₦airaland Forum

Scientists have established that there is no vacuum anywhere in the world. It is the same in the Spirit realm; wherever the Spirit of God is not present, an evil spirit takes a seat. This is why many people keep going for deliverance session – trying to get rid of the same demon over and over again. It is not that the demon did not leave the first time, only that, when it did, the delivered fellow did not invite the Spirit of God into his/her heart to dwell, hence the demon came back with a legion to take over the heart. Such people end up worse than they were before they went for the deliverance session.

“…See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” John 5:14

In the Bible verse above, when Jesus chased the disease-causing demon out of the life of the man at the pool of Bethesda, He warned him not to go back into sin, lest a demon with a worse disease enter into him. If you want total and permanent freedom from demons, you must keep your heart filled with the Holy Spirit.

Have you recently become free from the hold of pornography, alcohol, hard drugs, sexual immorality or cultism? This is the time to constantly read your Bible and pray, because if you just keep rejoicing in your freedom without growing in grace, you would soon find yourself back in your old ways, or even worse. This is why many return to their old addictions.

Deliverance ministers should also not leave a person alone after praying for him/her. There must be a proper follow-up to ensure the Spirit of the Lord is fully formed in such a person. Teach them to read their Bible daily, to pray and be a part of the fellowship. Follow-up is the real deliverance; it is what determines if all the efforts in getting a person delivered are worth it or not. It gives an assurance that you did not leave the person worse than you met him/her.

Never leave a vacuum for the devil to take advantage of. Welcome the Holy Spirit today.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

In assessing our offering, God looks at the motive of the giver. If anyone gives to God for the wrong reasons, He will not accept, let alone reward such giving.

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:1

No matter how large, offering ill-gotten wealth to God can incur His wrath. God frowns at people who try to clear their guilt by tithing from stolen funds. He hates sin and anything given by a sinner. Proverbs 15:8 says:
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is His delight.”

God taught me a lesson on my way back from Ilorin, Nigeria where I had gone to preach some time ago. I had refilled my car unknowingly with adulterated fuel and it wouldn’t start. While a mechanic was trying to fix it, the Lord taught me a lesson from that experience. He told me “I can’t accept offerings from many people because their gifts are a mix of clean and unclean sources.” If you add money made from shady means to those from clean sources and then give to God, the dirty money in the mix will contaminate the entire offering and make it unacceptable.

God is displeased with any offering given grudgingly; He will reject such. However, He loves cheerful givers (2nd Corinthians 9:7). Sometimes ago, I was at a service in another denomination. While the programme lasted, I grew tired of the numerous offerings we were asked to give so much that when they called for another donation, I angrily dipped my hand in my pocket to give. Then God said “Keep your money, I am not a beggar.” I immediately realised my mistake, asked for forgiveness and cheered myself up internally before giving the offering.

Please God with your offering; give cheerfully.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

God doesn’t assess the quality of your gift by its actual value, but by the value you have left after the donation. In Luke 21:1-4, the rich dropped fat offerings in the basket, but none of them pleased God as much as the giver of the least – a poor widow. Jesus said she had “cast in all the living that she had.” You have not given your ‘widow’s mite’ until you have given all your living to God.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into you your bossom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Luke 6:38

If you want a spectacular breakthrough, give a spectacular offering. God is interested in what you give Him; if He weren’t, He wouldn’t have been looking into the basket as people were giving in Luke 21. He is observing; if He finds your offering to be of good measure, a ground-breaking blessing will surely come your way.

Some people say they don’t give because they don’t have. Actually, they don’t have because they don’t give. If a poor widow could have had something to give, then everyone can. People remain poor because they hold back more than is necessary instead of sowing it (Proverbs 11:24). The Bible says He gives bread to the eater and seed to the sower. If you eat your seed when you should be a sower, how would you have bread when it is time to be an eater? Give your way out of poverty.

As God blesses you, increase your giving so that He can also increase His blessings. I once met a man who, rather than pay 10% of his income as tithe, paid 90%! He once challenged all of us at a conference to give our best offerings and that he would match it. He did! He constantly gave like that poor widow and God also continued to bless him in return.

You want a spectacular breakthrough? Give a spectacular offering.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

A Christian is not necessarily someone who follows a set of religious rules, but rather, someone who has a cordial relationship with Christ. A Christian behaves like Christ.

Christianity is about Christ who lives in you and not all about do’s and don’ts. Most people who see Christianity only from the viewpoint of rules and regulations are hypocrites. The Pharisees and Sadducees condemned Jesus for healing on a Sabbath. Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy when He asked if they would not go searching for any of their sheep that went missing on a Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6).

Rules and regulations are good, but they must never take the place of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Ghost in you that helps you live completely holy and not the rules. Adhering to rules does not make a sinner acceptable to Christ, it is only the willingness to surrender all that guarantees salvation. Your Christianity should be cantered on Christ’s love for you, His death, resurrection and promise of eternal life, not some rules to be followed.

For some people, they give pre-eminence to rules so they can earn the right to boast and arrogantly declare their ‘holiness’ forgetting that “ … we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6)

The best thing rules can give you is self-righteousness. Which can make one to be like the Pharisee who went to the temple to pray in Luke 18:10-12. However, justification By God can only come through God’s Spirit in you.

