Bible Teacher. Pastor.Educator.

In God I trust Part 2. I will not allow fear destroy my life Genesis 37:12-24

Genesis 37:12-24: “Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?” Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his garments and put a sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son for many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him. Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.”

            Are you living in fear of the devil? Are you constantly anxious about the work of the devil in your life? Do you lie in bed dreading evil events happening to you? Do you believe you will never get pregnant? Are you frustrated with your children? Do you have a medical condition that is getting worse and you are afraid that it will kill you? Child of God, I want you to know that amidst all these challenges you are going through, God has a plan for you. Worry less and relax. Truth is, God’s plans cannot be thwarted. Ask Him for His peace, then make your plans in accordance to His word. 

         In all that you do, never allow fear to hinder you from making any plans for the future. Remember, God’s plan is not always easy but His timing and strategy are perfect. In the scripture above, you will find that the main character in the passage is not Joseph or his brothers, but the sovereign God of heaven whose plan cannot be delayed or stopped by anyone.  

God’s plan cannot be thwarted. Why? Because He is our creator, sustainer and Lord of all. 

“Therefore, hide yourself in him; the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it, and they are saved” (Proverbs 18:1). 

No power of the devil can stop the plan of God for your life; His will for your life will always come to pass. Keep in mind that nobody can assault you without God’s permission.  Children of God, you are indestructible unless God calls you home.  Today, many Christians are more afraid of a witch doctor than God. Learn to not allow the fear of evil men and women stop you from moving forward with making plans for the future. I am here to tell you that no demon can destroy or attack you without God’s permission. Why? Because you are a child of God, and should not be afraid of evil men and women. 

  One of the things that hold us back from making plans is that we secretly wish some people will fail in their endeavors. We have allowed the devil to plant seeds of unforgiveness in us. We all need to be careful to not allow jealousy become a tool used by the devil against us. The hatred Joseph’s brothers had towards him led them to consider murder to satisfy the jealousy and bitterness in their hearts. Believer in Christ, jealousy, bitterness and hatred has no place in your life. Joseph’s brothers could not stop hating him; they were jealous of all God had deposited in him. His brothers drank out of the cup of hatred and bitterness and it almost led them to murder. Their father, Jacob, who was also a deceiver, was experiencing the results of his evil acts. However, God could not stop loving and protecting Joseph. His brother's hatred towards him was driven by lack of fear of God. When we fear God, it eliminates any evil action towards our fellow man. This story was driven by God’s love for Joseph. God’s love for you as His child is not based on your understanding of His love but His plan for your life. It is based on the heart of God for His children. 

  1. What are five lies the devil tells us about the plans of God?

• • God does not care about your future plans.
  • God will only help you if you know the right person and are well-connected to the right people.
  • God does not allow U-turns. If you mess up, there is no chance for God to change your life.
  • You do not deserve God’s grace and mercy because you have not been reading your Bible or praying 
  • God’s plan for us is not good.

   2. What are five life-changing truths you should know about the plans of God?

• God's plan cannot be stopped by any act of the devil.
• God’s plan for your life is good. It will lead to your personal development and growth.
• God’s plan for your life will be accomplished in His way and timing. “All the events of a believer’s life are controlled by God’s divine plan. God’s divine plan when experienced always leads to receiving His blessings. (Romans 8:28). God’s divine plan gives purpose and meaning to a believer’s life.” Gary Barker
• God’s plan can be delayed by your lack of preparation. However, it cannot be destroyed.

Let's take a minute to reflect on these verses:

Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 16:9: The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 19:21: Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Jeremiah 29:11-14: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Now, let's reflect on our last question for the day:

3. What are the 10 things I should do when a close family member is making my life miserable by causing me physical pain or emotional discomfort? 

