Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo's Blog: 2025

THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BACKSLIDER

"Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry. As you know, he took the evil bribe money and bought a small farm. There he came to a bad end, rupturing his belly and spilling his guts. Everybody in Jerusalem knows this by now; they call the place Murder Meadow" Acts 1:17-19 (MSG)

The above Biography is one of the most pathetic biographies in the history of man. It is the biography of a backslider. 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 public and who he was in private. 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 the Biography of a backslider!

Beloved, who you are in public is important but who you are in private is even more important. You can occupy a 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.

It is quite unfortunate that there are many people like Judas Iscariot with the Biography of a backslider around us 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 are 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.

''Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross'' is a wonderful hymn that re-echoes what should be the prayer point of those who sincerely desire 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! 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 reach the golden shore in Heaven.

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, I want to invite you to the November 2025 Special Holy Ghost Service. Date: Friday – Nov 7, 2025. Theme: THE EVE OF GLORY. Time: 7pm. Venue: Redemption City of God, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

THE OVERGROWN FOOTPATHS

The early Christian converts were very diligent about praying. Each one had their own special place outside the village where they went to pray in solitude. They reached these “prayer rooms” by using their own private footpaths through the bush. When grasses began to grow over any of these footpaths, it was evident that the person to whom it belonged was no longer praying. Therefore, anyone who noticed such overgrown grasses on any “prayer path,” would go to the prayerless believer and lovingly warn, “Brother, your footpath is covered with overgrown grasses!”

In Mark 14:32-40, Jesus Christ raised the issue of overgrown grasses on some footpaths in the garden of Gethsemane with his three closest disciples - Peter, James and John. The attitude and disposition of these three disciples clearly revealed that their footpaths were already overgrown with weeds as they were no longer active in the place of prayer. These disciples were sleeping when they should have been praying. They seemed to have embraced the philosophy of "Day-time believers" who sleep through the night like Koalas. They lack the understanding that the night hour is the most active period in the kingdom of darkness. In fact, the Bible says the night time is a very viable breeding ground for all kinds of wickedness and evil manifestations in the world (Micah 2:1, Matt 13:25, Psalms 91:6, Psalms 59:6). So, the night hour is a crucial time that believers must utilize wisely. They are not expected to pray only in the day time but at night also (Luke 18:7). This deep understanding made Jesus Christ always spend quality time during the night to fellowship with His father (Luke 6:12-13). Therefore, if our perfect example, does not sleep throughout the night, then, why are believers sleeping like Peter, James and John in this generation?

At such a time like this, when wickedness is increasing at an exponential rate, how can we be sleeping when the devil is busy working very hard to sow terrible tares into people’s lives (Matthew 13:25). This is a clear sign that the footpaths of many believers to the garden of prayer are completely overgrown with weeds. This is a very serious matter! We have become over confident, lazy and careless in climbing the mountain of prayer, especially at night. The giant of prayerlessness has swallowed up our personal devotion and sweet fellowship with God. Like the foolish Galatians, we have tried to use human strength and effort to complete the work of grace that the Holy Ghost started in the place of prayer (Galatians 3:3). What an absurdity!

I perceive God would like to wake up all believers with overgrown weeds on their footpaths in our generation from their slumber. God is sending a loving warning to every slumbering Peter, James and John in His kingdom. Are you one of them? Are your footpaths already overgrown with weeds? Has the giant of prayerlessness swallowed you up? Are your knees unbended? Has the mountain of sin, laziness and pride crippled your fellowship with God? Why are you no longer excited about the sweet hour of prayer as you used to do when you first got saved? Don't you think you need urgent help before it is too late? I sincerely think you do!

Beloved, God is still asking us the same question he asked Peter, James and John several years ago. God is saying "Can you stay awake for just one hour to pray with me? Can you deny yourself of sleep just to seek my face at least one hour every night? Can you stop wasting your time watching movies or browsing the internet and fellowship with me?’’ Where are the praying men? Where are the praying women? Where are the praying children, teenagers and youths? What will be your response to these crucial questions that God is asking us? Please be sincere and wake up from your slumber!

The lyrics of this wonderful hymn below captures the mind of God on this subject:

I WANT THAT MOUNTAIN By Bill Harvey, 1989

I saw the Giant of Prayerlessness upon the mountain high;

He laughed so hard at my unbended knee.

No longer in the Wilderness I'll stay, and so I cry:

I want that mountain, it belongs to me!

Chorus:

I want that mountain! I want that mountain!

Where the milk and honey flow, where the grapes of Eshcol grow,

I want that mountain! I want that mountain!

The mountain that my Lord has given me.

There was a Giant of Laziness who said I wouldn't go

And witness for the One who set me free.

I'll come from out the Wilderness, I'll witness now I know;

I want that mountain, it belongs to me!

One faithless Giant upon the crest of Hebron's lofty height

Has vowed that he's the one to make me flee.

I'll climb from out the Wilderness! and trust Jehovah's might!

I want that mountain, it belongs to me!

Let ev'ry Giant of Distress and Unbelief and Sin

Get ready now to vacate, for you see:

I've come from out the Wilderness! I know I'm going to win!

I want that mountain, it belongs to me!

May God rekindle fresh fire upon our prayer altars to consume all overgrown weeds on our footpaths to the secret place. May the giant of prayerlessness and mountain of laziness mocking our destiny in Christ Jesus be completely defeated so that we can begin to enjoy all the numerous benefits of abiding in the secret place of the most high at all times

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

A PLACE CALLED "THERE"

There are two places a man can be at any point in life. He can either be in a place called "HERE" or "THERE". The former stands for our current position or level while the latter represents the next level or place God wants us to be.

One important attribute of the place called "HERE" is that it is usually not convenient to live in. The sons of the prophet confirmed this salient truth in 2 kings 6:1-2. They discovered that the seminary dormitory has become too small for the growing number of prophets-in-training and they desired to relocate to a more comfortable place. They had outgrown Here and were ready to move There.

