Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo's Blog: January 2024

FISHERMEN MUST FISH - 1

''Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks'' - Jeremiah 16:16

The story is told about a group who called themselves fishermen. There were many fish in the water all around this group. In fact, the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish. These fishermen met regularly and talked about their call to fish, the abundance of fish, and how they might go about fishing. They searched for new and better methods of fishing. They sponsored special programs like "Fishermen's Retreat", and ''Fishermen's Weekend/Month''. They also sponsored costly nationwide and world-wide congresses to discuss and promote the fishing business. Also, they built large, beautiful cathedrals called “Fishing Headquarters.” Their slogan was "Everyone should be a fisherman and every fisherman should fish". However, there was one thing they did not do, they did not fish.

The primary concern of God for humanity from the beginning has always being how to catch all the fish (souls) in the rivers, lakes or fountains of this world (Jer. 16:16). This desire made God to send His only begotten son into the world with the hook of Salvation (John 3:16). He was the greatest fisherman that the world has ever known. He practically demonstrated all the attributes of a good fisherman while on earth. Despite growing up in a carpenter's workshop, He knew perfectly well why He was on earth. He never lost focus of His assignment (John 4:34).

Friends, do you really know why you are on earth? You were saved to save others. Have you responded to God's call to duty in Jeremiah 16:16 & Isaiah 6:8. The Greatest fisherman (Jesus Christ) wants to send you to go and catch fish for Him (Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17). You are not suppose to be a fisherman by title but by deed. Believers' supreme assignment on earth is to fish for souls of men for God. Have you being dodging this responsibility? Please repent today.

"And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.'' - Matthew 4:19-20

This powerful hymn below re-echoes how the Greatest Fisherman inducted two of His disciples into the fishing business in Matthew 4:19-20:

THE TWO FISHERMEN By S. Suzanne Toolan

1. Two fishermen, who lived

along the Sea of Galilee,

stood by the shore to cast

their nets into an ageless sea.

Now Jesus watched them from afar,

then called them each by name.

It changed their lives,

these simple men;

they'd never be the same.

REFRAIN:

Leave all things you have

and come and follow me.

2. And as he walked along the shore

'twas James and John he'd find,

and these two sons of Zebedee

would leave their boats behind.

Their work and all they held so dear

they left beside their nets.

Their names they'd heard as Jesus called;

they came without regret.

3. And you, good Christians,

one and all who'd follow Jesus' way,

come leave behind

what keeps you bound

to trappings of our day,

and listen as he calls

your name to come and follow near,

for still he speaks in varied ways

to those his call will hear.

May the comfort and pleasure of our carpenters' workshop not deny us of the glorious fishermen's rewards (John 15:16, 2 Tim 4:7-8, Isaiah 52:7). And as we throw the hook of Gospel everywhere, may there be great harvest of souls into His kingdom in Jesus name.

Please join us for the 82 Days soul winning challenge to celebrate the 82nd birthday of our esteemed father in the Lord - Pastor E.A. Adeboye from 12 December 2023 to 2 March 2024.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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DADDY, PLEASE HOLD MY HAND

"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"- 1 Corinthians 10:11‭-‬12 (MSG)

One day, a little girl and her father were crossing a bridge. The father was so scared that he told his little daughter, ‘Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don’t fall into the river.’ The little girl said, ‘No, Dad. You hold my hand.’ ‘What’s the difference?’ Asked the puzzled father. The little girl replied ‘There’s a big difference, If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go.’

The story above reaffirms one of the lessons that the Holy Spirit is teaching us in Mark 14:29-72. As the time for Christ's arrest and crucifixion drew near, Apostle Peter began to tell everyone that he has what it takes to hold on firmly to Jesus Christ. He boasted that he can never deny Christ or backslide no matter what happens. He was practically flaunting his ministerial resume instead of asking for grace to be engraved permanently in the hollow of the everlasting hand of God. Then, few minutes later, a maid confronted the same over confident Apostle Peter and he denied Jesus blatantly. The tyres of Apostle Peter's ego and self confidence were completely deflated and he began to weep profusely.

