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