CHRISTMAS: A TIME TO CELEBRATE CHRIST

 CHRISTMAS : A TIME TO CELEBRATE CHRIST 

His birth was mysterious

He was destined to be great 

He was destined to be a deliverer 

He was birth by a virgin

He was birth by a poor family 

He was born in a manger 

Nothing to attract one to him

Wise men from the East visited him with gifts 

Herod was destabilised

Many innocent children were killed 

He was taken to Egypt on a rescue mission 

He came back and everything about him was silent until he was thirty 

He began his ministry with power

He healed all form of diseases

His disciples took him for a messiah to rescue them from the Roman empire 

His disciples were planning on who to take juicy positions 

He became so famous that the governors and rulers of the land desired to see him

They planned to make him king but he rejected it

He stopped many wrong practices in the temple where he worshipped 

He never studied under any Rabbi but he was teaching Rabbis 

He made serving God simple

He put a barrier between darkness and light 

He became the light 

Anywhere he turned to there was joy

Devil became angry 

He wanted him dead

His disciple betrayed him

Another disciple denied him

He died a shameful death 

He died in exchange for a die hard robber

His destiny was cut short 

His sun set at midday 

The veil of the temple torn into pieces 

Unknown to the enemy that his death fulfilled his ministry 

In grave, death could not hold him captive 

He is the LORD

Devil was defeated 

Keys of death and hades was collected from him

He rose again to declare his victory 

There were shakings and trembling in the kingdom of darkness 

The battle over the souls of men were lost 

Christ won the battle 

He paid it all with his life 

They attempted to cover up his resurrection with  false stories 

It was too late

He is risen

He ascended in victory 

He sent the Holy Spirit 

Christmas is here again

They came up  with theories why Christmas should not be celebrated 

They have forgotten it is all about Christ 

In Christmas we celebrate his birth 

We reflect whether we are still saved 

We tell others about Christ 

We give to others in need 

Christmas is a season of joy 

We sing of his faithfulness 

We declare his love 

We spread his love till he is known by all

Christmas is for all

Not for Christians 

Not for saints 

It is for all

It is a time to celebrate Christ 

A time to tell the whole world that Jesus is the answer to the World's problem. 

Christmas is all about christ 

Christmas is a time to worship and celebrate Christ in a special way. 

Abolanle Oladipupo 

24th December 2020 

DEAR PROPHET! DON'T TALK TOO MUCH

        DEAR PROPHET! DON'T TALK TOO MUCH

          A prophet is usually a mouth piece or oracle of God. He has close relationship with God and have learnt to discern the voice of God. He is sensitive to the leading and wavelength of the Holy Spirit. A prophet can either foretell or fort tell. To foretell is to prophesy and to forth tell simply means to declare the message of God as received from God either via teaching, sermons or exhortation.

        Being a prophet gives you access to information that others may not know. A prophet does not know everything. He only knows what God decides to reveal to him per time. As a result of this he need to constantly depend on him at all times. Reading through the account of the old prophet and the young prophet in 1kings 13:1-34. many things have been said which may not be true. Notable among them was that the Prophet rested when he did not suppose to rest. If he had been on the move the old prophet might not have met him relaxing under the Oak tree. From Jerusalem in Judea territory to Bethel is hours by foot. It is not possible to travel such a distance in a day without taking a rest. What made the young prophet prey to the evil tactics of the old prophet was that he revealed too much information about his mission to the Old prophet. The old prophet only used the information revealed to him as a trap to set him up.

             Dear Prophet it is not everything God told you in the secret place that you must reveal and tell others in the course of ministering to them. Revealing them all may cut your life and destiny short. Only say what God ask you to say. It is not everybody you can pray for, it is not every invitation to minister that you must honour. It is not every minister that can be your friend. Not every prophet in the limelight with big and well known ministry are still prophets of God. Heaven may have rejected them and anyone that associate with them is cursed. 

          Hear this it takes a prophet to bring a prophet down. It takes a pastor to bring a pastor down. It takes an Apostle to bring an Apostle down and it takes a teacher to bring a teacher down. Not all ministers are God's ministers. There are also ministers that have sold their souls for the devil because of fame, wealth and position. Dear prophet be careful of what to say, do not talk too much. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you at all times so that you will not be a victim but a Victor.

Abolanle Oladipupo

24th December 2020 

" Is Evangelism easy"

                       "Is Evangelism easy?"

                  Last year January during a leadership training organised by Haggai Institute for final year Seminarians. One of the Facilitators asked a question: "Is evangelism easy? All hands were down but I raised my hand up to affirm that Evangelism is easy. The facilitator looked at me as if I was from another world. In his own opinion Evangelism is not easy but as for me it is very easy. Other seminarians were surprised too that I insisted that Evangelism is easy.

