The Hand of the Lord

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Bode Ososami

There are times we cannot be blamed when we see limitations, or observe the failing support of trusted allies or consider the dark hours and the familiar defeats mirrored once again in the situation at hand – only to come to the conclusion …”There is no hope.” Moses in a similar mode, could not possibly understand how the multitude in the wilderness would be fed …even if the seas found a strange route to the desert and vomited all the fish therein. Even if all the cattle were slaughtered and they encountered animals – even more than they could ever expect … how could there be enough to feed this multitude? But Moses was now, unlike in early premature attempts to move ahead of God’s schedule, a man who sought God …not just for his acts.

Many times we have looked at our challenges, difficulties or seen the decay in our nations or the dearth of truth in the wilderness of wandering saints … and like Moses say “I’m standing here surrounded by 600,000 men on foot and God says, ‘I’ll give them meat, meat every day for a month.’ So where’s it coming from? Even if all the flocks and herds were butchered, would that be enough? Even if all the fish in the sea were caught, would that be enough?”

Have you asked… where is my help going to come from? Where is the deliverance of our nations going to come from?

God answers Moses … Numbers 11[23] And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

The Church does not believe God. She trusts in her committees, taskforces … her means, her good men…her prayer bands and missionaries …her new found wealth. The Church does not believe that by a strong hand and by fire there shall be an awesome revival. She trusts in the flock, the crowds, her means … her leaders and the strong organisation … But God does not require this to move – good as they may be.

Doubt no more, take no thought of the worsening challenges or the defeats that appear imminent … instead consider that it is the Lord’s hand that is promised as your tool of deliverance and not yours or your weary allies.

God is speaking to someone and He says … you will see whether His word will come to pass or not. All tend to have times of doubt when we think God has not accepted us, or cannot save us or is too weary to help us. But look up again – O doubter … Believe your God and you shall prosper. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Look again … see Him and live.

Cursed sin of unbelief …be gone from us. It is the gracious, loving, strong and long hand of the Lord that attends to the matters before our nations.

Has the sacrifice of Christ and the blood of Jesus lost its efficacy ?…Why do you distrust Christ with a mock humility that your sins are varied and many? Is He unwilling to forgive? … Come to the foot of the cross and lay down all your burdens …exchange your waning strength for reliance on His sure hand. Could you dare to trust Him and live again?

Take your eyes off the headlines of horror, do not be distracted by the voices that say “how can it be?” … God has not promised to deliver us by mortal hands – especially yours.

Still we must also remember that if we continually ignore His plea to believe Him, repent and choose instead to live as His constant enemy and oppressors of His saving truths … continuing to do as we please – be certain that His hand is also not short to send terrible and fiery plagues in His fury.

Numbers 11[31] And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s journey on this side, and as it were a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. [32] And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. [33] And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.

But also remember …the hand of the Lord is not carte blanche or another free license to do as we wish… but guaranteed to all that truly seek him

Ezra 8 [22] For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.

Be ashamed of all you have looked up to for help … the band of soldiers and horsemen you have beckoned. Lord, instead teach us to seek you and look to you. You alone and you always it will henceforth be. Help us to trust in your nail pierced hands.

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Duncan Campbell on Revival and Spiritual Entertainment

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Bode Ososami

Duncan Campbell (1898 – 28 March 1972) was a Scottish preacher, who led the Hebrides Revival, a mid-20th century religious revival in the Scottish Hebrides. It is interesting to note the perspective of this man even at a time when methods were generally mild compared to these days and when a Christian experience similar to the apostles in the early church was still observable.

Duncan Campbell wrote in 1956 “The Price and Power of Revival”…

“These are days of much activity in the field of church and mission work, but we do well to remember that no amount of activity in the King’s service will make up for neglect of the King Himself. I do not believe that the devil is greatly concerned about getting between us and work: his great concern is getting between us and God. Many a Christian worker has buried his spirituality in the grave of his activity. It is possible to be doing a great deal in the name of religion, and yet not possible for it to be acceptable to God. The word of God declares: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. might: or, army

WP-Bible plugin)…We have introduced unspiritual ways and unscriptural activities in the field of evangelism, which, to my mind, threatens the very life of the church. “I have proved,” said Mrs Penn-Lewis, “That the presence of God is more attractive than Spiritual Entertainment. The truth is that we cannot compete with the world. We must win by the force of something far above competition, and this is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.” Glover said, “The early church conquered because the early church out-thought, out-lived and out-died the pagan.” That is, they showed a quality of life that could only be explained in terms of the Holy Spirit. Their work and witness leave us with no explanation apart from God. How much we need to return to spiritual sanity that leads to repentance and true humility …”

The Holy Spirit still delivers from all bondage, addictions and cures us from the love of the world and all its glamour and attractions. Spiritual entertainment will keep the audience applauding for performance while hearts still hurt and ache for the joy of the Lord …until the enemy of our soul strikes a final blow on an exposed soul that knows little of spiritual weapons that are not in any way carnal.

