₦airaland Forum

The world operates at various levels, so do the people living in it. When we talk about health, there are those who are healthy, there are those who are sick, there are those who are seriously sick and there are those who are dying. When we talk about wealth, there is the destitute, the poor, the comfortable, the rich, the very rich, the wealthy, and the flourishing. The flourishing are those who according to the Bible, can afford to lend to nations. There are also those who have such abundance that it is difficult to imagine. In 2 Chronicles 1:15, we read that in the days of Solomon, silver and gold were like stones. When we talk about joy, there are also various levels of joy: there are those who are sad, there are sympathisers, there are those who have joy and those with great joy, there is the fullness of joy available in presence of God (Psalm 16:11), and then there is "joy unspeakable" (1 Peter 1:. Similarly. There are various levels of victory. There is victory obtained from a fight, there is victory obtained without a fight, there is a victory where the enemy miraculously disappears. Then, Psalm 23:5 reveals another dimension of victory: "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over". There is nothing as glorious as rejoicing before incapacitated enemies while they watch. We have seen that there are different levels with respect to different things in this world, and that everyone is at one level or the other. It doesn't matter what your current level is, there is a higher level you can go to. The question you should therefore ask yourself is: "How do I move to the next level?" There are three possible scenarios you may encounter when trying to move from one level to another. First, you may try to move to the next level unassisted. Secondly, you may move to the next level assisted. In the third scenario, you may be resisted while trying to move to the next level. Those trying to move to the next level unassisted will face problems because you need a hand to help you up. You need Jesus to get to the next level, and He is ready to help you if you will surrender your life to Him. If God decides to assist you, He can take you from the prison to the throne in one night as He did for Joseph in the Bible. If you get assistance from the devil, you will pay dearly for it. But when God is the one assisting you, the sky is not your limit; you will go beyond the sky. Thus, surrender your life to Christ now so that He can take you to the next level.

It is unfortunate to observe that sobriety is no longer a common feature in the lives of many twenty-first century believers. Instead, the characteristics of the night or darkness are the common trademarks of many so-called Christians. Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 does not only admonish us to be sober-minded, he also warns us to beware of the sleep of death. We should not engage in spiritual slumbering, so that the coming of the Day of the Lord may not catch us unawares. We should not engage in the works of darkness as he enjoined us in Ephesians 5:4-5: "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God". Why do we have thieves in the Church today? Why are harlots singing in the Choir? Why are extra-marital wanderings common among both the laity and the clergy? The answer is not far-fetched: children of light are becoming children of darkness. Also, children of darkness are disguising as children of light. Furthermore, the children of light are making the spiritual environment (the Church) too comfortable for evil doers. The love towards the ungodly that they may be saved has been over-stretched to the point of deadly compromise. Sobreity is no longer popular. If you live soberly nowadays, you belong to the "old school". You are looked upon as an idiot if you refuse to be fraudulent to get rich. Worse still, when you cannot dole money out like those who are fraudulent, you are inconsequential. How can we get out of our spiritual black-out? The answer is simple; the Bibles says, "Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" Ephesians 5:7-8. The Bible also says that the night is far spent and the day is at hand. As a matter of fact, the Day of the Lord is at hand. So let us walk like children of light (Romans 13:12-14). May the second coming of the Lord not catch you unawares in Jesus' Name.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote to tell us in 1 Corinthians 12:1-7 that he would not want us to be ignorant of the truth concerning our calling as children and workers in the vineyard. It is needless to emphasise the danger of ignorance as stated in Hosea 4:6. Our Lord Jesus Christ also emphasised the importance of knowing the truth for perfect freedom when in John 8:32 He said: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free". In other words, falsehood can hold people captive! In proverbs 22:29, we read that a man who is diligent in business shall stand before kings. In what business did the Bible refer to? In his own business of course! What happens if a person is found in other people's business? No doubt, it will be an exercise in futility or an unprofitable venture. You have to be diligent in your own business, which is where you will be rewarded. The Bible in Songs of Solomon 1:6 says: "my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept". Take to heart the following lessons in 1 Corinthians 12:1-7. First, it is possible for Christians to be ignorant of facts about spiritual gifts. Secondly, there are many gifts in the body of Christ, but no one can or should lay claim to having all of the gifts. Thirdly, it is the Holy Spirit who distributes gifts to every believer as He chooses. Fourthly, as there are differences in administration of the gifts, so also is there division of labour among those these gifts are administered to. A believer should therefore beware of arrogating all the activities in the Church to himself because it will be counter-productive. Fifth, though there are differences in operations from believer to believer, the same Holy Spirit works in all genuine believers. Sixth, the Holy Spirit gives different assignments to different believers to profit with. This means the gift is for the edification of the entire Body of Christ. It is not for the fun of it that believers are endowed with one gift or another; neither is it for self-gratification. The seventh lesson is that no gift is superior to another; neither is any inferior to another. For this reason, Paul further wrote to warn us against discriminating in the use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:15-17). Therefore beloved, let us work together as many members, but as one indivisible Body of Christ, with everyone playing his or her role as enabled by the Lord. We shall not miss our reward in Jesus' Name.

John 15:4-8 reveals a great secret of not only fruitfulness but also of God being with us. Emmanuel is not real to many so-called children of God because they are on their own. This is why they are caught in many horrible acts, and terrible things attend to their daily living. This scripture reveals the part we need to play for us to experience God as the present help in times of need (Psalm 46:1). He has promised not to leave nor forsake us. We must remember that the Almighty God is forever faithful. Though the world may deny Him, He cannot deny Himself. Though the whole world may be unfaithful, He remains faithful to His words and even to His creation! What is our part in this bargain? We must abide in Him. In other words, we must consistently live our lives as Christians. We should never take a break from living holy. In light of this revealed truth, it is pertinent for all children of God who want to enjoy the presence of Emmanuel, to abide in Him so that the ever-willing Heavenly Father may be with them. How do we abide in Him? Ecclesiastes 12:13 says: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man". We must fear God and keep His commandments. Today, some people overstretch the grace we enjoy in the New Testament. Mischievously, they often say that we are no longer under the dispensation of the law, hence they can now do whatever they like. They seem to be saying: "Let us commit sin the more so that we can make maximum use of the available grace!" They are 'practical atheists' who believe in God with their mouths but fail to acknowledge Him and His Holiness. They do not see Him as the Consuming Fire. Paul in Romans 6:15 asked: "What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid". When we experience God as "God with us", this attracts multiple blessings. One of these is the opportunity to pray and receive instant answers to our prayers. Jesus in John 15:7 said: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you". Thus, let us abide in Him because He is willing to make His abode with us and give us comfort.