1. Remember God’s plan for your life cannot be stopped by their evil actions.
2. Be wise in all your conversations with evil men and women in your life. Your innocence does not require you to be careless. Joseph was innocent, but totally naive. We look at Joseph’s story and are amazed that he never suspected his honest report of his brothers’ failings (37:2), his father’s open favoritism (vv. 3–4), and his narration of his dreams (vv. 5–11) would make his brothers jealous and his life miserable. Joseph was only 17 at the time, so you have no excuse.  “It is often a quality of the virtuous to expect others to be as honest, generous and good as they are. Innocence is attractive and to be cultivated. But we need to guard against a naivete that unwittingly provokes hostility.”-The Bible Reader's Companion.
3. Do not stay with them if you feel your life is in danger. It is not God’s will for you to be tortured by one who loves you. 
4. Be honest with them about the pain they are causing you.  
5. Remember, God is wiser than you. So, do not trust your own wisdom. 
6. Do not allow Satan to plant the seed of bitterness in you. Walk in love but be wise in all your interactions with them. . 
7. Leave and love them from a distance. Establish clear and specific boundaries. Be humble but be honest about your desire for respect and honor.
8. Pray for them each day, for God to show them the evil of their ways. Learn to say no without providing any explanation.
9. Resist the urge to attack them. Do not get into arguments or physical confrontation with them. 
10. Talk to a wise Christian counselor.

 

This sermon was preached at Bridge of Grace Baptist Church on Sunday Jan 9th 2022 by Pastor James Owolabi. www.jamesowolabi.com/donate

1047 days ago! 34 months! and 12 days ago! I got the worst news i have goten in my adult life!

34 months and 12 days ago, I faced the darkest day of my adult life - the day I lost my father. It was as if death, that cruel thief, had personally targeted me. My world was shattered, leaving me in a six-month long haze of anger, doubt, fear, and shame. The period was marked by unexpected and unpleasant family squabbles, disagreements with church leaders, and self-inflicted pain. Hopelessness engulfed me.

 

At 42, I was drowning - financially, relationally, emotionally. Single and feeling betrayed by the Holy Spirit, I was bitter at God, feeling like a forgotten and foolish character in His grand narrative. Years before, I had chosen to move to one of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods to lead a group of hurt teenagers from broken homes. In two and a half years, we mourned the loss of 10 of these young souls. Ignoring the advice of friends, mentors, and my father’s pleas to join him in Africa, I believed my calling was in Chicago for five years.

 

My only prayer was that God would allow me to return to Africa, marry in a bride quickly, work alongside my father, and give him the joy of grandchildren. But God the wise king of heaven, had other plans.

 

Yet, through the storm, I found healing in the unexpected kindness of friends like Scott and Mark. I embraced a new beginning, fueled by a promise to my father and a desire from God two decades old - to return to Africa and build a ministry to combat poverty through church planting, education, and leadership development. 

 

Resigning from my dream job in America, I embarked on this journey. Fast forward 34 months and 12 days - I’ve married, we’ve welcomed a child, started a church, and are in the process of building a school in Africa. 

Our school now nurtures 35 students on a temporary site; our church grows under the guidance of three pastors and a congregation of forty; and a friend’s generous gift of a bus has greatly aided our ministry.

While still tackling some debt at 45, I am rich in ways that truly matter. I have a loving wife, a son who finds peace napping on my chest, a mother who sees me as her gift, a congregation that resonates with my sermons, 200 kids who come hear me speak every summer! 

 

So, to everyone reading this, thank you. THANK YOU FOR BEING MY FRIEND! And a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Respectfully  in Christ Jesus

James Owolabi (PJ) 

cell (360) 471-7260 

Pastor James  Owolabi 

www.jamesowolabi.com

"Not every thing that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced"-James Baldwin 

Dear Nigerians!! Stop this madness!!!!

I recently spent three hours in the bank, waiting  for three documents to be printed. I was waiting for them to process three documents for me. It was very frustrating because I know this would never happen in America. It broke my heart to see my own people being sloppy and unprofessional in many aspects of their lives. I've had to fire teachers for being late to school and encourage pastors to arrive on time for staff meetings, as they found punctuality challenging. It pains me that people die in hospital rooms, including employees and pregnant women, due to a lack of urgency. This is a result of a learned helplessness that we have adopted. That's why I choose to build schools, to raise a new generation of young people who can think biblically, strive to do their best, and not let mediocrity dominate their lifestyle and mindset. If you're a Nigerian reading this, let us start being punctual. Do your job well. Don’t make people wait three hours just to print a document. Print it and let them go without expecting a gift in return. Let’s change this, Nigerians. I hope and pray that our nation will be great again.

