Finishing Well

Sep 2, 2011 | 0 comments

Finishing well is what is expected of all of us in all our God given assignments. The Scriptures says ‘Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.’ Ecclesiastes 7:8.God expects us to finish well all the tasks HE has given us to do and HE continuously provides the resources for us to not only fish but finish very well. Winston Churchill said ‘We shall neither fail nor falter; we shall not weaken or tire…give us the tools and we will finish the job.”. Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882 also said “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it well and serenely…” We sing the song, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back,” but why is it that so many people do? There seems to be many Christians who begin well but finish poorly. Lamentations 3:20-24 ‘I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” No matter what stage you are in your assignment today as you read this piece do not give up God is giving you the opportunity of a fresh start to finish very well. Og Mandino an American Essayist and Psychologist, 1923-1996 said “Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self-starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don’t waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.”

I learnt very recently that one of the greatest addictions that mankind needs to be freed from is the habit of quitting. It is worse than those popular addictions to drug, Alcohol etc.Once you give in to the habit of quitting once you face any challenge it is quite easy to run away from every God given assignment .The truth you must know and face up to is that if the assignment is from God it will be challenged. Whether is in your family, business, career, academic you must not quit. Be determined to finish very well .As you focus on the Lord Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of your faith .HE alone knows your complete story and history .With you unflinching faith in HIM you will finish well. As various challenges come your way don’t quit. Stay true to the very purpose which HE called you to do. Other people’s assignments may look easier; stay focused on yours and follow HIM on how HE is leading you. Handle your intimate relationship well so you can say with Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” 2 Tim. 4:7.Proverbs 22:3 ‘A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.’ Comparative study of effective leaders who finished well has identified various barriers that hindered leaders from finishing well .Usually a leader who fails in one area will also fail in others. Learn from those who didn’t finish well. We can be alerted to these barriers. We can avoid them in our own lives. Numerous leaders have fallen due to some issue related to money. Handle money with all integrity and accountability. Use your gifting and the power that comes with it well to the Glory of God. Once you abuse the gifts and the power HIS grace confers you may not finish well. Stay away from the Bathshebas, David’s sin with Bathsheba was a pivotal point from which his leadership never fully recovered… Be clothed always with Humility. Don’t rest on your oars; be like Caleb you can still conquer more mountains even at your old age. Be encouraged today you have started the race don’t quit .You can finish well too.

Remembering Dr Samuel Olusegun Odunaike

Aug 9, 2011 | 0 comments

Remembering a great mentor,leader ,a gift of God that imparted this world while he passed through briefly .Follow this link to some documented areas of his great life.Today happens to be his posthumous birthday August 9 !

Odunaike, Samuel Olusegun

1934 to 1991

Foursquare Gospel Church

Nigeria

Samuel Olusegun Odunaike was one of the founding fathers of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria. Nurtured in the Apostolic Church of Nigeria, he was one of the first three Nigerians who came into contact with Rev. Harold Curtis and his wife (also an ordained minister), the first Foursquare Gospel Church missionaries to Nigeria. Odunaike joined hands with them to start the work of the mission there. He was tremendously used of the Lord to advance the course of the movement right from its inception in 1955 until his death in 1991. He functioned in various capacities and rose through the ranks to become the leader of the church from 1970 to 1983, a period of thirteen years.

Odunaike was born on August 9, 1934, in Lagos, into a Christian family from a Pentecostal denomination. His father was Pastor Samson Folorunsho Odunaike, and his mother was Mrs. Florence Ebun Odunaike. They were both in the Apostolic Church in Nigeria. As committed Christians, they were able to bring up Samuel in the fear and nurture of the Lord through their exemplary lives of consecration and devotion.

After his primary schooling, Odunaike attended Abeokuta Grammar School, in Abeokuta, from 1944 to 1950. He started work with the Nigerian Railways Corporation and rose to the rank of staff assistant grade I before resigning in 1962 to join what was then British Petroleum (B.P.) Limited, now African Petroleum (A.P.) Limited. He served African Petroleum meritoriously in various capacities for twenty-four years before resigning in 1986. He was the personnel manager from 1972 to 1977, the staff administration manager from 1977 to 1985, and the manager of corporate affairs from 1985 to 1986.

In 1958, Samuel Odunaike married Miss Rachael Folashade Macauley and their marriage was blessed with two children: Iretidayo (deceased) and Oluwaseun.

The time of Odunaike’s conversion to Christianity is not quite clear, but the genesis of his Christian service can be traced to 1951 in the Apostolic Church. A few years later, he met Reverends Mr. and Mrs. Harold Curtis, who were Foursquare Gospel Church missionaries to Nigeria. He took part in the pioneering work of establishing the movement from December 1954 to November 1955. It is in this regard that he is being referred to as one of the founding fathers of the church.