         After the seminar, some seminarians cornered me about five that why should I argued with the facilitator that Evangelism is easy knowing fully well that is is not easy. My simple response was that Evangelism is easy because I am not the one witnessing or evangelising to souls but the Holy Spirit in me is the one doing the soul winning business. My own duty is to release myself as a vessel to be used for Evangelism. At this, they were all dumbfounded and began to walk away one after the other.

Abolanle Oladipupo 

22nd December 2020 

I almost gave up

                      I almost gave up

      Last week Saturday I was on the street in Ibadan to evangelise. I was very heavy after coming from a wedding ceremony. The Holy Spirit reminded me "it is time to evangelise" as I was relaxing in my living room watching the match between Southampton and Manchester City. I left, went to my prayer room and began to pray for empowerment to carry out the task ahead of me. I stood up after praying and decided to step out and do my masters business. I got to the street revealed to me having trekked for certain minutes. I saw a good number of people but I was not propelled within to share the word of God with them and I was so sure that God revealed the place to me. I was not happy within me, I started thinking within me if I had known I could have finished watching the match and many negative thoughts were going within me. As I was about reaching my house, I heard the Holy Spirit telling me that he was not yet done with me for the day. Being a Prophet I knew my father was up to something. I listened to him and I turned back. He began to lead and I followed until I got to a house. Three young people were infront discussing right there. He told me entered and shared the word with them. For like three minutes I was reflecting on it. I actually entered the house, greeted and shared the word with them. They accepted the gospel with joy and I prayed together with them.

         It is not yet over until it is over. Have you already concluded that 2020 is a bad year. God is saying that it is not yet over until it is over if you do not give up God is able to turn your situation around for the best and you will marvel. Hold on pleasant surprises are coming your way.

Abolanle Oladipupo

22nd December, 2020 

THE DANGER OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PRAYERS

 The danger of Psychological prayers

       Psychological prayers are prayers informed as a result of the state of mind of the people. Such prayers are usually prayed vigorously because the people feel that the prayers correspond to their situations unknown to them that their pastor have taken advantage of their state of mind. Psychological prayer becomes dangerous to the church if the pastor do not longer seek God's face to hear from him on what to pray for. The pastor assumed that he already know the situation of his members. Another danger of psychological prayer is that it leads to syncretism. There are so many prayer points that are based on African traditional practices which does not have scriptural basis.Another danger of Psychological prayer is that it produces religious Christians with shallow faith and can easily be driven away when storm arises. 

          It is not a problem to understand the psychology of your church members it becomes an issue if you are relying on that alone without depending on the Holy spirit in the course of interceding for them and leading them in a public prayers.

           The act of praying is spiritual and without fire of the Holy ghost it becomes a physical activity. So many public prayers in Revivals and weekly prayers are full of manipulations. People should not be coerced to pray. Give them the word of life and before you raise prayer points they are already praying to God with a zeal that cannot be explained. Failure to labour in the word before revival meetings will lead to psychological and manipulative prayers.

Abolanle Oladipupo

17th December, 2020 

Tracts Evangelism

   Tracts evangelism 

         This is simply sharing of gospel tracts to people. It seems to be one of the easiest forms of evangelism. Testimonies abound on how tracts have saved souls via reading. As easy as tracts sharing is,It has its own intricacies which must be understood.

              The tracts you are sharing is not an ordinary leaflet. It is word of Christ which is able to save lives. Before you embark on sharing tracts, engage in serious prayers because you are on a spiritual assignment. Sometimes in 2010 while sharing tracts on university campus, right there in my presence the tract I gave out was torn into pieces, a student also confronted me why not share the money you are using to print this gospel tracts. Another student also said give me the tracts at least I will have a leaflet to solve mathematical problems. These and many more you will see in the course of sharing tracts that may provoke you into anger or fight but you must be in control of your spirit. It's a spiritual exercise that must be done in a spiritual way.

                   Finally do not just share a tract like a robot. I used to be like that until I learn my lesson. On that day trekking from my hostel to campus as of my habit I hand over tracts to anyone I meet on the road. On that morning I gave a student tract without saying any word just like a robot. He called me back and scolded me that I don't have manners that at least I should say good morning before giving him a tract. I felt so bad, I apologised, said good morning and he collected the tract from me. Be formal and professional with sharing of tracts. Say good morning how are you doing? Kindly have this tract. Be courteous and many people will collect tract with you from joy. It is rare to repel kindness, stop sharing tracts like robots, be kind with words as you share tracts and you will be surprised to see its great effects.