Legalistic people care more about how people see them than how God sees them. they are always looking out for who is breaking the rules so they can attack and even gossip about them (Luke 18:11). God does not want you to boast about your holiness because only through His Spirit can you live holy.
“Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:9
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.”
Psalm 25:4

The word ‘way’ was used four times in Proverbs 25 verse 4, 8, 9 and 12) while ‘paths’ was used twice (verse 4 and 10). This indicates the importance of depending on God’s ways and having Him direct one’s paths.

As a Christians, we can know God’s way by immersing ourselves in His truth. David in Psalm 25:5 pleaded:
“Lead me in your truth, and teach me.”

God’s word is where His truth is found. It contains instructions on how to live a fulfilling Christian life. God’s precepts are not hidden; if only we would just read and apply them.

You cannot be a Christian and not study the word of God daily. Christianity is not the same as attending church services. If you don’t have a relationship with Christ, forested by reading His word and praying daily, then you are not Christ-like.

Children who are close to their parents usually know their parents’ ways. They can tell what food they like, how hot or cold they like their drinks and so on. They know what can make their parents angry and exactly what will make them glad. They know all this because of the constant association they have with their parents. Likewise, when you read your Bible and spend time with God regularly, you will get to know Him more and more daily.

If, on the other hand, you only read your Bible when a Pastor is on the altar, the best you can know of God is what he or she tells you, which would never be sufficient. Imagine someone having to tell you everything about your father – that is proof that you don’t know Him.

It is a huge privilege to know your Father’s ways. His ways are so distinct and learning them would distinguish you greatly in all you do (Isaiah 55:9). God will show you His ways through His word. Study His word diligently.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Some people keep returning to sin over and over, despite having asked Jesus to come into their lives. They wonder how others live above sin. The answer is sanctification. When a person is sanctified, he/she loses the taste for sin. The Bible describes it in Hebrews 1:9
“Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

When a person is sanctified, sinful habits that used to excite him/her become irritating. As a result, the fellow is able to lead a life of holiness in Christ. Sanctification is the grace of God that helps man to live above sin. If you are still struggling with sin, then you need to be sanctified.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1st John 1:9

To be sanctified, you must first confess all your sins to God (1st John 1:9). You can also experience sanctification if you are an avid student of the word of God. John 17:17 says:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

If you want to enjoy your Christian life; feed on the word of God. David said in Psalm 119:11:
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

The more of God’s word you study, the more sin will disgust you. If you are always studying your Bible, God’s word will begin to influence the way you see things and how you behave.

The word of God has a Spirit which gives life, and that life, being Jesus will enter into you as you study it daily. It is Jesus who makes it easy for you to live holy. Take up the challenge today and you will overcome sin, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Ever since Adam sold the liberty of man to the devil, everyone else who desired freedom has had to fight for it. Success in this fight however, is only guaranteed through prayer - engaging God to do what we cannot do on our own. It is the only way of dealing with destiny-threatening enemies whatever and whoever they are.

After Hezekiah received a letter from Sennacherib, he asked God for help and He obliged accordingly (Isaiah 37:14-20).

In 1 Samuel 17:45-51, after Goliath had cursed David (1st Samuel 17:43); the young man intelligently invited God – the greatest Ally, to the battle between him and Goliath and by extension, between Israel and the Philistines.

“…Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 1st Samuel 17:45

After the invitation, David became more than a match for Goliath. The devil was indeed the primary figure behind the attack against David – he didn’t want him to become the king of Israel.

We can learn from David. He was a successful warrior who relied on divine intervention in all life’s battles. In numerous Psalms, he promptly reported his real and potential enemies to God. Most famous is Psalm 35:1 where he wrote: “Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.” He knew he could not handle these enemies by himself. He was specific about what he wanted the Lord of hosts to do with his enemies (Psalm 6:10).

Beloved, are you faced with battles from destiny-threatening enemies? Hand the battles over to God – the Jehovah Nissi today. He will fight for you if you surrender all to Him (Isaiah 59:19).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

It is one thing to be able to gather a harvest; it is another thing entirely to preserve it. It is sad that while the Church is making valiant efforts to gather plentiful harvests through evangelism, numerous outreaches and programmes, even less and less is being done to preserve the souls won for Christ. Many souls are won to Christ on a daily basis, but how many will eventually remain in the body of Christ as committed Christians?

In Matthew 9:27, Jesus laments the scarcity of people committed to keeping His harvest.
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;”
John 15:2

The parable of the talents teaches that the Lord expects every one of His children to diligently put their talents and special gifts into profitable use for the advancement of His kingdom. If you fail to be fruitful or productive, then you are guilty of receiving the grace of God in vain, becoming an unprofitable servant. I pray that you will never be guilty of being an unprofitable servant in the mighty name of Jesus.

Do everything within your power to be one of the few faithful labourers of the Lord Jesus today. Work very hard to win souls for Christ, and more importantly, preserve every harvest God brings your way through the work of other evangelists.

