BIBLICAL CAREER MEN WHO TOUCHED HEAVEN, MOVED HEAVEN AND MADE HEAVEN

Many times when we are taught the lives and testimonies of certain men in the scriptures we tend to categorize them into one single category – Men of God, as in prophets, priests, pastors, etc. Indeed they were (Men of God) because by their testimonies they lived on earth, moved Heaven, and made Heaven. This is the definition of a Man of God, and not the round-collar around our necks or bishopric cap on our heads.

The one who is truly a man of God is the one with the typical Elijah’s testimony: “If I be a Man of God, let Fire come from Heaven”…and he capped up his earthly exploit with a rapture-like experience to Heaven (2 kings 1:12; 2:11). He lived on earth, affected his generation and made Heaven.

The one who is truly a Man of God is he who makes impact in this world for God and makes Heaven at last. It is not one who is living on earth without a meaningful purpose of existence yet focusing on Heaven. It is not one who is not doing anything to help and rescue a dying world yet heaps judgments on its inhabitants. It is he who finds himself doing the will and work of God in his office, career, company, family, and goes ahead to make Heaven. This was the testimony of David: “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep” (Acts 13:36). Friend, which generation are you serving?

So, it is important to understand that not all those heroes of faith whose lives we celebrate and learn from today were pastors, prophets, bishops, etc in their days. Many of them were businessmen, political employees, governors, special advisers to kings and presidents, prime minister, and political personalities, yet they never lost sense of their real purpose for living which is to serve the purpose of God (not theirs) in their generation.

The question is: what are you doing for God and in favour of eternity in your career and place of secular assignment? This is what eternity holds against many Christians who rather than uphold the standard of God in their places of income, they have joined the world, to cheat, to compromise, to falsify their ages, to alter figures, to promote iniquity, abet conspiracies, bring down many innocent people and frustrating the plans of God without knowing it. Many are lifting their hands against God’s counsel of holiness and yet they claim they are Christians. Eternity has the answer.

Let us take a glimpse;

Abraham was a businessman of high integrity. He cheated no one. It was God who told Abimelech that Abraham was a prophet, no one knew. “Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live” (Genesis 20:7).

Joseph was not a pastor, but a child of God. He was a child of God before he got the political appointment as Prime Minister, and he remained a child of God after that. But today, many brethren have compromised on the platform of some political appointments. They have sold their voices to money and corruption. Is this not why people now believe Christianity is not compatible with politics. But in the beginning, it was not so. “When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth” (Proverbs 11:10). Today, the reverse is the case.

Daniel was not a pastor or priest, but a child of God who was a disciple and dedicated his life to God. He was in the midst of corrupt colleagues, yet he stood for God in holiness. He was chairman of the governors’ forum, yet his prayer and fasting life was intact and increasing (Daniel 6:1-10). He was career active and yet prayerfully saw great visions. But today, brethren who used to be fire brands have gone cold and passion for God and soul-winning have expired inside air conditioners. When they are questioned, they give excuses of jobs and official commitments. What a generation!!! The likes of Daniel will certainly testify against this generation where iniquity and corruption abound and the love of many have waxed cold.

How about King David; he was not an ordained priest or prophet but an anointed child of God whose life, heart and passion won the heart of God. He moved Heaven and made Heaven. He was a political but an anointed and God-fearing king. Today, believers who have been made kings and priests are turning their hands against the Kingmaker Himself – God.

Time will fail me to mention Biblical and career men who were not necessarily pastors, bishops, etc yet had unparalleled love, undying passion and unquestionable integrity with God. How about Job; he was neither a prophet nor a pastor, rather a blessed businessman who had stainless testimony before God. It thus means that, there is no excuse whatsoever (business or career) for a man who fails to represent Heaven in the line of duty.

These were honest men of good report. They were rich, yet God ruled in their hearts and they preserved holiness. But today, the rich have made prosperity looks like it is indeed wrong, “but in the beginning, it was not so” (Matthew 19:8c).

These men; they did their jobs, pursued their various careers and disciplines, yet they built altars of worship to God both at home and on their paths (fields of endeavours). Right in their “exalted” offices, they exalted God. They would not defile themselves with food offered to idols (bribes and rewards of iniquity).

Friend, where are you today? What has taken the place and service of God in your life? What has separated you from the love of Christ thereby making your love wax cold? What “strange blessing” has taken you away from church, from God and from Heaven? What “open doors” have swallowed up your faith and silenced your voice or truth and eternal reasoning? What has happened to your prayer life, fasting life, evangelism life and holiness life?