#100billionsoulsforChrist 

Abolanle Oladipupo

9th December 2020 

Power pass power

 Power pass power

      Sometimes in 2017 I boarded a bus from Ibadan enroute Ilorin. The Holy Spirit told me to declare the word. I was a bit reluctant and afraid because there were Islamic scholars and clerics in full regalia as passengers in the bus. The more I looked at them the more I became afraid. I decided to look at Christ and I found courage to declare the word of God. In the process of preaching the gospel one of the Islamic scholars flashed me a silver ring. I have never seen such a big ring with quranic inscription on it. As I was preaching he kept pointing his finger to me but to my amazement as he was doing this the anointing of the LORD became so great on me in a way I had never experienced before till I finished the gospel and I prayed together with them as I led some to Christ. After the ministration the Islamic scholar kept looking at his ring as if it had failed him. I smiled within me and tell my self that power pass power.

            The gospel is the power of God and we should not be afraid or ashame to declare the gospel anywhere we find ourselves. Whatever your fears, God is able to quench it if you are willing to allow him preach through you to others. No one can tell the efficiency and power of the gospel in converting souls. Yours is to say it and God's work is to change their hearts.

#100billionsoulsforChrist

Abolanle Oladipupo

2nd December, 2020 

The earth is the LORD'S

                 The earth is the LORD'S

               Sometimes in 2016, I was evangelising door to door in ogbomoso Town. On that particular Saturday I was moving and it was as if Holy Spirit was in front and I was following eventhough I have not been to those places before. I eventually entered a stronghold of a Sango man in his full attire and his wife was with him in a relaxed mode. He was very furious to see me in his presence. At that moment too I was scared I did not know that the Spirit of God was leading me there. In his anger he asked me: "who give you the order to come here and did I realise where I am" At that instant the Holy Spirit filled me beyond measure and I replied him that: "The earth belongs to the LORD and the one who owns the earth have sent me to share the gospel with him". He was dumbfounded, shocked and astonished. I declared the word of God to him and prayed together with him for the salvation of his soul.

                  Witnessing to souls require walking together with Holy Spirit the soul winner. Do not wait for him to tell you all the details of what you will encounter before you step out to declare the word of God. If God had told me that I should go to a sango priest, I would have gone on several fastins and prayer but he did not tell me that because I am not the one witnessing but Christ in me. The Holy Spirit is always there to help you each time you find yourself in a difficult situation while witnessing. Just be led by him and he will always give you victories. 

#100billionsoulsforChrist 

Abolanle Oladipupo

9th December, 2020

"Put down your hand, You are not yet a father"

                  "Put down your hand, You are not yet a father"

                  Sometimes in January 2019, I was in Haggai institute leadership training for pastors in the seminary. During the course of the training, one of the facilitators said all fathers in the meeting should kindly raise up their hand and I did. A pastor at the back suddenly tapped me from behind saying: "Pastor Bola put down your hand because you are not yet a father" .

I was dumbfounded and astonished at his response. Many thoughts flood my mind. Having married for about 3 years and my wife had two miscarriages and just two weeks to the time of that meeting she had still birth. I came to that training by faith only to be remembered by a pastor that I am not yet a father. I summoned courage, I kept my hand up and acted as if I did not hear him.

          I got home wounded in my spirit and went on my knees. I cried to God and pleaded for his intervention. Twenty nine months later the Good LORD  answered my prayer and granted me a child. 

              God will not allow his servant to be put to shame. The moment people start using your reproach to ridicule you, God is set to do a miracle. He work with his own clock and not yours. No man can say you will be childless until your end is seen. No man can say you will die without your own house until your end is seen. No man can say you will be a failure until your end is seen. Keep praying without giving up and in his own time he will settle you in a big way. 

#100billionsoulsforChrist 

Abolanle Oladipupo 

2nd December, 2020 

          

          

And the Word met opposition (2)

 And the Word met opposition (2

                Sometimes in 2011 in a car from Ibadan to Ago Iwoye. The Holy Spirit prompted me to preach the gospel and I obeyed. An Islamic scholar was in the bus and started saying you are disturbing me. Kindly stop this. I press on preaching before I knew it he brought out his laptop and began to play certain Islamic recitations at a high volume. I kept on preaching later after about few minutes he began to scream in pains and holding his head. I did not even look at his side I kept on preaching the gospel till I declared the whole message of God and I ministered with a great prophetic anointing in prayer. After the prayers there was a silence even the Islamic scholar fell into deep sleep.

             Devil is a bastard and he is an expert at blocking and resisting the gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ. It takes the power of God to silent him and overcome him. Whatever the opposition to sharing the gospel, face it and be courageous in the power of the LORD.