Dear Nigerians!! Stop this madness!!!!

I recently spent three hours in the bank, waiting  for three documents to be printed. I was waiting for them to process three documents for me. It was very frustrating because I know this would never happen in America. It broke my heart to see my own people being sloppy and unprofessional in many aspects of their lives. I've had to fire teachers for being late to school and encourage pastors to arrive on time for staff meetings, as they found punctuality challenging. It pains me that people die in hospital rooms, including employees and pregnant women, due to a lack of urgency. This is a result of a learned helplessness that we have adopted. That's why I choose to build schools, to raise a new generation of young people who can think biblically, strive to do their best, and not let mediocrity dominate their lifestyle and mindset. If you're a Nigerian reading this, let us start being punctual. Do your job well. Don’t make people wait three hours just to print a document. Print it and let them go without expecting a gift in return. Let’s change this, Nigerians. I hope and pray that our nation will be great again.

Dear Nigerians!! Stop this madness!!!!

I recently spent three hours in the bank, waiting  for three documents to be printed. I was waiting for them to process three documents for me. It was very frustrating because I know this would never happen in America. It broke my heart to see my own people being sloppy and unprofessional in many aspects of their lives. I've had to fire teachers for being late to school and encourage pastors to arrive on time for staff meetings, as they found punctuality challenging. It pains me that people die in hospital rooms, including employees and pregnant women, due to a lack of urgency. This is a result of a learned helplessness that we have adopted. That's why I choose to build schools, to raise a new generation of young people who can think biblically, strive to do their best, and not let mediocrity dominate their lifestyle and mindset. If you're a Nigerian reading this, let us start being punctual. Do your job well. Don’t make people wait three hours just to print a document. Print it and let them go without expecting a gift in return. Let’s change this, Nigerians. I hope and pray that our nation will be great again.

God is not a liar!!!

God is a promise keeper. He never forgets His promises to His children, and He has never forgotten His promises to the children of Israel or His various promises in the Bible. The Bible states that if you trust in God, He will protect you. It says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." If you trust Him in all your ways and acknowledge Him, He will take care of the problem. The issue is that most of us do not trust God; instead, we tend to talk to people about our problems. God wants us to talk to Him, not to people. So, when you talk to God, ask Him for wisdom, and when He gives you wisdom, take action. Don't just sit around waiting for a miracle; make plans, set goals, and develop habits that will help you achieve those goals.

Be the Catalyst!!!

As you journey through life, it's normal to have dreams and aspirations. However, as a believer, you have to recognize that it's not just about your personal aspirations but also about your God-given purpose. God has a unique and specific plan for your life, and it's important to yield to his leading and direction.

As Christians, we are called to reject mediocrity and allow God to use us to change the world. We must move beyond just dreaming and take action towards fulfilling the purpose that God has for our lives. It's time to step out in faith and pursue those dreams that God has placed in our hearts.

For the past 20 years, it has been my dream to start my own school. Despite the challenges and naysayers, I held on to this vision and finally took a step of faith by starting a small preschool. God has blessed our hard work and dedication, and we currently have 15 students and two class teachers. We give God all the glory for his mercy and grace in helping us achieve this feat.

Our school, Catalyst Christian Schools, is committed to raising future leaders who are not just academically sound but also grounded in the knowledge of Christ. We are driven by the passion to make a positive impact on our society by providing quality education that is Christ-centered. Our goal is to shape the future by raising godly and impactful leaders who will shape the world for Christ and His kingdom.