A backslider is known by his or her language. When you listen to the vocabulary of someone who is no longer with God, you will know very quickly that the fellow is a backslider. King Saul had become a backslider when he met David and God had already rejected him. When the problem of Goliath came, as big as he was, he could not stand before Goliath (1 Samuel 10:23). He felt that since he could not face Goliath, this would be true of everyone else. He however received the shock of his life when David showed up. For somebody reading this now, the Lord will make you a standard where others have compromised, in Jesus' Name. In Numbers 13:31-33, we have the story of the ten spies. When they came back from the land flowing with milk and honey, they said "The land is good; however, we cannot take it because of the presence of gaints there". Backsliders always think negatively. There are people who for example believe it is not possible to enjoy divine health all the days of one's life. There are some people who believe God cannot supply all of their needs without the need to cut corners or play smart. Whenever you hear someone saying "We cannot go forward, let us go back", you should know you are listening to a backslider. Whenever someone decides to change from doing good to doing the opposite, the person has backslidden. You must stay away from anything that can annoy God. The more you see His miracles in your life, the closer you must draw to Him. When you separate yourself from God, you will see how vulnerable you can be. You will not be a victim of situation and circumstances in Jesus' Name. Caleb followed God fully and therefore he could say "We are able". The song of the steadfast is always full of words like: "I can do it", "It is possible", "There is hope", "I know with God on my side, there is no mountain I cannot climb". When a man is in contact with God, he sees problems as stepping stones to testimonies. Everyone who is linked with God will be able to say as Paul said in Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". Those who are close to God are always singing songs of victory in the face of trouble. They will prefer to go through fire than to bow to compromise, because they know they can't burn.

Just before our Lord Jesus Christ left His disciples, they asked Him about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:6). That kingdom was established on this earth on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost came, and the Holy Ghost has been with us ever since. Those who want to be rulers in the kingdom of God must be baptized in the Holy Ghost. This is the only condition for the demonstration of God's power on earth. The Kingdom of God is the kingdom of power. Only those who have power can rule in the kingdom of God. The power we are talking about here refers to spiritual power which comes only from the Holy Spirit. As soon as you are born-again, you have access to the kingdom of God (John 3:3). However, it is one thing to have access to the kingdom and another thing to be a partaker of it. Anybody who has Christ has no excuse for being powerless, because Jesus Christ is the power of God. As a ruler in the kingdom of God, you must demonstrate power wherever you go. Paul demonstrated this power wherever he ministered the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 2:4 he said: "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power". There is power anywhere the gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached. It is only the power of God that can bring about a positive transformation in the life of an individual. No power of government can transform. People are thrown into prison in order to reform their character, but in most cases, they return from prison worse off. Those who are born-again know that there is something awesome about the salvation experience that cannot be explained. When Jesus Christ comes into your life, He makes you a new creature. There is no civilian in the kingdom of God. Anyone truly in the kingdom is a soldier, and wherever you go, you are expected to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons. You need the power to be a carrier of God's glory. You need the power of the Holy Spirit to perform signs and wonders. Our God is a God of signs and wonders and He has assured us that He would supply all the resources we need to perform these signs and wonders, according to Mark 16:15-20. As soon as Jesus gave the orders, the disciples went from place to place. The Lord went with them, and miracles happened. God is no respecter of persons: what He has done for others and through others, He will do for you and through you. If you are not yet born-again, you cannot experience this power, neither can you partake of it. It is for the sons of God (John 1:12).

The Bible in Proverbs 4:7 tells us that wisdom is very important: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding". Wisdom is described as the principal thing. In other words, irrespective of what you want to get from God, make sure you get wisdom first. If you are wise, whatever God gives to you will not lead to your destruction. There are three types of wisdom: the wisdom of Satan, the wisdom of man and the wisdom of God. Satanic wisdom is corrupted wisdom. Human wisdom is at times called common sense, whereas the wisdom of God is pure and excellent. It is the wisdom of Satan that propels a person to pull down a fellow human being, in order to get favour. This Satanic wisdom motivates people to look for help from secret societies. Such wisdom eventually destroys the seeker. It is the wisdom of Satan that gives riches through devilish means. All these are contrary to the wisdom of God. It is the wisdom of man that produces business lies. It tells you to use ungodly means in achieving your goals. Common sense will not work with God because it will often be contrary to His will. Any knowledge that tells you that you know more than God is dangerous. You cannot use common sense to interpret your Christian walk or the things that God will want to do in your life. That a virgin would conceive does not have a place in a modern science. Sometimes, the wisdom of God will tell you to flee when common sense tells you to stay and defend yourself. There are many people who have played 'James Bond' with their lives and unfortunately, did not live to tell the story. For others who survived, it is a sad experience. "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" James 3:17. The wisdom of God is holy wisdom. It is neither the wisdom of hypocrisy nor that which you use for character assassination. The wisdom of God shows you how to make Heaven. The wisdom of God makes you understand that all the commandments of God are for your own benefit. It makes you think about Heaven as you relate with people everyday, thereby drawing you closer to God. This kind of wisdom is not limited to spiritual matters alone; rather, it permeates every aspect of our lives. We can obtain divine wisdom for our daily trade, for leadership and for everyday living.

There is not a single person whose story cannot change in life. David was an unknown man - at least to the army, yet, within a very short period of getting to the battlefield on a visit, he was already standing before King Saul. This is a manifestation of the scripture in Proverbs 22:29. If David had not been a diligent person, when his brother rebuked him, he would have been discouraged (1 Samuel 17:28). Consequently, he would not have represented the nation of Israel against the enemy. There are many of us, who retire after praying for five minutes. There is no substitute for doing it right because nobody gets a miracle that way. There are students who study once and say they already know it all. No wonder they keep on failing. Some people become discouraged after failing an examination once or twice and spiritualise it by saying God did not want them to pass. Our God is a God of success and He has no substitute for excellence and great accomplishment in the lives of His children. If David had not been diligent, he would have ended up like any other ordinary soldier. To make it to the top, you have to be diligent. You need to apply yourself to the things of God for Him to take you to where you ought to be. If you are a hardworking person, there is no doubt about it, God will reward you. God does not bless the lazy. If you have failed as a carpenter, you cannot succeed as a pastor. There are people who feel that ministry is an escape route from the realities of life. Far from it! If you cannot work with people successfully, how do you think you can please the Lord? You must be diligent to be successful (Proverbs 21:5). God never calls a lazy fellow. It takes diligence to get to the top and it takes diligence to remain there. The problem many people have is that they work hard to get to the top, but when they get there, they relax. You need to work twice as hard to remain at the top than was required of you to get there. This is true both in the secular and in the spiritual world. Many Christians were diligent when they became born-again, but as they matured spiritually, they relaxed. To remain where you are, you have to keep running. If you do not keep moving, those who are behind you will catch up with you and surpass you. More importantly, you have to be diligent to make it to Heaven. 2 Peter 3:13-14 says, "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless".

