OAKS of Rigteousness

12/26/2023

Revival! Revival!! Revival!!!

I have heard all about you, LORD. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy. Habakkuk 3 verse 2.

O LORD, revive thy work amid the years is a phrase from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk 3 verse 2. It is an ancient prayer asking God to revive and restore his people during hardship and distress.

This passage resonates with many believers today who struggle through difficult times or adversity. Here is a prayer you pray when believing God for a change in your situation.

When all hope is lost when you are at the bank of the sea, and there seems to be no way, just like Moses and the Israelites. Moses did the needful calling on God, and He appeared. When facing tribulations in the hands of the oppressors like Hezekiah in the hands of Sennacherib, Hezekiah cried to the Lord, and He answered quickly.

The idea behind this prayer is that God can bring:
-hope out of despair,
-renewal out of destruction,
-joy out of sorrow, and
-life out of death.

When it feels like all hope has been lost, this simple plea to God reminds us that He still has the power to make things right again if we turn to Him for help.

We must trust in His divine plan even when it seems impossible for anything good to come from our current circumstances or situation. By believing that He will be faithful no matter what happens. and by faith, knowing He will provide everything needed for success despite any obstacles along the way.

The words "renew thy work" are also an invitation from us as individuals—to actively participate in working towards restoring peace within ourselves as well as those around us by being kinder, more generous with our resources (time/money), forgiving others quickly instead letting grudges linger on, and most importantly praying faithfully every day.

Hence, we never lose sight of why we're here: To glorify Him! When these actions become habits, then not only do they help renew us, but they also set off ripples into society, which eventually directly impact how others view their situations, leading them closer towards finding true fulfillment- something only found through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Pastor Champion Bakare
RCCG, City of Light
Belchertown, MA.0100

December, 2023

07/09/2023

Operation Decapolis! Light Up Northampton July 2023

02/14/2023

02/14/2023

08/31/2022

IMAGO DEI

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." Genesis 1 verse 26

God created man in his image, and after his likeness, he did not stop there; he went further to give man dominion over all other creatures and spheres. When I think of Imago Dei, I think of the privilege God gave to man to dominate. To dominate means to rule over something. This privilege was lost in the Garden of Eden when man disobeyed God and was recorded as a sin against God. God sent man away from his presence, which was the beginning of man's troubles and struggles.

"22And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

23Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Genesis 3 verses 22-24

However, God decides to repurchase man to himself in His infinite mercy by sending his only begotten son. Jesus Christ introduced himself as the way, the truth, and life, and no one can come to the Father except by him.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14verse 6.

God drove the man out of his presence and placed a Cherubim and flaming sword at the east of the garden to protect the tree of life. Jesus came to lead us back to the tree of life. In other words, Jesus came to give us eternal life that was lost due to the sin of disobedience. For God so loved the world that he gave us only begotten son that whosoever believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3, verse 16.

Another thing that comes to mind is Tope Alabi, a renowned Yoruba gospel artist who described the uniqueness of man in her song titled "Yes and Amen." Tope Alabi summarizes the Imago Dei, singing about man's uniqueness, not only as flesh but also as a spiritual being and the image of God.

In conclusion, Man is equipped with God's most pronounced attribute; that is, God is a creator because man was made in the image of God; man can also create by speaking life to anything, as demonstrated by prophet Ezekiel at the valley of dry bone

06/19/2022

Here is the excerpt from the message I preached on mothers day 2022. In this message, I critically look at two missing character traits or qualities that are missing in the world today.

These two qualities are what the author of 1 Samuel 25 pointed out in the life of ABIGAIL. Note: This quality is a pair; one can not stand without the other. Beauty and wisdom, one focuses on the outward appearance, and the other is inward.

You better have both to survive the tide of madness that is ravaging the world today; else, the tide will drown you quickly. That tide is the reality of today. Women most especially spent quality time on their outward appearance ( BEAUTY) at the expense of the inward (INTELLIGENT, DISCERNING, WISDOM). The rate of body dysmorphic disorder is on the increase. Women, most especially, are not satisfied with their bodies.

As a result, they modify it to suit. Cosmetic surgery is on the rise today. Fake breast implants, artificial buttocks, or implants are widespread today. Appetite for education and spiritual development has drastically reduced.

The scripture spoke of Abigail as a woman of good understanding and beautiful countenance. A good understanding can also mean she is intelligent, prudent, discerning, and wise. Also, a beautiful countenance can mean she is lovely in appearance.

Proverbs 31 provides a powerful illustration of what a godly woman should be like. Also, 1 Samuel 25 introduces two character traits in a woman that every woman should covet. Wisdom and beauty.

I Samuel 25 vs 3 described Abigail as an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings.

The women/Mothers work to provide for the needs of their families. They made clothing for their households, gathered food, and ministered to the poor. They had no fear of the future because they prepared for every possible situation.

Mothers prepare and raise children for the future. They sow a lot of time and wisdom into their children's lives. This is why your children call you blessed, and your husbands recognize your inputs and praise you today.

Williams Golding, a British novelist and Nobel Laurette said
Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her s***m, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her."

The question for our fathers is, what do you give to your wife? Remember, it is what you give to a woman that she multiplies.

06/13/2022

I am under the GRACIOUS HAND of GOD!
Jehovah El Elyon

05/26/2022

There is a state that is called the original state. The original state is the state that Jeremiah was referring to in Jeremiah 1. No man has an input in the way God created them; the creator has something in mind before he created you. Just like the potter has a design in mind before putting the clay on the wheel. For instance, if a Jar is made to hold 100ltr of water and is being used to hold 50ltrs, we can conclude that the jar is underutilized. Here is the dilemma of the world today men underutilized their God-given potential from creation.

Every man is unique, and we are part of a puzzle created by God. We must ensure that we are not the missing piece in the giant maze. That is the more reason why it is imperative that men ought to pray to align to the will and purpose of God.

Man can stray away from the original purpose of creation. Shockingly, the will of the adversary of man is that man should not know their purpose. The enemy deploys the weapon of deceit to divert man's attention from God's purpose for their life.

For example, God's purpose is to bring the Israelites to the promised land, but they allow the enemy's weapon to thrive in their midst. As a result, a significant number of them heard the promise but never entered the promised land.

Many people today are wandering aimlessly without purpose in today's world. That is what the author of Ecclesiastes meant when he said, "I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants" Eccl 10:7.

Introducing God of RESTORATION
The will of God is to restore man to his purpose, and that is the main reason for sending His only begotten son to die for us all. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

What are the things God would restore
His purpose for your life. God will reinstate you and realign you to His own will and purpose for your life. His is the ultimate restoration. You will be exposed to other opportunities for restoration within the body of Christ following this restoration. "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you." Joel 2:25

Psalm 85: 1You, Lord, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.
3You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger. 4Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. 5Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? 6Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation. 8I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly. 9Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven 12The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. 13Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

03/19/2022