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

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X: @tammytaiwo

BE CAREFUL NOT TO FALL

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!’’ - 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)

''Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence'' -  (MSG)

The above admonition of Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth around AD 55 is still very apt and relevant in our generation. There are many people who started very well with God but had their good records or testimonies stained before reaching the end of their journeys on earth. 

For example, Noah was a righteous man, perfect/blameless among the people of his time. He walked with God for a while but missed it before he reached the finish line (Genesis 6:9, 7:1). He succeeded in building the ark which took him many years in the midst of wicked people. However, those impeccable records of his was stained after the flood. According to Genesis 9:20-24, one day, that same great preacher of righteousness suddenly became drunk from the wine he produced from his vineyard. Then, he uncovered himself, and Ham his son saw his nakedness. There is no doubt that Noah’s drunkenness after the flood is a lesson that even great people of faith can also stumble or fall. 

Like Noah, King David also had a good walk with God for a while before he eventually committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his soldiers- Uriah. While the Israelite soldiers were busy winning the war against the people of Ammon, king David, who remained in Jerusalem, was losing the battle to adultery. He had become complacent and lowered his spiritual guard to the extent that he could not resist the sight of a naked woman. Then, David went ahead to kill Uriah to cover up his dirty track (2 Samuel 11). Today, just as David is still being remembered for killing Goliath, he is also not forgotten for killing Uriah whose wife he impregnated and married. 

Samson is another good example of someone who didn’t take heed to avoid a fall. An undisciplined lifestyle led him to love a woman in the Valley of Sorek, who eventually brought him down. The Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and humiliated him. Eventually, he died with his enemies prematurely (Judges 16:4-30). 

Also, King Uzziah was a very successful king. God marvelously helped him. His fame spread as far as the entrance of Egypt, for he became exceedingly strong. But his success went to his head. He was unfaithful to God and intruded into the office of a priest by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar. God warned but he wouldn’t listen and he became leprous. Despite Uzziah’s previous good record, he went astray towards the end of his reign (2 Chronicles 26:16-20).

Beloved, if you think you’re standing firm now, you better be very careful lest you fall. The above examples clearly shows that it is possible for genuine believers to fall by the way before reaching the finish line. Therefore, we must always strive and trust God for grace to finish the Christian race well. We must never lower our guards especially after a season of success because that is one of the period that the devil usually strikes. While celebrating, we must be extremely careful not to engage in sinful pleasures that can spoil, stain, or discredit our past achievements and walk with God. 

The lyrics of this wonderful hymn below reiterates the admonition to the church in 1 Corinthians 10:12. 

BE CAREFUL By Charles H. Gabriel, 1896

1. Little feet, be very careful where you go,

As in life you daily travel to and fro;

Never for a moment stray

From the straight and holy way;

Oh, be careful, be careful, little feet.

2. Little hands, be very careful what you do,

Wrong or thoughtless actions you will surely rue;

Into mischief never go,

For ’tis very wrong, you know;

Oh, be careful, be careful, little hands.

3. Little ears, be very careful what you hear,

When the tempter whispers to you, danger’s near;

Though he promise everything,

Every promise is a sting!

Oh, be careful, be careful, little ears.

4. Little hearts, be very careful to be true,

Love the Lord and He will surely care for you;

Jesus will not enter in

Where there is the least of sin;

Oh, be careful, be careful, little hearts.

My prayer is that you and I will not stumble or fall on this holy journey till we reached the finish line. May we never engage in any activity that will rubbish or stain our good record or make people not remember the good that we did in the past.

Good day and God bless you. 

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE CORRUPT GATEKEEPERS

‘’You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly’’ - Deuteronomy 16:19 (NLT)

“The Great Wall of China is a gigantic structure which cost an immense amount of money and labour. When it was finished, it appeared impregnable. But the enemy breached it. Not by breaking it down or going around it. They did it by bribing the gatekeepers.”—H. E. Fosdick

There are many corrupt gatekeepers everywhere in our world today. These people have clearly demonstrated that they can be bought or influenced to do anything for a reward. "Everyone has a price", is their slogan and they are always eager to play the cards once the price offered is reasonable or good enough for them. Like those Chinese gatekeepers, they don’t care if everyone else is going to suffer as long as they get a sizable chunk of the reward into their own pockets. It is obvious that these gatekeepers' moral uprightness and integrity is questionable. What a greedy, selfish and corrupt generation?

‘’But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice’’ - 1 Samuel 8:3 (NLT)

Bribery and corruption carries some grave consequences (Proverbs 15:27). Yes, it does. It may provide instant gratification for a while, but it will lead to irreparable destruction at the end. According to Job 15:34, everything gathered through dishonesty and corruption will eventually end up as fuel in the fire on earth. If Hophni and Phinehas had known this fact, they would not have opened the gate for the enemies to enter into their lives and father’s Ministry sheepishly in Shiloh (1 Samuel 2:13-36). Unfortunately, they did and everyone in Shiloh watched as the same wall and gate they were meant to safe guard fell on them suddenly and crushed them to death (1 Samuel 4:10-14). They never lived to enjoy the gain of their dishonest dealings. 

‘’For the godless are barren. Their homes, enriched through bribery, will burn’’- Job 15:34 (NLT)

Friends, are you one of those corrupt Chinese Gatekeepers in town? Do you have a price? What is your price? How much can someone pay you to make you compromise your integrity? How many times have you allowed the Great Wall of China around you to be broken through because of greed. Why not repent before your cup is full? When the cups of Hophni and Phinehas became full, they were not given a second chance. Likewise, you may not be given a second chance too. Please repent today.