May you not be found guilty of receiving the grace of God in vain in the mighty name of Jesus.
Written by Pastor Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

When the leadership of the children of Israel was handed over to Joshua, he was really afraid. He knew it would take a lot of wisdom to resolve conflicts and deal with complaints among his people. He had also seen how they were faced with huge obstacles in the past – the Red Sea, lack of food and water in the wilderness, enemies coming against them and many more. Joshua was sure he would need a special anointing to overcome such obstacles if they came up again.

God however, knew that with fear in the heart of Joshua, he would not be able to lead the Israelite's to the Promised Land, so He had to remind him:
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:9

Beloved, if you will succeed in your divine purpose and assignment, you must be strong and courageous, confident that God is with you at all times. Fear is a strategy of the devil to limit you; never allow it in your heart. No matter how great a task is, as long as God is with you, you have succeeded already.

The Israelite's were afraid of Goliath and would have been delivered into the hands of the Philistines, but for David’s godly confidence (1st Samuel 17:24). Despite the fact that David was young, the moment he stepped into the situation, everything changed. All God needed to deliver His people was courage, not necessarily skills, Your abilities are not sufficient to guarantee your success. God is however, more than enough to help you succeed. All He needs is your courage; not experience, connections or skills – Just courage.

Good courage is taking steps in the face of fear, difficulties and danger with the confidence that God is with you.

As you go about your various activities today, be strong and of a good courage. God is with you and you will definitely overcome, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

God loves commandos because a lot of His work can be done through them.

Christian commandos do not have to be monitored closely by their Pastors to achieve their deliverables. They are always hungry for even more. Paul was a commando. He knew his assignment was to spread the gospel around the world and he never relented. Even in dangerous situations, he still went about preaching (Acts 21:1-16)

How many souls have you won in the last six months? If missionaries in hostile environments still preach, even in the face of death, you don’t have any excuse not to preach the gospel to people around you.

Sometime ago, I was invited to preach outside Nigeria. I was talking with my host when he told me of a man called Cobra – a cultist who was also very rich and well-connected. He was indeed a terror in the land, so no one dared to confront him. The more he talked about Cobra, the more I wanted to preach to him. Eventually, I asked him to arrange for me to meet the man. My host was alarmed. He said “Sir he could kill you if you dare talk about Jesus to him.” However, I insisted on him setting up the meeting.

On the D-day, I met the Cobra and said “Sir, the Lord has sent me to tell you that your cup is full and He is about to bring judgment on you.” Within minutes, Cobra was on his knees. In the end, not only did I come out alive, I did so with a new soul won for my Lord.

Will you run away at the slightest threat or forge ahead to do whatever God ask of you?

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15

As for me and my household, we will be Commandos for Christ. What about you?
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Sometime ago in the American Army, a battalion was dropped behind enemy lines. Initially, it was believed that the enemies were not aware, however the enemies eventually surrounded the battalion. Once it became clear that the battalion would be defeated, the leader of the group phoned their headquarters for support saying “We are totally surrounded and outnumbered at least 100 to 1; send the Marines” Legend has it that the phrase "send the marines" was derived from this even. At that time, only three Marines were available for the assignment and they were all sent. They worked all night and created a path for the battalion to escape. While the battalion was moving, they saw thousands of dead enemies. The three commandos had killed them in just one night.

There are ordinary Christian soldiers and there are Christian commandos. As for me, I have determined not to be an ordinary soldier for Christ, I want to be a commando. What about you?

Commandos go through the most rigorous qualification training. That is why a commando for Christ can weather any storm. He is unshakeable. Job was a commando. No wonder he stood strong and even came out stronger in the face of adversity.

The true strength of a boxer is measured by the opponent he/she faces. Likewise, the strength of a true Christian soldier is known by the kind of opponents he/she has brought down. If an ordinary insult is enough to bring you down, then you are not yet ready to be a member of this select group in the army of Christ. If you are still finding ‘good’ excuses to commit sin, you are obviously not yet ready for the training, talk less of becoming a commando.

If you would be used of God, you must go through the training. Just as no one can join the army without being fit, God cannot use an untrained person. If you would be a commando for God, you must go through the most rigorous training. Surrender all and make yourself available today. Stay on the winning side.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

An army once went to war on an island. On seeing the size and strength of their opposition, they were afraid and sought their commander’s permission to retreat. In response, the commander burnt the ships that had brought them, declaring that there were only two options – fight or die. No going back. They fought, and in the end, won. This is how you should approach temptations. Burn the ship so there is no option of returning to sin. Fight your way into Heaven and you will win in the mighty name of Jesus.

Perhaps you have friends who entice you into sin; if they refuse to give their lives to Christ, cut them off immediately and completely. If you don’t, you would be leaving open a channel for the devil to get at you. If access to the internet will lure you back into the world, why not get a phone that is not internet-enabled or delete the applications that keep drawing you back to sin? Any channel through which the devil can get you is an evil agent; deal with it decisively.

“And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”
Matthew 5:29

Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife; he didn’t wait to resist or convince her into letting him be. He ran! He knew that if he stayed, he could fall, but if he ran out, she couldn’t follow him. Even if she did, nothing would have happened outside. If you stay in a room alone with your fiancé or fiancée, you are leaving wide open a channel for the devil to enter into your courtship; block all such channels from now.