I also remember the words of an uncommon hymn…

Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word;
Once His gift I wanted, now, the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, now Himself alone.

Chorus
All in all forever, Only Jesus I’ll sing;
Everything is in Jesus, and Jesus is everything.

Once ’twas painful trying, now ’tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation, now the uttermost;
Once ’twas ceaseless holding, now He holds me fast;
Once ’twas constant drifting, now my anchor’s cast.

Once ’twas busy planning, now ’tis trustful prayer;
Once ’twas anxious caring, now He has the care;
Once ’twas what I wanted, now what Jesus says;
Once ’twas constant asking, now ’tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him, now He uses me;
Once the pow’r I wanted, now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored, now for Him alone.

Matthew 3 [8] Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: [9] And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Matthew 7 [13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Remain blessed.

(Author’s Blog)

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

The Blessing of Growing Clouds

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Bode Ososami

A cloud is often associated with lack of visibility, impaired judgment, uncertainty, unseen dust and an approaching experience that has adverse implications. Aircraft would often seek to avoid them, as in the worst of weather, poor visibility has been responsible for disasters. Clouds can be so thick, low and dark causing a fog – all motion slows down and eventually stops till it clears. Yet clouds are an aggregation of tiny drops of water …floating in the sky over the dry ground carrying seed begging for fresh moisture. Elijah the Prophet witnessed a growing cloud … starting grey and little, like a man’s hand and growing to cover the entire windy heavens, black. And a great downpour follows.

I Kings 18[44] And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot , and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. [45] And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.

Dear friend, that which has caused your confusion, blurred vision, despair and even sometimes ingratitude to God, murmurings and unforgiveness can be likened to a growing cloud. A fast growing situation that seemed to get darker and more frustrating. For some it is a loneliness cloud or a family cloud, for others it is a scandal cloud and even worse for some a bereavement cloud. Many seem to be under health-related clouds and others have found themselves in finance clouds. For others, prayers and time seem to have cleared the clouds when still small …while yours seemed to get darker and larger and now looms pitch black.

Proverbs 16:15Proverbs 16:15
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

WP-Bible plugin says “ … his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain” …but what favour can be latent in growing clouds… I have adapted a story recently read to illustrate this …

“ A man, born in a small town, migrated from the town to a nearby city hundreds of miles away, and lived in the city for several decades. One day, he told his grandson who had never been to this town, he would want him to see the house grandpa was born. They embarked on a journey which started very well on a modern and smooth wide road, and his son chatted happily with grandpa in the public bus …laughing and enjoying the scenery, stopping for refreshments at a nearby restaurant. Soon they arrived at a bus park … “we must walk now, it’s not far – under an hour or so” …Grandpa, took his nervous grandson who could not see any road but a rough dusty path which seemed to be leading nowhere. “ Are you sure, Grandpa …surely this cannot lead anywhere?” ..as they travelled on the path, the road seemed to get narrower and all that could be seen was dark forest and skies now black – covered by huge trees. Now the younger boy clings very nervously “shouldn’t we be turning back?” and then suddenly they could see an open field and they had arrived at the beautiful small town …”

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. The shepherd of our soul who guides us through all the issues of life to our eternal home from which He came. If only we would cling to Him all the time and not just when the dark clouds come. We cannot learn as well when we are distracted and preoccupied with pleasures and our eyes on trivial pursuits.

Psalm 119[71] It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

The Bible reminds us that all we call afflictions are light. The time of great rain came as Ahab was told to go and “Prepare …” A Great Rain requires preparations … I need to learn afresh to steward the downpour from open heavens as God intended. I need to learn to get my seed ready and understand afresh the principles of sowing as the ground will again receive the rain from heaven. How must I be ready for the coming revival? What we need most before times of great blessings are times of intensive tutoring at the feet of the master. Indeed the greater the rain, the greater and darker the cloud needs to be. Soon the heavens will open, again.

Another story. In 1773, William Cowper, became insane, imagining not only that he was condemned to hell eternally, but that God was commanding him to take his own life. After a year or so, he began again to recover. The last hymn Cowper ever wrote was “God moves in a mysterious way”

Cowper who often struggled with depression and doubt, one night decided to commit suicide by drowning himself. He called a cab and told the driver to take him to the Thames River. However, a thick fog came down and prevented them from finding the river and after driving around lost for a while, the cabby finally stopped and let Cowper out. To Cowper’s surprise, he found himself on his own doorstep: God had sent the fog to preserve him from death. Even in our darkest moments, God watches over us as Cowper writes in the famous hymn …

God moves in a mysterious way –His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea – and rides upon the storm.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break – in blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,but trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.

Do not despair at the sight of the black clouds that has enveloped nations, the church, families, businesses and even individuals. It is an unusual act of preservation and an opportunity to rediscover the source of our strength, God – and to be prepared so we can be used to steward His favour and coming showers. The clouds are to preserve us … also helping us to recognise and repent of our selfishness, self reliance, human limitations and idols hampering the coming great revival. Painful experiences and uncertain cloudy periods that lead us to cling closer to Jesus are great and necessary acts of divine providence as we approach final laps of history and the ushering of the greatest Holy Ghost revivals ever seen.