Daniel was in the corridors of earthly power yet he relied solely on the power of God in Heaven. His prayer life was unabated and his spiritual strength never failed. He and others were Heaven’s ambassadors and representatives in their various fields. Through their faith, lives and testimonies many knew the Lord. And they made Heaven.

Remember, God placed you where you are so that you can pour forth the life of grace and uphold the horns of righteousness, thereby helping others find the way to eternal life. When last did you do it? Remember, you are there to exalt God and not your office or salary.

One day, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Daniel, and others will stand and testify of these things…what shall be your testimony? “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man” (Romans 2:1).

DR. WILL: 8 REASONS WHY SINGLES MISS IT IN RELATIONSHIPS, CH...

DR. WILL: 8 REASONS WHY SINGLES MISS IT IN RELATIONSHIPS, CH...: “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and h...

8 REASONS WHY SINGLES MISS IT IN RELATIONSHIPS, CHOICES, AND MARRIAGE

“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them” (Isaiah 34:16)

1.     The Choice of An Unbeliever

God cannot cause you confusion. His word says; “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

So, your confusion about whether or not you should marry someone who is not a christian/believer and Born Again is not from God. It does not matter how good and morally sound they appear, an unbeliever is an unbeliever, and should you end up marrying him/her, then you have the devil (his/her father) as your in-law. It does not matter what a prophet or vision says, if the person is an unbeliever, he/she is not God’s will for your life.

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

If you lose your peace, then God is not in it.

2.     Choice Based on Place of Origin, and Tribal Sentiments

This is the height of idolatry in choosing marriage partner. In one of my teachings, THE IDOL CALLED TRIBALISM IN MARITAL CHOICE (unpublished), I shed more light on this.

Many have disobeyed God’s leading simply because they resolved in their hearts only to marry someone from their state/village of origin. I have met such people before, and you will perceive a lack of understanding and absence of spiritual maturity.

The will of God is beyond some human boundaries of tribe and culture, once the person is a child of God, and God is involved in it, be at peace and go ahead.

People often misinterpret Abraham’s choice place of a wife for Isaac as meaning tribal standard. This is error on their parts.

Genesis 24:3-4;

“And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.”

Abraham did not mean his “fellow indigene”, but was talking about God’s people and God’s family. Abraham laid a foundation of “among my people”, meaning the family of the beloved/believers. He dissociated himself from the people of the world and sought a wife for Isaac from among the people of God whom he referred to as his people.

Personally; I am from Ogun State in the west, and my wife is from Adamawa State in the North. They are two (2) distant states on the map, but in our hearts such distance never existed and still do not exist, and never will exist. She is close to my siblings/parents just as I am very close to her siblings/parents. We are one family in Christ. Glory to God!

3.     Choice Influenced by Lust and Love For Money and Material Possessions

I have taught about this before, when brethren based their marital choice on such carnal things.

Many sisters have turned down/rejected marriage proposals from brothers simply because such brothers do not presently “boast” of such earthly measures of white collar jobs, robust bank accounts, furnished and air-conditioned apartments or even university degree. They became myopic about the future just because of what they appear to see now. Many so-called sisters (so they are) are looking for the Biblical Brother Isaac, the son of Abraham who is a millionaire.

The same applies to brothers looking out for ladies with high-pitched (but often deceptive) musical voices and physical (but perishable) elements, and so they close their eyes to God’s direction of leading.

Anyone whose choice of life partner is influenced by the present condition of the other person is not wise and risking his/her eternity.

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

4.     Carried-Over Choice of Partners

This is similar to point one (1). Consider 2 unbelievers in a relationship, and suddenly one of them, becomes Born Again, and yet decides to continue with the unbeliever and go ahead to get married. This is a carried-over choice and is wrong.

It is only in marriage (NOT COURTSHIP) that if there are 2 people who were hitherto unbelievers and 1 of them finds salvation, and because divorce is never an option, they remain married (as long as the unbelieving partner wants to stay). And the believing partner has a responsibility to pray for the salvation of the other person. (1 Corinthians 7:12-15).

But in courtship (NOT MARRIAGE), that foundation is wrong in the first place, and the relationship should end. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”  (2 Corinthians 6:14).

It is possible the other person eventually becomes saved later. Now, God can lead them to each other afterwards, and he may not. It is God’s choice and His will, never yours. Let God have His way…do not force your will and ways on God.

