₦airaland Forum

One of the deadliest sins is sexual immorality of any kind, the reason being that the repercussion do not wait until the great white Throne judgment before stinging their victim (Revelation 20:11-12). The consequences include broken relationships, destroyed families, sexually transmitted diseases and much more. This is the reason why the Holy Spirit is warning us in 1 Corinthians 6:8 to flee from it. Sexual immorality carries a lot of evil baggage, the most grievous of which is spiritual in nature. For example, Reuben slept with his father’s wife and got an everlasting curse for it (Genesis 35:22, Genesis 49:1-4). Another example is Samson. Once a Nazarite consecrated to God, he lost his glory after allowing himself to fornicate with an idol-worshipper who betrayed him. His two eyes were removed and he became a grinder of corn and an object of scorn in the temple of Dagon, the god of the Philistines. (Judges 16:19-23)

The word of God is the sure refuge against the destructive sin of sexual immorality. Speaking in Proverbs 6:20-26, the Holy Spirit shows us the way of escape we need, saying in Proverb 6:23-24:
“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strong woman.”
God’s word has power to shield us from falling prey to the seductive instincts of evil men and women. Only the wise who walk in the fear of God like Joseph did can escape this if the word of God is hidden in our hearts (Psalms 119:11). Speaking particularly, God’s word has forever established that extramarital wandering is forbidden. The Almighty God, who knows the end from the beginning, knows what will be the end of that sexual escapade, and He forbids it. He says in Proverbs 6:25-26:
“Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.”
God reveals in this scripture that sexual immorality hunts for the very best of mankind to destroy their future. Indeed, when you look through history, you will observe that sexual immorality has destroyed so many precious souls and destinies.

Beloved, I plead with you not to allow this age-long enemy of mankind to destroy you. If you are indulging in sexual immorality, repent, and if you are being tempted to go into it, run for your dear life like Joseph did. God bless you.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

We often tend to forget that the Church of Jesus Christ started in a home setting (Acts 1:12-14). The family unit is indeed a sub-unit of the entire Church. The home setting is therefore the best nursery to bring up young converts in the Lord, because at that level, it is easy to avoid hypocrisy, as everyone is familiar with everyone. When the Holy Spirit asks the question that is today's topic (A Church In Your House?), He is actually asking us two things: are members of our household Christians, and do we have any fellowship of believers in our home? In other words, do you allow the gathering of God’s people in your house for the purpose of sharing the word, praying and caring for each other? It is important to ensure that all members of our family are born again. The Lord considers His Church to be the totality of people who have given their lives to Him and are living according to His Father’s ideals (John 7:16-17). We must therefore ensure that members of our household abide by His teachings.

Acts 2:46 describes the early Church’s communal way of life. The effect of this communal living was the expansion of the Church, which Acts 2:47 describes, saying:
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Many people don’t know the tremendous blessings they deny themselves when they refuse to accommodate house fellowship centres in their homes. Are such people not aware of the story of Obed-Edom, who by divine arrangement allowed the Ark of the Covenant to dwell in his house and subsequently received overflowing blessings? 2nd Samuel 6:11 says:
“And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom of Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all ,his household.”
When King David heard of how the Lord had blessed Obed-Edom because of the presence of the ark in his house, he suddenly realised that he had pushed his blessings away to another by keeping the ark in Obed-Edom’s house. Allowing your house to accommodate a gathering of people in Christ’s Name is therefore a wise thing to do. In Acts 10:34-44, the Lord led Peter to the home of Cornelius to preach the gospel of salvation. While he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon the “service” holding in Cornelius’ house. This was a manifestation of the fulfilment of Christ’s prophecy of a time when people will be able to worship God anywhere in Spirit and in truth (John 4:21-24). Church is where two or three people are gathered in Jesus’ Name, and Jesus Christ Himself will be there amongst them (Matthew 18:20). Bring Jesus into your home by establishing a fellowship in your house and make sure members of your family are the first beneficiaries of the grace it brings.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Giving has always been a debated topic in Christendom. Nevertheless, irrespective of how controversial it has become today, it is still part of God’s mandate to us as Christians. Several passage of the Bible clearly instruct us to give, and several more tell us how rewarding it is. However, like many of God’s promises, there are principles to follow in order to reap its benefits. The Holy Spirit wants us to consider some of these principles today so that we can begin to reap the full benefits of our giving.

The first principle of giving that you need to understand is that you must give your life to God first before giving Him a gift. God is not interested in your gift if you are not one of His children. Speaking on this, the Holy Spirit says in Proverbs 15:8a:
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD;”

Secondly, God expects us to give for the right reasons. The Lord said in Matthew 6:1:
“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.”
Most times when we give, we give to be admired by men. As Christians, we have to carefully consider our motive before we give. If you check and find out that the reason you want to give is to be seen as rich or zealous by other people, then it is better to keep your offering to yourself, because God will not acknowledge such giving.

The third principle to consider is based on 2nd Corinthians 9:6-7, which says:
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
As important as it is to give bountifully, it is also pertinent that you give cheerfully. Whatever you give, do it with a cheerful heart and disposition.

Beloved, in order not to lose your reward, ensure that your every act of giving is consciously done to satisfy all the principles required. May God honour you and your gifts from today in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Whenever we read the story of how God paid the Israelites the arrears of their 430 years of labour, we are understandably excited, but we need to pay close attention to the lessons God is teaching us through it. The Holy Spirit said in 1st Corinthians 10:11:
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
Those who know the true God of the universe understand that He is a God of justice and equity, and He created us to live accordingly. In fact, He requires justice and equity not only from mankind but from all His creatures. For example, when rain falls on the earth, God expects the ground to yield her increase (Leviticus 26:4). This might be the reason why the Lord cursed the fig tree that was just receiving nutrients from the ground and sapping the energy of the gardener without producing the expected fruit (Mark 11:12-14,20), The worst aspect of the Egyptians’ ill-treatment of the Israelites was that they did not pay them any wages; they actually subjected them to forced labour. Its therefore not surprising that in Exodus 3:7 God said:
“…I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;”
Thankfully, God made sure that the Egyptians paid in arrears all that they owed the Israelites (Exodus 12:36). Are you in sorrow as a result of taskmasters dominating your life? This verse is a message coming from the Lord to reassure you that He sees your plight. The Lord will hear you as you cry to Him today over those taskmasters in Jesus’ Name. Beloved, when the Lord is on your side, you will not only win a battle without a fight, you will also gather the spoils of war, just as the Israelites gathered the wealth of the Egyptians in one night.