As we look forward to the future, we remain confident in God's leading and direction. We trust that he will continue to guide us every step of the way, and we are excited to see the great things he will do through us. So, let us all take courage and be brave. Let us reject mediocrity and allow God to use us to fulfill his purpose for our lives – to impact the world for Christ!

 

"In God I trust". I will be bold!!! Part 1 Genesis 37:1-11

Genesis 37:4-11

“But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.”

Genesis 37:4-11

Child of God, what goals have you set for 2023? Is fear keeping you from starting that business? Is fear keeping you from writing that apology letter to that family member that was hurt by your actions, from fighting for your marriage, or your health? What spiritual goals have you set for 2023? Child of God, I want you to know that fear is of the devil. Do not allow fear to dominate your life. Live by faith, faith in God this year!

As a child of God, you should never allow fear of evil people to undermine your God-given path to success. Joseph was attacked by his evil and jealous brothers; they wanted to murder him. But God had a plan for Joseph. God’s plan for Joseph was greater than his brother’s plan for his life, and He rescued Joseph from their evil plan. Just as Joseph, God can rescue you from any evil plan of the devil.

 

As a child of God, move forward towards your plans by writing down specific goals. You will never reach your goals if you allow negative words from close friends and family members to continuously keep you down. Remember that God’s power and plan to rescue you is greater than any evil plan ( from a witch doctor) of the devil to destroy you or your children. Joseph was hated and rebuked by his family, but he walked in courage and never allowed the fear of people to hold him back from serving God. You cannot allow people to hinder you from reaching your full potential. God protected Joseph and He can protect you, too. Do not allow fear to hold you hostage and keep you from setting specific goals in your life.

If you allow fear to dominate you, you will not set big audacious goals for your life. When you are afraid of people laughing and talking about you, you will never know the power of God. When your life is driven by fear of people, you will experience burning out and bitterness. Why? You can never please people. When you decide to trust God completely and take action, nothing can stop you.

Are you being driven by complete trust in God, or are you driven by fear of people?

1. What are five signs that I am driven by fear of people?
1. You are always afraid to set goals. You are afraid that people will laugh at you if you fail, which then prevents you from setting your goals. 
2. You allow your past failures to hold you hostage.
3. You are disorganized in your life. You have no focus. You have no goals, so you are not focused. You have no sense of clear direction for your career or marriage.
4. You procrastinate because you are afraid of failure.
5. You do not read good books because you are afraid of new information changing your life.
6. You are quick to enter unnecessary conversations with immature people who have no vision. When you are criticized, you immediately defend yourself. 
2. What are five signs that I am driven by faith in God?
1. You set big audacious goals because you know that nobody can stop you except God.
2. You begin each day by reading the word of God for wisdom.
3. You work hard because you know that God will bless your efforts and make you better.
4. You reject mediocrity because you know that you have a great God who has great things for you.
5. You read biographies of great people because you know that God has great things in store for your life.
3. What are five ways I can develop courage in my life?
1. Spend one hour with God every day.
2. Write down specific goals for your life.
3. Share your goals cautiously with only a dear friend who cares deeply about you.
4. Pray for friends who can help you reach your goal.
5. Run from people who have no goals.
6. Revisit your written down goals every week.

Child of grace and truth, we all face setbacks in life. But we must remember that God can deliver us from evil. Do not allow anybody to stop you from  setting goals and pursuing those goals. Do not allow family members to stop you from reaching your dreams. Talk with God! Be wise! Only share your personal goals with successful people. Walk in complete confidence because your future is in the hands of God. Joseph's brother hated him, but God held him in his heart. God delivered Joseph. He can deliver you, too.

I am working on a podcast for 2025!! 21 Questions podcast by PJ!!! I need your help!!!!

Hey Friends!!!

I am working on launching a  podcast!!! Here are 21 questions I will be asking leaders around the world!! Help me with some feedback after reading this questions.