5.     Choice Birth By Haste, Lack of Patience and External Pressures

When God created you, he fashioned the times and seasons of your life, including the time for you to marry. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

Many people think that God is slow and so they make their decisions. Some marriage seminars driven by motivation rather than guidance have not helped as well because they also motivate young people to be smart, take their future into their hands and make haste before it is too late. Thus, many erroneously attempt to “outsmart” their maker (impossible).

Many who could not patiently wait for the man have impatiently gone ahead with another person. Parental pressures/influences and peer pressures have all contributed into wrong choices made by many singles, and these have been the making of many wrong foundations in marriage.

“He that believeth shall not make haste” (Isaiah 28:16b).

6.     Choice on a Background of Disobedience

There are people who in truth know who God wants them to marry, but they deliberately chose the way of disobedience. In some cases, the disobedience is due to some factors I have mentioned before.

Disobedience is a sin that can lead to Hell (except one repents), whether it is disobedience to tithing, to God in ministry, and then choice of marriage partner.

“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6)

7.     Choice Born Out of Pity For The Other Person

It is an error and a big one at that for you to decide or go ahead to marry someone because of pity. You are not convinced, yet you accept because the person cried or made pitiful face or remarks…this is a dangerous foundation that cannot stand the test of time and the time of test, because certainly these times will come.

Once you are convinced you are not meant for that person, let him/her know with humility and gentleness and not to hurt feelings. It is true that some people will get emotional about your decision and action and they may beg you to stay with them. Sometimes some people will use challenges either in their lives or families as a platform of pity to evoke love and consent from you. If you build a relationship on pity, it won’t last. If it does not collapse in courtship, it will speak out in marriage because the foundation is altogether wrong.

8.     Inability To Hear God

Many have missed the way of God for them in marital choice because they could not hear God.

Marriage is like a city; it is a terrible thing not to know the way to the city. “The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city” (Ecclesiastes 10:15).

It is important to know how God speaks to you. The way He leads you on your choice of career, where to work, where to be based, etc, is the same way He should lead you in the choice of a life partner.

It is important to know how God speaks to you. Some people think when it comes to the choice of life partner, God has to open the skies and speak in a “special” way. Not really. He speaks the way(s) He does to you. If God leads you, you will never make the mistake to marry the wrong man or woman. What a blessed future and eternity that is. May God lead you!

FINALLY

I have a word for someone reading this. God says, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18).

Many relationships/courtships have been marred by sexual sin. It is very disheartening to God. “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

Look at the following about fornication:

i)        Fornication lays a wrong foundation for your marriage. It will hunt and hurt you in the future.

ii)      Fornication can lead to pregnancy, then some will succumb to abortion. Fornication thus breeds murder. Sin breeds sin.

iii)    Fornication is a sin that leads to Hell fire.

The devil is lying to many young people that it is not possible to be in courtship and not be sexually defiled. It is a lie from the pit of Hell to send many to Hell. Personally, and to God’s glory; I and my wife courted for about 6 years and we are a living testimony of an undefiled courtship.

Why am I saying this? So as to challenge and encourage you that it is possible and God expects purity from you in your relationship if you want Him to honour your life and ministry, and if you do not want to miss Heaven.

You too can honour God with your relationship. You may have been sinning, but make up your mind to turn to God and stop sinning today.

-          Confess all your sins of fornication and sexually immorality to God and plead the blood over your life

-          Pray that God’s mercies will destroy all negative foundation of fornication in your life and relationship

-          Make a resolution to start anew with God and in your relationship. This is dedication.

-          Go and sin no more!

“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Corinthians 3:17).

*(Dr. Bukola Williams is a trained Medical Doctor called of God into evangelical ministry. He is founder and President of TreasuredHouse Int’l. Ministries, THIM. He is blessed in marriage to Blessing, a trained Computer Engineer. They presently live in Umuahia, Nigeria. For counselling and spiritual help, contact: drwilliams4j@yahoo.com. 08035744063).

SHAME: ITS GENESIS AND NEMESIS

S - H - A - M – E ; 5 letter word manufactured by the enemy to prevent many from the power of the name J - E - S - U - S.

SHAME is;

- Satanic
- Hell-inclined
- Anti-gospel
- Miserable
- Endless sorrow

Shame has sent many to hell and denied many people Heaven. It makes people not to say the truth, and live double-standard lives. It causes believers to be ashamed to speak the word of God to others.

Paul overcame shame:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16).

