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

Instagram: @lawontaiwo

X: @tammytaiwo