1. What are the three lessons you have learnt about hiring the right people?
2.  What are the three best business books you have read in the best five years?
3.  What are three bad habits you have been able to quit that have made you a successful business owner?
4. What are three qualities that hold you back from hiring certain individuals?
5. What are three qualities in a man that makes your wife uncomfortable with him being your friend?
6. What are three habits that set good business owners apart from great business owners?
7. Tell me about your morning routine ( three things you must do) before  you leave the house and ( three things you do) after you get to the office?
8. What three things to develop yourself every week?
9. What are the best three lessons you have learnt about parenting your daughter, son or children?
10. Tell me about a time you failed and what are three lessons learned from it?
11. Who are your mentors and how do you find them?
12. What are three lessons you wife or husband has taught you?
13. What is the best three pieces of advice you have ever received from your wife?
14.  What are three bad habits you have to quit to make you reach your goals in the next five years?
15. What are three great habits that great leaders do before they win in business?
16.  What are three things you love about you church?
17.  What would make you invest $20,000.00 a year into a ministry if you were worth 20 million dollars? 
18. What are three qualities you look for in hiring a manager?
19.  What are three great habits you have incorporated into your life and marriage in the past five years?
20. What is the best advice your parents gave you about marriage?
21. What questions should I have asked you that I never asked that will  make me a better leader?
    

Five questions about these questions:

1. What are your favorite three questions on this list ?
2. Would you like to be on my podcast?
3. Who should I invite on this podcast?
4. What questions would you add to this list?
5. What questions would you delete ?

Hey!! Team!!!

I love you and thank God for you!!!!!

Respectfully

Pastor James Owolabi

Unplanned Pregnancy!! False Accusations! Grace upon Grace. Married this fall! May and June 2022 Ministry Report

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I want to use this opportunity to thank you all for being part of my life. The past six months has been a very difficult one for me, but also a blessing in disguise. During this time, God has really surprised me. 

In February of this year, the young lady I had been courting for five months (I met her in October 2021) informed me that she was pregnant with another man's child. This broke my heart deeply and I refused to embark on my search for a godly wife.

         However, in March of 2022, I was privileged to meet a young lady whom I proposed to in May.

By God’s good grace, we will be getting married this fall.

Our engagement video..

 

She is a lovely woman who loves Jesus deeply and desires to serve Christ with me. She's twenty-eight years young and sixteen years younger than I, but loves the Lord. 

She is a fantastic  young lady with a passion for ministry. She has some experience in youth ministry in a local church. She is also a college graduate from a Nigerian university. She is very passionate about reaching the next generation in Nigeria. I had the privilege of visiting her family; they all love me and I love some of them. But I am grateful that God has brought Olabisi and I


Truth is, the pregnancy of my ex-fiance by another man was a heartbreaking experience. It made me very upset and depressed, but God encouraged me, especially through my sister, Flora. She has been a blessing to my life. She's one of my biggest cheerleaders in the world and as I write to you, I am grateful that God used her to encourage me during this very dark time of my life. I am very grateful for her. 

        Every summer, for the past 15 years, God has provided the doors to preach at Summer Camps to teenagers and children.  Camp Awana in Wisconsin has given me the privilege of preaching annually at their camp while covering all of my traveling expenses. Preaching to young people is something the Lord has allowed me to do for the past twelve months in Nigeria and it has been awesome to see over two dozen teenagers give their lives to Jesus Christ. Over the past 24 months, we have witnessed over a hundred students give their lives to Jesus. This past week (June 20th -June 24th 2022), our ministry team has witnessed over fifty students’ response to the gospel at the camp.

               God has given me a ferocious passion to continue His works in Nigeria as I return this August to continue our Nigeria for Jesus Campaign. We will be launching events and clubs at our church and local schools to reach young people. This past school year, we reached over 500 students in our community. Our Nigeria for Jesus campus outreach saw over 100 students attend each of the events we hosted. We provided over 100 students with school supplies. I am very grateful to God for what He did and for your willingness to support me while I was in Nigeria this past year. 

Our small church is growing!!!! Since January of 2022, we have seen over a hundred students walk into our doors every Sunday.