Literally, the difference between the two places i.e here and there, is one letter, "T", which means time. The wisest man that ever lived told us categorically in Ecclesiastes 9:11, that time and chance are the ticket and boarding pass on the flight to the place called "THERE" in journey of life. Time is the major factor in the placement of men on the ladder of destiny. No man can move from his "HERE" to "THERE" unless his time has come. Someone once said, "the most dangerous person on earth is the person whose time has come".

"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all" - Ecclesiastes 9:11

There are several examples of people who boarded flights to the place called "THERE" with the boarding pass of time in the Bible. One of such examples was Hannah. She discovered that she was in the place called "HERE" while her mate had settled down in the place called "THERE". She was the senior but did not have what her mate had because every month she kept on missing her time. But one day, she decide to settle the issue of missed time once and for all. She prayed fervently and God heard her and sent prophet Eli to hand over her missing boarding pass and ticket back to her. That same month, she boarded the flight of glory and moved from HERE to THERE in grand style.

"The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me." John 5:7

Another good example is in John 5:1-7. The man by the pool of Bethesda had remained in the place called "HERE" for 38years. Anytime he attempted to move to his house which is a more convenient place, someone else usually jumped there ahead of him. Meaning, this man kept on missing the timing of his relocation to the place called "THERE" for 38years. But one day, he had an encounter with the one who is the custodian of time. And immediately, his missing boarding pass and ticket of time was found and his 38years tenancy in the place called "HERE" was terminated.

Beloved, like the sons of the prophets, Hannah and the sick man by the pool of Bethesda, you and I are not supposed to be a permanent resident in the place called "HERE". It is obvious many of us have outgrown our current position or level. It is time to move to a more spacious place. It is time to move from single to married, from barren to fruitful, from sickly to healthy, from lack to abundance, from jobless to gainfully employed. Your time to move to the place called "THERE" has finally come. Your Hannah will not return to Shiloh again empty handed in Jesus name. You are leaving your corner by the pool of Bethesda and never to return there again in Jesus name.

In conclusion, there are conditions to be fulfilled before you can move. You need to be resolute about your desire to change levels. You must be ready to cut down the beam required. This involves hard work and total commitment. Also, you must never take a step without carrying the God of your Elisha along. This is important because you will definitely need an anchor that will keep you standing when the wind of life blows. And if you are not yet saved, please surrender your life to Jesus today and he will become your anchor and compass to the place called "THERE" that you have been dreaming of.

As the Lord lives, before this landmark year is over, your own time of migration to the place called "THERE" shall surely come. You will become unstoppable like the sons of the prophets because your time of change of level shall surely come this year. Your flight of glory out of "HERE" to "THERE" shall not be cancelled in Jesus name.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

FIRE: A PROVEN TOOL

A big church caught fire some time ago and an infidel in the town came and made himself available to fight the fire. As the crowd was leaving, a lady approached him and said, "This is the first time I have seen you in our church." He said, "This is the first time the church has ever been on fire."

Fire is a proven tool for getting the attention of men in every generation. For instance, when God wanted to get the attention of Moses at the back side of the desert, he set the bush on fire (Exodus 3:1-4). When God wanted to draw the attention of unbelievers to the church in Jerusalem, He set the church on fire (Acts 2:3-6). So, fire is the only proven tool or medium for advertising God's agenda for man (Luke 24:49). The disciples waited in the upper room until God set them on fire and the multitude began to troop in. Even without creative jingles, large banners, huge church social responsibility (CRS) budget, the good news went round the city of Jerusalem like wild fire and thousands were brought to the saving knowledge of Christ.

The truth is, God has not changed his method of getting the attention of sinners. He wants His church to be on fire at all times. There are multitudes outside the church that will not come in unless they see the fire of God burning fiercely upon the souls of believers in the church. Many Moses' at the back side of the desert today will never encounter God unless there is fire on the pulpit and pew. God expects us to be carriers and mobile dispensers of His blazing fire like the disciples of old. Unfortunately, we are carrying fire extinguishers around in the church today. The wall of our souls are decorated with the fire extinguishers of prayerlessness, disunity, disobedience, arrogance, impurity and others. We cleverly cover up our lack of fire by deploying comedy, gimmick, psychology, gorgeous dresses, massive cathedrals to woo unbelievers to Christ. Are these methods really working? The answer is "no". Unbelievers are not coming because the church is not on fire.

Beloved, when the fire falls on the pew and pulpit, we would not need to use any other worldly methods to get the attention of sinners. They will come from far and near to catch a glimpse of the devil-driving and sin-killing blazing fire of God. How I wish every believer could be on fire for God like those devoted disciples of old. How I wish ministers of the gospel could rely more on the blazing fire of God more than their oratory skills and their good command of the English language. How I wish the choristers, Sunday School and Children Church teachers can pray more that God should set their tongues on fire before they minister. How I wish the ushers and protocol officials will henceforth prefer to be dressed in the robe of blazing fire than their usual Italian suits, ties or hats before serving in church.

This wonderful hymn below describes how the blazing fire fell in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago.

PENTECOSTAL FIRE IS FALLING by George Bennard

We are told of pentecost,

How the blessed Lord’s disciples

Tarried for the Holy Ghost.

Pentecostal fire fell on them,

Burning up their sin and dross,

Filling them with pow’r for service,

Making them a mighty host.

Refrain:

Pentecostal fire is falling,

Praise the Lord, it fell on me,

Pentecostal fire is falling,

Brother, it will fall on thee.

Pentecost can be repeated,

For the Lord is just the same,

Yesterday, today, forever,

Glory to His precious name!

Saints of God can be victorious

Over sin and death and hell;

Have a full and free salvation,

And the blessed story tell.

When the Church of Jesus tarries,

Pentecostal fire will fall;

Sin and wrong will be defeated,

Sinners on the Lord will call.

She will march to glorious vict’ry,

Over ev’ry land and sea,

Lifting high the blood-stained banner,

Holiness her motto be.

May the Pentecostal fire fall afresh upon us and cause multitude to keep running to the feet of the cross in Jesus name, Amen.