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

An End to Recession and Oppression. A Prophetic word for 2012

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Bode Ososami

All over the world there seems to be crises – a siege of evil, be it in politics, economics, education, morality and particularly so in religion. Depression seems to be lingering even longer than the over three years that God had ordained for it to be in the times of Ahab … causing many to ask, when are we going to experience the “rains” again. The Bible indicates that God will often use dearth and oppression to draw the attention of His own to their false altars and remind His own, that the juxtaposition of Baal worship and worship of Jehovah in the palaces of Ahab may be convenient for Jezebel but is not acceptable to God who demands purity. Still, at the appointed time God turns the hearts of His own back by His divine intervention, and there will be showers again.

These are like the days of Ahab, an evil King, married to Jezebel the epitome of idolatry. Most prophets have been already killed –silenced by Jezebel’s baits, others dine and serve Ahab in his palaces – useful only to hide the hundreds who must remain concealed to protect their livelihood and thousands who had not bowed the knee to Baal but who also remain quiet as the altar of God remained in ruins, and the people who remain uncommitted, neutral … and Jezebel likes it so. A broken altar always leads to trouble. It is man’s prerogative to boastfully scatter the altar of God … it is God’s to withhold rain and close the heavens.

And there was one isolated – Elijah (a man subject to like passions as we are, who prayed earnestly) and who at the appointed time was told to go and show himself to Ahab. The encounter of Elijah with Ahab is bizarre …

I Kings [17] And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? [18] And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.

At the United Nations, a world leader recently proclaimed that Religion is in the way of progress in advancement of Human rights without which peace is evasive … even as the liberal press all over the world continually labels the “narrow” paths of Christianity as offbeat to a search for global harmony and to be shunned if the troubles of civilisation are to cease. We seem to miss the link between evil and continued recession… comatose to the decay that is the real undoing of the times.

At the time appointed God locates Elijah who lays the blame boldly at the feet of Ahab – the King that oversees the forsaking of God’s commandments (now termed legalism) and follows after Baal alongside the worship of Jehovah. Elijah says it is Ahab’s creative syncretism and wickedness that has caused the recession and oppression. Elijah knows something that Ahab does not know – and that is God has decided to end the period of suffering and usher in wellness and turn the hearts of His own back to Him again.

The confidence in God causes Elijah to challenge Ahab to a spiritual duel, repairing God’s altar and crying to God in prayer culminating in a dramatic divine intervention and slaughter of 450 of Baal’s prophets and another 400 prophets of the grove.

I Kings 18 [37] Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

I found an old prophetic message that speaks to the heart by Revd. Jackie McCullough delivered at an arena that dramatically foretells Elijah challenging Ahab and his alliances.

In 2012, God does a new thing and it will be well. The prophets of Baal and the prophets of the groove are in for a most horrible and terrible surprise. The sound of abundance of rain will be heard again unexpectedly even as God raises His own to repair the broken altar of the Lord. A new purity of worship will be heralded as power is transferred from the wicked grip of Jezebel’s prophets and her political proxies and a new revival of justice, righteousness and Godliness will be evident. This is the doing of the Lord.

Be on the right side. Reflect on a previous blog post on Resolution to be a serious Christian in 2012.

I Kings 18[21] And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

Do not fret – if in Christ, instead be still and know … If you are not in Christ, it is time to return. The fire of God is about to fall.

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

A Different Army that is Coming

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Bode Ososami

John 15:5John 15:5
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. without me: or, severed from me

WP-Bible plugin says “I am the Vine ye are the branches, ye that abide in Me, the same bring much fruit, for without Me, you can do nothing”. Jesus Christ is the Vine and every Christian is a branch of that Vine. The secret of fruitfulness then is to simply to abide in Him. When we talk about abiding, if I’m going to abide in a house, the first thing I need to do is to locate the house. If I am going to abide in the Lord. Psalm 34:10Psalm 34:10
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

WP-Bible plugin tells us that the “young lion do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord, shall never lack any good thing”.

Hebrews 11:6Hebrews 11:6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

WP-Bible plugin also tells us that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Therefore, if I am going to abide in the Lord, I must seek the Lord and if I seek the Lord, I will not lack any good thing. Matt. 7:7-8Matt. 7:7-8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: ⁸ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

WP-Bible plugin assures us that if we seek we will find.
However, the Bible adds certain conditions to our seeking and finding. Isa. 55:6Isa. 55:6
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

WP-Bible plugin tells us “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, all ye upon Him while He is near”. This means there is a time when we can seek Him and find Him. Proverbs 8:17Proverbs 8:17
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

WP-Bible plugin says “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me”. Some seek God when it is already late, but you must seek Him first; first thing in the morning; before you go to work, before you get married…and so on. “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33Matt. 6:33
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

WP-Bible plugin.
Now after I locate the house, I must knock at the door. The Bible says that”…if you knock it will be open unto you.” So I want to abide in a house, therefore I seek for it, I find it, I knock the door and the door is open. The next thing is I would want to do is check if it is suitable for me or not. Psalm 34:8Psalm 34:8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

WP-Bible plugin says “Taste and see that the Lord is good”. Many have tasted the Lord and know that the Lord is good.