We have also seen our Nigeria for Jesus campaign to high school students and middle school students from age thirteen to seventeen become tremendously great. We've made a big impact in the lives of students. We are excited and blessed to have a team of four paid adults to help us magnify Christ and proclaim Jesus as the only answer to our problems in Nigeria. Nigeria for Jesus is a campaign targeting students in Nigeria and to raise them up to be Christian leaders in Nigeria.

We have Nigeria for Jesus conferences, we have Nigeria for Jesus outreach monthly events and in the future, we want to launch Nigeria for Jesus clubs in public schools this fall. 

These monthly clubs will be led by student leaders, to empower them to disciple their peers. Please, continue to pray that God will give us the resources to have more staff and continue His works. This will allow us to send three teams to three different schools at once.  Every time we go to a school, we take school supplies, backpacks and snacks while providing transportation for our staff who would also take snacks with us. So, Precious Saints of God, continue to pray for us that this experience will go from strength to strength and yield good disciples. One of the schools we go to regularly is Adeniran Grammar School. If you follow me on Facebook, you will see this school always featured in our future. This school uniform is green and white. 

God has allowed us to host monthly events in a local church that is next door to the school. So as a result, we have seen over a hundred students attend those events. We are praying for God to give us four people who'll adopt each school. We are really excited about the opportunity to serve Christ in this way. Please, continue to pray for us.

We are praying that God will allow us to take this message and serve other schools in Ogbomoso for His glory.

 Our dream someday will be to take Nigeria for Jesus campus outreach team and be able to serve four schools every month. So, your prayers would be key for us in achieving this. 

Bridge of Grace Baptist Church, the church I planted in September, is growing and we have an average attendance of thirty people every Sunday.

We also have weekly events every Sunday night to reach children and teenagers. On any given Sunday night during the school year, from September to June, we've had over fifty children from age six to ten. On Wednesday nights, we have an environment for middle school students from age eleven to fourteen. We currently have over forty students attending that event every week between September and June. On Friday nights, we have high school students, aged fifteen to eighteen, attending our events. So, all together, we have a total number of over hundred students attending Bridge of Grace Baptist Church whenever we have our yearly student events every September and June.

We are grateful to all of you for your support, prayers, investment and word of encouragement. We are grateful for telling your family and friends about the ministry, especially for your phone calls in Nigeria and your willingness to partner with us. We love you dearly. 

Please, send your donations to us at the address below and we'll be glad to make sure you are part of what the Lord is doing in Nigeria through our ministry. Thank you for your kindness to me. In the memo: Nigeria for Jesus Campaign.

Please issue all checks to: 

 

Missionary James Owolabi 

Mail the check to: 

Baptist World Outreach Ministries.

3102 Brainerd Rd, 

Chattanooga, TN 37411,

Thank you again for your willingness to help me reach the next generation in Nigeria. 

Respectfully,

James Owolabi

Pastor, Educator and Evangelist.

www.nigeriaforjesus.com

It is a privilege to be a part of your life and an honor to serve Christ with you. 

 

Thanks for your prayers and support.

 

Respectfully,

Pastor James Owolabi.

 

DON'T TRUST YOUR EYES Genesis 34 JULY 10TH 2022 Sermon

Saints of God, whenever we choose not to allow the eyes of God to lead us and the voice of God to lead us, we will get ourselves into trouble. The title of this sermon is "Don't trust your eyes"than you. I want you to really remember that God is wiser than you. You are not wiser than God. Don't trust your eyes, trust the voice of God. Your eyes will mislead you.Trust God's instruction, direction and correction. Follow his eyes for he is wise!!  That is why we are commanded to obey the voice of God and not the voice of men.

