RELEASED ON 24/ AUGUST/ 2019
WHAT KIND OF FRIEND ARE YOU?
The bible says;
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity".
Proverbs 17:17.
Children of God, I woke up few days ago and the Spirit of God kept resonating the word, "Gibeonites" in my heart and I was wondering what am I to do with this ancient people recorded in the Book of Joshua Chapter 9.
Then, the Holy Spirit said, many of us are surrounded by the Gibeonites; those who appear very nice and innocent, but in reality they are enemies in disguise.
The Gibeonites were deceptive and they beguiled the Israelites.
Joshua 9:22
Children of God, the Israelites were deceived because they looked at the outward appearance of the Gibeonites and the bible says:
"The Israelites took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD".
Joshua 9:14.
Joshua subsequently entered into a covenant with them based on the falsehood.
Joshua 9:15
In reality, many of us are like the Israelites in that instance, we are often swayed by the outward.
Many people have entered into all sorts of relationships out of the looks, position and possessions of their supposed friends, without consulting God.
Some friends appear overly pleasant but deep down in their heart, they do not want you to progress beyond them.
The Yoruba will say;
"Ara lamo a o monu": meaning, you can only be sure of the outward you do not know the intent inside.
The question is;
What kind of a friend are you?
The bible says;
"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works".
Hebrews 10:24.
However, in the month of May 2019 when I had just started sharing the Gospel of my Lord Jesus on Facebook, a supposed friend but really a pessimist, who probably does not want me to do the work of God in the manner I was sent by God, forwarded a message to me to spite me:
She wrote:
"Nobody is reading your messages.....".
I did not bother to respond to her message. Though, only 175 people liked my page on Facebook at that time.
However, I was not perturbed at all,I kept my focus and was very confident I have the backing of JESUS that called and commissioned me for His work.
By the grace of God, there are now more than 11,200 people following the same page and on a daily basis, I receive an average of about 100 people who sent in prayers, likes and words of encouragement.
"In this way the word of the Lord is spreading widely and growing in power".
Acts 19:20.
Glory be to JESUS!!!
After all, Jesus said:
"A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”
Mark 6:4
If you have been blessed or impacted by any of the messages God has used me to prepare;
visit to like my Page; SOULSforGOD
-https://www.facebook.com/OlaniyiforJESUS/?referrer=whatsapp.
The popular saying is:
A friend in need is a friend Indeed!
Ideally, the word friend signifies; loving, caring and committed person who have your interest and progress at heart. Someone who you share similar goals with.
After all,the bible says;
"Can two walk together except they agreed?"
Amos 3:3.
A friend is one who you can confide in, who is able to look at you in the eyes and tell you when you are wrong. I mean supportive mate, who you can lean on; just like the lyrics of that popular song says;
"Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend I'll help you carry on".
Are you the type that desire the progress and prosperity of another person or you are a friend who is filled with envy and jealousy over others?
Many people do eye-service, they smile at you before your face, behind you they plot against you.
While some friends are sycophants; who are only there because of what they can gain or get from you.
The Yoruba people call them: "Igi da eye fo", meaning when the branch of the tree breaks, the bird flies away, they are fair weather friends.
If you ask anybody who has been in and out of power or high position, he will tell you much about sycophants.
Children of God, your friends should be the ones who will be around you when you achieve great heights, when celebrating one good thing or the other, at the same time your friend should be around you when yo go through trials and tribulations in life.
The bible talks about the three friends of Job;
"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him".
Job 2:11
What I found very evil and appalling is when you have your colleagues at work or members of your place of worship that you laugh and talk regularly with, who you can refer to as friends, spending quality time sneaking to check your profile,posts and activities on social media platforms, yet will never for once leave congratulatory
message or words of encouragement as the situation may warrants.
For me, that is the height of hypocrisy or sign of a friend that does not have your good at heart. In a nutshell, they are the Gibeonites; deceptive in nature.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep".
Romans 12:15.
As for us in the Christian fold, we call ourselves Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, I ask you ; are you really my Brother or Sister?
You see your fellow Brother or Sister doing great stuff in their career, business or work of God, you did not deem it fit to encourage them or support them.
Instead, you recruit people to start hating the person and castigating the good works like Sanballat and Co. Nehemiah 4
You are very ignorant; If you recruit people to hate and frustrate another person's good works, can you recruit people to stop God from doing what He has purposed?
Isaiah 14:24.
Apostle Paul wrote;
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves".
Phillippians 2:3.
Children of God, everybody cannot be your friends, the fact that you laugh together or work together, does not automatically make such people your friends. Some of them are fake;
"Gibeonites"
David wrote about fake friends;
"My enemies are not the ones who sneer and make fun. I could put up with that or even hide from them. But it was my closest friend, the one I trusted most.We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in company"
Psalm 55:12-14.
There will come a time in your life when you will realise who among your friends will be needful in the remaining journey of life, those who won't anymore, you will need to discern the deceptive people among them.
It is important to note that some people will cross your path in life, but they are not meant to play any part in the fulfilment of your destiny.
"If you are not adding value to my life, then leave me the way I am".
Elisha was meant to take over from Elijah as ordained by God;
#AndGodSaid ;
"Anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet"
1 Kings 19:16b
However, when the appointed time came,some friends called "sons of Prophets" were taunting Elisha, but he ignored them;
"And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”
2 Kings 2:3.
Brethen,God has a way of linking us with friends who are "helpers of destiny". 1 Samuel 9.
David found a true friend in Jonathan who was the Son of Saul the major enemy of David.
1 Samuel 18:1
The popular saying is : blood is ticker than water, however; Jonathan defied all odds and stood by his friend because it was obvious to him that envy and jealousy have eaten deep into his father towards David. Jonathan was very objective despite his affiliations.
Is it a problem to be a chosen one of God?
After the death of Saul and Jonathan,
"David asked: "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"
2 Samuel 9:1
David valued and appreciated the role Jonathan played at the most difficult moments of his life. David could have been killed by Saul but Jonathan shielded him.
1 Samuel 19.
I pray that God will locate you and I with the 'Jonathan', 'Samuel', 'Butler', 'Elijah', 'Moses' of our lives in the name of Jesus. .
Someone said;
Fake friends are like shadow, they follow you in the sun, but leave you in the dark.
If you stood aloof and afar off when trials and challenges of life came upon me, why should you be by my side when I am being celebrated?
David said:
"Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me".
Psalm 41:9.
Children of God, friends of this world may not support your dream, many of them will even abandon you when the going gets tough, but you can be sure Jesus will be by your side through it all.
Jesus said;
"Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:30.
In conclusion, I beseech you to form an ally with This JESUS and you can be sure, he will walk you through every step that you take in life.
RELEASED ON 21 / AUGUST/ 2019
#ANDGODSAID
"No woman in your land will miscarry or be barren; I will fulfill the number of your days".
Exodus 23:26.
Children of God, the word of God has been tested and trusted (Psalm 12:6) over the years and it remains one of the most reliable weapons at our disposal.
According to the Psalmist, God honours His word above all of His names.Psalm 138:2
In the same vein,
the word of God says;
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Psalm 127:3
However, it is important that you know and have a relationship with this God.
Consequently, I beseech you all particularly every expectant Mother and Father out there; that you connect with Jesus in order to invoke and claim the above words of God into your lives and believe same.
As the Lord lives, before whom I stand; it won't be long before you share your own testimony.
As for those of us that have been blessed already, our children who are heritage of the Lord; bundle of Joy will not turn to sorrow in the name of Jesus. .
RELEASED ON 19/ AUGUST/ 2019
BITTER PILL AWAITS THE WICKED!
#AndGodSaid ;
"Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done".
Isaiah 3:10&11.
Literally, a wicked person is someone that is evil or one who deliberately harm other people.
Children of God, we live in a world full of evil and wickedness. I mean unimaginable evil.
Apostle Paul had warned us;
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places".
Ephesians 6:12.
Those spiritual wickedness in high places dwell in the heart of men and women. How did I know?
God said in the book of Jeremiah chapter 17:9;
The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
Obviously, our God does not condone evil. The bible makes us to understand that God hates evil deeds and wickedness;
"For you are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with you".
Psalm 5:4.
Without doubt, God is merciful. That's why God bears with the wicked, but not forever though!
Many people are taking the mercy of God for granted. To this end, wickedness is gradually finding legitimacy in our environment.