Another secret of fruitfulness is to be freed from the Adamic nature, bound by the inherent dust to strive and fail by receiving a breath of life from God. Dust must return to dust, but there is a Spirit man (a breath of life) received from God that must eventually return to God.

Genesis 2[7] And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Ezekiel 37[9] Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. [10] So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. [11] Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. [12] Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. [13] And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, [14] And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it , and performed it , saith the LORD.

Christian Revival is a phenomenon that transforms dust to a mighty kingdom army by the agent of the breath of God. When we speak of revival, we are not talking about meetings, but of a sovereign move of God, as seen in the Welsh revival. In the Welsh revival a nation was changed in weeks. Thousands of unsaved people, all at one time, were moved by a heavenly influence to repent. Pubs were emptied, the work place was ablaze with talk about salvation, and churches over-flowed with sinners wanting to get saved. The word ‘revival’ is used to explain the amazing results of an outpouring of the Spirit of God. A revival is here.

God will insist on holiness. If you are going to be revived and transformed and discover fruitfulness as never been seen, then you must be holy, abide in Him and receive that breath of life that liberates you from the curse of the dust and battles with creeping things.

A victorious and fruitful army of God is emerging. This army abides in the word of God, is strengthened to overcome and prepared to meet with Christ – Husband and Commander in Chief.

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

In Light of Eternity…Ravenhill’s Biography – A Great Book for those seeking God

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Bode Ososami

Few are raving about a wonderful book I just read “In light of Eternity” The Life of Leonard Ravenhill by Mack Tomlinson….truly a masterpiece to be cherished and a goldmine of spiritual gems and inestimable treasures. I have often pondered why we must give much enthused attention to sifting through thinly disguised abominations promoted with clever disputing – literary “pork” harbouring worms that only pollute body and spirit while we shut the window and draw the curtains against fresh air and far more beautiful enlightened views of the jewels of God as found in this well written biography of a believer.

I had heard several of Ravenhill’s messages and thought I knew what to expect…but still was struck at the inspiration of bold truths we hear are passé by today’s spiritual arrivistes. Though only a well told biography you cannot but be strengthened by the timeless verities evidenced in a man who stood for old-fashioned holiness and with his dying breath still proclaimed not just in words but even more in uncommon living example..”It is possible to live a holy life…I did it”… To a generation whose highest morality is “do your best” – this must be revolutionary insight. The book is rich in thoughts about God, words of light, letters of encouragement, poetry, hymns and truths that go to the depth of the soul to bring spiritual beggars out of the dung hill…to set them among princes again, and to make them inherit the throne of glory.

Every young Christian must read this book to hear the different voice of someone who rudely screams in the wilderness that a life of true devotion and full consecration to God is not just feasible but is the expected norm. Len says holiness comes more easily when we live, see and act always “in light of eternity” . It is no wonder that the truths concerning eternity remain today’s most attacked pillars…the real target being the purity of our walk with God. Len was a man who prayed probably more than he did anything else and spoke of many he knew who also prayed – which he called “Life’s highest Calling” every day for hours. He prayed not to be known or successful but for a deep-rooted Revival (God’s way) which he believed only God could send.
(See Video below)

In his 40s, Len was involved in an awful hotel fire incident (November 1951) which he escaped only with very serious internal and bone injuries that could have silenced many mortals … but this is a man who must live to tell us how he overcame the shadow of debilitating pain and death itself to live out a full destiny that proved to our generation a rare walk with God. When in 1994 – a life of 87 yrs passed like a vapour…. relatively few came to his funeral. But then all his life, he sought to point men and women away from himself and back to Christ. So why should his death be any different? He did have one regret he expressed in his last year:”If I had spent more time alone with God rather than preaching and planning how I was going to change the world, I would be a very different man” … Leonard often read in his sermons a favourite poem quoted in the book titled “A hundred years from now” by Walden Parker…

It will not make much difference, friend, A hundred years from now
If you live in a stately mansion or on a river scow;
If the clothes you wear are tailor-made or pierced together somehow,
If you eat big steaks or beans and cake … A hundred years from now.
It won’t matter your bank account or the make of car you drive,
For the grave will claim all riches and fame and the things for which you strive.
There’s a deadline that we all must meet and no one will be late.
It won’t matter then all the places you’ve been, Each one will keep that date.
We will only have in eternity – what we gave away on earth,
When we go the grave, we can only save the things of eternal worth.
What matters, friend, the earthly gain for which some men always bow?
For your destiny will be sealed, you see … a hundred years from now.

Leonard Ravenhill was perhaps even more blunt in his poetry…see below “Excerpts from Heart Breathings” By Ravenhill.

No peace like a river attendeth my way
My sorrows like sea-billows roll.
This heart-breaking lot has just taught me to say,
It is hell, it is hell in my soul.

My sin – O the grief of this guilt in my heart -
My anguish, not part, but the whole,
All adds up to loss, and I bear it alone;
It is hell, it is hell in my soul.

Now Satan can buffet, sore trials can come,
When life is all out of control;
My conscience just burns, and dark memories haunt,
It is hell, it is hell in my soul.

But, Lord, haste the day that will chase off this night,
And scatter this doom from my soul.
With tears I repent, so, dear Lord, let me know
There is hope and relief for my soul.

With great condemnation I fall at Thy cross,
To confess, not in part, but the whole
Of a sin-blighted life, and to cry to be cleansed,
And to plead, “Take control of my soul.”
Only then can I joy and rejoice as I sing
Now it’s well, it is well with my soul.

(Enjoy video below)

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Prayers for God’s Mercy regarding situation in Japan

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Bode Ososami

Searching for understanding on how to pray more specifically for Japan … I discovered some points shared on the internet…I have adapted some of them for use…( see link to Prayer points…) A lot of our prayers this week could be dedicated to the victims of this terrible devastation …you can join by praying as you feel led. This week, in Church …we are gathering to continue to pray for Japan.

Ephesians 2[4] But God — so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, [5] Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved ( [ delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation). (amp)

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face
His purposes will ripen fast unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste ... but sweet will be the flower.

1.First and foremost, pray peace, safety, and comfort over the people. Officials reported as of late evening on 3/14 (US time) that thousands have been confirmed dead, with thousands still missing. As you have noticed in the footage on the news, you can hear the fear and panic in the voices of the people during the earthquake and tsunamis. They are still dealing with the shock of that. And even now, you can hear the sorrow in their voice as they mourn the loss of loved ones. Countless people are still desperately searching for family. What’s worse, some areas have no cell service, so plenty of families still don’t know whether or not their loved ones have survived. Many are without power. Food, water, supplies, and shelter are limited – and to top it off, they are facing cold, windy weather with rain and snow in some areas, and with temperatures expecting to fall to 27 degrees fahrenheit by evening. This gives concern that some without shelter can develop hypothermia.

2.Pray for salvation. Pray for boldness over the believers who are now in Japan all across the nation – beyond the areas affected by the quake/tsunami/power plant. Culturally speaking, Japan is a very reserved nation when it comes to sharing the Gospel. Unbelievers consider Christianity a foreign religion, and most people practice Buddhism or Shintoism in a customary/superstitious way. Many Japanese do not share their faith with family because they fear offending them, or think they simply will not understand the difference between their religion and Christian faith. Please continue to pray that believers there will experience a newfound courage to share the Gospel with their friends, family, and loved ones – and that God will open the hearts, minds, and ears of those who need to hear the Gospel. They desperately need to experience God’s love, mercy, and freedom. Luke 21[15] For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

3.Pray also for relief workers/reporters in the area. As you can imagine, the psychological impact these rescue workers face is dire enough to send any healthy-minded person into shock, depression, panic, and post-traumatic stress. Pray peace over their minds & hearts so that they can remain calm and work efficiently to clear rubble, rescue survivors, and even remove bodies.

4.Pray over the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant. As of 3/14 10:00pm MT, officials told residents 20-30km to stay indoors, and ordered workers at the plant to evacuate, as well. 50 workers stayed behind at the plant to pump seawater into the reactors to attempt cooling them. Pray for those workers that they have the strength to continue working hard, as they have displayed extreme bravery by staying behind. They have also issued a 30km (18mi) “no-fly” zone around the Fukushima plant for fear of radiation levels, although they are dropping once more. Pray that all nuclear radiation leaks stop and people are unharmed…in spite of the poisoning. Acts 28[6] Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

5.Pray for Miracles and Good news: As aftershocks continued people are living in great fear of still future shocks. It is not certain that the worst is over. Continue praying that God will still the earth beneath Japan, and that the aftershocks and tsunami warnings will come to a halt. I don’t believe they can handle any more devastation.You may have seen the headlines of one case, where an elderly woman in her 70s was rescued 4 days after her house was washed away by the tsunami. There are similar stories being told; there are still survivors in the rubble! Pray that workers can experience the miracle of finding survivors amidst the rubble, and that lifts the hearts of rescue teams and locals with hope. These people need all the hope they can get. Pray that God will flood Japan with hope. Pray for miracles.

6.Pray for Revival! Grant us, your sinful creatures, to repent and return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved … May every heart-breaking loss – millions upon millions of losses – be healed by the wounded hands of the risen Christ. You are not unacquainted with your creatures’ pain. O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace. And so behind this providence, soon find a smiling face.

7.Pray for God to Relent! Jonah 4[1]…for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, One who relents from doing harm. Father we know you as the God who is abundant in grace, plenteous in mercy who relents from doing harm…You are good all the time. Relent O Lord we pray because of your loving kindness…like you gave Nineveh … give us one more chance to return to you…send grace as you sent to Nineveh.

In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Audience Misalignment – The greatest trap in Ministry. A different Revival

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Bode Ososami

Often times in ministry, we must serve an audience and bring hope and encouragement to a lost generation, preaching the gospel and yearning to see souls saved and character regenerated. Our zeal will further drive us to do even more to see more results and innovate with new tools and methods so that more souls will come to receive ministrations . Our services are more intelligently packaged; our messages more pragmatic and relevant … and soon we see the results … a successful ministry in attendance, music, effective outreaches, jam-packed halls of people singing praises to God. So…what could possible ever go wrong?

A market profiling of the values and needs of the perceived target audience has a major effect on the strategy of a venture and its offerings. A premise that the target audience are the souls, congregation inside or the lost outside waiting to be saved cause us to adjust and align our ministry services – making them shorter, our music – making them trendier and more exciting, our church halls – making them more contemporary: all to reach out to more. Eventually we must preach and deliver what will retain this overwhelming crowd that keep coming … and contrive more entertainment and performance menu options to hold their attention and relieve their thirsts. But what is the real issue? Who should be the target audience of our ministry? Why did the men of God of old pray and fast for 40 days before they began anything – even as Jesus Christ did. Indeed, today God is no more the target audience for many. This is a subtle and dangerous trap. God will not play second fiddle nor will He be available to be used for healings and to supply miracles. He must reign completely, totally, majestically and absolutely. He must be sought for, cultivated, enthroned and fully and reverentially worshipped or simply observe from afar. He will not be ridiculed as a prop for another seven-steps-to-this-and-that seminar.

The one person that must be profiled is God. The needs and values that must be understood and catered for and preached and taught are those of God. The person that must be comfortable is God. The one person we must be certain has not left when everyone else leaves is God. We need therefore to hear more of God, pray for His divine visitation and learn from His word. We want to know more of Enoch, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel and others with a record of a long walk with God – how did they do it? Why do some people walk with God and others do not? We also note that absolutely no one has ever seen or walked with God and ever been bored. It is completely impossible to see God and be remotely distracted talk less of bored – ask Isaiah, Ezekiel or Moses….they needed no special lights, marketing publicists, choirs, comedians, choreographers and oratory to sustain their conversations with God. There is only one who declares is one and has seen the father – our Lord Jesus Christ…we need His Holy Spirit as our friend to guide and lead us.

John 14:9John 14:9
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

WP-Bible plugin … he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then , Show us the Father?

God is the target audience of all true ministries. When God meets with a people – His glory is unmistakeable and His presence cannot be ignored or confused for something else. Again ask Ezekiel or Isaiah. People in darkness are drawn to light and His glory. Troubles vanish and sick hearts are cured. We literarily have to plead to people to go home for they cannot imagine what else to do but remain in the embrace of glory. My prayer is that His glory comes down again so that I have nothing to minister anymore as God visibly takes over. I pray that day comes soon for you too. I discover that the ministry had little to do with me in the first place. It was God’s and He says who will I send? Who will go for me where I want him to go? I tremble before I can answer…for I am not Isaiah …yet.

What about the souls and the lost? What do they bring to the table apart from corrupted and depraved values and the stench of decaying flesh for they are long dead and need resuscitation that I cannot give? The patient cannot write the prescription –even a dead one. Not the minister but God must be present to administer the solutions otherwise the poor minister contrives all sorts of remedies and well-baked thoughts. There is a lot, I dare say, to borrow these days from information technology, science, business management, philosophy, Hollywood, MTV and (God forbid) even the Occult – as the trapped godless Saul (the king of Israel) eventually ventured.

The large or small congregation (without God) becomes a trap. Both minister and the ministered have to keep innovating more performances …eventually all are misused by the devil who finds this the best terrain for his own devastating operations. Or worse, the minister is exhausted and can no more raise new schemes for inadequate cash, cannot maintain growth or the competition next door does a better job of marketing his now disenchanted flock who have become accustomed to his fare but need a more enervating “fix”. The minister loses the mega-church he (thinks) he has laboured for and wonders why everything did not work out. The congregation (who he targeted and made comfortable and excited) are absolutely scandalised to know that they actually are dead and cannot hear anything but the noise of the drums and the guitar and favourite soloist or songstress ( sorry …worship leaders). They never heard that there is a voice that wakes the dead. The problem? Ichabod … meaning the glory has departed …or was never present.

When we see God as our target and primary audience, our marketing is simplified. We have one major customer…one major person to study completely…God. The study of God becomes a lifelong effort and not a stint at a seminary or a one week retreat or convention/ program. Our study and walk with God becomes a culture …our new lifestyle. It causes an outflow that reaches out in a different manner as people encounter the glow, joy and love of God and other attributes through us.

Can we market and bring the people better than God who said in John 12[32] And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. ?