Moreover, this story also has a serious lesson for tyrant employers of labour. When the Lord begins to fight for the employees that you have been exploiting, you will pay in a hurry, and it will be in devastating arrears! This truth is established in James 5:4, and the consequences that follow are clearly stated in James 5:2-3, which says:
“Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire….”
If you are guilty of this sin, please repent and restitute your ways without further delay.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

When you observe the extent some people go to just to receive the commendation of men, you cannot but pity their lack of understanding. In whatever area of service you find yourself, please recognise that your service should be rendered as unto the Lord (Ephesians 6:7). With this mind-set, your focus will be set on heaven’s testimonial about you and not on what people think. Noah was a man who received a great testimonial from heaven, according to Genesis 6:9 which says:
“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”
What a great testimony this is! No wonder he found grace in the sight of God and was spared the destruction that came on the earth through the great flood (Genesis 6:7-. It was the grace of God that qualified Noah to be adjudged righteous and perfect. I personally consider this to be a form of divine approval. The whole world may approve of you but if God disapproves of you, it is a disaster. It is just like an individual who was unanimously voted into power by his countrymen, only to die before he was sworn in. How unfortunate!

Another person who got a testimonial from heaven was Moses. When his spiritual leadership was called into question by his siblings, God himself declared His approval of Moses (Numbers 12:6-. Those who truly belong to God do not need to devise schemes to obtain people’s approval, because the God they represent will announce them to the whole world in His own peculiar way. Our Lord said in John 10:37-38:
“If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him.”
Anyone who wants heaven’s approval must do the works of God, and the greatest of these works is the winning of lost souls. Jesus was all out to do His Father’s bidding and God Himself testified of Him, saying in Matthew 17:5c:
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
Based on this testimonial, the whole world is still hearing Jesus today. This affirmation also gave His disciples the assurance that His words were not cunningly devised fables (2nd Peter 1:16-17). Beloved, seek the testimonial of heaven today and your struggles to make it in life will become a thing of the past.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Parents are stewards to whom God has entrusted children for proper care, and He expects to get a good report of their performance in this assignment. In essence, every parent is a caretaker of his or her children. As a parent, how are you carrying out this delicate assignment? Are you handling it with levity or putting in all the effort it requires? Modernization is fast eroding good culture in our children. Many parents in the name of modernization put tight and revealing clothes on their little children when they are going out. How do you expect little girls like that to dress when they become adults? Many parents complain about their teenage children’s choice of clothes and level of sexual exposure, without realising that they are the ones who caused it all. These days, some parents claim they don’t want to “force a religion” on their children, saying they want them to choose for themselves; so, they go to church and leave their children at home sleeping. However, when it comes to education, they force their children to wake up early to go to school. Can’t you see that the devil is already deceiving you into placing your child in his hands? How can you say you want to leave your child to possibly choose something else? Ensure your children go to church and that they read their Bibles. Introduce them to the One who died to save their souls, doing the best you can to ensure that they are saved, and trust God to keep them in the light when they are old enough to be on their own.

It is unfortunate that the devil has also started deceiving people into thinking that using the rod on a child is wrong. You may not agree with me, but I know that God’s word is never wrong. Proverbs 23;13-14 says:
“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.”
In fact, the word of God says if you don’t use the rod on your child, then it means you hate that child (Proverbs 13:24). There is difference between child abuse and chastising a child. You can withhold the cane and still abuse that child, whereas you can use a cane and correct in love. Let us get it clear: our attention should be on correcting with love and not on whether you use the rod or not. The word of God is ever true: if you love your child, you will always instruct that child and will not spare the rod when it is necessary to discipline him or her. Put in your best efforts to ensure that you raise your children God’s way.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Rejecting wisdom is a pathway that leads to death. Any human endeavour that is not founded on wisdom will sooner or later die a natural death. This is the reason why the Bible says in Proverbs 4:7:
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Why does the absence of wisdom result in death? I believe the story of the fox, a cunning animal known for its wisdom, should suffice in illustrating this. The lion was feared as the king of all animals in the jungle. However, he had become terribly old and sick and could no longer chase down his prey, so he devised a scheme to help him get his food with ease. He caught a small rabbit and assured the rabbit that he would not kill it, if the rabbit would go and inform all the other animals in the jungle that he had changed from being wicked and was now very friendly. The rabbit delivered this message and soon enough, all the animals decided to visit the lion one after the other to convey their “get-well-soon” greetings to him. However, every animal that went did not return. When it was the fox’s turn to visit, he did not go inside the lion’s den; rather, he stayed outside and greeted the lion from a distance. The lion said to the fox, “Oh my friend Mr. Fox, you also came? That’s very thoughtful of you; please come in! Why are you greeting me from so far away?” The fox replied, “O king of the jungle, live forever! I am okay outside here, thank you!” Startled, the lion asked, “How do you mean you are comfortable in the sun?” The fox answered, “To be frank with you, O king, I really doubt your sudden change of attitude, and I fear that you are not genuinely sick!” While the fox was saying all this, he kept retreating further and further away from the lion’s den. “When I got here, I saw the footprints of those who came in to greet you, but I cannot see any footprints coming out!” said the fox, and he fled for his dear life. This was how wisdom preserved the fox from ending up in the belly of the lion.

I encourage you to embrace wisdom in all you do. God’s word is the source of all wisdom, instilling godly fear in our hearts. A lover of wisdom is a lover of life, and to be wise is to embrace the principles of God’s word and the type of lifestyle it teaches. Doing so means death will be far away from you. Is wisdom your friend?
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Those who fail to live according to God’s word don’t realise that they cannot attain their full potential in life without the power in the word, which created all things in the universe. Going against God’s word is like standing in the path of a moving train. Those who do this will only succeed in wreaking havoc on themselves now and in eternity. When an engine is used contrary to its manufacturer’s guidelines, it breaks down. For example, if you try to run a diesel engine on petrol, you will only end up watching the money you spent in buying it go up in flames. This illustration describes what happens when a person goes contrary to God’s word, either ignorantly or deliberately. Since all things were made by the word of God, it goes without saying that this same word has the power to repair and restore those things it created that have become faulty. Speaking on the restorative and curative power of the word, Psalm 107:20 says:
“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
It is therefore not surprising that God always emphasises compliance with His word.

Genesis 1:2 reveals that before the creative power of God’s word came into action, the earth was shapeless, empty and chaotic. However, when the omnipotent power of the word was released, the earth took good shape. Beloved, are you in despair because your life seems void and shapeless? If you allow God’s word to operate in your life today, everything will turn around for the better. When God commanded that there should be light, light came into being. Those who live by God’s word do not live in darkness, because Jesus is the Word of God and also the Light of the world (John 8:12). When He comes into your life, emptiness becomes history. For one reason or the other, some people have never experienced a good day since they were born. If they allow God’s Word, in the person of Jesus, to dwell in them, they will have a testimony like the one Peter had. As a fisherman, Peter laboured all through the night without catching any fish, but when he allowed Jesus into His boat, he had a net-breaking and boat-sinking catch of fish in the same place where he had earlier laboured and caught nothing (Luke 5:4-7). It is indeed God who gives power to get wealth, and this power is in His word (Deuteronomy 8:18, Joshua 1:. The light that God’s word gives is available to anyone groping in darkness. Remember, darkness is harmful and so we need the light of God’s word to illuminate our paths so that we do not stumble or fall in a ditch. Psalm 119:105 says:
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Beloved, embrace the infallible word of God today, and it will do you good.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Prayer is such a potent weapon that can do and undo things in people’s lives. It is so powerful that even the person praying cannot comprehend the extent of its reach. Those who walked with God in times past knew the importance of prayer, and this is what inspired Paul’s request in 1 Thessalonians 5:25. Even though he was a prayer warrior himself, he asked the brethren to continually pray for him and his team. Our Lord Jesus Christ also demonstrated the importance of prayer by often spending all night in prayer alone, encouraging His disciples also to be prayerful (Luke 18:1-. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for grace to accomplish the will of His Father and also asked His disciples to join Him in prayer, rebuking them when they did not do so. Matthew 26:38 & 40 says:
“Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me… And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour.”