Beloved, there are many terrifying bridges and rivers on the narrow path. The urge to survive can make believers to deny Christ openly like Apostle Peter. Events unfolding shows that many professing believers have already turned their backs on their Saviour. They have fallen away from faith into the river of error and hypocrisy like Judas Iscariot (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

Therefore, it is obvious that the admonition of Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 10:11-12) is still very relevant in this generation. We must never forget that the best of men can fall and fail woefully without the help of the Almighty God. Our human charisma, wisdom or expertise are not God's prerequisite for navigating the Christian journey. The only sure means to remain in faith is to ensure that the everlasting arms of God is underneath you at all times. Jesus Christ gave us the assurance that nothing can make us fall by the road side or be snatched away from Him (John 10:28-29). What a great assurance!

"I give them eternal life; they shall never be lost, and no one can snatch them from me. My Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone else; no one can snatch them from him" - John 10:28‭-‬29 (FBV)

"Take My hand, Precious Lord" is the title of a powerful hymn that describes the prayer that every believer must pray daily till they reach the golden shore. If you have not surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, please make that decision now. If you do, the saviour will take those feeble hands of yours and guide you till you reach your mansion above.

TAKE MY HAND, PRECIOUS LORD By Thomas A. Dorsey, 1932.

Precious Lord, take my hand,

Lead me on, let me stand,

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;

Through the storm, through the night,

Lead me on to the light:

Refrain:

Take my hand, precious Lord,

Lead me home.

When my way grows drear,

Precious Lord, linger near,

When my life is almost gone,

Hear my cry, hear my call,

Hold my hand lest I fall:

When the darkness appears

And the night draws near,

And the day is past and gone,

At the river I stand,

Guide my feet, hold my hand:

May God's mighty hands hold us securely until we cross the narrow bridge. As the Lord lives, no power of hell or scheme of man will be able snatch us from hands till He returns to take us home in Jesus name, Amen

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit -

https://okanlawon.webnode.com

https:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

Instagram: @lawontaiwo

Twitter @tammytaiwo

THE STREETS OF GOLD

''And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass'' - Rev. 21:21b

One lovely moonlit night, a grandfather and his small granddaughter went for a walk. They were dazzled by the beauty of the stars and as the grandfather began to name the stars and constellations, the granddaughter exclaimed, “Grandpa, if the bottom side of Heaven is this beautiful, just think how wonderful the top side must be.”

While passing through Ajose Adeogun on Victoria Island recently, the comment of this young girl re-echoed in my mind. The entire street had been gorgeously decorated with colourful lightnings. It was really beautiful. However, this beauty does not even come close to what Heaven looks like. How can one compare a street of Asphalt in Lagos or anywhere in the world to the Street of Gold or the dwelling of the Almighty God in Heaven? Obviously, there is no basis for comparison. The beauty and splendour of Heaven is absolutely beyond description. It is breathtaking and magnificent by all standards.

Friends, God wants everyone of us to join Him in that City of Gold, unfortunately, many people may never enter that beautiful city. The entry visa fee into that city is not paid in Naira, Pounds, Dollars, Euro or Yen but Salvation through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). Only those who have genuinely surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and are following the narrow path of purity will be granted access into the dwelling of the Almighty God in Heaven (Hebrews 12:14). It is practically impossible to live recklessly on earth till the very end and still expect to enter the City of Gold. There is absolutely nothing in this world that is worth losing our souls and mansions in Heaven for (John 14:2-3, Mark 8:36).

The lyrics of this hymn below clearly articulates the beauty we shall behold in Heaven:

WHEN I STAND ON THE STREETS OF GOLD By Annie Wittenmeyer

1. The burdens of life may be many,

The frowns of the world may be cold;

To me it will matter but little,