If little drops of water keep falling into a tiny crack on a rock, sooner or later the rock would begin to break apart. Likewise, it is not wise to keep a channel of sin open, thinking you can continue to resist its lure. If indeed you don’t want to sin, block that channel.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

The devil is cunning, not wise. When he sees a Christian determined not to commit sin, he puts strategies in place to ensure such a one falls. He locates the person’s weakness. Then searches for a channel through which he can bring him/her down.

Once the devil discovered Moses’ weakness, he began to find ways to get him angry, so he could misbehave. He used Miriam but Moses overcome (Numbers 12:10-13); he also used the Israelites to get him angry by successfully tempting them to worship the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-6). On Moses’ return from the mountain, he got so angry with the Israelites that he broke the tablets God had just given him (Exodus 32:19). The devil knew anger was Moses’ weakness so he continued using the Israelites to annoy him. At another time, Moses let the murmurings of the Israelites get to him again and he lost his temper terribly (Numbers 20:10-12). The devil had him in his hands.

Since the devil has made it a point of duty to discover and exploit the weakness of all Christians, what should we do?

Block every channel he would use to employ that weakness against you. The devil knows you can control what you see on the streets, so he might try another channel – your phone. If you allow lust to take over when provocation pictures pop up on your phone, the devil will rejoice in having found a channel to destroy you. He will then start to introduce more provocative pictures and even more sites to nurture the seed of lust he has planted. You won’t be a victim in the mighty name of Jesus.

Brother, the devil could attack you through the smile of a young lady when you are stressed. He could use provocation from your spouse to lure you to source money through shady means. Whatever that channel may be, cut it off completely or train your mind to ignore it. If Moses had blocked the channel of anger early enough, perhaps he would have overlooked the murmurings of the Israelites and reached the promised land.

You have the chance now, don’t become a victim. Block those channels!
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus entered into Simon’s boat and asked him to push a little from the land. Simon not only accepted but also allowed the Lord to preach from his boat for as long as He wanted. Afterwards, Jesus rewarded Simon by blessing him with the greatest catch he had ever had. God never ignores any good act. He always rewards, and He does so bountifully.
“And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:9
Sometimes, it may appear that you are not getting rewards for your labour in the house of God. This may be because the coming reward is indeed very great and God is preparing you for it. Don’t lose hope. It will come at the right time if you keep working for God.

Joseph was honest and hardworking, yet he was thrown into prison. In the prison, he interpreted the chief butler’s dream yet for two years it appeared there was no reward coming (Genesis 40, 41). However, by the time God was going to bless him, the reward was great. He became the second in command to the most powerful man in the whole world at the time. That is what happens when you are not weary in well-doing.

God will reward every sacrifice – your time or money, in multiple folds. Hebrews 6:10 says
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

Only an unrighteous person will refuse to say ‘Thank you’ when something has been done for him/her, not God. He is not righteous.

Matthew 19:29 says anyone who sacrifices the comfort of family and home just to please and obey God will get a hundred-fold reward and also inherit everlasting life.

Do not be weary in well-doing, your reward is coming.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

God wants you to be involved in winning souls. That is why He did not take you to Heaven immediately after you became born again. Like Christ, your aim should be to “seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10). May God enable you to fulfil that Heavenly mandate in the mighty name of Jesus.

The world may regard great scholars, powerful rulers and rich business tycoons as wise; however, Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, says in Proverbs 11:30 that he that wins souls is wise.

“…and he that winneth souls is wise.”
Proverbs 11:30

If winning of souls is wisdom, then the refusal to win souls is definitely foolishness. If as a preacher you don’t win souls, you are in the category of the foolish. While you may never get on the pulpit, if your lifestyle makes a sinner accept Jesus, you are in the category of the wise. Everything you do must point people to Jesus.

You may be an usher, chorister or even a member of the prayer band; you are not wise until you engage in the best occupation on earth – to “seek and to save that which is lost.”

What is the wisdom in soul –winning?

While every human achievement and reward will be left behind when we leave this world, souls are everlasting; they will live forever in eternity. There is no occupation more noble than plucking souls from the path of hell and transporting them safely to Heaven.

Soul-winning glorifies God and guarantees you a great legacy. All of God’s creation glorify Him but none more so that a new creature made in the image of Christ.

It takes wisdom to win souls. So many things keep souls in the bondage of the devil – pride, lust, the pleasures of this world, unbelief and so on. It takes divine wisdom to be deliberate about leading others to Christ. May you receive grace to be wise, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

It is human nature to worry about personal welfare and that of our loved ones, but as Christians, this should not be our lifestyle because God has told us to be anxious about nothing (Philippians 4:6).

Fear reaches deep into our consciousness, making it very difficult to shake off. When anyone allows it, the door to stress becomes open, leading the way for many diseases, some of which can become fatal.

Luke 12:22-31 tells us how God wants us to live – worry-free. He wants us to rest in the knowledge that He is in charge.

“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:”
Matthew 6:27-28

Can you answer the question above? Can you add one inch to your height by worrying? The answer is NO. If you cannot change the situation by worrying, why not put that energy into praying and getting rest from the presence of God?