Paul also learnt from the Lord about the potency of corporate prayers, which is why he often craved prayers for himself and his team in his epistle. He believed that they could do nothing without God, and that God would not do anything without prayer, based on His principle in Matthew 7:7. On the surface, one would expect that pastors alone should pray for their flock, but in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, we see an apostle giving the Church at Thessalonica a prayer request that the Lord would have His way in the ministry He committed to them. He also asked the Church to pray for their deliverance from wicked men who did not believe in the gospel, trying their best to stop its spread. The Church is facing a lot of obstacles today because we are not praying enough like the early Church did. Peter would not have escaped King Herod’s sword if the early Church was not fervent in prayers. The Lord answered their prayers by sending an angel to rescue him. Having witnessed the great impact of prayer, Apostle James wrote in James 5:16b, saying:
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Beloved, we ought to continually pray for our leaders. The temptations and battles facing Christian leaders are beyond what members of the Church can imagine. We must therefore faithfully and consistently pray for our spiritual and secular leaders so that they may not make mistakes in governance, and so that we can live a peaceful and holy life in this world (1st Timothy 2:1-2). Spiritual leaders need our prayers to administer their responsibilities correctly, and in order not to disappoint God and betray the trust reposed in them by the Church. Furthermore, they need our prayers to finish well and strong. Are you praying for them?
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

There are many things people do that hinder their progress in life or even permanently destroy their destiny. We shall be discussing seven of these today. From Proverbs 6:16-19, these seven include a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies and a person who sows discord among brethren. These all are abominable in the sight of God because of the great negative impact they have on the lives of others. For example, a proud look demeans a fellow human being, which can bring about low self-esteem, which in turn has led several people to commit suicide. In other words, a person can cause the death of another through pride. In addition, a liar is not better than a murderer. The story of Joseph proves this. But for the mercy of God, the lie Potiphar’s wife told against Joseph could have cost him his life, because it is a grievous thing indeed for a slave to attempt to rape his master’s wife. Those who lie against their fellow human beings will not go unpunished by God unless they repent. Proverbs 26:28 says:
“A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”

Another abomination is nursing wicked and evil thoughts. Such thoughts, more often than not, lead to acts which the perpetrator might live to regret, like crimes of passion for example. For this reason, Jesus, said in Matthew 5:21-22a:
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”
Mischief-makers are in danger of God’s judgement, and those who profit from the misfortune of others will not go unpunished. This also applies to those who bear false witness for any reason whatsoever (Exodus 20:16). The seventh abomination is one that is common in the household of faith: sowing seeds of discord among brethren. This abomination is so deathly that it can set a whole church ablaze and give room for the devil to freely operate among the brethren because they are no longer walking in agreement. In Mark 3:25, the Lord said a house that is divided against itself cannot stand. No wonder Paul said we should look out for and avoid the so-called “brethren” who cause division in the Church (Romans 16:17). Beloved, God is warning us against these seven deadly abominations today. Repent if you are involved in any of them.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

When I hear stories of how some children of God are being deceived by evil spirits and false prophets, I wonder if they read their Bibles at all. Deceptive evil spirits were not just created some years ago; they have been in existence and have been operating since the fall of their master, Lucifer, from heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15, Revelation 12:4 & 9). These evil spirits were in operation in the Old Testament and were called by many names, such as “lying spirit”, “familiar spirit”, and so on (1st Kings 22:23, 2nd Chronicles 33:6). Knowing that their operation will be rampant in these last days, the Holy Spirit clearly forewarned us of the coming of false prophets who will be controlled by lying and other evil spirits. He told us that they will seek to deceive many by using the Lord’s Name. For you not to become one of their victims, the Holy Spirit says to us in 1st John 4:1:
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
In light of this scripture, it is your duty as a child of God to test the spirit operating in anyone who claims to be a prophet of God. By His grace, God has given me some signs by which they operate. I believe that every child of God should be equipped with such knowledge, based on God’s word, in order not to be deceived by the signs and wonders of these imposters. After all, the magicians of Egypt replicated the miracles that God performed through Moses.

In 1st John 2:19, we are given a sign to look out for when testing the spirit operating in a fellow. This scripture says:
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
When you discover rebels who came out of the Body of Christ doing strange things that have no basis in God’s word or are based on a strange interpretation of its message, you must be wary of such people. For example, they might say you need to kill a goat to ward off evil. Beloved, what can be said of a “prophet” who thinks that the Blood shed at Calvary is no longer effective and is seeking to replace it with the Blood of goats? Such a person must definitely be operating under the influence of the devil. In order not to be deceived, you need to immerse yourself in the totality of God’s word, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide you into its truth, Beware of false prophets!
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

When we say that our God is unchangeable, we may not know the full implication of what we are saying unless we are well-grounded in His word and ways. His word in Hebrews 13:8 emphatically states that Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, is the same yesterday, today and forever, meaning that what He stood for over two thousand years ago has not changed today. Unlike politicians who change their ideologies with the mood swings of the polity, Jesus Christ said in Matthew 5:18:
“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

God’s covenants are established on the pillars of His unchangeable nature (Malachi 3:6). He therefore expects those in covenant with Him to be consistent in living by the terms of His covenant. In Deuteronomy 7:1-12, the Almighty God reminded the children of Israel of the need to abide by the laws of the covenant He had with them. He told them that He had chosen them as a holy and special people for Himself, preferring them above all other people on earth. He chose them not because they were more in number or more righteous than others but because of His love for them and because of His covenant with His friend, Abraham, who was their father. God chose them to live a life set apart for holiness through obedience to His commandments. Just as God chose them, so has He chosen all those who believe in His Son Jesus Christ today.