#100billionsoulsforChrist 

Abolanle Oladipupo

2nd December 2020

And the Word met opposition (1)

 And the Word met opposition (1)

             I  was in a car moving from  oko to ogbomoso.The car was coming from Osogbo and almost filled with students. The Holy Spirit prompted me to declare the word. I started to preach the gospel suddenly one man told the driver to stop me from preaching the gospel. I didn't act as if I heard him, I continued to declare the word. Few minutes the guy started shouting" I said stop". Before I knew it he became wild and was about to lay his hands on my neck and stiff life out of me. At this point his hand got stiff. He just couldn't do it. I continue to preach the gospel. After the preaching, I prophetically prayed for them all and their was a resounding amen from all the passengers. The man became more distressed after the prayers.

        Devil is good at opposing the preaching of the gospel but as  a witness or an Evangelist you have to be "headstrong" and "stubborn" in the Lord for you to be victorious over his tactics. The moment you open your mouth to declare the gospel no man should stop you or angels except the God that prompted you to preach because he is the one speaking through you. No matter the opposition the word of God cannot be caged and it will be preached till the ends of the earth.

#100billionsoulsforChrist

"He was shocked"

 He was shocked that I was an university student

          Sometimes in 2008, there was a strike and I was at home. I picked up my bible and went to Dugbe Market and I began to witness the gospel from shop to shop. In one of the shops opposite zenith Bank. A man saw me he looked at me, despised me and said: You better go and find job to do, all your mates are in school but you are carrying bible preaching all around. I responded back by dipping my hand into my pocket and brought out my university student identity card and showed it to him.The man was extremely shocked and I left him.

#100billionsouls for Christ.

Abolanle Oladipupo

2nd December, 2020 

The day I was almost lynched (2)

 The day I was almost lynched (2)

                 Last week Saturday I was on the streets of Ibadan preaching the gospel House to house. I entered a street, I began to witness, I witnessed to an old man, he accepted the gospel with joy, asked questions and was willing to repent from known sins as we prayed prayer of commitment together. Immediately after witnessing the gospel I saw a teenager playing with his phone. I walked towards him and began to communicate the gospel with him. Unknown to me that some group of women about seven saw me. One of them who claimed to be the mother of the teenager I was witnessing to came and took the boy away. He said the boy did not need to hear the word of God. I was simply dumbfounded before I knew what was happening she had instigated other women against me that I am a  kidnapper who had come in the guise of a pastor. Within minutes all the women went out to pick up their wards inside. I left there and move to the other street. I saw children about five playing, I joined them and witnessed the gospel to them. Unknown to me that the women from the other street were following me, they disrupted the gospel and forced me out of their area with shouts:" thief!" "Kidnapper!" As I was leaving, men had mobbed me desiring to know my mission in their area, I explained and to my amazement they believed my report and I walked away peacefully without anyone touching me while the woman that led the revolt was still shouting he is a kidnapper get him. I was not discouraged I moved on to another place and declare the gospel and to my surprise again the word of God broke the man's heart and accepted the gospel. From there again I moved to a shop and witnessed the word to two Jehovah witnesses and they also accepted the gospel. 

               Devil hate the gospel and he is in the business of frustrating God's servant. He knows the word of God cannot be frustrated but he can do all he can to frustrate carrier of the gospel. As an Evangelist or witness do not be discouraged even if you are called negative names for gospel sake still go ahead and preach the gospel. The gospel is the light of God in a dark world. No matter the rage of darkness, it can not overcome the light of the gospel. #100billionsoulsforChrist

Abolanle Oladipupo 

2nd December 2020

The day I was almost lynched (1)

  The day I was almost lynched (1)

                 On a sunny Saturday sometimes in 2009. I set out to evangelise in Ago Iwoye Town. I was moving from house to house and I came to a house met a group of people about five outside their house relaxing, I plead with them to share the gospel with them and they accepted with joy. I declared the gospel in its power. They were blessed, unknown to me there was a man inside hearing all what I was saying. He came with force and anger ranting: "Why should you say that we should stop serving idols and start worshiping Jesus" I did not utter a word, when he discovered that I did not respond. He raised his voice insinuating crowd against me. Before the crowd could get there I had tip toed forward. The crowd had gathered, looking for the preacher that told them to stop worshipping idols.

                  Christ have not called us to argue the gospel with anyone but to declare it. Had I argued with the man I might not be alive to tell the story. Evangelists and soul winners need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit for them to have a fruitful soul winning exercise. The Holy Spirit is the soul winner and we need to cooperate with him in discharging our duties of witnessing to others or we may get into trouble. God's work done in God's way never lack support and power

Abolanle Oladipupo

30th November 2020

DEVIL FALL LIKE LIGHTNING

      DEVIL FALL LIKE LIGHTNING 

            Each time I read the account of the disciples sent on mission to preach the gospel. It marveled me. Especially the part devil was falling like lightning. As I was meditating on the verse then it dawned on me nine years ago when I stormed the popular Ago Iwoye five day Market with members of the Evangelism School Ago Iwoye. I preached Christ on that afternoon and the power of God was on me beyond measure. Something spectacular happened as I was preaching the gospel, three middle aged women came from nowhere as if they disappeared into my presence. I was not bothered, I kept on preaching the Christ and they knelt down and bowed down three times right there in front of where I was preaching and left Immediately while I continued declaring the gospel.