I was only thirty-nine years old when I became the General Overseer of the RCCG. One day, while combing my hair, I noticed some grey strands and asked “Lord why am I having grey hair?” He replied “Are you not the one who is always worried about the Church? It is my Church; stop worrying.” From that day, I left everything in His hands. The grey strands of hair disappeared and the Church has been marching forward a lot faster than when I was worrying. My anxiety added nothing to the Church but my surrendering to God added everything.

Worrying magnifies the problem because what you focus on will always get bigger. From now, focus on God, on His omnipotent and very soon, you will see the end of that problem.

Nothing is too difficult for God to handle (Jeremiah 12:27). Turn over all your cares to Him today and He will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patient the race that is set before us,”
Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12:1 says we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. This means that the hosts of Heaven are constantly observing us and our actions on the earth. Sadly, when they look down, most of what they see is sin.

Yes, once in a while, these clouds of witnesses see one or two people who surrender their lives to Christ and the whole of Heaven erupts in joy because of this one fellow. This is why I use every opportunity to win souls to Christ; I want Heaven to rejoice always. What about you? When last did Heaven rejoice because you brought someone to Christ?

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
John 15:16

The statement Jesus made in the above verse is very logical. First, God loves soul winners – so whatever they ask, He will give. Imagine if someone who always makes you happy comes with a request. Even if the father of the house wants to say no, every other person will speak up for him and say “Daddy, we cannot say no to the request of this fellow, he is special to us in this family.” That is what happens when a soul winner prays. The whole of Heaven will cooperate to ensure that the prayer is answered because you are constantly making them rejoice.

When we gather for services, Heaven doesn’t rejoice over the great sermon, music, communion or giving, rather in souls won. Heaven will ask “Did anyone get saved?”

If you are saved, share the gospel to save others. If you are yet to surrender all to Christ, do so now and there would be great rejoicing in Heaven over you.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

The only reason you and I are still alive today is God’s mercy. Divine mercy is that important (Lamentations 3:22).

We can rejoice however, that God is very rich in mercy and as a matter of fact, He is the Father of mercies, He gives His mercy to us as a gift every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23, 2nd Corinthians 1:3).

His mercy guides you in your journey through life. In His mercy, you meet certain people who help you fulfil destiny; you also avoid certain people or actions that might lead you astray. It is by this same mercy I joined the RCCG.

I had wanted to travel abroad on a commonwealth scholarship. After passing the exams, we were tested on dining etiquette. As a boy bred in the village, I dipped the bread we were served into the stew and stuffed it in my mouth. That was the end. I stayed in Nigeria and became a lecturer at the University of Lagos. It was while I was there that I was introduced to the RCCG. It was pure mercy. Exodus 15:13 says:
“Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.”

God does not need permission from anyone to show you mercy. Romans 9:15 says:
“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

While others may struggle, He can promote you effortlessly. If you ever want to get results, His mercy is the most essential factor.

“But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”
Genesis 39:21

Joseph enjoyed favour even in the prison because of God’s mercy. If you need anyone to favour you, seek God’s mercy first. He will grant you favour before them in the mighty name of Jesus.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

I have avoided sharing this for a long time so as not to be misunderstood: When you provide for a man/woman of God (in substance or service), you will never lack anything. By God’s grace, all my needs are supplied so there is no need to teach anything for selfish reasons.
In 2nd Kings 4, once the Shunamite woman knew Elish was a true man of God, she started to supply him with all he needed.

While you may have many teachers, you should have a particular Father-in-the-Lord you overwhelm with gifts or service. Doing this will ensure that the man of God takes up your case persistently with God.

It was Elisha who asked the Shunamite woman what she wanted. Although she claimed not to want anything, he pressed further. On discovering her childlessness, he prophesied that she would have a son and she did. Much later, when that son died, Elisha brought him back to life.

Elisha insisted on serving Elijah until the end, and his persistence eventually paid off as he got the double portion he had asked for. If you serve the man of God diligently, he would ensure you get whatever you want.

I like to say there are certain people in the RCCG who are not permitted to die yet. I remember one woman – very effective in missionary assignments who had been in an accident some years ago. It was so bad the foreign doctors kept saying she might not survive but I was so sure she was going nowhere. Today, she is still perfectly well and doing even more for God.

Another who has been instrumental in financing the work of God had a nightmare about death and wanted me to pray for him before he passed. I laughed and told him to relax. He said it was God who told him to put his house in order and I replied “Leave it between God and I; you are not going yet.” That was more than ten years ago and he is still bouncing in the Lord.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

As evident in 1 Samuel 2:27-36, when we go contrary to the will of God. He could decide not to fulfil His promises.

I have always known God’s promises to me and my Father-in-the-Lord concerning the RCCG, yet, I did not just relax believing that regardless of what I do, He will fulfil it. Has God made any promises to you? That doesn’t give you the liberty to misbehave. If you offend Him, He can still change His mind.

In the Bible, Samuel is one person who had seen God change His mind severally. First, as a child, He witnessed how God rejected Eli, destroying his family and legacy in one night. He also saw how God rejected Saul after having chosen him by Himself. He saw how God chose a small boy to be king and tormented Saul even while still on the throne. This made Samuel, in wisdom, decide never to offend God. His solid reputation is evident in his speech to the Israelites in 1st Samuel 12:3-4:
“Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand.”

Samuel knew that if God changes His mind about blessing anyone, the end of such would be worse than ever so he refrained from displeasing God.

Samson however, failed to play his part so he lost out on God’s promises over his life.

I plead with you today, if you are sure about God’s promises for you and His great plan for your life, do everything possible to avoid offending Him. indeed, ears have not heard and eyes have not seen the greatness of God’s plan for those who love Him (1st Corinthians 2:9). Don’t miss out on this.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Anyone who God is against is doomed already. However, I have good news for you: God can change His mind if the condition are right for Him to do so.

In Exodus 32:14, God was ready to destroy the Israelite's and start a new generation, but Moses was successful in his appeal. What was in Moses’ plea that made God change His mind?

First, Moses was pleading from the mountain. He had a special relationship with God. He was closer to God than the rest, he was a favourite. If you have incurred God’s wrath through sin, you stand a better chance of obtaining mercy by getting someone like Moses – with a higher level of anointing to plead on your behalf.

Secondly, Moses was not selfish in his plea. He was always particular about God’s name and reputation. When you put His interest first. He listens. Moses said:

“Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
Exodus 32:12

Finally, Moses ensured the people repented and forsook their sins. God cannot be fooled. After forgiveness, you cannot continue doing what brought His wrath on you in the first place.

Christian leaders, if any member of your flock is going astray, plead with God for such. If the fellow changes, you could discipline them before God does. God still punished the Israelites for transgressing despite not wiping them out. This is why erring workers in the Church are sometimes suspended – we don’t want God to mete out the punishment Himself. Man’s punishment cannot be as fearsome as God’s anger. It is true that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), but God does not want the death of a sinner (Ezekiel 18:23). If you confess your sins, repent and forsake them, God is faithful and just to forgive you and spare you His wrath. Indeed, He will not reject a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

There are clear differences between the anointed and the appointed: the former is greater than the latter and so controls it. Do not seek or lobby for an appointment, rather seek anointing. Anointing is the supernatural ability to do something. God has a purpose for your life and thus gives you the necessary ability to achieve it. When you pursue an appointment that God has not anointed you for, you will live under stress and pressure. However, when you seek the anointing, the right appointment will follow and you will get great results.

In Acts 6:3, we see the correct order that things should follow. First, you must be full of the Holy Ghost’s anointing and power, then you will get the right appointment. Your focus should therefore be on the anointing and not the appointment. The appointment is merely a platform for the manifestation of the anointing. Before Stephen was appointed as a deacon, he had already been appointed by the Holy Ghost, but we did not hear of him preaching the gospel or performing miracles until the appointment came. After the appointment, Act 6:7-8 says:
“And the word of God increase; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”

This tells us that when you appoint the anointed, great exploits follow. If you have the privilege of choosing people for any appointment (in Church or otherwise), ensure you select those who are anointed with the supernatural ability from God to function.

If you have been appointed into a role that you are not anointed for, then first, check if that appointment is God’s purpose for your life. If it is His purpose for your life, then you must cry to Him for anointing. Being anointed without being appointed can never produce excellence.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

If we could see things the way God does, our lives would be far better. Sometimes, criticism comes because God wants to make you more popular and influential. Some people may even harm you because God wants to promote you. If you cannot see things from God’s point of view, you may miss the coming blessing. As long as you remain in love with God, you can rest assured that all things are working together for your good. Ephesians 1:3-6 says the purpose of God for your life had been settled before the foundations of the world. All the things you have gone through and people you have met in your life – whether good or bad, are part of the purpose of God for you.

I find the story of Joseph (Genesis 37:46) very instructive. He was one person who saw things from God’s point of view. His father loved him greatly and gave him a coat of many colours – prophetic of where he was going. His brothers became jealous of him because of his dreams of greatness and they sold him into slavery. If his brothers had accepted him, they would not have sold him into slavery. If they had not sold him into slavery, he would not have arrived in Egypt, and neither would he have reached the throne. If he had not gotten to the throne, his brothers would not have come to bow to him as God had shown him many years before.

Joseph saw things from God’s point of view; he knew that if he could just stay holy, everything happening to him would eventually lead him to the throne. He never let his wilderness experience take away his hope or make him sin against God. At every stage of his ordeal (as a slave in Potiphar’s house and as a prisoner), his leaders attested to the fact that God was with him.

God is working out His purpose for your life. Those who hate you and those who love you are part of the plan. Stay holy, keep trusting Him; your reward is just around the corner. Galatians 6:9 says:

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Sometime ago, someone walked up to me and said “I have known you for a long time now and you have remained consistent with your faith.”

I replied “That is because I am dead to the flesh.” A dead man does not change. Are you dead to the flesh?

A man that is dead to the flesh is not affected by the changes around him. He is not affected by criticism. If you slap a dead man, he would not react; insult him, he would not retaliate. That is the attitude of anyone who is dead to the flesh. Are you dead to the flesh? If your sincere answer is “No” then let us look at how you can become so.

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:33

The first thing is to forsake all that you have. You need to see no value in any material possession. Nothing in this world should be of more value to you than God. He said anyone who would follow Him must first deny himself (Luke 9:23). How do you know if you have forsaken all?