We are chosen by God to be a peculiar people consecrated to Him (1st Peter 2:9). Beloved, do not be deceived, God has not changed His standard of holiness (2nd Timothy 2:19). If He said in times past that He hates sexual immorality of all kinds, including homosexuality (the reason for which He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah), then He has not changed His mind on this today (Romans 1:26-27). No matter how well the world propagates the lie that homosexuals are created that way, it will forever remain a lie of the devil. Just as the devil deceived Eve, so is he deceiving people with diverse philosophies built around lies today. I am persuaded and convinced by the infallible word of God and the Holy Spirit that gays and lesbians cannot inherit the kingdom of God, just as robbers, thieves of all categories and treasury looters will not enter into it (1st Corinthians 6:9-10). God’s unchangeable character is a call to those who are partakers of His divine nature to remain resolute in upholding His standard and banner in this world.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Whenever our actions are not based on pleasing the Lord, they will definitely be tainted by a purpose that is far from ideal. For example, only God knows the motive behind Cain’s sacrifice in Genesis chapter 4, but it ultimately led to the murder of his younger brother. Indeed, the Holy Spirit says we should not be weary in doing good deeds (Galatians 6:9). However, the only way we will not be weary in well-doing is when we do it as to the Lord, simply because human beings can be very ungrateful, and if we are waiting for the gratitude of men, we may end up not doing any good thing at all. Thankfully, the Lord has promised to commend and reward those who do good deeds. Speaking on this, the Lord said in Matthew 25:34-35:
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:”

There are times when I feel the people I am labouring over do not appreciate my love, concern and efforts to make them what God wants them to be, and I just feel like stopping it all. The Lord has spoken to me on several of such occasions that I should always do everything He ask me to do as unto Him alone, especially as He has never disappointed me. This word has kept me going all these years. Sometimes He sends me encouragement from unexpected quarters, like the time I was feeling so discouraged and a little girl from a place very far away brought me a cake. God used her to prove to me that my labour and efforts do not go unnoticed before Him.

In Ephesians 6:5-8, we are admonished as servants to be faithful in our service to our masters, employers and superiors at our places of work. Of course, even when we attain leadership positions, Jesus taught us to serve, not with eyes service or for self-gratification. Some leaders will not promote their subordinates even when they are due for it. Let such leaders remember the efficacy of God’s word in Ephesians 6:8, which says:
“Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”
Our God is not partial; He is a perfect and just Judge. Even if man forgets, He will not forget. Therefore, whatever you do for His sake, expect to get considerable rewards from Him alone and don’t look to man (Hebrews 6:10).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Many Christians don’t realise the dangers inherent in ignoring the poor around them. From Matthew 25:32-46, we see that the Lord cares for the less privileged so much that He literally feels their pain. This means that every time you disregard a person in need, you are ignoring God himself. Matthew 25:45-46 says:
“Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
From these verses we understand that neglecting the needy is a passageway to hell fire. When people come to you in hunger, do you give them food or turn deaf ears to their pleas? When someone is sick, do you visit to show love and pray with him or her or do you just go about your own business? When you see someone who needs new clothes, do you scorn or abuse the person for looking haggard or giving out some of the clothes in your wardrobe that you haven’t worn in a long while? If you are ignoring people’s needs around you, be careful because you just might be disregarding God Himself, and the result is eternity in hell.

Believe me honestly, if you make it a point of duty to always give to the poor, you will be blessed bountifully for it. It is popularly said that givers never lack. I believe this to be very true because Proverbs 19:17 says:
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
No one who neglects the poor has a place in heaven. In Matthew 19;16-25, a rich young man went to see Jesus, and he told Him that he had kept all Jewish laws from his youth, but he still felt like he was lacking something. Jesus told him that if he wanted to be perfect, he should sell all that he had and give the proceeds to the poor. This was too hard for the rich man to do, so he went away in sorrow. Then Jesus turned to His disciples and told them it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. In other words, if you are rich and you find anything too big or too valuable to let go of for the sake of the poor, then there is no place for you in the kingdom of heaven. Many people judge this rich young man, but they would do exactly the same thing he did if they were in his shoes. If I may ask, do you care enough for the needy that you can sell all you have to meet their needs? Difficult as this may sound, it is reflective of the kind of heart that has a place in heaven.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

The story of Pharaoh’s butler is a good example of what God can do to restore someone in a hopeless situation. He and Pharaoh’s baker had offended their master and were put in the royal prison. While there, they both had compelling dreams. While the interpretation of the baker’s dream was negative, the butler’s dream had a favourable message. Three days later, the baker was executed while the butler was restored. Not only was the butler restored, he also became the key personality whose advice and recommendation brought Joseph out of the prison yard. This shows the wisdom in the counsel that says we should always be mindful of what we do with those we meet on our way up because we may still meet them on our way down. Beloved, restoration is an easy thing for God to do. My prayer for someone reading this is that God’s favour and mercy will locate you in that despicable situation you are in and restore you to glory this season in Jesus’ Name. He will restore your lost opportunities in Jesus’ Name.

“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.”
1st John 2:1-2
This passage is saying that there is hope of restoration for a backslider who genuinely repents with determination never to go down again. The sad story was told of a young but zealous Christian brother in one of the popular ministries in Lagos, Nigeria. This brother was so zealous that he had zero-tolerance for any appearance of iniquity. Unfortunately, one way or the other, he fell into the sin of sexual immorality. Finding himself in this mess, he concluded in his heart that there could be no pardon for him from Jesus, whom he had disappointed. The thought of the souls he had won and the sermons he had preached against sin haunted him sorely, and he decided that the best thing to do was to commit suicide. Tragically, he ended his life! Beloved, I want to encourage you to have faith in the word being sent to you today. You can truly be restored because God’s promise to you in 2nd Chronicles 7:14 says:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
God promises to restore you if you will repent, and He is waiting to receive you with open arms today.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

When I newly gave my life to Christ, the love of God in me made me burn with zeal to please the One who paid the supreme price to save my soul. However, some people I met in the faith mocked my zeal and said to each other, “Leave him alone; he will soon be tried and slow down.” I thank God that He has not allowed their prediction come true in my life. For this reason, I can stand to testify, as Paul did in 2 Timothy 1:12, that God is indeed able to keep what is entrusted to Him to the very end.

Paul was a man whose life proved that faith in the sustaining grace of God is not a waste. God kept him going in the Christian race and helped him to finish well and strong. At the end of his life, Paul was able to say in 2nd Timothy 4:6-8:
“For I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
How was Paul able to finish his Christian race well in spite of the many obstacles he faced? The answer lies in John 17:1-12. Before our Lord Jesus Christ left the earth, He devoted a substantial amount of time to pray that the faith of those who genuinely belong to Him should endure. As part of His prayer, He also said in John 12:17:
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”
This is something for us to think about. Judas was given equal opportunity not to end his race the way he did, but he chose to be a son of perdition. We learn from him that making it to the very end is a matter of the choices we make every day. Those who will cross the finish line are those who give heed to the Lord’s warning in Luke 12:15, which says:
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consiseth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Beloved, I assure you that you can make it to the very end. Hold the fort and don’t compromise your faith. Keep on the firing line, and you will make it in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Having tasted both poverty and wealth, I can categorically say that wealth is the better of the two. Nevertheless, if not handled with the fear of God, wealth can have a negative influence on those who possess it. Agur’s prayers in Proverbs 30:7-9 is food for thought in this regard. From this prayer we understand that wealth can influence a person to question God’s relevance and deny His existence. Frankly speaking, comfort and riches can cause a person to conclude that he or she has no need for God. We see this manifested in rich countries today. Nebuchadnezzar came under this negative influence of wealth, and he did not have a good story to tell. Intoxicated by prosperity, he boasted in Daniel 4:30, saying:
“….Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?”
Through this statement, he claimed self-sufficiency and denied God who gave him wealth and power. God had to school him for seven years among animals before he realised his folly (Daniel 4:33). This is why it should not surprise us to see wealthy people in those societies that deny the existence of God manifesting animalistic tendencies in their desires and lifestyle choices.

Usually, those who are rich have a quest to be richer still. While there is nothing wrong with this, it is disheartening that in an attempt to gain more wealth for themselves, many rich people exploit the downtrodden workers who labour to make them wealthy. Sometimes, they may decide not to pay their wages on time, leaving the money in the bank to yield interest for their own pockets. Some don’t even bother to pay at all, while some others choose to pay a token of what their workers are due. People like this should realise that they are committing fraud, and God may choose to fight them Himself (James 5:1-4)

We see from the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that wealthy people who acknowledge the Almighty God as their source of power to get wealth hardly misbehave (Deuteronomy 8:18). Such people will not use their wealth to have extra-marital affairs or to entice the vulnerable into evil acts. They will see their staff as their own brothers and sisters, and will not toy with their wages. Above all, it will not be difficult for them to honour God with first fruits, tithes, offerings and works of charity. Are you free of the negative influence of wealth?
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Joy is a great source of strength that many people are unaware of. Nehemiah knew this, and he continuously drew strength from joy in turbulent times. When the people he led were downcast, he was able to encourage them to draw strength from this same source, based on his own personal experience. He said to them in Nehemiah 8:10:
“…Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
In these perilous times, we need strength to run the Christian race. Thankfully, our heavenly Father has what it takes to give us all the strength we need. Our strength can be found in the joy of the Lord. No wonder our Lord Jesus was anointed to give “the oil of joy” to those without strength (Isaiah 61:3). This same anointing is available to us today through the Holy Spirit who lives within us. In fact, one dimension of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy (Galatians 5:22). It is therefore obvious that we need to make Him our friend if we don’t want to experience weariness in our walk with God. However, to be a friend of the Holy Spirit, you need to first live a holy life. Holiness is so paramount to Him that it forms part of His Name. Also, you must avoid grieving Him (Ephesians 4:30). He is grieved when we refuse to heed His warnings, and the resulting separation leads to futile efforts that drain our strength, because those who lose touch with the Holy Spirit are usually taken over by the spirit of error. May this never be your experience in Jesus’ Name.

While sorrow depletes strength from an individual, joy gives strength. The Bible tells of how sorrow drained David of strength after his camp was raided and he and his soldiers discovered that their entire families had been taken captive. 1st Samuel 30:4 says:
“Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.”
This is why commands such as “weep not” and “be of good cheer” must be taken seriously (Luke 8:52, Matthew 14:27). To have unspeakable joy, we need to learn obedience to the word of God. We can walk in perpetual joy if we maintain the joy of our salvation. Beloved, if you have lost the joy of your salvation, pray to God for restoration like David did in Psalm 51:12, and He will restore you. I pray that you will be full of the joy of the Lord from now on in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Those who consider suicide as a viable option for handling the hardships of life do not realise that death is not the end of life. In other words, there is life after death. Job was a man who held on to this truth, even though he faced unprecedented calamities in his life. He said in Job 19:26:
“And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:”
There are two benefits of knowing and accepting that death is not the end of everything in life. One of these is that a person is compelled to behave wisely, knowing that he or she will face God’s judgment after death. Hebrews 9:27 says:
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
Also, when we realise that death is not the end of everything, it gives us hope of a better life beyond this world. This hope kept Job going in spite of the tragedies that befell him (Job 19:25-27)

I am happy to announce to you that not only is there life after death, there is also a coming event called the resurrection of the dead. The remarkable thing about the resurrection of the dead is that not only shall the just resurrect, the unjust shall also be resurrected to receive the rewards of their deeds in this world. Jesus said in Revelation 22:12:
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Armed with this knowledge, if I were you, I would engage in good works that would earn me great rewards when Jesus returns.

Are you going through any form of affliction at the moment? You need to know that it will not last through eternity. Indeed, it has its own expiry date. So, don’t give up; just keep pressing forward towards the finishing line. Our Lord is coming soon to wipe away all your tears. Are you contemplating suicide as a means of escaping your crisis? Please don’t think of it anymore, because death is not the end of everything. All you need to do is reflect on the manner of life you have lived hitherto, and this will help you identify those things that are responsible for your present predicament. Once you ascertain those things, lay them all at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ. Don’t ever believe that suicide is an escape route from crisis. Eternal crisis is awaiting everyone who refuses the salvation that Christ’s atoning work has earned for mankind. Have you received this precious gift? Accept Jesus into your life today and let His atoning Blood wash away your past into the sea of forgetfulness. Receive the peace of God into your life today in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Areboye.

The influence of peer groups has always been great in moulding a person’s character either for good or bad. Indeed, friends and peer groups are the “third parent” to every individual. Peer pressure has the power to enticing a person into things they would never have considered doing. No wonder the Holy Spirit says in Proverbs 1:10:
“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”
To entice is to persuade a person to carry out an act, usually by offering something pleasant and attractive as dividend. An example of this is the serpent’s dangling of the forbidden fruit before Eve (Genesis 3:6). Enticement usually works hand in hand with deception. May you never fall victim to the enticement of the world like Damas did in Jesus’ Name (2nd Timothy 4:10)

The power of temptation lies in its ability to entice its victim. Parents do not lure their children into temptation; rather, they lead their children on the path of greatness and right living. The Holy Spirit in our lives represents our divine parents, the Holy Trinity, and this is why we must always listen to the counsel He gives and reject any counsel contrary to His inspired word. The truth is, the Holy Spirit cannot lead you to do anything that is contrary to God’s written word. Speaking on His mandate, Our Lord said in John 16:13:
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
He then went on to say in John 17:17:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
In other words, the Holy Spirit is to guide us into all of God’s word, which is truth.

Associating with evil people has the potential to corrupt any person of good character. That is why the Holy Spirit is sending us the warning in 1 Corinthians 15:33. Those who are wise will give heed to what the Holy Spirit says because He knows more than we know and sees better than we see. To avoid the snares of wicked peers and finish your race in heaven, let the Holy Spirit have the greatest influence on you. Do not keep friends like Jonadad in 2 Samuel 13:1-15; 13:25-29, whose advice cost Amnon his life. Jonadad and Amnon were even cousins! Irrespective of family links, don’t allow anyone influence you into destruction, because when it’s all said and done, you will bear your cross yourself. May the Lord make you wise concerning this in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Yesterday, the Holy Spirit spoke to us on giving whatever we have to those in need, no matter how small it may be. Indeed, what seems small to you might actually be big to those receiving your benevolence. Today, the Holy Spirit wants to teach us that nothing is too big to give. God Himself demonstrated this principle to us by giving us His only begotten Son. John 3:16 says:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The Almighty God gave the greatest gift He had for the redemption of mankind; this is the height of generosity! Abraham, the father of faith; was also ready to give up his son of promise, even though he had waited so long to have him. This act endeared him to God’s heart, and it opened the door of an irrevocable blessing to him.