Years after the Holy Spirit told me that these are the power and principalities that controlled the land. They have just come to surrender and bow to the power of the most high God.

           Power pass power. Even witches and kingdom of darkness trembled at God's presence. As a child of God you carries God's presence and witches are meant to tremble at your sight. There is a problem with the salvation of a Christian that tremble at the sight of witches and agent of darkness. The Holy Spirit lives in you and he is greater than all the forces of darkness in this world. Do not dabble into anything that will make God's presence depart from you. His presence in your life will drive darkness away from you and his agents will fall like lightning before you. 

Abolanle Oladipupo

25th November

2020 

"Evangelist are you still on fire"?

         "Evangelist are you still on fire" ?

               Some years back at the university one of the lecturers who had left the school and returned for a visit saw me on campus. He was very happy and out of anxiety he screamed Evangelist are you still on fire? For a moment I paused, pondered on the question and I replied him I am on fire.

             That question are you still on fire? Keep ringing on my mind till today? Truly there are evangelists. Many started hot for God and could go anywhere to preach the gospel. The passion for souls was burning in them and they were thirsty for souls. Everyone in the neighborhood know them. If they are not on the streets witnessing to souls, they are on their knees praying for souls but suddenly complacency sets in. One of the greatest problems is not sin or pleasure or comfort but the major problem is discouragement. The evangelist is usually seen as the "strong one". Nobody cares to check on him or ask about his welfare or wellbeing. People easily forget that evangelists too are humans with blood running in their veins. I could remember as an Evangelist in the church and the pastor called me aside. He scolded me if you are really working the population of the church should have increased by now. I felt bad on that day, no words of appreciation and all I could say was that I will work on it. I went to my closet and expressed my concerns to God. God answered my prayers, the following week people that have witnessed Christ to started calling me that they wanted to attend my church and gradually the church began to grow numerically. As an Evangelist if you must ever be on fire, you must know and learn how to encourage yourself when you are downcast or when things does not work out as you expect.

                     An evangelist that will ever be on fire must know when to retreat. There are times you have to retreat so that you can stay alive to conquer greater battles. An evangelist that will ever be on fire must not fight to finish. Take a break and during that break, study the word of God and pray fervently. It is in God's presence that you will be refresh and empower to do greater exploits.

                   An evangelist that will ever be on fire must stay within his ministry. An evangelist must be contented with his ministry. As an evangelist you don't have business in becoming a pastor just because of the privileges in pastoral ministry. As an evangelist do not turn yourself into a Prophet because you want people to give you prophetic offering. God's presence will not keep you in the ministry he has not called you into. God hates interruption into another man's ministry and this action can cost you your life or render you inactive because his grace will not keep you where he has not placed you. 

              Evangelist if you want to ever be on fire subject your body to discipline. Paul said he put his body under control so that at the end of the day he will not be a cast away. As an evangelist it's not every program they invite you to that you must attend. It is not every food you must eat. An evangelist that will ever be on fire must put his appetite on checks. Appetite for food, sex, pleasure must be on checks so that you will not become wild and unusable in God's hands.

                 The fire which is the power of God is on an evangelist. It is duty of an Evangelist to stay in God's presence at all times so that his fire can glow and stay burning for the LORD. The consecration of an Evangelist is very important, sin draw man from God's presence. If he do away with all that want to distract him and stay focus on Christ alone he will ever be on fire for God.

Abolanle Oladipupo

25th November, 2020 

AND THE MOUTH BECAME BITTER

 AND THE MOUTH BECAME BITTER 

              The gospel is the power of God for salvation. This verse may not make sense until you experience the power of the gospel. This remind me of an experience at Ago Iwoye in Ogun state as a student preaching the gospel from door to door about eleven years ago . On that particular day I had preached to several people before gotten to a particular young woman. In the process of preaching the gospel suddenly I discovered that my mouth became bitter. As I continued preaching the bitterness continued till I finished declaring the gospel. The lady got stuck and sobered till I left. I did not understand the meaning until now while reflecting on Romans 1: 16. The gospel is powerful and so many deliverances do take place in the process of declaring the word. Have God told you to witness to someone about him? Do not be afraid step out in faith and he will do the work through you. The gospel itself is a force at work in the lives of those who have yielded themselves as vessels to be used by God to change their world and no power on earth can stop the gospel of Christ. 