I once spoke to a man about Christ and he told me that he had surrendered all unto God – I knew he was not being sincere, so I said “Glory to God. Brother, please, would you loan us your car for evangelism tomorrow?” His countenance changed immediately and he said “You know that is my only car and I have to go to work tomorrow.” So now, I want you to be sincere with yourself: Have you forsaken all for Him? if Jesus were to ask you to sell all that you have to give to the poor, would you?

Also, the flesh is very stubborn and will not go down without a fight. It can only be defeated by fasting and prayers. The more you fast, the more life you give to your spirit and the less you give to the carnal nature. When you fast, your flesh begins to die to lusts. You would also begin to value the things of the Spirit far more than ephemeral things (Galatians 5:16-17).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

The Bible informs us that every human being is bound to experience some challenges and difficulties in life. The devil is out to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). Many have become victims of the bondage of stagnation, failure, fruitlessness, sickness, disappointment and misfortune. In Old Testament times, Jubilee – observed every fiftieth year, was a time of deliverance from debt as well as recovery of lost property.

The biblical laws regarding Jubilee were in three categories:

1. Redemption of Land
2. Redemption of Houses
3. Redemption of Slaves and Debts

I prophesy to anyone who needs deliverance and restoration. You shall receive Jubilee today in the mighty name of Jesus.

“…Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the Prey of the terrible shall be delivered….”
Isaiah 49:25

No matter how difficult your captivity experience may have been, JESUS is here to set you free!

Are you bound by sin, burdened by debt or threatened by poverty? Are you involved in a secret society or struggling under the weight of generational curses? Are you under the grip of one addition or the other? Is your health under attack or the peace of your family threatened? Jubilee through Christ is available every day to everyone who will accept Him as their Lord and Saviour. Accept Jesus today; He will come into your life and turn your situation around for good.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Prayers
1. Thank God for the youths even if you are one yourself. Praise Him for giving them strength, agility and a glorious future.

2. Father, don’t let the devil win over the lives of our youths. Please help them to overcome every temptation that comes their way and don’t let them give in to negative peer pressure.

3. Father, raise youths who will uphold Your name in their generation, youths who will stand for You and will not be ashamed to preach the gospel at all times.

4. Father, whenever we hear from our youths, let it always be good news – news of promotion, great achievements, breakthroughs and miracles, in the mighty name of Jesus.

5. Father, anoint our youths greatly and perform great miracles through them.

6. Father, for all our youths of marriageable age and status, please let their wedding bells ring this year.

7. Father, let our youths be greater than their parents and the elders of today.

8. Father, don’t let the sun of our youths set prematurely. Don’t let us ever bury our youths.

9. Father, put an end to the wave of depression amongst our youths today. Fill them with joy and put an end to every evil effect of social media in their lives.

10. Father, please deliver our youths from the claws of evil additions and associations. Help them all to find and achieve Your purpose for their lives.

11. Father, as our youths grow, do not let them depart from the path of righteousness.

12. Your special request to God for the youths.

I join my faith with yours and pray that the Lord will grant all your requests concerning the youths, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

In his final letter, Paul charges Timothy – his son in the faith, to “do the work of an evangelist” (2nd Timothy 4:5). By this, the Apostle establishes the instruction of Jesus for believers across generations – preach the gospel everywhere. If we would be called by His name, we must obey His command every day, urging people to come to Jesus for salvation.

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”
2nd Corinthians 5:18

Jesus has given all believers the ministry of reconciliation, the task to bring all men to Him. Are you active or dormant in this ministry?

The work of an evangelist is to lead people to Christ through the gospel. Unlike a Pastor, an evangelist does not disciple souls, but a Pastor can be an evangelist. As an evangelist, you are constantly looking for and preaching to the people in the world. After they have accepted Christ, you can then hand them over to a Bible – believing Church where a much mature believer can discipline them.

Evangelism is different from follow-up or publicity. It is bringing people into the love of Christ. Now that you know what it is, can you say you have been doing the work of an evangelist? Are you constantly preaching Christ to people in the world? Are there still people in your vicinity who you are yet to preach to?

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15

Jesus wants you to do His work wherever you go and whatever you do. He wants us to have compassion for lost soul and draw them into the kingdom.

If I were you, I would obey. Your obedience demonstrates your love for Him and will draw untold blessings to you (John 14:15, Matthew 6:33).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

The line between holiness and sin appears to be disappearing as sinful people now parade themselves as righteous. The truth however is that the world may change, but God’s standard never changes. He will not lower His standard to accommodate anyone; rather, He will give you grace to meet up with it. In order to receive that grace, you would have to take a step towards meeting God’s standards. James 4:8 says
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hands, ye double minded.”

You will need to root out and tear down everything that is in opposition to holy living in your life, then He will grant you the grace to live holy. When I see people who say they want to live holy lives still entertaining sin, I know they are not yet ready. Is there any friend that can lure you to sin? Any television show you like to watch that promotes sinful habits? Any place you like to visit that makes it comfortable to commit sin? Stay away from all such things from today.