Beloved, as we sing the popular songs claiming Abraham’s blessings, we need to get some things straight. Unless we do the works Abraham did and walk in his footsteps, our songs may end up as mere wishful thinking. Abraham did not consider what God requested from him to be too big. He went ahead and gave up his only son of promise. The Jews who claimed to be Abraham’s children were told by our Lord Jesus Christ in John 8:39b:
“If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham”
What He said to them, He is also saying to us today. If you want to be blessed as Abraham was or partake of his blessings, then nothing should be too big for you to give to God’s prompting.

Take a cue from farmers: the size of their seed determines the size of their harvest. The more you are given to hospitality and benevolent acts, the more you will be blessed by God. The devil has nothing to do with this divine principle, and so he cannot prompt you to give to God. The truth of the matter is, whatever you are not ready to let go of, you cannot get back in greater proportions. Establishing this principle, the Lord said in John 12:24:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
Knowing this truth, nothing should therefore be too big for you to give. A gift may leave your hand but it cannot leave your life; it is surely coming back to you in multiples.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

An African adage says, “Saying ‘this gift is too small to give’ makes one miserly.” In the spirit of giving, I believe that a simple orange is enough to entertain four guests or even eight! It is just a matter of slicing it into four and slicing those four again to make eight pieces. Served on a clean plate along with a clean bowl of water and a neat hand towel in tow, you have done the needful if that is all you have. Matthew 15:32-39 tells the story of a young lad who did not see his lunch pack as being too small to give to the Master. He released it and it became a point of contact for divine multiplication. One great lesson from this is that anytime a small thing is released into divinely anointed hands, it multiplies. Any business that has God as its CEO will always prosper, irrespective of its size. We see an example of this in the story of a man who started a business with five hundred dollars and a vow that 90% of the business would be God’s, while just 10% would be his. In a few years, he became a multi-millionaire! The lad who offered his meal to Jesus can be regarded as a true son of Abraham in that he was given to hospitality just as Abraham was. Abraham was so hospitable that he unknowingly entertained angels (Hebrews 13:2).

You don’t necessarily need to be a multi-millionaire before you can become a giver. Indeed, having the whole world at your disposal does not make you a giver! The widow of Zarephath gave her last meal to the man of God. This meal was so small that it took only two sticks of firewood to prepare it (1st Kings 17:12)! Beloved, for you to move from your present level of blessings to a higher level, you need to learn how to give. Through the principle of giving, some heroes of faith in the days of old used what they had to obtain a good heritage for themselves. This principle has not changed today. There is this story of one of my sons in the Lord, who was in his house one evening when a young man came in to beg him for some money to buy food for his young baby. This son of mine said he had only ten naira on him at that point. The value of the naira back then was very strong, so strong that five naira was enough to take him to work and back. So, he gave the man five out of the ten naira with him, and he forgot about that incident. Months later, this young man came back again, this time asking my son if he was interested in owning some landed property. My son answered yes, even though he had no money for such a project at that time. To his surprise, the young man offered him a plot of land from the portion of land allocated to him and his siblings, with the option of paying later. When my son insisted that he was not going to take the land, the young man reminded him of the five naira he gave him many months ago that saved his child from staving to death. It was then my son remembered what had happened, and he consented to the land offer. That land was the beginning of some other properties God blessed him with. Beloved, nothing is too small to give. Learn to give from today, because you do not know what doors it will open for you.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Every time I make a pronouncement that wealth will change hands, my children in the Lord usually shout “Amen”, but I believe they don’t fully understand what I am saying. If they really understood, they would not need to say “Amen”, because I am only echoing the word of God that is already settled in heaven for ever (Psalm 119:89). Rather than say “Amen”, I would prefer that they act on the conditions that will bring this prophetic word of God to pass in their lives. If you are a child of God, I announce (not pray) that wealth will change hands for your favour, and your songs of “not enough” shall change to “more than enough” in Jesus’ Name. I am declaring this to you for your information and necessary action. In Isaiah 61:4-5, the Holy Spirit declares:
“ And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
For this to happen, we must pay close attention to the mistakes of those from whose hands wealth will come into ours. Proverbs 28:8 reveals some of their mistakes. Because they increase and gather their wealth unjustly, God is saying that their wealth shall be taken away from them and be given to those who will pity the poor. If you are awaiting the transfer of wealth that is to come, are you ready to consider the poor and reach out to them with this wealth? If your answer is yes, I congratulate you because God’s word will be fulfilled in your life. Those who will receive the wealth of the wicked are those ready and willing to redistribute the commonwealth of the populace, stolen by greedy treasury looters and lying fallow in both local and foreign bank accounts. Isaiah 61:6 is food for thought for those who want to partake of the divine wealth transfer that is to come. It says:
“But ye shall be named the priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.”
In other words, to qualify for the fulfilment of God’s prophetic word on wealth transfer, your lifestyle must be in tandem with what He requires of His priests and ministers. Some of these requirements are that His ministers and priests should not indulge in strong drink (Titus 1:7, Proverbs 31:4-5, Isaiah 28:7), nor should they be married to more than one spouse (1st Timothy 3:2). Do you measure up to His standards? With the little God has blessed you with, do you remember the poor? These are the pertinent questions you need to answer today. God bless you.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Youthful exuberance can be a very dangerous thing if left unchecked. It can even leave an indelible negative mark on an individual for the rest of his or her life. Are you still a youth? I rejoice with you, but you need to give heed to what the Holy Spirit is saying in 1 Timothy 4:12, because in today’s world where the internet never forgets, the enemies of your destiny will hunt for any information about your way to the top. May your enemies never find anything with which they can destroy your great destiny in Jesus Name. In the political arena, opponents are always searching for what they can use to destroy each other’s political ambition. Examples abound of how political gladiators dig into the past of would-be political office holders, telling the world the many reasons why they should not be voted into power based on past conduct, even if they have managed to change for the better. Unfortunately, many youths do not listen to profitable counsel when they are gallivanting from one bad habit to another in the name of youthful exuberance.

The story of Reuben in Genesis 49:3-4 should be a wake-up call to any unruly youth reading this devotional study. A sin he committed in the distant past, probably in his late twenties, was revisited at the time he ought to have received the blessing of the firstborn far later in life. He probably thought he was clever, handsome and the desire of all young women, including his father’s wife, so much so that he slept with her (Genesis 35:22)! The most perplexing thing about this case is that Jacob never mentioned a word about it to him. If he did, probably Reuben would have pleaded for mercy. Some pastors destroyed their marital testimonies when they were still young because it never occurred to them that they would be pastors later in life. Down the line, after becoming pastors, they are forced to keep mute whenever any discussion on marital infidelity arises. They cannot authoritatively divide the word of truth on this subject-matter because of their past deeds. Some Christian teachers cannot disclose how many children they have because it will generate questions such as “Is it mummy that gave birth to this or that? If not, who is their mother and where is she? Did you marry her? If yes, how come you divorced her to marry another person, contrary to what you have been teaching us?” To avoid the agony of such questions, I admonish young people to stay away from the so-called youthful exuberance that leads to regrets later in life.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Experience has shown that people who receive kindness from God and man sometimes turn out to be terrible tyrants. Some people who were delivered from the jaws of death by God’s benevolence and mercy in the past have become takers of lives. Such people forget that as recipients of God’s mercy, much more is expected from them. They are like the wicked servant in Matthew 18:23-35; whose debt to his master was so great that the master knew there was no way he could repay it, and so forgave him out of compassion. In Matthew 18:28, the Lord describes what this servant did after he was released from prison, saying:
“But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.”
As if that was not enough, this wicked and inconsiderate man put his fellow servant in jail until he got his money back. Some of us might cringe in horror at this awful attitude, but the question is, are we not doing the same thing against our fellow human beings, even in the household of faith? Many of us would have died if God were to repay us according to our sins, but thank God for His mercies. Are we however showing the same level of mercy to those we have authority over or within our sphere of influence? Are we not seeking vengeance on those who have wronged us in one way or the other? The story of what the wicked servant did got to the master and, in annoyance, he revoked the pardon he had given the wicked servant, casting him back into prison. In Matthew 18:35, our Lord Jesus Christ concludes the story thus:
“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

We became children of God when He forgave our sins. We should therefore not find it difficult to forgive those who offend us, knowing that if we had not been forgiven, we would have been in a sorry state. Having been relieved of our heavy load of sin through forgiveness, let us also forgive at all times. However, if you have not received forgiveness of your sins, it may be that you have not repented of them. Repent today, and you will receive the joy of being forgiven.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Many years ago, during one of our church services at Ebute-Metta, Lagos, I announced that there would be no prayers on that day, because we were only going to praise God. Incidentally, a woman in a wheel chair had been brought to that service for prayers. When those who brought her asked to see the pastor for prayers, the ushers told them that the pastor has instructed that no one would be prayed for; instead, everyone should dance and praise God. These people felt disappointed, but the woman asked them to help her up and support her as she tried to dance even in her pain. However, before long, she pushed them aside and was dancing without any help – she had been healed! Some people have their miracle right in front of them, but they never get it because they do not make any move of faith. Ephesians 5:14 says Christ will give you light after you have awoken and arisen, not before. In other words, you have your role to play in getting whatever God has promised you.

As a lecturer and pastor in Ilorin many years ago, I was so ill one day that I could not go for the midweek service that day. I lay in bed and decided that since I couldn’t go to church, I would at least listen to a sermon on the radio. As I lay there in pain listening to the radio, it seemed as if the preacher was talking to me directly. He said “If you are sick and you have asked God to heal you, then what are you still doing on the bed? If you are still lying in bed, then you don’t believe that God has healed you, and you will remain there until you believe.” I immediately got up from the bed and went to church; even though I was still in serious pain. Getting to church, I met the brethren still praising and worshipping God, since I, the pastor, wasn’t around to preach. I stayed at the back and tried my best to dance, even though I was still in pain. Soon, I felt like using the toilet, so I went to the restroom. By the time I was done, all the pain and sickness was gone! Hallelujah!

Are you expecting something from God? Tell Him about it and then make a move. If you have faith that is not combined with works, it is dead faith. Make your faith come alive today by moving in the direction of your miracle. Healing is already yours by His stripes; all you have to do is get up and claim it.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Atheism is simply the absolute denial of God’s existence. Who then is a practical atheist? It is he or she who theoretically believes in God but in practice leads a life that denies His existence. These are the type of people described in 2 Timothy 3:5. How do we know practical atheists in our midst today? Jesus said we shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:20). Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1-9 lists some of the characteristic traits of practical atheists, summed up in their denial of the power to live a godly life in this world. Practical atheists believe that holiness is an illusion and teach others to believe so too, thereby causing people to live a lifestyle of sin. Unfortunately, they have crept into the Church and have succeeded in leading people astray. They are deadly in the sense that they appear to be religious and well-informed, but their conduct contradicts their claim of faith. In 2nd Timothy 3:7-8, the Bible describes them in the following terms:
“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”

Practical atheists are found among great Church men and women who use the cover of their successes in ministry to peddle heresies as sound superior teachings. As stated in 2nd Timothy 3:8, they are like Jannes and Jambres, who withstood Moses by displaying magical powers to counter the miracles Moses performed in a bid to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go (Exodus 7:11-12, Exodus 7:22). Although practical atheists tend to have knowledge through extensive learning, they never come to the knowledge of the truth which sets free from living a life of sin (John 8:32). Some of them are like the Pharisees and Scribes of old. Just as Jesus questioned Nicodemus, a professor of the law, He is asking such people today, “Didn’t you claim you have a Master’s degree or PhD in theology, and yet you didn’t know that without holiness no man shall see the Lord? you say you’re a professor of religious history, and yet you don’t know that I Am the same yesterday, today and forever? Don’t you know that My standards cannot be changed by modern society?” Mere belief in God is not enough; we must live according to His standards. Even demons believe in the existence of the one true God but that hasn’t changed who they really are (James 2:19). From now on, let your life always conform to your beliefs.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Three vital ingredients are necessary to make any parent successful in the task of nurturing children as precious gifts from God. These are knowledge, understanding and godliness. Unfortunately, many people who are privileged to be parents do not have what it takes to effectively fulfil their responsibilities. Parents need the type of knowledge that is found only in God’s word to carry out their parental responsibilities in line with God’s expectations. Speaking on the significance of children in our lives, Psalm 127:3 says:
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
Parents need to understand that through procreation, God gets His reward for all the care He has bestowed on them from the time they were born! In other words, because of human reproduction, God does not need to repeatedly go through the process of moulding clay to create new generations of worshippers that He desires. Children are God’s reward, so nobody should attempt to share His glory with Him over them. Parents must stop “playing God” over their children; rather, they should nurture them to meet God’s expectations, according to Ephesians 6:4.

1 Samuel 22:1-2 tells an interesting story of “abandoned children”, who were once social miscreants, identifying with a man who had the heart of a father to take them in. It is equally interesting that this man, David, was also a fugitive. He was on the run because a jealous king wanted to kill him. David did not discard those boys; rather, he nurtured them to become useful for themselves, their families and the society at large. In Nigerian street parlance, he became the “area father” of about four hundred “area boys” who became soldiers for the nation of Israel when he became king. Here is a roll call of a few of them and their exploits in 2nd Samuel 23:8-10:
“These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.”
From their example, let us learn to nurture and train our biological and spiritual children to the point of fulfilling their destinies. When we develop them like David did with the abandoned vagabonds, they will go on to become useful assets for God and humanity in the near future.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

In the Nigerian culture, musician hired to entertain guests at parties often compose songs hailing wealthy and notable people in attendance, calling out their names and listing their exploits. As the musicians go on, these rich fellows find themselves on stage in excitement, pasting cash on the singers forehead. Needless to say, these musicians often go home with a bag full of money after such parties, unless they did not celebrate the right people well enough. In like manner, I have discovered that those who have the attitude of praising God live in abundance.