There are two paramount things that will keep you on course in achieving your destined greatness. First, you need to have a specific dream of what you want your future to look like, and then keep the dream alive by having a focus or vision. It is rightly said in the Bible that where there is no vision, the people perish. Set specific and workable goals for yourself and endeavour to work towards actualising them. Refresh yourself daily on your dream and vision through consistent and devoted quiet time. Be an ardent worshipper of God and give your best to the Master's service. As you do these, you will see the Almighty elevating you in all areas. The spirit of God can brighten your dream and refocus your vision. Maybe you even have small dreams and vision, the Almighty can boost them beyond your imagination. Prior to becoming the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, I was the Head of Department of Mathematics at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. I was living in a mansion with a two-bedroom guest quaters. I also had a servant's quarters with four bedrooms. All these were not part of the main house. But when I became the General Overseer, I had to live in a one-room apartment at Mushin (a poor neighbourhood in Lagos). I left my wife and children at Ilorin as a result of my mission in the church. Due to my deplorable living condition at that time, I had to tidy up things before my family could join me. Before bringing them over, I went to God in prayers and explained the challenges I was facing to Him. I told God to build a house for me. Left to me, I did not mind using the one room apartment, but the thought of housing my entire family in one room posed a challenge to me. God's response to me was: "Son, don't ask for a house, because I have decided to build you a city". That response was beyond what I could comprehend. After this encounter, I began to dream of a city where everybody would be a Christian. A city where there would be no form of molestation. A city where there would be no power failure or water shortage. God began to stretch my mind to see a city where His praises would fill every mouth. In like manner, God can give you great dreams of greatness and visions of uncommon glory. Can you see yourself completely whole? Can you see yourself not struggling to catch a bus but sitting comfortably at the back of your chauffeur driven car? If you can, then you will have it. Do you have dream of making a phone call to a bank manger to come and collect the money you have? Why not have a dream of driving to the airport to board your own private jet? The vision of greatness should be so much in your mind that your spiritual growth will be beyond limitation. Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

One lesson every believer must learn is that the devil can never repent. Hence we are not to joke with the devil. If you don't want to be devoured by the devil, you must resist him and all that he represents steadfastly. As soon as the devil knew that David had been anointed as king, he decided to eliminate him. The devil knows that God wants to do wondrous things in your life. He knows that your tomorrow will be alright, and he is unhappy about all these great promises for your life. "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" Psalm 121:3-4. Do not underestimate the devil. He is no doubt a liar, and he is very stubborn. However, the good news is that we have a God who can deal with him effectively. If God is on your side, and you are on His side, there is nothing the enemy can do. Every effort the devil makes to put you to shame will always turn out for your good as long as He is on your side. The devil cannot mess around with you and get away with it except the hedge has been broken. This is why every child of God must protect his or her relationship with God. The devil will always want to make you a victim, but God will always ensure you remain a victor because you are operating on a higher covenant. Sometime ago, a lady received the shock of her life in London. A man proposed to marry her, and all necessary arrangements were made for their wedding. However, on the day of the wedding, gaily dressed, the lady went to the registry to wait for her fiance who never showed up. What shame, shock and sorrow she got! She passed through deep emotional distress because of the disgrace she faced. After a while, this lady got through the period of pain and later married a man who became a military governor of a state in Nigeria. The man who dumped her became an aide-de-camp (ADC) to her husband. So, anytime she wanted to travel, the man who jilted her was always at her back to open the door for her to come in and go out. If God can do this in the life of someone, you can be sure He is no respecter of persons. Everyone the devil has caused to suffer one form of disappointment or the other will receive divine visitation in Jesus' Name. Whatever injury, crisis or turbulence you might have gone through, the arm of the Almighty God will be revealed in your life to cause a change in your situation and turn it to a great testimony.

In a gathering of the children of God, God moves round to do two things. He goes round to deliver us from our enemies, and to make these enemies fall before us. As He is moving from one person to another, if He gets to someone who is "unclean", He would turn away. Such a person is selectively ignored by God. If God leaves us alone for one minute and the devil has his way, we are finished. This is why I pity many people who come to the house of God in clothes that reveal their unclothedness. This is a very dangerous act. When God is moving around to bless people, to deliver and to destroy their enemies, when He gets to their turn and He sees them half naked, He will turn away because His eyes cannot behold iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13). When He turns away, the devil is permitted to move in. You know very well that the moment you switch off the light, darkness comes in uninvited. Anytime God turns aside from anyone, the forces of darkness move in, because there can be no vacuum. Another thing people do that causes God to selectively ignore them in a congregation is that, they engage in the act of having side discussions while the service is going on. Some will be having their own meetings, while others will be busy with their phones, answering calls every minute without being sensitive that it is the devil trying to distract them from their blessings. The moment God sees that they are not part of the congregation, He moves away with the blessings meant for them. There are several instances of God selectively blessing a few within a group in the Bible. Joseph was a member of a family of twelve brothers. He was neither the firstborn nor the lastborn, yet, God picked him for special blessings and said all his brothers will bow down before him. There is someone reading this now; this year, the Lord will assign a special blessing to you in Jesus' Name. David also had seven elder brothers. In fact, when Samuel came and saw the firstborn, he was so sure he was the one God had chosen until God opened his eyes. God rejected all of them until it got to the turn of the one who was not even on the list for selection. I prophesy to you today that, the kind of blessing that even you cannot explain will come your way in Jesus' Name. At most times, when God selects someone for a special blessing, it is because the one selected has satisfied several conditions that are unknown to other men. No man was there when Joseph refused the offer of Potiphar's wife. There are many people in church who are not willing to sin when the pastor is there but they are willing to sin against God.