Paul charged us against shame:

"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord" (1 tim. 1:8)

Jesus spoke against shame:

"Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38).

If shame rules your life now, see the full description of SHAME above...it is real! It will work against you here and make a pathway to hell for the person.

Does shame have a hold on your life? The truth is that 'you never start to truly live until the day shame dies in your life.'
Kill shame today before he destroys.

PRAYER:

1. Father, in the name of Jesus, let every yoke/bondage/limitation/stronghold of shame be broken and crushed in my life!!!

2. I stand on God's word and destroy every altar of shame working in my life and standing against my destiny and eternity in Jesus' name!!!

3. I receive boldness and courage into my spirit in Jesus' name. I am not ashamed to share the gospel; I am not ashamed to live for God in holiness; I am not ashamed to partake of the sufferings of this kingdom in Jesus' name!!!

5 THINGS ABOUT YOU THAT FRUSTRATE THE DEVIL AND PRESERVE YOUR DESTINY AND ETERNITY

1.      Spiritual Authority

The devil understands authority. He knows believers who know their authority in Christ and those who do not. You can be oppressed because you do not know your authority, but the day you know it, the yoke of oppression is broken off your life.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing” (Isaiah 10:27).

2.      The Word you carry and at work in you

Carrying the word is not enough; you must apply it against the devil and his activities. Mind you, the devil knows the word. He quoted Psalm 91:11 to Jesus: “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways”. This was in Luke 4:10.

And Jesus overcame him by the Word:

“And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Deut. 6:16; Luke 4:12).

3.      Fire in your life and on your altar

A fire-less life is a powerless life. I have never seen a vulnerable destiny and at-risk eternity like a man without fire in his life. The enemy will lurk around, but the fire of God in your life executes judgment on them.

“And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty” (2 Kings 1:10).

4.      Faithful witness of the gospel and of truth

“And I will give power unto my two witnesses” (Rev. 11:3).

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8a)

When you evangelize, you contract fire. When you speak the truth always, the devil is perpetually frustrated because he cannot stand the truth.

5.      Absolute holiness

This is the most powerful. Some people are simply untouchable not because they have fasted for 7 days, but because there is a Holy-Ghost empowered virtue and divine aromatic unction around them by the reason of complete obedience and surrender to the will of God. No demon or made-in-hell principality that can touch such people. Holiness is the biggest source of the anointing.

“Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm” (Psalm 105:15)

These will form a hedge round you. The devil knows what a hedge is all about, so he stays away.

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land”  (Job 1:8-10).

But the day you allow your hedge to be broken by sin or unfaithfulness; “And whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.” (Eccl. 10:8b).

Finally, I want to them you that not everyone can be a victim. The devil uses fear is a tool and the moment you falter, he comes powerfully. Fear is a spirit; fear has torment (1 John 4:18). Be courageous. Stand on God’s word.

If you are under the oppression of bad dreams; stay awake till 12 midnight and “kabosh” in tongues for minimum of 30mins to 1 hour....no devil can stand that environment. Then go to sleep. You are covered.

If the enemy sends you an intimidating text message, I borrow a clue from my spiritual father (Dr. Pastor Paul Enenche), don’t be afraid. Pick up your phone and reply them in the language they cannot understand...speak in tongues and reply the message in tongues, e.g. “raba kosh stanlakubakilikata”...just type in tongues and the enemies as they read will receive some supernatural visitations. The enemies heard the feet of 4 lepers and they escaped, the same will be their fate.

God bless and keep you. Maranatha.

7 categories de personnes dont il faut se méfier - FRENCH

7 CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE TO BEWARE OF ON THE JOURNEY TO HEAVEN

FRENCH TRANSLATION

7 categories de personnes dont il faut se méfier:

1. Les gens qui soutiennent qu'il n'y aucun problème a avoir un(e) certain(e) style de vie/attitude.

2. Ceux qui viennent autour pour dire du mal et calomnier les autres.

3. Les "amis" qui veulent que vous approuviez les compromis et les aidiez en ayant a mentir et a porter de faux temoignages.

4. Les chrétiens qui vous disent que vous en faites trop parce que vous menez une vie qu'ils ne croient pas pouvoir mener ou trouvent difficile de mener (a cause de la chair).