“Now Jacob heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah. But his sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob held his peace until they came. The sons of Jacob had come in from the field as soon as they heard of it, and the men were indignant and very angry, because he had done an outrageous thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter, for such a thing must not be done. On the third day, when they were sore, two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and came against the city while it felt secure and killed all the males. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house and went away. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister. Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. My numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my household.” But they said, “Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭34:5, 7, 25-27, 30-31‬ ‭

           Ogbomoso deeply needs people of peace and humility. We Yoruba people are not humble at all. In fact, every generation is worse than the generation before when it comes to humility. God has called us to be humble people. We need to embrace humility and not hostility. Living in Ogbomoso will make you very hostile. Walking in Taki will make you hostile because everybody is NOT patient with you, people are not kind, but nasty and rude to each other. One of my friends who is an American came to Nigeria and he said, "Everyone is nice to me." I said, "The reason why they are nice to you is because they want something from you. Once you get to know them and they are not getting anything from you again, they will aggressively and verbally attack you." that is the nature of our lives in Ogbomoso and God wants to change that about us. God wants us to embrace humility.
        Today, July 10, I am reminded that today is the second Sunday of the month. Last week we thought about humility, not hostility. We talked about how Jacob humbled himself before Esau, and God forgave him. God allowed reconciliation between them.I am praying for you that any decisive nature of conflict or problems you have with anyone, God will help you overcome. God will restore trust, love and peace in every relationship in your life in the name of Jesus. I pray that you won't be someone in the world who loves conflict, but any conflict that you have with somebody will END IN PEACE and help you grow to reach your full potential.
            This story is one of the saddest stories in the Bible. This story in Genesis 34 is a tragic storyof rape and abuse of a young lady. In this story,  Jacob's daughter, Dinah the daughter of Jacob was raped.

Early in the book of Genesis, Jacob vowed that he was going to return to the land of his father and worship God in Genesis 28:18-22. This is the first indication that God wanted Jacob to complete his journey to Bethel when he told Jacob to leave Laban's country.
            God told Jacob in Genesis 28 that He will prosper him, but he should return to the land of his father. Jacob calls God Almighty, the God of Bethel. This massive disaster befell Dinah in chapter 34. This is what happens when we choose to reject humility before God and disregard his laws.  It is a big scary warning to all of us that Bethel was to be Jacob's proper home. Jacob decided to land in Shechem. The Lord's intent in Genesis 35:1-15 is known below. 

 Genesis 35:1-15
Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother." And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone." So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem. And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother. Now Deborah, Rebekah`s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the terebinth tree. So the name of it was called Allon Bachuth. Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land." Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him. So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it. And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.

In fact, there is a direct confirmation of what Jacob already knew to be God's will. Jacob didn't go all the way to Bethel, but he settled and dwelled in Shechem. Genesis 33:18-19 reminds us of this.

Genesis 33:18-19
Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city. And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem`s father, for one hundred pieces of money.

 

 

"Shechem's location in the promised land was a crossroad of trade." Bible scholars told us and made it a convenient choice because it was easier for Jacob to believe that he was making a home in a good place. But we noticed that in chapter 34, especially verse 19 that, even though this was a powerful place, tragic interaction between Jacob and the Shechemites later showed that Jacob made a mistake in remaining there.

            Saints of God, whenever we choose not to allow the eyes of God to lead us and the voice of God to lead us, we will get ourselves into trouble. The title of this sermon is "Don't trust your eyes"than you. I want you to really remember that God is wiser than you. You are not wiser than God. Don't trust your eyes, trust the voice of God. Your eyes will mislead you.Trust God's instruction, direction and correction. Follow his eyes for he is wise!!  That is why we are commanded to obey the voice of God and not the voice of men.

This morning, I want to give you reasons why you should obey the voice of the Lord.
In this passage, Jacob decided to settle in Shechem. His daughter was raped, his sons committed multiple murders because he simply didn't obey the voice of the Lord. He did not believe that God is wiser than Him. Jacob is not perfect. Sometimes he obeys God, sometimes he doesn't. When he doesn't obey God, he faces the consequences.

FOUR REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD OBEY A WISE GOD.

1. GOD'S WORD WILL ALWAYS COME TO PASS.

Whatever you sow, you will reap. If you don't obey God's Word you will regret it!!!