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord- Pastor E.A. Adeboye, I would like to invite all ministers and workers in RCCG to the year 2025 Province Based Ministers & Workers Conference with the theme: REVIVING THE FLAME. Venue: All RCCG Provincial Headquarters. Date: Saturday 18th October 2025. Time: 8am. It is going to be an unforgettable upper room encounter. Please don't miss it.

Good day & God bless you

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

THE SCHOOL OF OBEDIENCE

On Thursday October 4, 2018, I walked into a banking hall and noticed some elated customers holding branded gift items like pens, key holders and mugs. It was customer appreciation week and the first ten customers for the day were being appreciated by the bank officials. While these lucky customers were posing for pictures with their gifts in the banking hall, I had a nudge in my spirit to go and join them. The instruction sounded quite absurd and I whispered to myself "what if the bank officials embarrass me". I struggled hard to ignore the instruction but the more I tried, the more restless I became. After a few minutes, I reluctantly left where I was standing and went to join the customers to pose for pictures as they displayed their gifts. Since I had no gift to pose with, I grudgingly displayed my empty hand. I thought God wanted to embarrass me but I never knew He wanted to teach me some deep lessons in the school of obedience.

Suddenly, one of the bank officials who noticed that my hand was empty ran into her office and came back immediately with a big new branded umbrella. As she handed the umbrella to me, all the ten customers who were holding pens, key holders and mugs began to grumble and murmur. She managed to calm them down by assuring them that she only intended to lend me the umbrella to pose for the pictures with them. Although, she collected the umbrella in the presence of all those customers, she gave it back to me before I left the banking hall on that day. Even though, I came late and should not have gotten anything, I got the best gift. What an enviable testimony!

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus Christ emphasized one of the lessons that God taught me in the banking hall that day: There is a level with God where enviable testimonies become the logo of a man. There is a level where God effortlessly breaks protocols for some people to be honoured. To reach that level, we must be willing to obey God foolishly and follow His instructions blindly. The truth is God's instruction may not sound reasonable or logical but the rewards are huge. Every divine instruction is a trigger for enviable testimony. Don't allow your ego and stubbornness to rob you of uncommon testimony. Stop using that small grey matter of yours to analyze divine instructions. God's ways are far beyond our understanding (Romans 11:33-34).

However, it is impossible to obey the Almighty God that we don't even know or have any intimate relationship with. So, I urge you to please enlist yourself for enviable testimonies in the last quarter of year 2025 by connecting or reconnecting yourself with Jesus Christ today. You will never regret you did!

The lyrics of this popular hymn below re-echoes some of the rewards of obeying God at all times.

TRUST AND OBEY By J. H. Sammis (1846-1919)

When we walk with the Lord by

In the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way;

While we do His good will,

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise,

Not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear,

Not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear,

Not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss,

Not a frown or a cross,

But is blest if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove

The delights of His love,

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows,

And the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet

We will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do;

Where He sends, we will go,

Never fear, only trust and obey

Beloved, as the Lord God of heavens lives, you and I shall not end this year empty handed in Jesus name. Rather, we shall walk out of the banking hall of 2025 with our own enviable testimonies that will make those who are already ahead of us to murmur and grumble. Blessings that will make headlines and trigger controversies will come knocking at our doors very soon in Jesus name.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

https://okanlawonwebnote.com

THE REMNANT STRATEGY –3

There is a story of a man who often goes to the altar at the end of every service to kneel and pray as follows: ''Lord, take the cobwebs out of my life''. One day his pastor, tired of hearing the same old prayer, knelt beside him and prayed, ''Lord, please kill the spider in his life!''

This story above reminds me of a Yoruba proverb which says "A kì í fi ẹ̀tẹ̀ sí'lẹ̀ pa làpálàpá" meaning “We ought not to leave leprosy unattended and focus on treating ringworm”. This proverb simply warns against the terrible implications of ignoring the remnant of the devil (or root cause of sin) in our sojourn on earth. This was exactly what the young man in the story above was doing.

In Matthew 5:29-30, our Saviour emphasizes the need to identify the remnant of the devil (i.e the root cause of sin) around us and then deal with it decisively. This is very crucial as it will be impossible to live a victorious Christian life if we ignore the spider (root cause) and concentrate on treating the symptoms (cobwebs). We cannot substitute responsible Christian living with hypocritical prayers and fasting. Anyone who will make it to the city of gold must be a responsible believer who would not overlook anything that is capable of holding him down on the earth.

In Job 31:1, the Bible says Job understood this salient truth and he decided to kill the spider of his lustful look and strange desire for anything in skirts. However, unlike Job, King David enjoyed the spider of pornography when nobody was around (2 Samuel 11). He was addicted to watching naked women taking their baths from his balcony. Unfortunately, that ungodly habit brought great pain and agony into his life and family (2 Samuel 12). Also, Solomon could not resist the urge for strange women like his father. He packed them in hundreds and they eventually turned his heart away from following God (1 Kings 11:4). On the other hand, Daniel was able to tame his appetite for the king's delicacies and that made him to remain relevant in the office of the presidency for several years (Daniel 1:8-21). Can you imagine, Daniel and Job praying to God to help them remove cobwebs instead of killing those destructive spiders? It will definitely be a fruitless effort!

Unfortunately, many people believe they can continue to fraternize with the spider of sin and expect God to rescue them from its consequences. They don't seem to understand that it is impossible to act irresponsibly in life and still escape being burnt (Prov 6:27-29). We should not expect God to remove the cobwebs around us when we deliberately refuse to deal with the spiders weaving those cobwebs. This is not wise at all!

Beloved, are there some spiders of ungodly relationships in your life that are making you enjoy the pleasures of sin? Why not disconnect yourself from those spiders before they lead you to the slaughter's slab? Are there some spiders of pornography and ungodly music in your phones or laptops that are weaving the cobwebs of judgment around you? Don't you think it is time to delete them? Why not kill the spider of masturbation and homosexuality before they destroy you? Why not take that radical step today to free yourself from the wicked grips of those evil spiders? Why not kill the spiders of strange appetite for ungodly habits and illicit deals before it drags you to hell? Please do it today. Tomorrow may be too late.