Abolanle Oladipupo

21st November 2020 

The Bus became a Bible study class

 THE BUS BECAME A BIBLE STUDY CLASS 

            God work in various ways and an evangelist need to be sensitive to the wavelength of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes this year I boarded a bus from Apata to Omi Adio. The Holy Spirit told me to witness in the bus, I was a bit reluctant because the bus was full to the brim and there was no ventilation. Since I was sure the Holy Spirit was leading me. I opened my mouth and declared the gospel.

              After the gospel declaration,A middle-aged man raised up his hand that he have a question. I told him to go ahead. He asked his question which was confidential and personal to him. At that moment I didn't know what to say because I didn't expect question. The Holy Spirit told me let people in the bus respond. Before I could respond, about 3 hands were already raised to answer him. To my surprise they answered him perfectly that I just have to affirm all what they have said. The man was happy and satisfied with the responses he received. 

               There are issues in the world and the gospel remain the answer to world's problems. I remain grateful for the opportunity to share the gospel in the bus and witnessing for the first time seeing a public transport becoming an interactive Bible study session.

Abolanle Oladipupo

21st November 2020 

CRAVE FOR THE WORD OF GOD LIKE A NEW BORN BABY

CRAVE FOR THE WORD OF GOD LIKE A NEW BORN BABY 

                     The word of God is life and Spirit. It is by his word we are saved and for us to remain in him we must abide in his word till it become spirit and life in us. The word of God is not greater than his name. The word of God is his name. His word is powerful and sharper than two edged sword. The word of God should be like a rivers of water in us flowing from us to believers and non believers. For us to continually be a source of water to others we need to stay connected to our God which is the source. A river that forgets his source will surely dry

             The Apostle in his writings to the church said we should crave for the word of God like a new born baby crave for breast milk. (1 Peter 2:2) This verse will make more sense if you visit a nursing mother or opportune to be where a baby is being nurtured. New born Babies crave for milk zealously and aggressivel with maximum concentration. They will not take their mouths from the breast until they are satisfied. The moment they are hungry, they cried for the milk and suck again till they are satisfied. The craving is neccesary because the breast milk have natural nutrients that makes the child grow and boost his immunity against sickness and diseases. If we crave for the word of God the way new born babies crave for milk, we will grow to become like Christ in our thoughts, actions and behaviors. The word of God is the only sure weapon that can protect us from the tricks and snares of Satan.

                  Growing in Christ is a voluntary decision that requires great level of discipline to do away with every form of distractions that may want to hinder us from getting to study the word of God deeply. Studying the word of God may not be easy but you have to be strong and approach it as a matter of life and death. How? The word of God is life without the word of God you will die spiritually. If you do not want to die spiritually, you have to crave for the word of God like a baby daily. It is only by the word of God you can survive in this world. Without the word of God, sin will creep in and distant you from God. Prioritize the word of God in your life and you will be spiritually active, vibrant and radiating God's glory.

Abolanle Oladipupo

18th November 2020 

 

Is God your father

         IS GOD YOUR FATHER ?

               The Lord's prayer begins with "Our father who hath in heaven". A good number of Christians and non Christians can recite this model prayer offhand. A critical look into the word father as used in the text will give us a better understanding of how to pray. The word father is translated from the greek word "pater" which means parent - father. This connotes that  father as used there means biologically related. An ideal father is committed to his children needs. A ideal father listen to his child, A ideal father protect, care and nurture his child.

                Many prayers are unanswered because God is not the father of those praying to him. If you are not related to God through Jesus Christ and separated from your sins. God will not listen to your prayer. He hears you but he is only committed to the needs of his children. God is light and all good things you may ever think of is from him but he is only committed to the needs of his children. The cannanite woman cried to Jesus for the deliverance of her daughter from demonic possession. Jesus replied " It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs" miracles, wonders, deliverance are inheritance of God's children.

          If God is your father, whatever you ask in his name he will do it for you and if he does not give you have a confidence that he desires what is best for you and he will give you in his own time. Prayer is meant to be a communication between us and God just like a father-child relationship. It is an aberration for you to use prayer as a tool to get God to do something for you.prayer is not meant to be a tool but a means of communication between a father and a child. That is why so many people resolve to other gods when their needs are not met. They are quick to forget that we are worshiping God for who he is. A child who ask his father for a gift and the father does not give him will not disfather him if truly he is his father. God know his children, his children also know him but Is God your father? 

Abolanle Oladipupo

13th November, 2020 

THE LITTLE BOY WAS RIGHT

   THE LITTLE BOY WAS RIGHT 

           Few years back while serving as a Children Pastor in a children church. I led them in pastoral prayer and I raised a prayer point that "Father do not let my debtors have peace until they pay all my debts". The children teachers began to pray fervently, the children also joined but behold a boy who drummed for us  changed the prayer point and prayed: "Father let my debtors have peace of mind so that they can pay all my debts" I was angry within me, tapped him from the back and told him why did he changed the prayer point and he explained "if he does not have rest of mind how will he be able to pay my debts". This didn't go well with me , I scolded him to pray the prayers as I raised it without altering it. 