Like the two other founding fathers, Rev. Boyejo and Rev. Osuwa, Odunaike was among the first students to attend the Bible College started by Rev. Harold Curtis. However, due to a shortage of personnel at the time, the trio of founding fathers had to combine being students with lecturing to the junior classes, so they were referred to as student-teachers.

Odunaike was the first Sunday School secretary of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria from November 1955 on, and its first national superintendent from 1965 to 1970. His designation as national superintendent was upgraded in December of 1970, at which time he became the first general supervisor of the church, a position he held until May of 1983. In between these appointments, he was ordained on October 23, 1966 as a minister of God by the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, in Los Angeles, California, which is the mother church in America. He was indeed a blessing to the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria. He led the church to more international prominence on many levels because of his involvement in the secular world, and thanks to his interdenominational spirit, intellectual ability, creativity, temperament and positive outlook on life. On a personal level, he achieved local, national and international recognition, and the Foursquare Church in Nigeria benefited significantly from these connections.

Odunaike played a significant role in many ecumenical organizations. On a national level, he was the treasurer of the Nigeria Evangelical Fellowship (NEF) in 1966, and was its chairman from 1970 to 1991. His chairmanship of the National Congress on Evangelization dates back to 1975 and his leadership was enjoyed for many years. In 1982, he became a member of the trustees of the Nigeria Bible Translation Trust. Within the African sub-region, he functioned as the chairman and president of the Association of Evangelicals for Africa and Madagascar (AEAM), now the Association of Evangelicals for Africa (AEA), as of 1977. At the global level, he was a member of World Evangelical Fellowship from 1977 to 1980. His membership in the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization dates back to 1976, and in 1980 he became a member of the executive body of the Lausanne Committee. Two years later, in 1982, he was called to serve in the finance committee, which was a sub-committee of the Lausanne body. Worthy of mention too, were his services in the World Pentecostal Conference as a member of its advisory committee from 1974 to 1991, and in its presidium 1979 to 1991 as well.

In the secular field, he was a managerial professional and his achievements in that circle were significant. He was a fellow of the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (IPM) from 1970 to 1975, the vice president from 1977 to 1980, and the president from 1980 to 1983. Furthermore, he was chairman of the Petroleum Marketers Group in Nigeria from 1981 to 1985, and of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) from 1985 to 1986. He was also the general secretary of National Parents Association of Nigeria from 1978 to 1986, and the vice president (Africa) of World Vision International circa 1986.

In spite of his very busy life, Odunaike still found time to write. Because of his love for the word of God and his aspiration to get it out to all, he wrote two books, which have become well-known: I Appeal to Caesar, published in Lagos, Nigeria by the Challenge Bookshop, and The Young Christian and Money, published in Nairobi, Kenya by the Evangel Publishing House.

Although he did not have the opportunity to attend a university or graduate seminary, he achieved a level of academic excellence. His dedication and hard work were recognized and fully rewarded when on February 15, 1981, a Doctor of Divinity honoris causa was conferred on him by the Board of Directors of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., “in recognition of his exceptional leadership and outstanding achievements in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.” He was the first person to be so honored within the Foursquare Gospel Church of Nigeria.

The contributions of Odunaike to the development of Christianity in the Foursquare Gospel Church of Nigeria and elsewhere were outstanding. He was a committed Christian leader, a great evangelist and an ardent teacher of the Bible. He lived to the age of fifty-seven, and served the Lord for four decades, mostly within the Foursquare Gospel Movement. Samuel Olusegun Odunaike died on April 11, 1991, after a brief illness.

Michael Leke Ogunewu

Sources:

Adeogun, Ebenezer O. A Transplant of the Vine, (Forty Years of Foursquare History in Nigeria). Yaba: Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, 1999.

This article, received in 2010, was researched and written by Dr. Michael Leke Ogunewu under the supervision of Rev. Dr. Deji Ayegboyin, DACBliaison coordinator.

Thank You

Jul 3, 2011 | 0 comments

“If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.” I want to say thank you to my wife and friend Olutoyin for making not only the birthday a memorable one but for continuously adding value to my life. Thanks to Toke Iyanda , Layi Afolabi and E Olaninyi my Uncles from Ikirun who saw the potentials and were there early to nurture .Thanks to Prof Esther Aderibigbe for being used of the Lord to draw me to the TRUTH. Thanks to Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Dr Samuel Olusegun Odunaike,Dr Gabriel Olusoji Farombi and Dr Stephen Olford for the structural foundation of knowing and serving HIM. Thanks to Prof Nurudeen Alao who taught me to study very hard and to keep studying. Thanks to Bunmi Oni, Dr Chris Imoisili, Oba Onafuwa (my father in law ) and those wonderful members of my employers management teams who allowed me to be “Oga HR” I am also grateful for my Forever Friends Lanre Amos, Mike Bamidele , Abiodun Fijabi, Kehinde Lawnson and Tunde Ojo. My Best man Kayode Ogungbuyi. Dr Ammar Rambisson and Dr David Olford thank you for the multicultural platforms.