How does one explain a wicked fellow who perpetually manipulates and
perpetuates evil acts seeking and praying for mercy.
Thank God mercy belongs to God. The bible says;
"To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him"
You can only give or order what you have access to. God requires that all sinners repent of their sins, hence repentance is a prerequisite to obtaining mercy.
Ezekiel 33:11
Therefore, I beseech you not to engage in futile exercise by praying for mercy for an unrepentant wicked fellow.
"Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free".
Proverbs 11:21.
Someone once said; "A good man has more hope in his death than a wicked man in life"
A bitter pill can be defined as an extreme vexation or humiliation
especially one constituting a punishment, retribution that is unavoidable expedient on someone that has done evil.
Hear me, the wickedness of the wicked shall turn to his destruction, for evil shall be his reward.
Yoruba people call the wicked people.
"Apa omo lekun jaye".
Meaning, someone that causes sorrow and pain to others,but wants to enjoy life.
What an Aberration!
Hear me;
“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
Isaiah 48:22
The phrase “the chicken has come home to roost” is an expression that implies that bad things a wicked person says or does will come back to hurt them.
Children of God;
"I have seen people plow fields of evil and plant wickedness like seed; now they harvest wickedness and evil".
Job 4:8.
The perpetrators of evil deeds will not go without punishment.
Pray this prayer for yourself and your family; any man or woman who points a finger at me or towards any member of my family for evil purpose, the remaining four fingers will heap that evil back to the fellow in Jesus name.
"Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them" .
Proverbs 26:27.
In the name of the One(Jesus) that called me;
"Ise buburu ota mi a dale won lori" Meaning;
every evil work of my enemy will heap on his head.
After all, we are meant to pray for our enemies.
There is no justification for anyone planning or perpetuating evil against another. In the same vein, it is equally wickedness for anyone to be in connivance with a wicked person to hurt another.
My grouse is particularly against those drumming support for and are pampering the wicked people and those who
have anything to do with kidnapping and ritual killings in Nigeria;
As the Lord lives before whom I stand, every conspirator or
anyone aiding and abetting a wicked person in scheming, plotting or devising evil acts towards others will not escape the bitter pill of their wickedness in the name of Jesus.
Apparently, wicked people have a way of supporting one another. That is their strength.
However, my bible says; "He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD".
Proverbs 17:15
Unfortunately, wickedness is not written on the forehead.
A popular Yoruba adage says: "All lizards lie down with their stomach but no one can discern which one of them is having stomach ache"
Meaning, wicked people are not easily known. They could be someone that smiles at you the mostly,
colleagues, closest friends, neighbours, your co-worshippers or even family members.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said;
"Your worst enemies will be the members of your own family".
Matthew 10:36. see also Micah 7:6&7.
When David was told, “Ahithophel (his counsellor) was among the conspirators with Absalom
(his son), David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”
1 Samuel 15:31
Eventually, Absalom died and Ahithophel committed suicide.
I pray again, every " Ahithophel" engaging in any evil plot with another person(s) against me and my family will hurt themselves in the name of Jesus.
However, God only fight for His children. If you are yet to give your life to Jesus ,perhaps you are the architect of evil against your life.
Open the door of your heart to Him now.
In conclusion, I beseech you not to lift a finger against perpetrators of evil or device any scheme to retaliate;
"For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Roman's 12:19
However, we all have a role to play, the choice is yours to make. You can either join bandwagon of people singing mercy for the wicked who refuses to repent or you speak out and pray.
2 Chronicles 7:14.
However, the greatest evil or injustice anyone can do is by failing to do anything about the wicked.
The legendary German Physicist, Albert Einstein once said: "The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it".
Consequently, I enjoin you to use the armour of God and be very consistent in aggressive prayers as stated in
Ephesians 6:14-18.
against the wicked and be sure your hands are clean.
Remember; He who comes to God (equity) must come with clean hands"
Psalm 24:3&4.
If your hands are clean of evil;
"You will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked".
Psalm 91:8.
RELEASED ON 16/ AUGUST/ 2019
ARE YOU IMPACTING LIVES?
Apostle Paul wrote:
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."
Romans 12:6-8
According to Kevin Kruse an American Professor:
"Life is about making an impact, not making an income.”
The question is: are you impacting lives?