Every consultant knows that the first step is to ask the target audience. What does the target audience want and need to be pleased and remain comfortable? We find the answer in His word. Expository preaching of Christ and the complete word of God must therefore return to centre stage as this is where God is best revealed. We have had enough of the theatrics, motivational declarations, pragmatism and toying with the emotions of the weak. What does God say in His word? It is time to hear the complete word of God again. We need to be wounded and made alive by His truths. God help me to please you.

Amos 3[3] Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

I Peter 1[15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

God will come when He is in agreement with the completeness of preaching, reverence of manner of worship and appropriateness of environment designed for Him. God will come where He is loved and His truth is exalted. No need for gimmicks. Instead spend more time finding out about God and worshiping Him. God wants to visit His people again. There is a different revival. When God shows up, we cannot but stand in awe … and all things are possible.

Bode Ososami releases his 3rd book published by Authorhouse in early December –The Majesty of God. This book delves into the glory of God and takes a glimpse into the majestic throne room to reveal a greatness that is often misrepresented due to limitation of words to describe the indescribable or completely obscured by deliberate attempts to introduce God as the old comical wise man high up somewhere – weary, exhausted and increasingly outwitted by the modern mind.

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

The filth of the world

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Bode Ososami

What is “the filth of this world”? Is it the womb of evil of which the national syndicate crime is born? Is it the cult of ritual murderers and abortionists? Is it the perverted molester or rapist or the coven of unrepentant witches? Is it the evil business genius operating in international upheavals? Was it Babylon? Is it Rome? Is it sin? Has a tribe of evil spirits and demons been located bearing this repulsive title? What is it?

A thousand guesses at this question might provide a thousand different answers with not one of them correct. The right answer is the very antithesis of our expectation. This “filth of this world” is neither men nor devils. It is not bad, but good – nay, not even good – but the very best. Neither is it the material, but spiritual; neither is it of Satan, but of God. It is not only of the church, but a saint. It is not only a saint, but the saintliest of saints, the Kohinoor of all gems. “We apostles,” Paul says, “are the filth of this world.” Then he adds insult to injury, heightens the infamy, and deepens the humiliation by adding “[and we apostles are] the off scouring of all things”

I Corinthians 4 [13] Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things unto this day.

Any man who has so assessed himself “filth of the earth” has no ambition – and so has nothing to be jealous about. He has no reputation – and has nothing to fight about. He has no possessions – and therefore nothing to worry about. He has no “rights”- and so therefore cannot suffer any wrongs. He is already dead – so no one can kill him. In such a state of mind and spirit, can we wonder that the apostles “turned the world upside down”? Let the ambitious saint ponder this apostolic attitude to the world. Let the popular, unscarred evangelist living in “Hollywood Style” think upon his ways.

Loeonard Ravenhill

Who then hurt Paul far more than his one hundred and ninety five stripes, his three stonings, and his triple shipwrecks could ever hurt him? The contentious, carnal, critical, Corinthian crowd. This Church was split by carnality – and cash! Some had rocketed to fame and become the merchant princes of the city. So Paul says, “Ye have reigned as kings without us.” Ponder the glaring contrasts in 1 Cor. 4:81 Cor. 4:8
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

WP-Bible plugin “Ye are full ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us,” “We are fools; we are despised; we both hunger and thirst and are naked” (verse 10). The blessed compensation is in verse 9, “We [apostles] are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”

It was not hard for Paul to claim after all this that he was “less than the least.” Then, Paul pointed all this truth against those whose faith had lost its focus. These Corinthians were full, but not free. (A man escaped from his cell is not free who still drags his chains.) Paul is not grieved that they have super abundance and he nothing. He groans that their wealth has brought weakness of soul. They have comfort, but no cross; they are rich, but not reproached for Christ’s sake. He does not say they are not Christ’s, but that they are seeking a thorn-less path to heaven. He declares, “I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.” Indeed they reigned in a time-bound temporal realm (of which Paul had no interest ) for he knew that what the world gives in time will be taken by the same world also in the course of time. Rather Paul sought to reign with Christ eternally.

But who wants to be thus dishonoured, despised, and devalued? Such truth is revolutionary and upsetting to our corrupted Christian teaching. Can we delight in being esteemed fools? Is it easy to see our names cast about as an evil thing? Communism levels men down; Christ levels men up! True Christianity is far more revolutionary than Communism (though of course, bloodless). The bulldozers of socialism have tried to “push over” the hills of wealth and “fill in” the valleys of poverty. They thought that by education they could “make the crooked places straight”- by an act of parliament and a mere waving of the political wand, the millennium, so long delayed, could be delayed, could be brought in. But those changes in Russia have been merely a change of bosses with the underdog still the bottom dog. Today plenty of people are rich by making others poor, but Paul said he was “poor, yet making many rich.” Thanks be unto God! The bag of Simon Magus who commercialises the gospel still gets no attention from the Holy Ghost! If we have not yet been taught how to esteem “the mammon of unrighteousness, ” how shall we be entrusted with the “true riches”?