May God help us to take decisive action against all remnants of the devil that are capable of removing our names from the Book of Life.

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord - Pastor E.A. Adeboye, I would like to invite you to our October 2025 Holy Ghost Service. Theme: Gate Protectors. Date: 3rd Oct 2025. Venue: The Redemption City of God, Mowe, Nigeria, Time: 6pm

Happy new month. Good day & God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

https://okanlawon.webnode.com

THE REMNANT STRATEGY – 2

''..Don’t think I’m carrying around a list of personal grudges. The fact is that I’m joining in with your forgiveness, as Christ is with us, guiding us. After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!'' 2 Corin. 2:10-11 (MSG)

In continuation of our discussion on the remnant strategy, the wise sayings of Dr. Nelson Mandela (the former president of South Africa) on forgiveness comes to mind. When Dr. Mandela was asked whether he hated the people who imprisoned him for 27 years, he responded by saying, "Absolutely I did, because they’d imprisoned me for so long. I was abused. I didn’t get to see my children grow up. I lost my marriage and the best years of my life. I was angry. But as I got closer to the car that would take me away, I realized that when I went through that gate, if I still hated them, they would still have me. I wanted to be free. And so I let it go.”

The phrase "to let go" literally means "to forgive". Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of forgiveness when he narrated the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35. Forgiveness is not an option, but rather a must if we want to enjoy true freedom. Our Saviour demonstrated how to forgive when he chose to let go of the offenses committed against Him on the cross of Calvary (Luke 23:34). Like Dr. Mandela, Jesus shows that forgiveness is the key that unlocks the prison gates of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. Therefore, anyone who refuses to forgive or let go has deliberately endorsed his or her warrant of arrest and detention in the prison of bitterness and dungeon of hatred. Unfortunately, many people who appear to be free today are actually living in the prison of unforgiveness. They have been tied down with the invisible chains of bitterness and the fetters of hatred.

“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die” - Marianne Williamson

Those who walk in unforgiveness may think they are punishing or trying to get even with the offender but they are hurting themselves unknowingly. Sometimes, forgiveness could be extremely hard; However, our feelings are not superior to the Word of God. Forgiveness is not a piece of advice in the Bible; it is a command (Matt 6:12). Hence, we must obey God by forgiving everyone that offends us. What you stand to gain by forgiving is more than what you think you will lose. Please leave the matter to God; don’t seek revenge. God will do a better job than you. He is the God of justice. He will fight for you. Don’t open your life to the devil through unforgiveness. Don’t let him take advantage of you to hang carcasses of dead dogs in your life (2 Corin 2:10-11).

Beloved, don’t be ignorant of the devices of the devil. Unforgiveness is still a very potent weapon in the devil's armoury. Unfortunately, many careless individuals are falling sheepishly into this wicked bait everyday. I hope you are not one of them! If you are, I urge you to please let go of those offenses like Jesus Christ, our perfect example. Please emulate Dr. Mandela by walking out of the prison of bitterness and resentment today.

The lyrics of this song below summarizes what should be our desire till we finish our race on earth:

A HEART THAT FORGIVES by K. L Gray 2010

I want a heart that forgives

A heart full of love

One with compassion just like yours above

One that over comes evil with goodness and love

Like it never happened, never holding a grudge

Ohhh, want a heart that forgives

When the pain is so deep and it's so hard for me to speak about it

To any one just like your son

I give up my rights to hold it against them with hatred inside

I want a heart that loves everybody, even my Enemies

May God's love permeate our heart and help us to let go of all resentments so that we will not become a victim of this wicked bait of the devil.

Good day & God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

THE REMNANT STRATEGY

I won’t speak with you much longer, 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 story is told of a man who sold his house for an incredible bargain with just one stipulation: he would retain ownership of one small nail protruding over the door. After several years, he wanted the house back, but the new owner was unwilling to sell it. So the first owner went out, found the carcass of a dead dog, and hung it from the single nail he still owned. Soon the house became unlivable and the new owner was forced to sell the house to the owner of the nail.

When Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary, the ultimate price for the recovery of the great possession that man lost in the Garden of Eden was paid for (1 Corin 6:19-20). The transaction was consummated with an incredible price and the devil thought he had struck a good deal. The old owner (devil) was super excited about the deal that he gladly vacated his abode for the new owner (God) to move in. While the old owner was still basking in the euphoria of the amazing bargain, he suddenly realized that the deal was a very bad one (1 Corin 2:8). Then, he began to think of how best to recover his lost grounds and territories without much efforts. Several options were considered but he decided to exploit the Remnant Strategy that Jesus described in John 14:30.

The remnant strategy is one of the most potent approach that the devil (old owner) uses to take possession of his lost grounds in every generation. For example, Moses was captured because he refused to get rid of the nail of anger that the old owner left behind in him and he paid dearly for it. Judas Iscariot and Gehazi became candidates of hell because they never paid attention to the nail of greed hung around their necks and they ended up in the gallow of shame. Samson died prematurely because he refused to deal with the nail of lust cleverly packed inside his highly anointed frame by the old owner.

Beloved, we thank God for the salvation of your soul but are you sure there are still no little nails somewhere that the old owner can use to harvest your soul into hell? Are there remnants of bitterness, lies, anger, pride, greed, unforgiveness, stubbornness, lust or immorality that the old owner can use to hang carcasses of dead dogs in your life? Can you boldly say like Jesus Christ that there is no remnant of the old owner in you? A little sin, like a little leaven, can corrupt the whole lump (1 Corin 5:6-7). What are those little leavens of the old owner in you? Please stop pretending as if those little things does not matter. But if you decide to leave only one small sin in your life, Satan will hang his rotten garbage on it to make your life unlivable. Therefore, please prayerfully confront and eliminate every remnant/sin in your lives before they grow and dismantle your life and destiny. The best way to eliminate those little nails is by constantly praying for sanctification so that God can remove every little nail that the old owner can use to hinder you from making it to Heaven.