Too often we underestimate the impact of a hug, a smile, a word of encouragement, a listening ear, an honest opinion, having people around us or hearing the word of God; all of which have the power to transform lives.
Many of us are fond of celebrating birthdays, wedding anniversary, number of years we have worked, including people celebrating the number of years in the work of Ministry etcetera.
Celebrating these landmark years of service, anniversaries are not bad, after all the bible says;
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom".
Psalm 90:12
However, what is more important is the impact that we made in those years.
The earthly Ministry of Jesus only lasted for three and a half years, yet He made the greatest impact ever recorded by anyone on earth.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down His life for His friends".
John 15:13
Children of God, your life has a purpose, your story is also important, your dreams count, your voice matters a lot, but more valuable is the impact that you make.
Many of the Priests, Scribes, Pharisees and Saducees that existed during the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ on earth were not known by name or the impact they made.
They were only referred to in the bible by reason of their antagonism to our Lord Jesus, His disciples and the spread of the Good News.
The bible says;
"They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work".
Titus 1:16
There were many women during the time of Jesus on earth but the bible made reference to Mary of Bethany
(John 11:2) the woman who had an Alabaster Box of ointment very precious and she decided to pour it on Jesus and many people thought she was wasteful, but Jesus said;
“Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me?
Mark 14:6.
There after, Jesus released a prophecy;
"Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
Mark 14:9.
The joy of that story for me is that I am privileged today for sharing the Gospel of Jesus and true to the words of my Lord Jesus in Mark 14:9. I am making reference to the woman with the Alabaster Box. Halleluyah!!!
Hear me children of God, everyone of us has the potentials of making positive impacts in our generation but everything depends on what we do with our lives.
One thing is sure, when you work in line with your purpose you will definitely impact lives. Simon Peter struggled as a fisherman but impacted lives as Fisher of men.
Many people have recently been ordained as Deacons, Deaconesses, Assistant Pastor, Pastors.
I seize this opportunity to congratulate you all. Although the ordination is merely a public recognition and proclamation of the essential Call of God one's life. The ordination itself does not confer any power on the person being ordained
Read about ordination of Saul and David;
1 Samuel 15:1 & 16:1.
When Apostle Paul was to be ordained, the bible says;
"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Acts 13:2
Ordination, however comes with obligation to serve, impacting lives and the society at large for the sake of the name of Jesus. See Acts 9:15&16.
Different strokes for different folks; the emergence of some people in your society, work place or church can have a tremendous impact on your life and the place to the extent that you can barely remember what life was like without them.
I had the privilege of being under a Pastor for two months in the year 2018 and I can tell you the man impacted so much into my life through his teachings of which many other people corroborated same.
Despite, the fact that this man occupies a very busy office in a Government institution he dedicated so much time to teaching both week days and on Sundays, very passionate and active about evangelism and Sunday School sessions.
I remembered his words during the very first briefing session he held with the workers, where he said his major priority is to ensure a Parish without a proper church building gets a befitting structure and he mobilised funds and men for that purpose.
To the Glory of God, that place is impacting lives today. I visited the Church earlier this year and I couldn't stop appreciating God for making use of the Pastor to expand the Gospel.
God can use anybody for His work, but availability is important to God. 2 Timothy 2:21
Are you desirous of sacrificing quality time for the work of God? Your impact will be evaluated after you must have left.
The king that ruled and the kingdom expanded his name will be remembered for long, in the same vein, the king who ruled and the kingdom became afflicted and scanty will not be forgotten either.
We are still referencing the good works of Mary of Bethany; Mary Magdalene, Tabitha, Cornelius, Timothy not because of their ordination, title or position they held, but simply because of the impact they made to the Gospel.
The choice is yours to take. Do you want to be remembered like the Scribes and Pharisees, who though were connected to the Church but only worked against Jesus and the disciples or do you desire to be referenced like Apostle Paul and Simon Peter; who laboured tirelessly, touching lives and expanded the Gospel?
Brothers and Sisters, the greatest impact you can make in this life is: leading other people to Jesus. Luke 15:7.
How committed have you been for this course,
are you winning souls for God?
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.."
Romans 1:16
The burden of spreading the Gospel rest on you and I(Born Again Christians).
I pray that may our works continue to make positive impacts in the kingdom of God in Jesus name.