You can pick your sin, but you can't pick the consequences of your sin. His word will always come to pass. Refrain from obeying the voice of other men in your marriage. Obey the voice of God in how you spend your money.  Whenever we choose to disobey God's word, it comes with a lot of dangerous consequences.
Hey, Bridge of Grace, Pastor James has reminded you over and over that you can pick your sin, but you cannot pick the consequences of your sin.

Here, Jacob decided to settle in Shechem. What he did not know was that God had told him, Go back to your Father's house, which is a place called Bethel, the house of God.
He decided to settle in Shechem and his daughter was raped. God's Word is sure. Listen to God's Word.

2. GOD'S POWER WILL PROTECT YOU FROM BAD DECISIONS

Whenever I choose to obey God, I am submitting myself under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible says, "Those that are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

If I want the Spirit of God to guide me and I want to experience the power and blessings of God in my life, I need to totally surrender to obeying the voice of God because God is wiser than me.

When I choose not to listen to the Word of God, I am disconnecting myself from the power of God.

We have a generator at home and when NEPA decides not to give you light, you can always plug in the generator, but the generator needs diesel.

What happens when you decide to use petrol or kerosene and not diesel, it will destroy your generator because the manufacturer who made the generator decided that diesel, not kerosene not petrol was going to empower the generator.

Whenever you disobey God, you cut yourself off from the power of God to deliver you. Whenever you disobey God, you cut yourself off from the power and the protection of God. It is important that we obey the voice of God so that you can experience the power of God in your life.
God has commanded us, if you're not married don't have sex outside your marriage. A lot of us don't believe this. Think about how many young women that have destroyed their lives because they do not confess their sins and repent of sexual sin.

3. GOD'S WORD CHALLENGES MEN OF GOD TO TAKE WISE ACTIONS.

God's Word doesn't mean we don't take any action. Jacob didn't take any action when his daughter was raped. This is a sad day in the life of Jacob.

The Jacob we know is a man who takes action, the Jacob we know is the man who makes plans, the Jacob we know is the man who is intense, he doesn't wait for things to come to him.

But how can your daughter get raped and not do anything about it? In fact, later in the passage, a tragedy happened because his sons went and murdered those people.

It is not God's will for you to ignore his word and not take action. God wants you to take action in whatever God has called you to do.

If God has called you to be a Pastor, you need to study the Word of God well, so that you can preach the Word of God passionately.

If God has called you to be a school teacher, you need to write your lesson notes well in detail.

If God has called you to be a business woman, you need to know your numbers, you need to know your sales, you need to know who your customer is.

If you don't know this, you need to take action. You need to write your sales goal down. You need to write whatsoever you learn from your coach down.

Don't be arrogant and ignore the ability to take action. Whenever God shows you a problem, you need to take action.

Jacob showed us here that he's not a man who listens to the Word of God because when his daughter was raped, he did not take action.

One of the reasons why we need to obey God is because He's a catalyst to push us to take action.

4. THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT OBEYING GOD IS DANGEROUS!!

When I choose to obey God, I experience the light of God in my life. The light of God provides the blessings for my life, the light of God propels me to enjoy God, the light of God encourages me to appreciate the goodness of God in my life, the light of the Word of God gives me direction and peace.

When I choose to disobey God, I experience the darkness of depression, the darkness of self-destructive behaviour, and the darkness of God being absent in my life.

When I don't obey God, I find myself sitting in the seat I should not sit in. Why? I chose not to obey the voice of the Lord.

Bridge of Grace, Genesis 34 is a warning. What is the summary of Genesis 34? Dinah, the daughter of Jacob was raped. Jacob sons later commit murder. They killed the one who raped their sister and all the members of his family. Why? Their dad was passive and did nothing about it.

My prayer to us as a church is that we will not listen to the world, but we will let the Word of God change our lives, change our community and change us.

I have three questions for you as we close.

1. Are you daily reading the Word of God?
2. Are you allowing the Word of God change the way you behave and the way you relate with other members of the opposite sex?
3. Have you confessed and repented of sexual sins in your life? Or, are you living in disobedience to God?

Let's pray!