Many thanks to stategic friends God has been using upon relocation whose names I would have loved to list but for the limited space here. I appreciate you all.

“Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas” is a Latin phrase, translating to “Plato is my friend, but truth is a better friend (literally: truth is more my friend (than he is)).” For you all my friends that continue to tread the path of truth continue to remain true to your calling and election in the various dominion areas God has put you.

As one of you my great friends said “your destiny is just about to truly unfold ,you have been in training” Thank you for being part of the first half. As the second half unfolds let us continue to stay on the path of truth. Tolu and Tope you are great. To other members of my family I say thank you for being there too.

You will make it, so do not give up !

May 3, 2011 | 0 comments

All men fall:the great ones get back up.You should never complain about what you

permit.Your decision today determine tomorrow’s destiny.


.”Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”Lamentations 3:22-23


Rise today above your past mistake.God has not changed HIS mind about you!.
Rise today with a new you.He remains faithful
.
Since HE has not given up on you ,you can not give up on yourself.

You can make it.

You will make it.

Receive the empowerment to succeed today in Jesus name.

Divine Favor is Progressive and Continuous

Mar 13, 2011 | 0 comments

Divine Favor is Progressive and Continuous

Divine favor does not just happen once and cease. Divine Favor is continuous and available for every level of assignment or challenge that you may have. ‘And the Angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace, (free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving-kindness) with God ’.- Luke 1:30- AMP. Bible) From the time the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and till she finished her assignment with the conception, raising and positioning of the Lord Jesus Christ to commence his ministry with the miracle of turning water to wine at Cana of Galilee she continued to enjoy unsurpassing favor .She was accepted by Joseph, her betrothed husband. She connected with Cousin Elizabeth and the Jews could not stone her for fornication as the law required then.

Divine Favor can be defined as an unusual grace that makes nature and mankind to cooperate with you to bring God’s purpose to pass. That means to experience divine favor you must have a God given assignment .As you ask for Divine favor it must be on a God given task, even when you desire to have wealth it must be to glorify God and achieve His purpose. ‘ THE Israelites did according to the word of Moses: and they (urgently) asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver and of gold and clothing THE LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they gave them what they asked. And they stripped the Egyptians [ of those things( GEN . 15: 14; EXOD. 12: 35-36- AMPLIFIED .Bible) God gave the Israelites divine favor for wealth because they will need it to build the tabernacle .They had grave consequences when they misused it for the golden calf. Daniel and David also experienced Divine favor in their God given assignments.

Esther experienced progressive and continuous favor; even though she was born as an orphan she experienced divine favor in getting Uncle Mordecai to raise her properly. She was born with beauty. Thank God for our beautiful daughters; it is a blessing to be so beautiful, but it could create challenges for them, because some other girls may be jealous and say cutting and mean things about them. Some beautiful women often have no opportunity to develop true character, for they are so pampered that they become extremely spoiled, hence they are commonly without personality and character. Take a look at the so called women celebrities. Esther found favor to have both physical beauty and inner beauty. Divine favor made her to be part of the nominees to replace queen Vashti that was deposed. Divine favor made her to be liked by the kings’ chief that took care of the virgins that were selected for the competition. Divine favor made her to be selected as the queen .When she heard about the plot against the Jews, divine favor made the king to extend the scepter for her to come into his presence. Divine favor made her secure judgment against Haman and he was hanged on the gallows he had planned for Mordecai. In Esther 8:8, she (Esther) experienced un-surpassing favor when the king told her ‘. You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, as you please’ and in Esther 9:1 we saw that the Jews overpowered their enemies. You too can experience this divine favor at all levels of your assignments, no matter the challenges involved. The Bible says thou shall decree a thing and it shall come to pass. Receive your divine favor to counter what Satan had purposed for your life and continually enjoy divine favor for your God-given task “Certainly you reward the godly, Lord. Like a shield you protect them in your good favor” Psalm 5:12 as we continue to put our trust in HIM divine favor is like a shield that covers all the essential areas we need.

Do not say anything negative to yourself

Aug 30, 2010 | 0 comments

“Let the weak say, ‘I am strong,’ and the poor say, ‘I am rich!'”
Do not say anything negative to yourself. Regardless of your situation or circumstances
“Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am strong (a mighty warrior)!”—Joel 3:10
“ The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”—Proverbs 18:21.
Speak Words of Life to that issue .
God is coming forth for you.
Remain Strong.