James 4:8 also talks about the double-minded. These are people who have one leg in the Church and the other leg out; people who claim to live holy but willfully commit sin from time to time. James urges such people to purify their heart. With God, there is no sitting on the fence. There is no lukewarmness with Him; you are either hot or cold, in or out. He says in Revelation 3:15-16:
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

If you are planning to be His child and still engage in sin from time to time, stop deceiving yourself; you are not. Maintain the standard of holiness in all ways; that is the master key to heaven.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”
John 15:18

You must be aware that the moment you say yes to Jesus, you have signed up for persecution. By mentioning His name alone, you could develop enemies. Yet, He doesn’t want you to worry because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). If as a Christian, you don’t go through any persecution, you may need to check your salvation. Jesus said:
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”
Luke 6:26

Every true Christian will face persecution: at the office, in the family, amongst friends or with strangers. What matters is how you handle it. Some go back to the world because they cannot stand while some others get stronger after going through it. Which category are you in?

Be deliberate about increasing your spiritual strength. Study your Bible more, pray more, be regular at fellowship with the brethren. This is because surely, your spiritual strength will be tested someday (Proverbs 24:10). On such a day, it is how much of God you have in you that will determine your actions.

Those who pray in tongues regularly are supernaturally empowered to withstand any form of persecution. This is why Paul did not relent in preaching the gospel despite all the persecution he went through; he remained steadfast. Peter denied Jesus before He was baptized in the Holy Ghost, but as soon as the Holy Ghost came upon him, he endured persecution and described it as a good thing (Acts 5:41).

No matter how much the devil challenges you, do not yield. No matter how much you have been threatened to accept a bribe or manipulate figures, stand strong. As long as you stand with Christ, you would never be defeated. He has already overcome the world.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

God is omnipresent – He is everywhere and sees everything at the same time. It does not matter what you are going through, He is right by your side.

When the three Hebrews boys were facing King Nebuchadnezzar, to an outsider, it may have appeared they were on their own without any help whatsoever. However, the boys were confident; they knew who they believed. They were even bold enough to add that they would still not bow to any idol if God decided not to rescue them.

Many times, we don’t feel God by our side when we are facing trials, but He is there. You will realise it when you are in the furnace and the fire burns off your chains, leaving you unharmed.

God’s eyes are on you even when you are about to commit sin. A Pastor is said to have taken a female member of his church to a hotel with the intent of committing fornication. When they got in and the Pastor tried to touch her, she said “Sir, we looked left and right to be sure no one could see us, but we did not look up. God can see us.” She could feel that God could see them, so she fled.

You cannot hide anything from God. You may pretend to people in Church, but He knows your secrets. Your spouse may not be able to access your phone, but God knows all of your conversations; you can deceive everyone but not Him.

According to Luke 8:17, knowing that God can expose you should make you repent.

“For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.”

Don’t continue in sin because sooner or later, every secret will be made open. I hope you make a change immediately. He has not yet revealed your sin because He wants you to have a chance to repent. If you refuse to repent, He will expose you and that would be dangerous.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

God has designed life such that as men, we are dependent on each other. Once in a while, we might need help and may become weary if it does not come (Proverb 13:12). I have experienced this countless times but God has always helped me. He is the Ever-Present help in the time of need (Psalm 46:1)

Sometimes, there may be nobody to help. At other times, those you have trusted may just decide against helping you, but not God. David, in Psalm 27:10 said:
“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.”

Even if everybody were to forsake you in your time of need, God would never do so. The Yorubas say that when fire burns a parents and his/her child at the same time, the parents would naturally focus on saving him/herself first irrespective of the depth of love towards that child. However, with God, He will put you first. In Isaiah 49:15, God asked a vital question.
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.”

Can you recall the explosions that occurred in Lagos in 2001? Many people were so scared that they left their children behind and ran for their lives. When such things happens, mothers forget their suckling children. May we never experience such again in the mighty name of Jesus.

At other times too, those who really want to help may have tried their best, but are unable to save the situation. Doctors are great, but once in a while, even they do not have solutions to some health problems. Although some ailments have been termed incurable by man, there is no such thing with God. He does the impossible.

Set your love upon God, then call upon Him today. He will answer you (Psalm 91:14-15).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Unlike everything and everyone else that grows old with age, God is the same forever; He doesn’t age. He will not grow older tomorrow neither will He become weaker next year. He doesn’t even dwell in time, He dwells in eternity. Hebrews 13:8 says:
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day and for ever.”

He does not change. Though Jesus came into this world through the virgin Mary about two thousand years after Abraham was born, yet He said in John 8:58:
“…Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.”

He laid the foundation of the world and made the Heavens. This means He has been in existence before the earth and the Heavens were created and will still be after everything and everyone is gone (Psalm 102:25-27).

The never changing nature of God gives us the assurance that all His promises concerning us are yea and amen. It doesn’t matter how long ago God made a promise to you; just hold on to it, He will bring it to pass.

For a long time after I became the General Overseer of the RCCG, I continued to remember the promises God had made to me. One of them was that I would lead a mighty end-time army in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. At the time, anyone could have doubted the fulfilment of the dream because the Church was not growing. Thank God I held on to the promises; today they are being fulfilled one after another.

Hold on to God’s word concerning you. It may appear time is running out, but never give room to doubt. It will not tarry, His time is not yours.

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Habakkuk 2:3
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.