5. Ces gens qui sont toujours calmes lorsque vous partagez vos songes et vos visions avec eux. Ils n'en disent ni du mal, ni du bien. Tel était l'état du coeur de Laban (Genèse 31:24). Tout au fond d'eux mêmes, ils ne sont pas heureux/joyeux de votre soi-disant bonne nouvelle, mais ils prennent garde a ne rien dire, ils deviennent ainsi muets lorsque vous partagez des témoignages.

6. Ceux qui vous découragent concernant les choses de Dieu et réduisent votre temps pour Dieu par leur amitié, attitude et leurs activités. Et ceux dont la présence autour de vous équivaut a vous faire retomber dans les péchés que vous aviez confessé, pour lesquels vous aviez obtenu le pardon et desquels vous vous étiez détachés.

7. Ceux qui remettent en cause votre relation avec Dieu simplement parce que les choses paraissent temporairement difficiles pour vous et que vous avez quelques difficultés; ou peut-être que vous avez échoué a un examen ou une interview, ou même raté une opportunité de travail et ils remettent en cause votre Chrétienneté.

Je prie pour une semaine bénie et victorieuse pour tous. Puissiez-vous marcher dans la victoire et les rayons de faveur au nom de Jesus.
Maranatha.

MANY ARE NOT READY YET

Here is a vision the Lord gave me this morning (07/03/2013) about the state of preparation of the church (men and women) for the marriage supper of the lamb.

I saw there was a feast coming up and fixed for a particular time in a place a bit on a hilly terrain. The place appears to be of limited capacity with chairs that were empty. The start time was fixed. I went to the venue with a colleague and I booked a place in the hall. I remember dropping something of identity on my seat and we left to return for the feast.

And then the scheduled time for the feast hit the clock. I became worried because I thought the feast would have started and I was not yet back there. I imagined by now the hall would be filled with guests and perhaps my seat would have been taken up.

Then, somehow to my surprise, I found out that the hall was still without guests and the time was far past and the feast had not started. It was at this point I started seeing the levels of people’s preparedness for the feast. I noticed some people were just going to take their bath and get ready. I saw another group of people who were having some street celebration and procession (like some churches do), and this people did not seem to even be aware about the feast.

Then in what looked like a mandate, I and my wife decided to go to church and mobilize people about/to the feast. My wife drove into the church premises where we found brethren, VERY FEW, and the pastor. They were a bit late but were already ready. Then they sought to know the capacity of the hall for the feast, and someone said it should take 500 people, but I replied and it said it may accommodate 150 people.

And this was followed by some happenings. After everything, I entered one hall (like a church) with the doors closed. I found a door that was opened and unknown to people. Amazingly, I found only one brother (whom I know) seated in the big hall, and we became two (2). And I woke up.

The Lord through His Spirit then ministered the following to me about the vision I saw;

-          The feast is the marriage supper of the Lamb

-          Time is past already. There is no more timing in Heaven again. We are living on “borrowed” time; God’s last lifeline for this generation.

-          If the rapture had taken place before now, many will miss out and many places will be missing in Heaven.

-          There are 3 categories of people in the church at the moment:

i.                    Those who have maximized and redeemed the time and are ready, waiting for the Lord

ii.                  Some are still preparing and not ready

iii.                Yet some are not aware of something called the marriage supper of the lamb (This represent the group of people celebrating on the street)

-          There is a mandate for you and I to reach out for God to the souls of men. But first, let us book our place in the Heaven and retain it with a life of absolute holiness and submission to God’s will. There is no time again beloved. And above all, even as we prepare, we must watch over ourselves so that we remain unspotted in this world.

May the Lord be glorified forever. Amen.

Confirmatory scriptures:

1.      “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:7-9)

2.      “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.” (Matthew 22:2-6)

3.      “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:17).

4.      “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11)

MY GREATEST MESSAGE

The greatest message I have had to preach has always been to myself with this text;

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16).

Even when I may not win anyone for Him, but let it be that I won myself. Should no one decide to follow me to Heaven, let me get there myself first and above all. May I not be cumbered about 99 lost only to become lost myself...God forbid! So powerful a message it is that it convicts me and drives me on my knees with tears for mercy.

In the end, the most precious soul is not the drunkard in the bar, or the prostitute in the brothel or the sinner who refused to heed, but me. And for this, my song every day and motto is “Save thyself (Bukola), and them that hear you.” And so, not only do “I cease(d) not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31), I never cease to warn myself with tears also like Jesus “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared” (Hebrews 5:7).

God, please help me take heed that even as I know that “for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthian 9:16), yet, will “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthian 9:27).

So help me God...and my beloved reading this. Amen.