The lyrics of this powerful hymn below should be our watchword:

NOTHING BETWEEN By C. A. Tindley (1905)

1 Nothing between my soul and the Savior,

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.

2 Nothing between, like worldly pleasure;

habits of life, though harmless they seem,

must not my heart from Him ever sever;

He is my all, there's nothing between.

3 Nothing between, like pride or station;

self, or friends shall not intervene;

though it may cost me much tribulation,

I am resolved, there's nothing between.

4 Nothing between, e'en many hard trials,

though the whole world against me convene;

watching with prayer and much self denial,

triumph at last, there's nothing between.

May we receive grace to prayerfully confront every remnant that is capable of disqualifying us from finishing our race on earth well in Jesus name.

Good day & God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

GO, TELL EVERYBODY

After that, Jesus said to his followers, “You have to go out to everywhere in the world and tell everybody the good news about me" - Mark 16:15 (PEV)

Fritz Kreisler, the world-famous violinist, saw an exquisite violin on one of his trips, but he wasn’t able to buy it. After saving enough money, he returned to the seller with the hope of buying the beautiful instrument. But he was surprised that it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the collector’s home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Kreisler was keenly disappointed and was about to leave when he had an idea. “Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?” he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector’s emotions were deeply stirred. “I have no right to keep that to myself,” he exclaimed. “It’s yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it.” (Our Daily Bread, February, 4, 1994)

From the above story, we can say that there are two categories of people in every generation - The Collectors and Distributors. The collectors gather valuable things about God but are unwilling to share them with others. They have archived God's redemption agenda for mankind in their hearts like a prized possession. They have stockpiled many beautiful evidence or testimonies of God's faithfulness in their heads. They have warehoused the sound of the rhyme of grace and liberty in their heart like an exquisite violin meant for them alone. Unfortunately, many people around them are going to hell daily because they refuse to get on the platform and play the soul transforming music of salvation to them. This is very pathetic!

Unlike the collectors, the distributors are always ready to share what they have collected with everyone around them. The urgency and importance of the great commission highlighted in Mark 16:15 always stirs them up to action. These people understand the terrible implications of living like a collector that Apostle Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:16. So, they eagerly seek for opportunities to take the gospel to others without being coaxed.

"..It would be agony to me if I did not constantly preach the gospel!"- 1 Cor 9:16b (TPT)

It is obvious that the number of the collectors in this generation is more than that of the distributors. Majority of Christians who go to church every week to collect sermons never bother to share what they learned with unbelievers around them. They are busy building up their Bible knowledge database and testimony catalogues without paying any attention to the pitiable conditions of sinners around them. What a myopic mindset!

Beloved, I sincerely hope you are not one of the collectors in this generation. If you are, then, please repent today. You don't have any right to keep the Gospel to yourself. Please stop giving flimsy excuses for not witnessing to unbelievers around you. Remember, you will be held accountable for the blood of every sinner you refused to witness to (Ezekiel 33:6)

This powerful hymn below expresses Christ’s call to spread the gospel. The hymn stirs both the heart and feet for mission, reminding us that Christ’s command is still urgent today.

GO, PREACH MY GOSPEL By Isaac Watts

“Go, preach My gospel,” saith the Lord.

“Bid the whole earth My grace receive.

Explain to them My sacred word;

Bid them believe, obey, and live.

“Go, heal the sick; go raise the dead;

Go, cast out devils in My name;

Nor let My prophets be afraid,

Though Greeks reproach and Jews blaspheme.

“While thus ye follow My commands

I’m with you till the world shall end;

All power is trusted in My hands;

I can destroy and can defend.”

May God destroy the collector mindset in us and energize us to take the gospel to the world as Christ commanded.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

OVERWHELMING VICTORY

‘’The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties’’ - Romans 8:37 (GW)

There are challenges that appear extremely overwhelming and insurmountable. These challenges can be described as "mountains" on the path of man. The Holy Spirit recorded many examples of such mountain-like issues in the Bible. For instance, in 1 Samuel 17:1-51, everyone in Israel were intimidated, embarrassed and terrorized by an overwhelming mountain-like creature called Goliath for forty days. The elements of fear and intimidation oozing out of that mountain succeeded in paralyzing the entire nation of Israel. Everyone was traumatized by the threat of a 9 feet, 9 inches Big Unfriendly Giant who had impressive track records of conquering whosoever dared to confront him. But one day, God raised a mountain climber, giant killer, and a licensed overcomer in David, the son of Jesse. He addressed the intimidating mountain, deleted Goliath and terminated the long time harassment/embarrassment in the land of Israel (1 Samuel 17:46, 51). What an overwhelming victory!

Beloved, what is that mountain-like challenge or Goliath that is standing before you today? It doesn't matter how many people the mountain or giant has conquered, but as the Lord lives, you and your household will not be conquered by it. God is ready to raise another set of giant killers/ mountain movers in our generation. Do you want to be one of them? Are you really interested? If your answer is in the affirmative, then I can assure you that what has swallowed others will not swallow you. You cannot be humiliated by Goliath again. Rather, you will be inducted into the league of more than conquerors and start experiencing overwhelming victories on every side.

The wonderful hymn below describes our overwhelming victory and overcoming status in Christ Jesus:

MORE THAN CONQUEROR ARE WE By C.H Morris

Conqueror and overcomers now are we

Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve

Victory

If the Lord for us, we can never fail

Nothing against His Mighty power can ever

Prevail

CHORUS:

Conquerors are we,

Through the blood of Jesus

God has giving us victory

Thro’ the blood of Jesus

Thro’ the Lamb for sinners slain

Yet who lives and reign again

More than conquerors are we

More than conquerors are we.

In the name of Israel’s God

We all onward press

Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness

Not to us, but unto Him the praise shall be

For salvation and for blood brought victory

Unto him that overcometh shall be power

Here to eat of hidden manna sent

From heaven over yonder be the

Victors palm shall bear

And a robe of white and golden crown

Shall wear.