And so Paul, bankrupt materially and socially, was bracketed with the choice few who are listed “as the “filth of the world.” Certainly this helped him understand that, as filth, he would be trodden under foot by men. Even though he could answer the philosophers, Stoics, and Epicureans on Mars Hill, yet for Christ’s sake he was willingly rated a “fool.” To Jesus, the world’s antagonism was fundamental and perpetual…

”Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire, Let me not sink to be a clod: Make me thy fuel, Flame of God “ - Amy Wilson Carmichael

(The article is an excerpt adapted from “Why Revival Tarries” by Leonard Ravenhill)

I Peter 2 [9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

My God reigns … By your grace make me worthy to reign with you forever – Lord Jesus.

Bode

Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

The Post-Recession Prophet and King Uzziah (Part III)

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Bode Ososami

There are times when God needs a new kind of man. In Isaiah 6, God unveiled a renewed Prophet - not the same Isaiah that served in the reign of King Uzziah. We are not informed of lapses in Isaiah’s previous ministry… it simply was not doing the job God wanted.

King Uzziah

This article is not remotely a critique of any or a lack of appreciation for the great pastoral/evangelical works of the distant or recent past. But as King Uzziah died … a renewed Prophet of God emerged. So …

Isaiah[6:1] In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Tozer wrote of his vision of a new prophet that will be very different from the norm.

“If Christianity is to receive a rejuvenation, it must be by other means than any now being used. If the Church in the second half of this century is to recover from the injuries she suffered in the first half, there must appear a new type of preacher. The proper, ruler-of-the-synagogue type will never do. Neither will the priestly type of man who carries out his duties, takes his pay and asks no questions, nor the smooth-talking pastoral type who knows how to make the Christian religion acceptable to everyone. All these have been tried and found wanting.

Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many), he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, blunt-spoken and a little bit angry with the world. He will love Christ and the souls of men to the point of willingness to die for the glory of the One and the salvation of the other. But he will fear nothing that breathes with mortal breath.

This is only to say that we need to have the gifts of the Spirit restored again to the Church. And it is my belief that the one gift we need most now is the gift of prophecy. “Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred” – 1 Chr 12:321 Chr 12:32
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

WP-Bible plugin. A prophet is one who knows his times and what God is trying to say to the people of his times…. Today we need prophetic preachers; not preachers of prophecy merely, but preachers with a gift of prophecy. The word of wisdom is missing. We need the gift of discernment again in our pulpits. It is not ability to predict that we need, but the anointed eye, the power of spiritual penetration and interpretation, the ability to appraise the religious scene as viewed from God’s position, and to tell us what is actually going on….

Where is the man who can see through the ticker tape and confetti to discover which way the parade is headed, why it started in the first place and, particularly, who is riding up front in the seat of honor?…What is needed desperately today is prophetic insight. Scholars can interpret the past; it takes prophets to interpret the present. Learning will enable a man to pass judgment on our yesterdays, but it requires a gift of clear seeing to pass sentence on our own day….”

Perhaps Tozer speaks of you…If you will let God truly reign…and let the dead King Uzziah remain buried. Reflect on what a deceased King Uzziah could represent. The fallen icons of Wall St, the dethroned pillars of modern capitalism and disgraced princes, the leprous financial institutions, failures of promising well-meaning ambitions and legitimate dreams, exposed religious bigotry etc. The death of Uzziah did not only serve to punish his errant habits. Perhaps when we cease mourning or analysing Uzziah’s death and look up to God, we will see differently and move forward. The greatest value that was realised from ending Uzziah’s already leprous reign was not to correct Uzziah’s excesses but to enable Isaiah to enter His new call … i.e. recognising first his depravity and then the sin of the people, calling for repentance and prophesying of the coming salvation in the Messiah - Jesus Christ. Reflect on this. Jesus Christ is indeed coming back soon. Who is the Prophet now freed to alert us of sin, identify and clean our stains by His blood, iron out the wrinkles on the bridal gown with the “hot” press of His word and thus make us fully ready for the coming Marriage?

Indeed in the more recent past, several tough social and ethical issues have been raised, debated and tackled but King Uzziah (though leprous) vowed to uphold his unassailable fortress and positions – and few dared an open challenge. With King Uzziah dead – who will risk cosy mission field assignments, a sound reputation of a preacher, a promising future ministry career or a revered leadership position or place of influence only to be derided and isolated as a foolish ranting religious lunatic (not fanatic)? Who will cause conviction by the Holy Spirit that the best of man today is as a foul rebel…thus demolishing all of King Uzziah’s previous strongholds? Who will lead us to confess as Isaiah did “Woe is me for I am undone”?

Lord, we pray for that gift of prophetic insight. Move us beyond the knowledge You’ve enabled us to gain through education, reading, and study. We pray that we might lead as one who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the throne. Amen.

Our God reigns – God bless you.

Bode

(Also see (side bar) two other recent previous posts related to King Uzziah)