The Lead

Hello guys. So I recently resumed school and it’s honestly been really busy. We have had assignments and group projects and I realized something. So let’s take a trip down memory lane. Since my little sister was born I have been considered a leader. In school, church and other places I’ve been known to be in charge.

Anyway, in school this term, we have group leaders and unexpectedly [to me] I was not chosen to even be an assistant. This disturbed me because I have been used to always taking the lead. After I realized this, I had a conversation with my mom and she talked to me about leading from behind. I will admit the fact that I hate it when things don’t go my way. My mom told me however, that in order to be a good leader you need to be a good follower and overtime you will realize that one day the leader will come to depend on you for your accountability and consistency. Me being the DIVA that I am, I’m still struggling to accept this but hey, “All things are working for my good”.

Incidentally, my mum gave me a book a while ago titled “LEADING FROM BEHIND” by Chika Ossai-Ugbah. I started it and stopped reading because I kinda got bored with it. But I’m definitely picking it up again. You might want to read it too. So what about you? Do you have any experience with leading from behind? Please share it in the comments section. Looking forward to hear from you. #lead #school #leadingfrombehind #diva

Happy new year

Happy New Year to everyone. Last year was a very activity filled one and I hope that as the years pass, all our lives will continue to flourish in Jesus name.

Everyone is thinking about a new year resolution but honestly I don’t think they are as effective as they seem. If you really want to see changes in your life, you need goals and commitments, not new year’s resolutions that you will probably give up on in a week.

The easiest way to actually make progress is to move one step at a time. If you’re always setting about 50 goals for just a month, you’ll find yourself tired and giving up just 2 goals into it. You could also try making a vision board. With a vision boards you get to see where you are headed in pictures. Even after making a vision board you have to accomplish them one at a time. Write the vision and make it plain {Habakkuk 2:2}. If you are always making huge plans it will just look like some long and impossible list. So keep it simple and realistic and see yourself smash all your goals.

I really hope this was helpful to someone. love you all.

#happynewyear #visions #nnewyearresolutions

Happiness

It has been a while since anything was published on this blog. My mum’s been occupied with many things, but somehow she’s managed to transfer her love for the Lord and for writing to me…or perhaps it is hereditary.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Cello Olowodun, I am a singer, songwriter, dancer, sister and servant, and I am looking forward to having some interesting conversations with everyone on this blog. Anyway, I wanted to start with something that would be meaningful and helpful to well… basically everyone.

Is happiness really that job you’ve been chasing for a year? Or that car you saw on your way to church a few weeks ago? That huge mansion you saw the other day? Well, it’s not! and that’s the plain truth. Happiness isn’t that feeling when you get a phone for your birthday or when you fly first class on an aeroplane?

True happiness is satisfaction with life. It is loving the simple things, love for everything and everyone. Being truly happy is making happiness your nature. Let’s put it this way. If a baby learns how to walk will something suddenly happen, and the baby just forget to walk? No? Exactly! The way walking is simply nature for humans, happiness should be for you.

And when you stop wanting and simply love and give, you will get a lot more than you could have asked for. For example, my dad’s friend shared a story of how she gave out a meal she had bought for herself because the person she gave needed it more. She got home, only to discover someone had ordered the same kind of meal for her.

Like the apostle Paul, we too can learn to be content in whatever state we find ourselves, and Yes! we can do all things (including be abased and abound joyfully), through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:11-13).

#Behappy #Faith #upstraightisback

What’s in your heart?

Hmmm… Covid-19 has changed the way we do a lot of things, but it has also further revealed the true state of our hearts. We complained we didn’t have time to rest when in truth we were just restless, and now we have created even more virtual activities for ourselves.

We complained we didn’t have time to visit our friends and maintain relationships. Now that video conferencing has become the norm, we still don’t remember to video call our friends and extended family.

We complained that church took so much time, traffic and other unnecessary hassles. Now church is basically one hour online and some people still miss it. We mourned that we didn’t have time for our children because of the many things taking us out of the house. Now that we are in the house, how much time do we spend actually relating with the children and not shouting or dishing out instructions?

We’re all given the same number of hours. What we invest them in is where our priorities lie. Having known your priorities, OWN THEM! If they’re good ones, by all means, don’t apologize for them. If they need adjustment, accept the fact and make the necessary adjustments.

In the end, all that we need to hear is “well done good and faithful servant” from the Master! If you are on track to receive that accolade kudos to you. If you don’t think you are on track, it’s not too late to make amends. You’re never too far gone to make a U-turn.

I wish you a fulfilling new season of intentionality.
With love,
Daba Olowodun (June, 2020)

Speaking Faith…or fear?

Daniel 6:16

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

Note that the King did not pray that the God of Daniel should deliver him. he made a sure statement, that the God of Daniel would deliver him. It made logical sense to him that the God who Daniel served so judiciously should save him. 