    Few days later while meditating in my closet, The Holy Spirit told me expressly that you were wrong but the little boy was right. I was dumbfounded in the spirit and felt bad for scolding the little child that was right. Sometimes the reason why you are not getting answers to your prayers is that you are praying amiss.probably the reason Jesus's disciples beckoned on him to teach them how to pray. Whatever issues you are facing rely on the Holy Spirit to teach you on how to pray your way into breakthrough.

Abolanle Oladipupo

13th November, 2020 

DO NOT TOLERATE THAT JEZEBEL

 DO NOT TOLERATE THAT JEZEBEL

                  Jezebel is a beautiful name that means chastity but the role played by Jezebel the wife of Ahab made the name to be associated with lust, seduction, pride, manipulation, deceit and wickedness. Elijah reputed to be one of the most powerful Prophets that ever lived fled away from her. Why? The best approach to attack seduction is to flee away from it.

           Jezebel controlled over eight hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and made them do her will. She silenced all the prophet's except Elijah who dared her but only to later ran away when she threatened to kill her. She was powerful and ruled behind the throne of Northern Israel during Ahab's reign. She was simply a god that could get "anything" she wanted and people dreaded her.Her atrocities were so great like the killing of Naboth who could not forfeit his father's inheritance for Ahab. She was a reference point of evil in her generation and the evil she did even lived after her.she singlehandedly ruined the political career of her husband. God had to anoint Jehu specially to get rid of her. It takes a Jehu anointing to get rid of Jezebel.

               Hundreds of years later, God is rebuking the church of Thyatira for tolerating Jezebel in their midst. This Jezebel was a powerful person either male or female controlling, manipulating and seducing the leadership of the church into doing evil. The evil may not be sexual immorality. It can be favoritism, prejudices and politicizing the church system for their selfish gains. The Jezebels do not see anything wrong in their doings, it is a normal thing to them and they derive joy in it. They can do anything to remain in control of the church even if it will take wasting of lives.God was not happy with them because they refuse to repent. This act invoked God's wrath and warned of impending danger if the Jezebel refuse to change.

                  Jezebels are everywhere today, they are in church, schools, governments and every facet of life. Their roles are to manipulate and control the leadership of the organization for their own selfish gains and interests which is usually at the detriment of others. As a leader it is your duty to recognize the activities of Jezebels in your organization and refuse to be under their control. You belong to everyone and not to a person or group of people. Jezebels mission are to ruin organizations for their own betterment. To tolerate a Jezebel is to sit on a gun powder. Get the Jezebel out before he gets you out or render you incapacitated. 

            The pastor of the church in Thyatira came under serious rebuke for tolerating Jezebel in the church. As a leader you are responsible for all that happen in your domain. Take responsibility, act, and flush out that Jezebel before he get you out of your position. Jezebels are not easy to get out because they have tentacles in all the units of an organization. Attempt to get them out by force may get you into crises  if you do not carry Christ along. Remember that it took a Jehu anointing to get rid of Jezebel. To get a Jezebel out tarry in the LORD's presence until you get the "Jehu anointing" that waste Jezebels. After getting the power you launch out and get rid of that Jezebel. God will not do it for you, you have to act and confront that Jezebel in prayer and corresponding actions. 

Abolanle Oladipupo 

11th November, 2020 

A LAMENTATION FOR NIGERIA

 A LAMENTATION FOR NIGERIA

Nigeria, our valued and esteemed country

A country born out of interests

A land blessed with  human and earthly resources 

A country made of nations with diversity in culture and language. 

A country that some have sacrificed their lives for her well being but yet still sick

A country groaning in pains from corruption, poverty and bad leadership 

A country suffering in the midst of abundance 

Oh my country rise up! 

She cannot rise 

She has been sucked dry by her enemies 

She is fainting and gasping for breath 

She is bleeding but her leaders seem not to care

They are milking her and she is groaning in pains 

Prophets are sounding calls for her rescue

Her lovers are crying 

Her leaders are seeing call to rescue as threats to take the leadership from them

Oh my country when will you have peace? 

When will banditry stop? 

When will corruption stop? 

When will nepotism stop? 

When will terrorism stop? 

The country of our dream is no longer safe

Dogs are killing lions

Baboons have hijacked the aircraft 

Baboons cannot fly 

Her pilots are wailing 

The country is stagnant 

The country is deteriorating 

Her economy is retrogressing 

Decaying while still breathing for life 

Worms of police brutality are coming out 

Worms of bad governance 

Worms of injustice 

Worms of unemployment 

Worms of epileptic power supply 

Worms of bad roads 

Worms of poor social amenities 

Worms of poverty 

Worms of bad health care system 

Worms of poor education system 

Worms of electoral malpractices

Her youths are wailing: "End police brutality" 

Their cries were seen as revolution to take over the government 

Her youths were killed 

They were killed for asking for a better governance 

The worms are not the problem

The worms are as a result of a desease 

The disease of bad governance. 