Please avoid anything that would destroy or damage your gate of integrity. Safe guard your integrity with everything within you. If you must lose anything in life, please don't ever lose your integrity. If you lose your money or property, you can get it back. Even, if you lose your job, you can get a better one. But if you lose your integrity, you have lost everything. Yes, it may take years to build a reputation of integrity, but it takes only a second to lose it. A single act of dishonesty, can destroy a lifetime of integrity. 

This wonderful poem below describes what a man of integrity stands for. According to the poet, a man of integrity is honest, respectable, impeccable and most importantly have a relationship with God. That struck a cord in my heart! Beloved, will you like to be a man of integrity? Men of integrity are rare in our world today. So, will you like to be among those very rare gems in your generation? Then, you must surrender your life to Jesus Christ and walk with God everyday till you see Him in glory like Enoch (Genesis 5:24) .  

INTEGRITY AND HONOUR by Sun Princess

Some men are not pretentious

They have integrity and honour

I admire these men most greatly

They walk with God by their side

Someday I wish to have a friend

Like these men with character

Respectable, honest, impeccable,

only thing is they are very rare

Like a shiny dazzling diamond

So precious, flawless, and valuable

Integrity and honour are so beautiful

and some men have it absolutely"

May God grant us grace to be numbered among those rare gems in our generation. 

Good day and God bless you. 

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE SCIENCE OF HYPOCRISY - 2

"Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye: These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it. They act like they’re worshiping me, but they don’t mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy.” Matthew 15:7-9 (MSG)

Many years ago, a man wanted to play in the Imperial Orchestra, but he couldn’t play a note. Since he was a person of great wealth and influence, he demanded to be allowed to join the orchestra so that he could perform in front of the king. The conductor agreed to let him sit in the second row of the orchestra. Even though he couldn't read music, he was given a flute and when a concert would begin, he would raise his instrument, pucker his lips, and move his fingers. He went through all the motions of playing, but he never made a sound. This deception went on for two years. Then one day a new conductor took over the Imperial Orchestra. He told the orchestra that he wanted to personally do an audition for all the players to see how well they could play. The audition would weed out all those who did not meet his standards and he would dismiss them from the orchestra. One by one the players performed in his presence. Frantic with worry when it was his turn, the phony flutist pretended to be sick. The doctor who was ordered to examine him, however, declared that he was perfectly well. The conductor insisted that the man appear and demonstrate his skill. Shamefacedly, the man had to confess that he was a fake. (Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks, Wayne Rice)

The above story further reiterates the Science of Hypocrisy that we discussed last week. Hypocrisy is associated with lying (1 Timothy 4:2) and deceit (1 Peter 2:1) which were among the seven abominable things mentioned in Proverbs 6:16-19. Jesus describes those who practice the Science of hypocrisy as religious fraudsters or Yahoo believers (Matthew 15:7-9).

Unfortunately, there are many fake flute players/fraudsters or Yahoo believers in the King's Orchestra today. They are very visible everywhere holding the flutes which they are not willing to learn and play. They are church-going pretenders who look heavenly on Sunday but live like hell from Monday through Saturday. They look good on the outside but when God looks at their insides, He sees a dirty mess of rotten bones and worm-eaten flesh. Many cleverly concealed secret sins, atrocities and skeletons are in the cupboard of their souls. They deceive everyone and pretend to be something they are not. They even put on a false front or wear mask to conceal their true identity and the rottenness of their souls from everyone. What a double faced lifestyle?  

Beloved, are you one of the Yahoo believers in town? Are you a phony or a true player in the orchestra of the most High God? Are you truly saved or are you just pretending to be? What do you do behind the scene from Monday to Saturday? What have you cleverly concealed from everyone? Although, everyone thinks you are a child of God but you know very well that you have lost touch with heaven. Hear what the Holy Ghost is saying to you: "You can deceive everybody (including your parents, spouse, Pastors etc), but you cannot deceive God". Please do something about your life today. Quit the pretense and surrender your life genuinely to Jesus Christ now. Delay may be dangerous.

Friends, please note that the Great Conductor (Jesus Christ) will show up soon to fish out religious fraudsters (Rev. 22:12). During the audition, everyone would stand before the judgment seat to play the flute one after the other. The audition would be very thorough and the sheep would be separated from the goats (Matt 25:32-33). Everyone who does not meet God's standards, would be dismissed from the orchestra (Luke 13:27). All fake Believers, Disciples, Ministers, Pastors, Evangelists, General Overseers will have no where to hide again as no excuse will be tenable. All the masks worn on earth would be removed and pretenders shall be dumped into the everlasting furnace as firewood for the rest of eternity (Rev. 21:8)

God's admonition to religious fraudsters is detailed in this poem below:

YOU CAN'T FOOL GOD! By Grenville Kleiser

You can fool the hapless public,

You can be a subtle fraud,

You can hide your little meanness,

But you can’t fool God!

You can advertise your virtues,

You can self-achievement laud,

You can load yourself with riches,

But you can’t fool God!

You can criticize the Bible,

You can be a selfish clod,

You can lie, swear, drink, and gamble,

But you can’t fool God!

You can magnify your talent,

You can hear the world applaud,

You can boast yourself somebody,

But you can’t fool God!

My prayer is that every religious fraudsters or yahoo believers in the King's Orchestra shall repent and become real singers or flutists before the audition to fish them out begins. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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