Even today, some Muslims and Traditionalists express more confidence in our God than we do as Christians. why? what breaks our confidence? why do we have the form of godliness but deny the power thereof?

The God who you serve continually is able to deliver you! He is able to heal that disease! He is able to give yoh that job! He is able to do  exceedingly, abundantly, above all you can ask or think. It’s time to show your faith by your actions! selah.

#faithinaction

#thinkand grow

Can we delete suffering?

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

1 Peter 5:10 KJV

I am like most other Christians. I hate to hear the word suffering. My immediate reaction to it is that “it’s not my portion”. In fact, the frequency with which I see suffering in the Bible alarms me and makes me ask God “why na?”

The good news however, is that suffering is never the end of the story, there is always a promise of settlement before the verse is over, there is hope; something to look forward to. That right there is comforting. No matter how badly you have suffered, the God of all grace will settle you. Be encouraged! He’s not a late God, plus he’s a restorer of lost time. Your story will change for the better and leave you laughing. Glory to God!

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 KJV)

“…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5b KJV)

“When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.  Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.  The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” (Psalms 126:1‭-‬3 KJV)

Ready or not, here I come!

The author of the following write up is unknown, but he or she gave express permission to share, furthermore, I believe the content to be true and important hence my sharing it here. 

Things are going to change, and pretty soon.

​*THIRTY-ONE (31) SILENT FACTS ABOUT THE RAPTURE*

 

1. It is going to be the next greatest event that will shock all the continents of the world.

 

2.  It is going to take place suddenly, abruptly, unexpectedly, without warning and without prior notice.
3. There shall be no second version of the event.

 

4. A greater percentage of Christians may be taken unawares.

 

5. Careless Christians who miss the event will have no other similar gracious opportunity.

 

6. The event shall have no regard or respect for ecclesiastical titles or church leadership positions.

 

7. It shall be a day when the sheep shall be separated from the goats.
8. The day shall differentiate between the Broad Way Christians from the Narrow Way Christians.
9. The day shall separate sincerity from hypocrisy.

 

10. The day shall differentiate between those who harbour secret sins from those who abhor secret sins.

 

11. The day shall separate those whose lives are hidden in Christ from those who are hiding in the church.

 

12. The day shall show a glaring, clear, conspicuous, demarcation between Christians who walk on the path of holiness from those who walk on the path of worldliness.

 

13. It shall be a day of double emotion: joy for some and unimaginable, indescribable, uncontrollable regrets for others.

 

14. It shall be a day of surprises- some “Big names” may miss the flight while some “Less known” may be on board.
15. Another surprise may be that a man or woman who had faithfully served the Lord for many years may defile his or her garment a few minutes before the sound of that summoning trumpet and miss the flight while a notorious sinner may surrender his or her life to Jesus within the same time frame and go to heaven.
 16. This event may happen now, today, this week, this month, this year or next year!
17. Wise Christians, like the five virgins that took extra oil, are expected to get ready, yes, to get prepared.
 18. After the event, all those who are bitter against one another, malicious, unforgiving, jealous, arrogant, haters, hypocrites, drunkards, fornicators, adulterers, adulteresses, murderers with weapons and murderers with tongue etc, shall have enough time to continue in their trade.
 19. When the event is over there shall be revival among those who have chosen to stay behind not because there will be a second chance, no, but because the reality of the event would have struck them like a thunderbolt. But they will have to pay with their own blood.

 

20. When the event is over, those who are left behind shall no longer be safe to worship in their gigantic, fanciful and multi-billion Dollars/Cedis cathedrals. Instead they shall seek safety in caves, bushes and abandoned and dilapidated but hidden structures.

 

21. When this great event is over, each time those who will miss their flight manage to gather for worship, they will pay attention to only one sermon- whether they gather in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North or South America; the sermon will only centre on “How to Meet the Divine Standard and Join the Other Saints”.

 

22. It is also worthy to note that those who will be left behind will never have any business with comedians at their altars anymore. No! There shall no longer be gatherings for entertainments. Whenever, they manage to gather, it shall always be for serious religious business only.

 

23. The prayer pattern of those who will be left behind will also undergo a radical change. They will not be praying for things anymore. They will only be praying for strength to withstand the tortures of the Anti-Christ and die bravely to join the other saints. None will be praying for jobs, marriages, etc.
24. It is equally worthy of note that some of those who will miss their flight will not be able to endure the torture of the Anti Christ. They will receive the mark of the beast and thereby be doomed forever.
25. When the ready saints are gone, all our denominational walls of partition will collapse. The man or woman who use to worship in Deeper Life, for instance, will hide in the same place with those who worship in Christ Embassy, Church of God Mission, Assemblies of God, Word Aflame, Action Chapel, Winners Chapel, Lighthouse Chapel etc and nobody will remember to claim superiority anymore because  then they will be facing a common enemy.
26. When this event is over, each time believers who will miss their flight manage to gather anywhere for worship, there will be an atmosphere of sobriety. This rowdiness we witness today shall be no more.