God has expectations for His church. It is His desire that the church would be identified by her firepower. He wants the church to be full of His divine fire. When this happens, satanic agents will no longer be able to operate within or around the assembly of the 'called out'. There must be fire on the prayer altar at all times. The church should make it impossible for agents of darkness to carry out their nefarious activities in their midst. It is unfortunate that witches and wizards sit down comfortably in many churches. They are at ease due to the lack of fire in the midst of the congregation. We've had enough of lukewarm Christianity; the fire must be brought back. "Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench" 1 Kings 18:38. An incident happened several years ago at the headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, Nigeria. Something reminiscent of what happened in the above passage was re-enacted. There was a woman who was invited to the annual convention. The power of the Holy Spirit was mightily present and the fire was so much that she ran out of the church. From a distance, she was shouting "Please, help me to pick my bag, I must go back home now". The woman who invited her to church came out to find out why she wanted to leave the service mid-way; she kept on saying she must go home, she insisted she would not return to the church hall. At this point, the friend became inquisitive and after further questioning, she gave this shocking answer: "I'm sorry; I can't stand the fire in there. The fire burning inside the church is too much for me to bear". It is indeed surprising that a stranger could attest to the presence of divine fire during the service. It is my desire to see such days again so that the church will no longer be comfortable for agents of darkness. This is the season of divine fire. God is visiting His church again. The same fire which descended upon the early church, by which divorce, worldliness, gay marriage, corruption etc, became alien to them, will come upon us afresh in Jesus' Name. When this fire falls, both the clergy and the laity will bow in humble adoration. God is set to do something new in the church, and everyone will experience His awesome power. Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

A testimonial is an official report about the abilities, qualities and character of somebody. It is often written by a former employer or the head of an academic institution where the person has studied. Sometimes, a person is given an opportunity not because of his credentials or qualifications, but based on his testimonial. This is also applicable to us as Christians. We also have a testimonial by which we are judged. A testimonial could be written in a coded language that only an intending employer can decode. What may seem harmless to you in your testimonial may signal danger to another person reading it. The qualities Jesus outlined for us in Matthew 5:13-16 constitute the code of our testimonial. The Lord's first testimony about you is that you are a child of God. Galatians 3:26 says: "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus". What is said about you is your recommendation to the world. If you have sincerely given your life to Jesus, the voice of your testimonial is that you are a child of God. The testimonial of a child of God has special significance. We are called kings and priests in Revelation 1:6. A child of God is a chosen one. He or she is a saint, a holy person and a peculiar person, and is therefore uniquely different. The child of God is the salt of the earth, the arrester of decay and preserver of what is good. As salt, you are to be the end of corruption wherever you are. Jesus expects us to prove Him right by living according to His description of us. All the descriptions and titles he bestowed on us are guaranteed by Him. Writing a testimonial is a risk because people base their judgment on what they know about the writer of the testimonial. Jesus demands that we prove Him right. We should not embarrass Him or put Him to shame by living contrary to His testimonial about us. We should earn our testimonial by a life conformed to His specifications.

The root is the most important part of a tree. The very life of every tree is in its roots. Also, the strength of every house is in its foundation. If something goes wrong with the foundation, the house will fall. The moment something happens to the root of any tree, it will show on the tree. This is a profound truth. Most of the time, it is the tree that we see and not its roots. That which is unseen is what supports what is seen. The part of a man that keeps him alive cannot be seen with the physical eyes. We cannot see God. However, if God leaves your life, there will be nothing left of you. The Bible in Romans 11:16 says, "For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches". This clearly shows that if the one who is your foundation is holy, then you will turn out holy. If the God you serve is a holy God, you will discover that your tendency will be towards holiness. When the root is bitter, the tree is going to be bitter. When somebody offends you and you do not forgive, your actions will show your bitterness; your words also will show your bitterness and it will be difficult for you to live a life of peace and holiness in accordance with Hebrews 12:14-15. How can you have the grace and power of God? The secret is that your root should be love. This is enunciated in Ephesians 3:17-19: "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God". When you embrace love, you will see the attributes of God in every area of your life. Many of us want the power of God. We want to be able to perform miracles. The question that God is asking is: are you willing to love? If you have power without love, you will destroy many people. If you have the abilities of God without the love of God, anybody who offends you is a dead person. For the power of Christ to manifest in you, you need to be rooted in Christ. Examine yourself and think of everything in you that was planted by the devil - bitterness, lack of forgiveness, hatred, sickness, disease, disappointments and fear. Ask God to uproot them all. The plan of God is that we being rooted in Him will prosper materially. He wants you to be in good health and He also wants your soul to prosper (3 John 2).

Many people have lost contact with Heaven because of depression. There is no way you can carry out the divine commission of the Lord with a depressed spirit. It is the joy of the Lord that should rule your heart. There is a pit you must avoid in life; it is the pit of depression. You must avoid this pit because it kills the spirit-man gradually. If you are sorrowful and depressed for too long over the problems of life, you will destroy yourself. Depression can deaden your marrow, and when this happens, death is at the corner. Every day and in every way, let the joy of the Lord continue to be your strength. With the joy of God, you can always confront the problems of life, giving thanks to the Lord in every situation and at all times. Always take your problems to the Lord in prayer and leave everything at the feet of Jesus. Tell the Lord your heartaches and all your sorrows; you can be sure He will meet you at the very point of your needs. Don't bottle up your issues, this will lead to depression. God is your Creator and He has the right solutions to all the problems of life. Just pray and never panic. There are many people who are hypertensive today, and are in very poor state of health because of depression and sorrows. Always learn how to be joyful; never give room for anyone to sentence you to the prison of sorrow. There are people who experience happiness, but God wants you to continue to draw your joy from Him. Happiness comes when something good happens to people. Joy however is like a well of water that springs forth naturally even when nothing has happened. Rejoice in the Lord because you are a new creature and because of the hope you have in Christ Jesus. The Lord can turn your captivity to freedom and break every limitation on your way. Come out of sorrow and proclaim the joy of the Lord. The Lord can put an end to poverty and stagnation in your life. It does not matter the years you have spent under the grip of the enemy. What matters is that the Lord is set to do wonderful things in your life. Everything that has been responsible for sorrow, shame and reproach in your life is being turned to a testimony. Through the power of God, every shame can be turned to glory and every sorrow can be turned to joy. Notwithstanding the arrows shot by the enemy, the Lord will save, deliver and totally set free all those who are under the affliction of depression. Receive your deliverance today in Jesus' Name.

Champions are people of rugged determination. Once they set their minds on certain goals, nothing will make them change their minds. They will pursue their goals relentlessly until they arrive at their desired destination. Divine champions see every mountain as a potential testimony. David was so sure that Goliath would end up like the lion and the bear he had killed. In order words, the present problem would become a testimony. Many times when we go to battle, we expect to come back without a scar. Divine champions believe all their goals will be actualised, but not without pain. They don't bother about the pain because they know that at the end they will have their victory. They are people like Paul who would say: "I forget those things that are behind, and press forward". A divine champion is like a river. A river will always look for a way around an obstruction to get to the ocean. I suppose David would have said this to himself: "Not one of the sheep given to me by my father would get lost". All of a sudden, a lion came and grabbed one of the sheep. David faced the lion that was the champion of the forest and killed it. This was what gave David the boldness to confront the champion of the city. Your ability to achieve a particular goal is a function of the ones you have achieved in the past through the help of the Almighty God. Many of us have lost our miracles because we stopped too soon. A divine champion sets goals believing that with God, nothing shall be impossible. The moment you say what we want to do is impossible, I will want to show you that it is possible. It could take some sweating, fasting, night vigils and a little extra effort, but whatever goals divine champions set before God, they will get it. As a divine champion, it is not all the time you set goal that you realise it at first instance. Many times, you have to try and try over and over again before you succeed. The important thing is that as a child of God you will win at the end.

When the wind blows, you get new power and there is a symbolic change of garment, as it happened in the life of Elisha. After experiencing the wind of change, Elisha took off his old garments and tore them to pieces. It was only after he tore off the old that he put on the mantle that Elijah had dropped off for him. To experience the new power that the wind of change brings, you must be ready to tear off your old garments and get into new garments. At the times Jesus was crucified, Peter was a terrified weakling who went into hiding. After the wind blew on the day of Pentecost, this same Peter became the first empowered, bold preacher of the gospel of Jesus. In addition to his power-packed preaching, Peter also spoke boldly the words that brought about the first recorded miracle among the early Christians. This is precisely what all Christians of today desperately need: power and grace. The apostles of the early church had so much power that their exploits for God are still inspiring us today. Besides, there was so much grace upon their lives and ministry that even the authority of the established rulers of their day paled into insignificance. Nicodemus came to Jesus and testified to the greatness of His power in John 3:2: "The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him". This is the time for the wind of change to blow in your life. The Lord Almighty wants to fill your mouth with testimonies. An end has come to all the curses that have been working against you. The anointing of the Lord can break all the curses in your life. This power knows no limitations. The impossibilities on your way have to be removed because God is poised to do wonders in your life. He wants to put a new song in your mouth that will make your feet break forth into dancing and rejoicing. Get ready for a divine intervention that will divinely position you for uncommon breakthrough. You must however settle your account with the Lord and get rid of sin because it can stand in your way to blessing. God wants you to prosper and be in good health, and so shall it be in Jesus' Name.

Grace is a Person, and it's JESUS.

There are many blessings in the presence of God. This is the key to drawing multitudes to the Lord through His presence in your life. When people notice that God is mightily present in your life, they will seek Him through you. It is not about making noise; it is about the visible and verifiable workings of God. Beginning from today, you will be a carrier of His glory in Jesus' Name. The story in 2 Samuel 6:6-11 shows us two dimensions about what the presence of God can do among His people. It can bring judgement or blessings. Uzzah touched the Ark with the motive of preventing it from falling off the oxen, but the Lord struck him dead instantly because he was not sanctified to do so. Holiness is very important for accommodating the presence of God in order to attract His blessings. We must understand that toying with sin in the congregation of God's people is asking for instant judgement which no one can stand. When God is with you, you will begin to get blessings you never bargained for. You will begin to experience supernatural promotion. As a slave, through the presence of God in his life, Joseph became an overseer. Everything in the empire of Potiphar was put in his care. He took over the house; it was he who decided what the master would eat. The presence of God with him ensured his promotion, even in a hostile environment. Psalm 75:6-7 says, "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another". In Genesis 39:20-23, when Joseph was thrown into prison, the jailer made him the overseer of all other prisoners, because God was with him. If God is with you, wherever you are, you will succeed. Romans 8:31 reminds us that if God is for us, who can be against us? This also means that if God is against an individual, who can be for him? If the presence of the Lord is with you, let the whole world come against you, they will fall down flat before you. You will do mighty things, and people will want to know your secret. The secret is that God is with you. If God is with you, you may be selling water and yet be better off than someone working at the bank. The moment the presence of God is with you, you will be able to say like David in Psalm 23:4: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me".

Human beings love to sing. We convey our inner feelings to the outside world through songs. If you pay close attention to the song on a person's lips, you will have an idea of what is going on in their mind. A man that sings: "We shall overcome some day", may have just lost a battle. The man who sings: "Jehovah is your Name" is most likely fighting a battle. Someone who sings: "Now that the battle is over, I am more than a conqueror", has just won a battle. Music is nothing but 'organised lyrics'. It can also be organised noise. This is why God says, if you don't know how to sing very well, you can still make a joyful noise (Psalm 98:4). "And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him" Mark 5:22-24. Jairus was by all standards a great man, but he had a problem. The only daughter he had was ill and was about to die. He ran to Jesus Christ and implored Him greatly. He spent a lot of time singing the song of the desperate, and Jesus had to follow him home. To someone reading this now: God will change your song of sorrow to a song of triumph in Jesus' Name. Like everyone else, Jairus was afraid of the shame that would follow if Jesus did not intervene. He was afraid of loneliness. This might be your own fear too. Jairus was desperate because he was fighting a battle that he dared not lose. Yet, he knew he was fighting a battle he could not win. What is that thing that the enemy has stolen which you want back? It could be your health; it could be your joy or your prosperity. You will get it back in Jesus' Name. The sorrowful can be full of joy again. I believe the failures of the past can be turned into success again. For every family that has been destitute, the tide will turn in your favour. In 2 Kings 4:1-7, we have the story of a widow who was so poor and so heavily in debt that creditors wanted to trade her sons. God however stepped in, and the family became rich. If you begin to walk in the fear of the Lord, you will always have good songs to sing.

When you hand over someone to God and you ask Him to judge the matter, you have handed the person over to the One the Bible refers to as the Righteous Judge. From 2 Timothy 4:8, we understand that when God judges, He does so righteously. He does not only judge actions, He judges motives also. When God judges, He takes into consideration all the facts that you do not know about. Proverbs 20:22 advises that when someone offends you, do not seek to revenge. Rather, wait on the Lord and let Him handle the situation. When God decides to fight against somebody, the battle is over quickly and disaster is assured against them. In Numbers 23:17-25, we read the episode of Balak against the children of Israel. When God decided to fight against Israel, twenty-four thousand of them died in one day (Numbers 25:1-9). If you go into sin, you may suddenly find God fighting against you. God can also be neutral. He can watch you as you fight your enemy on your own. If God takes this position, you can be sure that the fight will not last long, and the outcome will be defeat. In Joshua 6:20-27, when God was fighting for Israel, Jericho was taken with just a shout. However, when they later fought against a small city called Ai, they were defeated because God was not with them then as a result of their disobedience (Joshua 7:3-5). Another set of people that God can take a neutral outlook on are the proud. God is interested in seeing how far their pride can take them. James 4:6 says: "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble". The proud usually lose in the battles of life. Pride leads to the demotion of the individual involved. I do not want God to fight against me, neither do I want Him to be neutral concerning my case. Rather, I desire Him to always be on my side. Exodus 15:9-10 says: "The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters". Just make sure you trust God. Hand over all your challenges to Him. You will be amazed at how He will bring to pass all you have asked of Him. Turn to the side of God, for there is no other place to turn to where victory is assured. Hold onto God, and eventually, you will be triumphant.

God uses human agents to bring to pass what He had planned before the foundation of the world. The meeting between Abigail and David was no accident; God arranged it. David was wise enough to recognise this. You will make a lot of progress in life if you take note of the fact that no meeting with any person is a coincidence. In Exodus 2:5-10, Pharaoh's daughter went to bathe in the river at about the same time Moses was placed on it. It is easy for a casual observer to see this as a mere coincidence, but it was God at work in the affairs of men. God planned it because He wanted Moses to be trained in the house of Pharaoh. Fortunately, Pharaoh's daughter had no child. If she had children, she would have seen adopting Moses as an extra burden. Also, in 1 Samuel 17:22-23, we have the story of David and Goliath. David arrived at the battlefield at the very moment Goliath showed up to boast as he used to. As it were, the one meant to die met the one who would kill him. This was arranged by God. In 1 Kings 19:15-21, Elisha was busy doing his work when Elijah came passing by. God also arranged this meeting. Through this meeting, their lives were radically transformed. From time to time, God uses some people to open doors for you and He uses some others to close doors against you. Revelation 3:7 says, "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;" In the case of Nabal and David, David did not even ask God whether he should go and attack Nabal or not. He was so angry that even if God spoke, he would not have heard. God sent Abigail to close the door of revenge against him. This is why you must always ensure that you are on the side of God. As long as you are on His side, you have the assurance that every door shut against you is not good enough for what God is preparing to give you. Through patience, you must also learn to recognise that everyone in your life has been assigned to play one role or the other to bring about the actualisation of the plan and purpose of God for your life. Whatever represents Nabal in your life, and whatever stands like Goliath on your road to fame, all have their different roles to play. Just ensure you are on the Lord's side and you can be sure of victory at the end of the day.

One of the utmost desires of believers and unbelievers alike is to record outstanding achievements in life. Ministers of the gospel, businessmen and women, politicians, civil servants, entrepreneurs, students, government officials and people from all spheres of life pray for success. To be successful means to prosper in a chosen cause. It is similar to being the head and not the tail. Success and excellence go hand in hand. I want you to realise that you can be successful. God takes delight in you being successful. No matter how much failure you have recorded in the past, you can still be highly successful. God has not created anyone to be a permanent failure. Every sinner you see today has a future, and every saint you see has a past. The Lord is able to change your name from failure to a success. God plays a prominent role in the achievement of success by everyone. There is no amount of human labour that will suffice if God is not involved. This is why you need to put your total strength in Him. Never run ahead of Him. Follow his promises steadfastly and you will have a reason to rejoice at the end of the day. There are many people who are waiting for God to take them to the river and to also put water in their mouth. God has not designed us to be useless; therefore, we all have a role to play in determining the degree of success we achieve. Determination on the part of individuals cannot be separated from achievement of success. It is determination that will keep you on the right track. Challenges are bound to be on your way, but through the instrumentality of determination, you will be able to forge ahead amidst distractions. With determination, you can cross any "Red Sea", subdue mountains and achieve impossible feats. When you are determined, you will record outstanding successes where many have failed. A fully determined man will weather all storms, experience fruitfulness during famine and even remain at the cutting edge of prosperity during an economic crunch. The plan of God for your life is success. Until you are successful, you cannot become a channel of blessing to others around you. Failure is alien to the plan and promises of God for your life. Therefore, I command failure upon every device of the enemy designed to destroy your success, in Jesus' Name. Diligence is a lifestyle for successful people. It is what separates leaders from followers, the rich from the poor and successful people from failures.

There is a divine purpose for sending you to Earth. It is this plan and purpose that will connect you to the blueprint of God for your life. Until this purpose is discovered, you may wander through life without any sense of fulfilment. A lot of people pass through the world like an ant: unnoticed and unknown. This is because they fail to understand the plan and programme of God for them. The master plan for your life is in the hands of God. It spells out phase by phase what is expected of you at every given time. This is what gives you clear direction and focus on what to do and what not to do. It gives clear-cut direction on what can make your life a blessing indeed. To have a blessed life means prosperity, excellence and extra-ordinary breakthroughs. Abraham is a true example of what a blessed life is. His life reveals what it means to be a blessing. He became a blessing because he discovered God's purpose for his life and pursued it (Genesis 12:1-3). The moment your life becomes an instrument of blessing other lives, there is no way you will not record outstanding successes. It is clear to all and sundry that Jesus also lived a blessed life. He came to the world and died on the cross for the salvation of humanity. Today, you and I are called children of God because of that sacrifice. There is no one who can enjoy a blessed life while living a double-standard life. You cannot be a channel of blessing if your life is not right with God. You need to be reconciled to your Maker. You need to be at peace with God before you can begin to taste His wonderful grace. Having a blessed life implies a life that is totally surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ. The life of Jesus is a blessing because through His Name, the sick are healed, the barren become fruitful, deliverance is given to the captives and innumerable miracles happens on a daily basis. The steps to living in the realm of a blessed life revoleve around having the mind of Christ. With the mind of Christ, you will be able to make a positive and lasting change in the world. You must embrace a life of humility. True humility and the fear of the Lord lead to riches, honour and long life (Proverbs 22:4). Humility is a virtue that is expected to be seen in a life that wants to be blessed. When you are humble, you achieve greater feats. Jesus became obedient unto death. To have a blessed life, you must be willing to die daily; this means your self-will is subjected to the will of the Master on a daily basis.

Jesus drew large crowds in the days of His ministry here on earth because of the signs and wonders He performed. This led those following Him to decide that He should be made king over Israel. Considering the fame and popularity Jesus had, in addition to the prophecies recorded in the Bible about the coming King, it seemed normal and suitable that He should be revered and honoured among the people. However, Jesus was not interested in the kingdom of this world; neither did He have interest in gaining glory, honour or fame. He was only concerned with seeking His Father's glory and doing His will (John 4:34). There seems to be a misconception about the term "kingdom of God". The kingdom of God as defined by the Lord Jesus was quite different from the understanding of the people of His days. It was this lack of understanding that made them attempt to crown Him king by force, thinking that according to various biblical prophecies, He was called to sit upon the physical throne of David. This misconception continues among some Christians today. Out of the multitude of references to the kingdom of God in the Bible, let us consider these three in order to gain some understanding. John 3:3 says: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God". Salvation is the first step a person must take before they can have access to all the goodies of the kingdom of God. I welcome you to the family of God as you take the step of salvation today in Jesus' Name. Then Matthew 6:33 says: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;..." It is important to note that seeking the kingdom of God as a first priority is important to God. your personal needs and challenges must not be placed above the kingdom. And finally, Romans 14:17 says: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost". Many Christians live their lives as if the kingdom of God is all about fun and entertainment. The Kingdom of God is a process that starts with righteousness, followed by peace, and then comes joy in the Holy Ghost. It's a wonderful experience.

Freedom is generally defined as the power of self-determination attributable to the will. It is the power to act, speak or think as you want without hindrance, constraint or restriction. However, the freedom that Jesus promised is freedom in which a man is set free from the power of the devil, sin, sickness, poverty and failure. It is a freedom that is the possession of born-again children of God who have been liberated through the blood of Christ. It is a freedom that doesn't rule out obedience to the commandments of God and submission to the will of God. This freedom is a freedom of choice: a choice to submit to Jesus and follow Him all the days of our lives; a choice to live a holy and righteous life, and a choice to reject the devil, his demonic activities and their influences in our lives. There are lots of misconceptions about the freedom that Jesus promised His followers. It is definitely not an invitation to lawlessness and self-will as some Christians suppose. The freedom Jesus promised comes through strict obedience to the word of God and it's conditions. Jesus says, if you continue in His word, you will come face to face with the truth, and the truth in the word of God will then set you free (John 8:31-32). This passage was written for believers. Anyone that is yet to believe and trust in the Lord Jesus may find this principle of freedom promised by our Lord Jesus very difficult to understand. This freedom comes as a natural response to the grace of God; it is not a system that forces anyone to live in any particular way. The submission and commitment of Christians to Jesus is simply out of love and appreciation for what God did for us. However, anyone who claims to be a Christian, and yet finds it difficult to accept the freedom offered by our Lord Jesus Christ with thanksgiving, is only a pretender. James 1:25 says: "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed". This concept of freedom is not easy to understand. It offers us freedom from religious systems, the devil, sin, unrighteousness, self and demonic powers. The Spirit guides us and leads us to make required sacrifices, but these sacrifices are for our own gain. We strive to make these sacrifices consciously and willingly out of love and appreciation for the salvation of our soul. This is the freedom of the Spirit offered by Jesus Christ to anyone who wants to be free from the devil and his works.

Two peculiar perils that confront Christian Leadership are discouragement and undue elation. A spiritual leader is in peril of being unduly depressed by inevitable times of discouragement and being unduly elated by inevitable days of uplifting experiences and achievements. Both of these seasons are experienced in every work for God. It is important for a spiritual leader to be watchful in seasons when everything goes well, when goals are reached, when planned endeavours are crowned with success, when the Spirit moves, souls are saved and saints are blessed. At such times, a mature leader should know on whose brow to place the crown of achievements. He should be careful not to arrogate to himself the glory that belongs to God alone. There are also moments of discouragement. These are seasons when everything seems not to be going well, when goals are frustrated, when planned endeavours flop, when the Spirit refuses to move and worship services seem insipid and lifeless. At such times, a leader needs encouragement. He should however be careful not to misbehave. Someone summed up what should be the attitude of a wise leader at moments of elation and discouragement in these cryptic words: "If successful, do not crow; if defeated do not croak". Everyone needs encouragement. Everyone needs assistance. Everyone needs comfort. Everyone needs the prayers of others. Apostle Paul knew this truth when he requested in Ephesians 6:18-19 that brethren should pray for him. Are you a source of encouragement or an instrument of discouragement to your leader? There are several ways Christians can encourage their leaders. One is by obedience. Obey your leader. Make his work easy, enjoyable and interesting for him. Demonstrate that you love him. Be his friend. "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" John 15:14. Another way to encourage your leader is through voluntary service. Render assistance to your leader. Do whatever you can to boost his ministry and ensure that it flourishes. Use your talents, gifts and material resources for the furtherance of the work entrusted into the hands of your leader. Be sacrificial in your service. The dispensing of encouragement should however be reciprocal. Just as subordinates are expected to encourage their leaders, leaders should also encourage their subordinates. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in Luke 8:2-3 was encouraged by Mary Magdalene and some other women who ministered to him out of their resources. However, before these women could minister to him, Jesus had encouraged them by his own ministration of salvation, healing and deliverance. Additionally, a spiritual leader is a father, and fathers are enjoined in the scriptures not to provoke or frustrate their children (Ephesians 6:4). Do not deny them their rights and privileges.

There was a king in the land of Judah called Asa, the son of Abijah (Judah comprised of two out of the twelve tribes of Israel). He reigned over Judah for forty-one years. He had a good record and was highly commended for the many wonderful things he achieved for the Lord during his tenure. The Bible in 2 Chronicles 14:2-3 says: "And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves". The above passage reveals the good works of King Asa as highly commendable, especially because at that time, Israel was in a state of apostasy. He knew the laws of God and had zeal for the things of God. He hated evil and anything that represented evil. This he exhibited by taking away the strange altars, breaking down contrary images and cutting down the groves. What more can anyone expect from King Asa but continued commitment to God. Because of King Asa's obedience, God showed Himself strong on behalf of Judah during his reign. God fought against their enemies and sent several prophets to the king to encourage him, give him direction, and warn him of impending dangers. However, in the thirty-sixth year of King Asa's reign, Baasha the king of Israel took up arms against Judah his brother and Asa was sore afraid. He was so afraid that he forgot the great battles the Lord had won for him in the past. Out of fear and confusion, he negotiated with Syria, giving them the treasures of the House of God as a reward for their assistance. This is where King Asa committed a foolish mistake. I pray that you will not be blind to anything capable of destroying you, your family or your future in Jesus' Name. The agreement King Asa has with Benhadad, king of Syria, appeared to be highly rewarding at first because it resulted in King Baasha retreating to his domain. But God said by so doing, Asa had acted foolishly. Always remember that the eyes of the Lord are running to and fro throughout the whole world to show Himself strong on behalf of anyone whose heart is perfect towards Him. Do not look at your circumstance, look unto God for survival, sustenance, support and blessings, and you will never be disappointed in Jesus' Name.

Darkness is the partial or total absence of light. It is a place of confusion, secrecy or mystery. Darkness stands for lack of spiritual or intellectual enlightenment, and represents wickedness or evil. Children of God must have nothing to do with darkness. Moreover, light is the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible. Light is a source of illumination and it represents a condition of spiritual awareness. It liberates and gives direction. Light reveals. Every true child of God must seek to have the light of God - Jesus is the light of God. Jesus declared in John 8:12 that: "I am the light of the world, he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life". He was actually making a very important statement that has its roots in the spiritual realm. Light and darkness both have physical manifestations, but they have their roots in the spiritual realm. Light and darkness both have physical manifestations, but they have their roots in the spirit realm. The book of Genesis opened with darkness upon the face of the deep, and the first thing God did was to replace the darkness with light by the power of His Word. The work of creation could not proceed until there was light. Jesus used the concept of "following the light" to minister to the Jews because it was a concept they could relate with. When God brought them out of Egypt, He led them through the wilderness with a pillar of fire by night so that they could travel far whenever the need arose (Exodus 13:21). Jesus used this to clearly illustrate that He alone can offer security, illumination and meaning in this dark world we live in. Jesus as the Light of the world offers life, revelation, grace, peace, understanding and spiritual awakening to those who are lost in the dark. I pray that everyone who is confused or lost in the darkness of this world will receive illumination and the revelation of the Lord Jesus today, in Jesus' Name. The Bible while talking about the brevity of time in John 12:35-36 says: "Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them". Therefore, time waits for no man; tomorrow may be too late. Today is the day of salvation; come to the light of Jesus today.

Purpose is commonly defined as the reason for which something is done, or why something exists. It is therefore correct to say that the purpose of a product can only be determined by the creator and maker of that product. God is the Creator and Maker of the Heavens, the Earth, and all that is in them, according to Genesis 1:1. In Genesis 1:27, the Bible says that God created man in His own image and He made them male and female. Therefore, God is the only one who is in a position to speak authoritatively on the purpose for which a person exists. The Bible is very clear on the fact that God created man for fellowship. The created cannot by any means fellowship with the creator as equals. We are to fellowship with God in holy worship, in absolute reverence and fear, and in total submission to the will of God. This fellowship is so important to God that when it got broken because of the sin of Adam and Eve, He paid the ultimate price of His Son's sacrifice in order to reconcile us to Himself. This is why 1 Peter 2:9 says: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" God's highest purpose for you is revealed in this passage as being "to show forth the praises of God who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light". We are therefore primarily made as agents of worship to glorify God our maker. May you live up to God's expectations of His glory being made manifest in every area of your life, in Jesus' Name. However, many 21st century Christians have erroneously redefined the purpose of existence to mean the same thing as personal ambitions and goals. They are busy working hard in pursuit of ephemeral personal agendas, believing that they are fulfilling the purpose of God. May you not labour in vain. The Bible says that "we are predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of his own will". This means that no one can determine his purpose in life by himself because it has been predetermined before the creation of the world and therefore not open to choice. The purpose of every human being in this world is to glorify God.

There are levels or categories of faith. In the scriptures, we see these different categories at work at one point or the other. These categories include the following: No faith (Mark 4:40), little faith (Matthew 6:30), faith as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20), great faith (Matthew 15:21-28), exceeding great faith (Matthew 8:5-13) and the gift of faith from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:9). Those who want to experience a harvest of miracles are those who are ready to put their faith to work. It is faith that brings about miracles. There was a time in my ministerial life when I had little faith. But God honoured my faith. A woman brought her child to me who had never spoken since the day she was born. I decided therefore to pray for the child. As I said "in Jesus' name", the child answered "Amen!" I nearly jumped out of the window because I had never seen such a thing before. God will embarrass you with miracles in Jesus' Name. There was an experience in my life that shows that God will never fail when we put our faith in Him. Before my wife and I met the Lord, we had three children through caesarean operation. We decided to stop child-bearing since the doctor had said that my wife could not give birth naturally. We got born-again six years later and started reading the promises of God in the Bible. I read in the Bible that with God nothing shall be impossible and this stuck to my heart. I realised that what the doctor said was impossible can be made possible by the mighty power of God. My doctor friend told me that my wife would bleed to death if she tried to give birth. When the time of her delivery came, she laboured for two days consecutively but the baby did not come out. On the third day, as I was on my way to get food for my wife, the devil threatened: "Stupid man! And you said you have a Ph.D. Your wife will die today and you will see what her relatives will do to you." Suddenly, a holy anger rose up within me and I said: "Listen devil! If my wife should die tonight, I will get permission from my father-in-the-Lord to preach on Sunday, and the first thing I will say is that there is nothing my God cannot do". As I said this, this devilish thought disappeared from my mind and the joy of God flooded my heart. As I got to the hospital, I sat inside the car and suddenly heard the cries of the baby. Human words cannot express the joy that came to my heart upon seeing my wife in good health and my baby in joy. The kind of joy that will bring tears to your eyes will happen to you in Jesus' Name. Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

In what areas of your life do you think you need revival? What do you think you have done that has taken you into a backslidden state or what deadly error have you fallen into that has put you in danger of hell and perdition? Today is the day of revival, repentance, forgiveness and restoration of your joy of salvation. Revival is not miracle-working; it is increased spiritual interest or renewal in the life of holiness and complete obedience of a people towards God. The first thing a man who wants to experience revival must do is to realise that he or she has sinned, according to Psalm 51:3. In Psalm 51, we see David praying fervently for revival and restoration after he sinned against God via adultery and murder. He asked God to have mercy on him; he craved the loving kindness and tender mercies of God. He pleaded for spiritual cleansing after acknowledging his sins. This is where many so-called born-again Christians, particularly those who have been pretty old in the faith often miss it. They feel that they don't need to say the "sinner's prayer" again because of their long-term Christian walk. They are like the Pharisee of old who went to the temple to display his superiority over the publican (Luke 18:10-14). Whenever a wise man discovers that he has fallen short of God's approval and favour due to sin, he throws away his ego and humbles himself before the One who can forgive and forget. God is easily found when we seek His face in earnest penitent prayer according to the experience of Manasseh in 2 Chronicles 33:12-13. The Bible in 1 John 2:1-2 says: "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world". What the Lord is telling us in this scripture is that, it is expected that a child of God should live sin-free, according to 1 John 3:8-9. However, peradventure anyone finds himself in sin, he must quickly cry to God in penitential prayers so that he may be restored and spiritually revived again. The next thing is that you must have faith in the word of God and the blood of Jesus Christ for cleansing. Appropriate the blood of everlasting covenant and make up your mind not to go back again.