May every giant problem threatening our peace, harassing, and intimidating us and our household perish like Goliath this day in Jesus name. And may our overwhelming victory and overcoming status be evidenced on all sides till we see Christ in glory.

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, I would like to invite you to the 73rd Annual Convention 2025 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Theme: THE OVERCOMERS. Date: 4th to 10th August 2025. Venue: The Redemption City of God, Mowe, Ogun State.

Good morning and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE’S HAND

'Let us rejoice, be happy, and give him glory because it’s time for the marriage of the lamb. His bride has made herself ready. Then the angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the lamb’s wedding banquet.” - Revelations 19:7-9 (GW)

In the Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare narrates the story of a father who left a will on how his daughter's hands should be given out in marriage. The will stipulates that all the suitors must choose correctly from one of three caskets to have his daughter's hand. The three caskets were labelled gold, silver and lead respectively. Whosoever picks the right casket, gets the beautiful bride's hand. The following inscription were boldly written on the caskets: The Gold Casket- "Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire", The Silver Casket - "Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves", The Lead Casket - "Who chooseth me must give and risk all he hath".

The first suitor, the Prince of Morocco, chose the gold casket, the second suitor, the Prince of Arragon chose the silver casket. They both rejected the lead casket because of the baseness of its material and the uninviting nature of its slogan: "Who chooseth me must give and risk all he hath. The last suitor - Bassanio, carefully considered his choice, he eventually chose the lead casket and won the beautiful bride's hand.

"There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever"- 2 Corinthians 4:18 (MSG)

Beloved, the hand of the beautiful bride is still available to be won. The Father of all fathers has not changed the method on how to give out the hand of the beautiful bride to man. Therefore, it is wrong to believe that seeking God's kingdom first is an expired or obsolete method for winning in the race of life. Heaven is still saying: “Beware, all that glitters is not gold’’. indeed, there is far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we cannot see now will last forever (1 John 2:15-17, Colossians 3:2). Please do not allow the fake gold and attractive materials of this world to make you loose the hand of your beautiful bride in destiny. Stop acting foolishly like the Princes of Morocco and Arragon. Rather, choose the casket of lead which is loaded with salvation, sanctification and all the fruits of the spirit so that we can be numbered among the Bassanios of this world that will reunite with Christ at the Marriage Feast/Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:7-9)

The chorus of this wonderful hymn below asked us a question that require sincere and urgent response: Are you going to be at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?

THE MARRIAGE SUPPER By Frank A. Breck

1 In the souls bright home, beyond the sky,

In a land where the ransomed never die,

There will be a royal banquet by and by,

’Tis the great marriage supper of the Lamb.

Refrain:

Are you going to be there

Are you going to be there,

At the great marriage supper of the Lamb?

With your wedding garment on,

Will you meet the loved ones gone,

At the great marriage supper of the Lamb?

2 Oh, the bride shall shine in bright array

With her tears all forever wiped away–

There will be a great rejoicing on that day–

At the great marriage supper of the Lamb.

3 From all sin forevermore released,

They will come from the west and from the east,

For all nations will be gathered at the feast

Of the great marriage supper of the Lamb.

4 We shall praise him by the crystal tide

When the Lamb that was slain is glorified–

And the ransomed church of God shall be the bride,

At the great marriage supper of the Lamb.

May we never miss the great marriage supper of the Lamb in Jesus name. But, if you have never met the Lamb of God who was slain for the remission of our sins, then I urge you to do so today and you will be qualified to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb. A word is enough for the wise. I hope you will choose wisely today.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

THE DIVINE PARDON

"Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool... "- Isaiah 1:18‭-‬20 (NIV)

Several years ago, a man was convicted for robbery and murder. He was sentenced by the Judge to die for his crime. His close friends however managed to get presidential pardon for him. But surprisingly, when this man was informed of this pardon he refused to accept it. The matter was referred to the Supreme Court and the Chief Judge ruled as follows: "A pardon is a piece of paper, the value of which depends upon its acceptance by the person implicated. It is difficult to see a person under the sentence of death who refused to accept a pardon; but, if it is refused, it is no pardon. So, the man who rejects his pardon must die."

Death sentence was passed on all human being when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden (Romans 3:23 & 6:23). In order to rescue man from this terrible judgement, God issued a divine pardon sealed with the blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:12). This pardon is the gift of eternal life (John 3:15, 10:28, & 17:3). However, anyone who rejects this pardon for any reason will have to face the music. He/she will experience the agony of second death or eternal separation from God (2 Thess 1:8-9).

Beloved, there is a divine pardon for you. Have you truly accepted the pardon? Have you received the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus or are you still gambling with your eternal destination? Please note that it is not wise to allow the sentence of death to be executed when there is a valid pardon with your name boldly written on it. Therefore, I urge you to please accept this divine pardon so that you can escape the terrible judgement of death hanging on the soul of every man.

"God's message is this: By Christ's death, God was bringing people of the world back to Himself, as His friends. He would no longer hold their sins in His thoughts. This is the message that God want us to tell people. So, we speak to people on behalf of Christ. It is like this: When we speak, God Himself is speaking to you. On behalf of Christ, we say to you, ‘Please come back to God, as His friends!’" - 2 Corinthians 5:19‭-‬20 (EASY)

This powerful hymn below describes the divine pardon that God issued to man:

GONE IS ALL MY DEBT OF SIN by M.S. Shafer, 1915.

Gone is all my debt of sin,

A great change is wrought within,

And to live I now begin,

Risen from the fall;

Yet the debt I did not pay—

Someone died for me one day,

Sweeping all the debt away—

Jesus paid it all.

Refrain:

Jesus died and paid it all, yes,

On the cross of Calvary, Oh

And my stony heart was melted

At His dying, dying call;

Oh, His heart in shame was broken

On the tree for you and me, yes,

And the debt, the debt is canceled,

Jesus paid it, paid it all.

Sinner, not for me alone

Did the Son of God atone;

Your debt, too, He made His own,

On the cruel tree.

Come to Him with all your sin;

Be as white as snow within;

Full salvation you may win

And rejoice with me.

May God melt every stony heart and replace it with a heart of flesh that will no longer reject His divine pardon again In Jesus name, Amen.

Good day and God bless.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

THE MATHEMATICS OF GOD & MONEY

"You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both" - Matthew 6:24 (MSG)

Several years ago, a man was given an unusual assignment to build an ark that is 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 55 feet high. He accepted this unusual challenge and set out to work even when it did not make sense to everyone around. In a bid to complete the task before the timeline, he recruited several labourers, craftsmen and other artisans to assist on the project. While the project was ongoing, the man spent quality time explaining to all the labourers the importance of the ark and also encouraged them to prepare to join him on the ride when the project was completed, but no one believed him. They were only interested in the project because of their earnings from the work.

After several years of hard work, the task was eventually completed, and everyone who worked on the project was handsomely rewarded. In fact, some of the workers were given awards for being the longest serving staff, and most committed worker on the ark project. They were all happy working on the project and they left the project site thereafter. After many days, while they were celebrating and enjoying the money they made from the project, the floor gates of heaven broke loose and rain began to fall. Within a few minutes, everything on the earth was completely submerged, and the ark began to float. Only the man, his family, all the different species of animals and fruits on board the ark survived the flood. The question is, where were those people who worked tirelessly for several years to build the ark. The obvious answer is, they got the pay and missed the place.

There are two categories of people in our world today: Those who are working for the pay and those who are working for the place. In the mathematics of God’s kingdom, the pay and the place are mutually exclusive options. These two choices cannot exist at the same time. They are distinct and separate, one can only pick one at a time. This was exactly what our Saviour told His disciples during his sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:24-33). This kingdom mathematics is still very relevant in our world today.

The scripture is full of examples of those who do not understand this powerful kingdom mathematics of God and Money. Some of these people believed they could eat their cake and still have them. They wanted to get to the place but they were being lured away by the size of the pay. They couldn't say ‘no’ to the evil carrot of immediate gratification and ungodly money that was being dangled before them. They eventually received their pay but forever bade farewell to their place.

For example, all the workers that helped Noah to build the ark only received their pay but missed their place in the ark (Genesis 7:21-23). Imagine how those hard working labourers who built the ark that floated eventually sank like lead in the days of Noah. Have you forgotten how that potential prophet of God - Mr. Gehazi collected his pay from Naaman and mortgaged his place of glory as a prophet in the catalogue of destiny (2 Kings 5:20-27). Also, you will recall how the Chief Accountant of Jesus Worldwide Ministry - Mr. Judas Iscariot missed the place of power, honour and glory at the very crucial minute when he chose to collect the pay of 30 pieces of silver from the Jewish High Priest (Acts 1:16-19, Matthew 25:14-16). They all got their pays but missed their place of glory in the corridor of destiny. Hmmm! What a terrible error!

Beloved, it is unfortunate that many have not learned from the examples above. Indeed, many still love money more than God. This is evidenced in their attitude and disposition towards money. They are willing to serve and worship money instead of serving God alone wholeheartedly. They can do anything to get money at the expense of their eternal destination. There is a first class ticket to the colony of lepers in the pocket of many believers like their senior brother and mentor - Gehazi.

Dear friend, do you really understand this kingdom mathematics of money and God? Are you working for the pay now at the expense of the place in the ark of safety? Why will you sell your birthright because of a plate of pottage and bread like Esau (Genesis 25:31-34)? Why will you labour so hard with your Noah here on earth and still miss the flight of the saint to the Place of Rest in Heaven? Why will you allow the temporary pleasures at the transit station of this world to make you lose your place of glory with God?

"The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you" Matthew 6:33 (ICB)

This special hymn below re-echoes the salient teaching of Jesus Christ on the Mount of Olives:

VAIN ARE ALL TERRESTRIAL PLEASURES By David E. Ford, 1828

Vain are all terrestrial pleasures,

Mixed with dross the purest gold:

Seek we, then, for heav’nly treasures,

Treasures never waxing old.

Let our best affections center

On the things around the throne:

There no thief can ever enter;

Moth and rust are there unknown.

Earthly joys no longer please us;

Here would we renounce them all;

Seek our only rest in Jesus,

Him our Lord and master call.

Faith, our languid spirits cheering,

Points to brighter worlds above;

Bids us look for His appearing;

Bids us triumph in His love.

May our light be always burning,

And our loins be girded round,

Waiting for our Lord’s returning,

Longing for the welcome sound.

Thus the Christian life adorning,

Never need we be afraid,

Should He come at night or morning

Early dawn, or evening shade.

May we not allow the transient pleasures and enjoyment of the world make us lose our place in the Mansion that the saviour has gone to prepare for us.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

THE SARDIS CHURCH SYNDROME

“Write this to the angel of the church in the city of Sardis: ‘The One Who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: I know what you are doing. I know people think you are alive, but you are dead.’’ Revelation 3:1 (NLV)

In today’s world, it is possible to deceive everyone around us that we are spiritually alive when we are actually spiritually dead. This is what I perceive the Holy Spirit is referring to as the Sardis Church Syndrome. This syndrome manifests wherever outward appearances, religious activities, and human evaluations mask the true state of our relationship with God.

In Revelation 3:1, God’s diagnostic x-ray machine uncovered several symptoms of the Sardis Church Syndrome among the congregants in the Sardis City Church. The congregation in Sardis Church (Parish/Area/Zonal/Provincial/Regional Headquarter) appeared extremely vibrant and alive whereas they were spiritually dead. They had a reputation for being active and full of life, but inwardly they were disconnected from their source and anchor - God. They placed more emphasis on activities than on spirituality. They value collection more than connection. It appears many good things were happening on every side for them but in the real sense, nothing was actually happening from the stand point of God. They were growing numerically and financially but they were marching backward spiritually on the wheel of Ichabor. What a paradox!

Unfortunately, many of those deadly Sardis Church Syndrome that the Holy Spirit diagnosed in Chapter 3 of Revelation are still being displayed by many believers in the church today. Many people still believe that their spiritual life can be evaluated or assessed solely on their outward appearances, activities or expression of faith like church attendance, church activities, financial commitment or good deeds. They seem not to understand that these things alone don’t guarantee a vibrant walk or relationship with God. According to Matthew 7:21-23, it is possible for someone who performs religious activities like preaching, singing, prophesying, casting out demons and doing miracles, to still be far from God’s will. This scripture clearly buttresses the fact that outward success and religious activity do not automatically indicate that we are in right standing with God. Therefore, it is wrong to rely on our perceived good performances, excellent deeds, humans' applause and accolade, level of involvement in church activities, or spiritual gifts as a sign of being in God’s favour. The truth is that true spiritual life is only found in doing the will of God at all times not occasionally. Unlike man, God does not look at what others see; He examines the heart not the height (1 Samuel 16:7, Jeremiah 17:10).

Beloved, please take a moment today to carefully reflect on your spiritual life or walk with God. Are you truly aligned with God’s will, or are you merely going through the motions? Are there any symptoms of the Sardis Church Syndrome in your walk with God? Are you truly who you claim to be, or are you one of those green snakes under the grass in the Kingdom? Please surrender yourself to God’s diagnostic x-ray machine of mercy and grace today before it will be too late.

This hymn below re-echoes the need to eliminate every Sardis Church Syndrome by seeking a closer and genuine walk with God till our chapter on earth is finally closed (Rev 3:4):

O FOR A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD By William Cowper, 1772

O for a closer walk with God,

A calm and heavenly frame,

A light to shine upon the road

That leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew,

When first I saw the Lord?

Where is the soul refreshing view

Of Jesus, and His Word?

What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!

How sweet their memory still!

But they have left an aching void

The world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return,

Sweet messenger of rest;

I hate the sins that made Thee mourn

And drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,

Whate’er that idol be

Help me to tear it from Thy throne,

And worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,

Calm and serene my frame;

So purer light shall mark the road

That leads me to the Lamb.

May God help us to eliminate every Sardis Church Syndrome in our walk with Him and bring us back to the centre of His will, never to go astray again. And may our walk with God be truly close and genuine till we finish our journey on earth 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 July 2025 Holy Ghost Service. Theme: DESTINED FOR GREATNESS (Part 3) Subtitled: HELPERS OF DESTINY. Date: 4th July, 2025. Venue: The Redemption City of God, Mowe, Ogun State. Time: 6pm (WAT).

Happy new month, Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

THE ENERGY OF FOOLS

"If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover" Proverbs 29:1 (GNT)

Several years ago, two ships collided on the Sea and hundreds of passengers died on that fateful day. Investigation later revealed that the accident was not caused by technical fault or bad weather. Several people perished simply because the two captains were too stubborn to change direction. They both knew that their ships were heading towards each other and may soon collide. A little change of direction by either of them would have averted the tragedy. However, neither of them was willing to change course and give way to the other. They were too stubborn to yield and by the time they came to their senses, it was too late.

A German proverb describes stubbornness as the energy of fools but God describes it as a capital offence that attracts instant destruction. The story of Saul, the first king of Israel clearly affirms this truth. King Saul's obstinacy to God's instructions triggered his dethronement as king in Israel (1 Sam 15: 23). The glorious ship of his destiny sank like a stone into the ocean of stubbornness and there was nothing anyone could do to remedy the situation. His stubbornness made God use His divine bit and bridle on him. King Saul died on mount Gilboa together with his three sons, personal assistant, chief of staff, bodyguards and others in one day. Then, his body was taken away, dismembered and hanged on the wall of Beth Shan (1 Sam 31:1-13). Hmmmm! What a terrible ending!

"Refusing to obey is as bad as the sin of sorcery. Being stubborn and doing what you want is like the sin of worshiping idols. You refused to obey the Lord’s command, so he now refuses to accept you as king.” 1 Sam 15:23 (ERV)

Unfortunately, many people in this generation have not learned from that terrible mistake of king Saul. Rather, they have decided to make king Saul their mentor. They are stubborn to wise and godly counsels despite repeated warnings. They do not seem to understand that every act of man's stubbornness adds fuel to the fire of God's wrath and judgement (Rom. 2:5).

"You’re not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire....Make no mistake: In the end you get what’s coming to you— Real Life for those who work on God’s side, but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire! "- Rom. 2:5-8 (MSG)

Beloved, I hope king Saul is not your mentor. Hope you are not manifesting the energy of fools. Hope you have not turned your back on God like those stubborn Israelites (Deut 9:6-8). I hope you are not like those stiff-necked Jews in Corinth who rejected Christ and even went as far as maligning the Way (Acts 19:9). Please do not forget that everyone who stubbornly rejects God's Sweet Will on earth will be doomed for the rest of eternity. This article may be the last warning God is sending to you before He will eventually turn you over to the hardness of your heart. Friends, time is running out. Please repent today and yield totally to His Sweet Will before it will be too late.

"Stubbornness and stupidly are twins" - Sophocles

This wonderful hymn re-emphases the need to desist from displaying the energy of fools in the journey of life:

SWEET WILL OF GOD By C. H. Morris, 1900.

My stubborn will at last hath yielded;

I would be Thine, and Thine alone,

And this the prayer my lips are bringing,

"Lord, let in me Thy will be done".

Refrain:

Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,

Till I am wholly lost in Thee;

Sweet will of God, still fold me closer,

Till I am wholly lost in Thee.

I’m tired of sin, footsore and weary,

The darksome path hath dreary grown,

But now a light has ris’n to cheer me;

I find in Thee my Star, my Sun.

Thy precious will, O conqu’ring Savior,

Doth now embrace and compass me;

All discords hushed, my peace a river,

My soul a prisoned bird set free.

Shut in with Thee, O Lord, forever,

My wayward feet no more to roam;

What pow’r from Thee my soul can sever?

The center of God’s will my home.

May God rescue everyone displaying the energy of fools and drowning in the ocean of stubbornness all over the world in Jesus name, Amen.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com