Even when the rich men at these parties don’t know the performing musician personally, they are willing to give him or her all they have in their pockets in return for receiving praise; how much more our God, who not only knows us from our mother’s womb but also loves us. Most of the time, these musicians have to lie or at least exaggerate in a bid to praise a rich fellow. For example, they can call someone who is a branch manager the chief operating officer of a company. However, with our God, He is so great that no matter how hard we try to exalt His greatness, our words cannot fully capture how great He really is. During praise and worship sessions at church services, when I see people dancing as if they were dragged to church, I wonder if they know who they are dancing to at all. He is the one who made the heavens and the earth. He sits in the heavens and makes the earth His footstool. He has parted the Red Sea, turned water to wine, raised the dead back to life and done all sorts of great miracles, and yet some people still find it difficult to praise Him with all their heart.

David was someone who knew how to praise God. One day, he danced for God so much that his clothes fell off his body, still he didn’t mind (2nd Samuel 6:20). When you read through the Psalms, you will understand why David praised God that much: God had done a lot for him and he decided never to forget His goodness towards him. In return, God blessed David so much that he lacked nothing. I know this because God said He was willing to give David whatever he wanted; all he had to do was ask. 2nd Samuel 12:8 says:
“And I give thee thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.”
David was indeed a blessed man. You also can be blessed as he was if only you are willing to praise God like he did.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

When chastised over sin, some people are fond of saying that their conscience does not condemn them, even when they have been caught in obvious acts of sin. They may be right after all, because its only a conscience that is alive and active that can condemn or caution an individual engaging in things contrary to the will of God. God gave everyone a conscience to serve as an internal restraining guide regulating each of our actions. However, when a person continuously refuses to yield to its control, its voice will be silenced. In that state, such a person’s mind becomes reprobated. Describing this condition, Romans 1:28 says:
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;”
We are therefore told in 1 Timothy 1:18-20 to hold on to our faith in Christ and keep our conscience clear if we do not want to wreak havoc on our salvation. The text also says that we are expected to engage in a good warfare. What is this good warfare? There is an internal battle that occurs in our minds every day. The devil and his agents continually propose to us things that are contrary to the will of God. We have to continually fight them with the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word, just as our Master did (Matthew 4:1-11), in order to ensure that we live with a good conscience before God. Paul held this up as the great testimony of his life in Acts 23:1b, where he said:
“Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
A good conscience is a living conscience. When a person’s conscience is dead, he or she sees everything from a skewed perspective. For example, a man may go around sleeping with other women, riding on the excuse that his wife has refused to “cooperate” with him in bed. Such a man would ask, “What do you expect me to do when this woman denied me my right?” When you try to correct some other men who marry a second wife, they may tell you to go and preach to Jacob, David and Solomon first before condemning their action. A Christian sister whose conscience is dead would dress half-naked and tell you that what she wears does not matter, inasmuch as she is born again and her conscience does not condemn her. How will her conscience condemn her when she has silenced it repeatedly, to the extent that it is now permanently muted? An example of someone with a dead conscience is Judas Iscariot. Despite the fact that Jesus exposed his betrayal plans and warned him about it, he still went ahead with it. There are many people like him in church today. No matter how hot the sermon is, the reprobate will not heed its warning. That will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Brethren, its one thing to look up to God and be in a hurry, its another thing to look up to Him and patiently wait for His response to your request at His appointed time. One clear lesson from Micah 7:7 is that looking up to God requires waiting patiently on Him. Speaking on this, the Holy Spirit says in Isaiah 28:16:
“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”

In Mark 2:1-12, we read about four faithful friends who took a paralytic man to Jesus for healing, but because of the huge crowd around the house where Jesus was, they could not reach Him. Inspired by faith, they looked up to see how they could get their friend to the presence of the Healer, but alas, there was a barrier: the roof. Spurred on by faith, they resolved to break this barrier in order to gain access to Jesus Christ, and when Jesus saw their faith and determination, He had no choice but to give them what they wanted. Let’s take a look at some of the many lessons embedded in this great story of faith. First and foremost, looking up is the first step to solving the issues of life. Why? The Almighty God sits over and above all, and with Him there is no impossibility. Secondly, sin is a barrier that can block you from accessing the presence of the one with the ability to solve your problems (Isaiah 59:1-2). Just as the friends of the paralytic man had to remove the barrier of the roof before they could access Jesus, the barrier of sin in his life had to be removed also. That is why before any other thing, Jesus first said to him in Mark 2:5b:
“Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
Thirdly, we learn that immediately the paralytic man’s sins were forgiven, he received his healing. For a user of this devotional battling with one health challenges or the other, if you will remove the spiritual barrier of sin through genuine repentance and turn to Jesus Christ for healing, even before you finish reading today’s study, you will sing a song of victory over that health challenges in Jesus’ Name. There is this story of a man who was battling with a medical problem that had defied all treatments. In his search for a cure, the Lord revealed that his ailment was caused by his unforgiving stance against his son-in-law who had abused his only daughter. The day he repented and forgave his son-in-law was the day he was healed. Beloved, I encourage you to look up to Jesus today. Do not allow your present predicament bow your head down in despair. As you look up to Jesus, He will show Himself as the ever present help, and you will sing a new song of victory in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

One doctrine of the world that is gradually creeping into the body of Christ is that which says “If you cannot beat them, join them.” This doctrine is inconsistent with the values of the kingdom we belong to on multiple fronts. Our lifestyle is characterised by love – God’s kind of love – as 1 Corinthians 13:6 states, this kind of love does not rejoice in iniquity. Because the world is full of iniquity and scoffs at righteous living, we cannot walk in God’s love when we raise our hands in surrender to join the world in their way of life. Not rejoicing in iniquity simply means standing against evil – as defined by standard of God’s word. This is one of the problems facing the Church today. Those who refuse to condemn evil and wicked acts are indirectly rejecting and standing against those who are just. One cannot sit on the fence on issues; we either speak out against evil and uphold righteousness or justify evil in our silence. As seen in Revelation 2:18-29, justifying the wicked is an abomination before the Lord. In His letter to the Church at Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-29, our Lord Jesus Christ commended their charitable service, faith and patience, and then warned them against tolerating sexual immorality typified by a certain Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess. She was seducing innocent souls in the Church into sexual immorality and taught a doctrine that encouraged this lifestyle. There are such false prophets and prophetesses in the Church today, teaching doctrines that encourage immoral dressing, promiscuity, abortion, masturbation and sexual perversion in the Body of Christ. When you go to such places and see the way their followers are blessed, you will instantly know that the doctrine of Jezebel is being taught there. Thank God our Lord already spoke to us in Matthew 7:20, saying:
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

God is calling on us to stand against evil today. However, we must first reject evil within the Church before taking the battle to the gates of hell out there. As Christians, it must not be mentioned amongst us that we rejoice in iniquity (1st Corinthians 13:6), by applauding instead of condemning acts that are against God’s word and His kingdom’s cause, due to a fear of backlash and condemnation from the children of this world. This is why believers fear to preach against homosexuality in certain countries; if you do, you may be jailed, and your fellow brethren might condemn you as being foolish or even wrong! Some pastors can’t preach against corruption in high places and gain gotten through illicit means because they fear losing income and members. The truth has indeed been mortgaged in some quarters of Christendom. Beloved, arise and let us in one mind stand up against evil.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.