The system is favoring and benefiting few at the expense of the masses. 

Her youths want the country that works 

Her youths want a country where a child of nobody can become somebody 

Her youths want a country that meet basic needs of life 

Oh my country Arise! 

Will she make it? 

Her well wishers are saying reform and make it work for all

The cries are met with deafening silence 

Her dying condition is profiting her enemies 

Her enemies do not wish her well

Her lovers want her to be healthy and benefit all

Her enemies paraded themselves as her lovers 

They are killing her gradually yet they do not want her to die

Her death will not profit them but they keep doing what will kill her. 

How long will this tussle last? 

Oh my Country ! 

My heart cries for you 

We wish you get well but your enemies are stronger than you 

Oh God of creation arise

 Intervene before the labour of our heroes becomes vain. 

Abolanle Oladipupo (BSc, BTh ) 

31st October, 2020

CONTEND FOR THE GOSPEL

                    CONTEND FOR THE GOSPEL 

               The church of God has been facing persecution since its inception. The seed of the church is the blood of the Martyrs. Persecution is dynamic and take various forms. The general known form of persecution is killing of Christians and burning down of worship centers. This seem to be the highest form of persecution and the worst in human view. If you kill a Christian for his belief, you have assisted him in sending him home to rest in the LORD. If you burn down the church, you have just razed down the building because the church is  not monument but believers. Spreading the wrong gospel via false teachings is a great threat and disaster to the church. Believers become deceived and still believe that they are still believers. 

                  The false teachers have been let loose like wild dogs on the church. They twist the word of God and live lives that raises questions about the gospel. The natural response is to to curse them on the pulpit and raise red flags on their teachings but doing that may not be effective. As for curse, they are already cursed except they repent. The book of Jude gives us light on that: Jud 1:10 Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals--these are the very things that destroy them.

Apostle Paul was not bothered about the false teachers of his time. Instead of being distracted, he was focused and kept preaching the truth, teaching the truth and raising faithful men that would teach men the word of life. This generation is gracious, we have the technology which have enhance communication, the scripture can be on your phone, ipad and other gadgets for your meditation at all time. The role of God's servants is to preach the truth, teach the truth, live the truth and point men to the way of life. As a believer do not stop at that level, pray and study the word of God to a deeper level where it becomes a living water in you that flow to others. Reading devotional books and other spiritual books is good but it cannot replace the Bible. The Holy Spirit is always there to interpret it to you and it is the word that will cleanses you and sanctifies you. 

                The only antidote and cure to false teachings is spreading the truth of God by all means available. If the truth is spread the false teachers will be out of business. The people will even make a fun of them because they are deep in the truth. Instead of them devouring the sheep, they will run away from the sheep because they are armed and fully guarded with the truth. It is high time we preached truth like never before, teach the word, and read the word. Do not just listen, be like the Berean Christians. Study to show yourself approve to God. If you are vast in the word and deep in the word, you will not be swerved by the false teachers who are bend on destroying the church, gather flock and take advantage of the technology and the social media to draw many youths and gullible people. 

               The church is marching on and the gate of hell shall never prevail but the church have great roles to play. The church is getting worldly, worldliness is eating deep into the church, the church that should influence the world is being influence by the world. The truth is being watered and diluted by some Preachers and Teachers. They are more interested in their bellies than getting souls saved for the kingdom. Paul spoke of them in philippians 3:19,

 " They are going to end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world" (GNB) 

Pastors do not fail in preaching and teaching truth to church members. preach and teach the sound word of God. Failure to teach the church, false teachers will dictate what is right and will rubbish the faith of our fathers. Contend for the gospel,study the truth, preach the truth, teach the truth, and live the truth.members of the church do your best to make your pastor comfortable so that he can have time to study and go deep in the word of God. The only antidote to false teachings is growing deep in the word. Do not forget the Bible says if possible the saints will be deceived. This is itchy generation. This is the time Paul says it will be hard to be a Christian. This is the generation that dictates to the pastor what they want to hear. The truth remains the truth, it is our sword that can defend the gospel, being angry is not enough, commit to the truth, demonstrate your anger by living the truth, teach the truth, preach the truth and grow in the truth by studying the word daily. Our sure defence is the WORD OF GOD which is the sword that will destroy every form of false teachings against the church. It is time to brace up and contend for the gospel like never before. 

Abolanle Oladipupo

 Bsc(Oou) Bth(NBTS) 

12th September, 2020