27. There shall also be a radical change in the attitude of those who will miss their flight towards Bible study. What we have now is an attitude characterized by a high degree of nonchalance and indifference, but when the ready saints are gone, those who will be left behind will begin to take their bible study seriously.
28. All the teens and youths who come to church to please their parents will repent after this great event; yes, they will begin to seek God for themselves.
 29. When the event is over, all those who will do any form of business in the schools, hospitals, banks, etc, will have to bear the mark of beast (666) or be hunted down and killed like common criminals.
30. One of the gains of this reminder is that there may be someone reading this piece today who will take a firm decision to ensure that he/she gets on board that celestial flight travelling to glory.
 31. However, one of the greatest tragedies of this reminder is that there may be someone too who is reading this piece today but who will see no need to heed this warning. A tragedy indeed!
*PLEASE SHARE TO SAVE A SOUL

The Church in Thyatira

The church in Thyatira had an immense love for God and the brethren, were mighty in Faith and served each other and humanity with joy. Their work was so touching that Jesus said I know your works twice in one sentence. They were the ideal church, zealous unto every good work and full of love, so what was the problem?

They had allowed a seducing spirit in their midst!

They had allowed Jezebel parade herself as a prophet and teach the people to commit fornication and eat meat sacrificed to idols. Again we see repeated the offence of the church in Pergamos. Jesus takes eating meat dedicated to idols as a serious issue! We should too. Here again we see the culture of permissiveness in addition to an ungodly tolerance. Christians of today tolerate a load of crap all in the name of judge not that ye be not judged, or that God is the ultimate judge. Both are true statements, but here is another true statement;

”  I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[a] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked person from among you.[b]”
1 Corinthians 5:9-13New International Version (NIV)

Oh! Come as you are, but haven come, Jesus fully expects you to change, be transformed by the renewing of your mind as you fellowship with the word and with the Holy Spirit. Christian awake! Walk in righteousness and holiness and actively encourage your friends and family to do same. Little wonder Christians of generations past were hated by those around them. Havent we heard? Friendship with the world is enmity with God!

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

The Church in Pergamos!

Who is still with me, on this journey of self-reflection as we gaze into the mirror that is Revelations chapters 2 and 3?

The church in Pergamos: These people lived in a corrupt city, among degenerate people, and yet they held on to their faith. Their city was so corrupt Jesus said he knows where the seat of Satan is! But in the midst of such corruption, they stood firm and did not deny Christ. Oh laudable indeed! So what then was the problem?

They didnt see anything wrong in constituting stumbling blocks for fellow believers, they ate meat offered to idols and they indulged in fornication (vs 14).

There is no doubt that we live in a very corrupt society today, and the culture of permissiveness has eaten deep into our homes and churches. We dismiss a lot of things and say it doesnt matter. God looks at the heart. Truly, He does. So how exactly is the state of that heart which does not see the wrong in fornication? How exactly is the state of that heart which sees nothing wrong with being part of pagan feasts, eating food sacrificed or dedicated to the pagan god (any other God than Jehovah) and repeating the attendant greetings to friends and well-wishers? Now we all now the 1st Cor 8 scripture concerning eating meat sacrificed to idols, but permit me to draw your attention to verse 9  Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. Beyond the actual ingesting of the meat, what is the message your presence in such gatherings pass across? Do we find it no big deal to plot another mans downfall as long as his/her fall would favor us? What are the rules of engagement we practice in business? Are you in Pergamos?

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches.

Faithful unto death?! Really???

Letter to the churches continued.

The church in Smyrna: they were zealous for God, faced tremendous tribulation and oppression and they were very poor by human standards, but God called them rich. However, amongst them were those who claimed to be Christians, but Jesus said they are not! Rather, they are of the synagogue of satan! Imagine that!

Are you rich in material things but poor in faith? Do you bear the name Christian but your secret deeds are so far out Jesus calls you a member of the synagogue of Satan? Who are you? Who does God say you are? Is your name in the book of life?

To the truly faithful followers, Jesus said do not be afraid of the torment that you face, be faithful unto death (vs10). Now this is one of those scriptures even I as a person do not like. I like to know that I am more than conquerors and that I am victorious over all the whiles of the enemy.  The thought that God might allow me to face physical torment and expect me to be faithful to him during that pain even though it costs me my life. Its a thought I still grapple with and ask God to help me. Have you given it some thought? That walking in power sometimes entails discomfort. That the thorn of the flesh sometimes works for the greater good and the glory of the Lord. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering(Phil 3:10) Is your immediate reaction God forbid! or Lord help me to stand.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches.