₦airaland Forum

A calm, peace and restrained attitude to life, especially in the face of adverse circumstances, is God’s desire for His people. He revealed His thoughts on this to us in Isaiah 32:17-18, saying:
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; And the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;”
One proof that we have received the gift of righteousness from Jesus after we are saved is the presence of peace in our hearts, and the effect of this peace is quietness even in the midst of adversity. As God’s own special people, He does not want us to panic or be troubled in our hearts like the people of the world are whenever the enemy blows the wind of adversity (John 14:1). In Jeremiah 10:1-16, we see a king whose heart melted when he was told of his enemies’ conspiracy against him. In response to this, God sent Prophet Isaiah to deliver His word to him, saying in Isaiah 7:4a:
“….Take heed, and be quiet”
As kings and priests to our God, He says to us the same words He sent to King Ahaz – be quiet (Revelation 1:6). Are you surrounded by the dark clouds of life, with the wind of adversity blowing strongly against you? God is saying to you today, “Be quiet.” You may ask, “Why should I be quiet?” it is because in your quiet submission to God, He will arise on your behalf, and your enemies shall be scattered. No wonder Isaiah 30:15a says:
“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:”

Jesus, our perfect example, was presented as a Man of quiet temperament (Matthew 12:14-20). He did not go around making noise or panicking over situations; rather, He ruled over circumstances around Him by decree (Mark 4:35-39). In order to be like our Master, we are to be peaceful and quiet when in distress, when the enemy rises against us like a flood, and in the face of destructive criticism or rebellion. In these circumstances, one can only be quiet as a result of faith in God and total trust in His ability to work things out in our favour. In reality, whenever a child of God goes into quiet mode, God takes it as an invitation to step in on behalf of the fellow. You must realise that you are limited in all aspects of life, and stop fighting your battles all by yourself. Switch to quiet mode today and let Jesus take over your case. He will give you the rest that you need, as He promised in Matthew 11:28.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Many have argued that the company a person keeps does not necessarily have much impact on his or her character or destiny. They say that many people have become great and successful in spite of their warped lifestyles and bad behaviour. The One who moulded us disagrees with these notions. He declared in His word that evil communication corrupts person’s background or lifestyle, the company you keep and the kind of information you consume determine the predominant thoughts that rule your heart, and these go a long way to establish who you are and the kind of future that awaits you (Proverbs 23:7, Psalm 1:1-4).

It would be a great error for you to think of the term ‘evil association’ only with respect to interactions with unbelievers; it can also apply to interpersonal relationships among Christians. God wants us to shun the evil activities of the ungodly just as much as He wants us to avoid every appearance of evil among Christians. The Holy Spirit teaches us that those who perpetrate backbiting, disobedience, rebellion and false doctrines among the brethren should be identified and avoided (2nd Thessalonians 3:6). He explicitly says in Romans 16:17:
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
When I was much younger in ministry, I met a man of God who I looked up to. I admired him because of what I thought was the grace of God upon His life, until I accidentally discovered that he was doing things by diabolical means. I quickly moved away from him from that day, and I made sure our paths never crossed again. Don’t be deceived, no matter how wise or careful you are, continued association with anyone living contrary to the word of God will eventually spell doom for you. I pray that you will not share in the punishment or retribution of evil people in Jesus’ Name.

The word of God in Psalm 1:3-4 says clearly that obedient children of God are like a tree planted by the rivers of water that produces fruit in its season, and whatsoever they do prospers. However, the same passage also says that unbelievers and ungodly “Christians” are like chaff that the wind blows away. Sinners can never have lasting peace as they are bound to perish suddenly (Psalms 73:17-18). Therefore, come out from among them, separate yourself and stay away from evil associations that can corrupt your godly nature.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Delayed promises and unfulfilled desires are common life occurrences, bringing about anxiety, disappointment, and hopelessness and, in some cases, untimely death. Often, the devil uses delay as a deadly weapon to cause children of God to lose faith in Him and His promises, leading to despair. So deadly is this weapon that even Abraham, the father of faith, was caught in its crosshairs. Even after God had gone to great lengths to reassure him that He would fulfil His promise of Sarah birthing him a son, his attitude and response to God was still that of hopelessness. Genesis 17:17-18 says:
“Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old , bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!”
In Genesis 18:12, Sarah also manifested a similar attitude of unbelief to God’s promise that she would bear a son in less than a year. Elijah was so troubled with uncertainty that he asked God to take his life (1st King 19:4). Zachariah also showed his state of discouragement and hopelessness in his response to the message of the angel sent by God to announce to him that he would have a son in his old age (Luke 1:18). Even John the Baptist, because of his incarceration, sent a message to Jesus that conveyed his feelings of confusion and despair (Matthew 11:2-3). These examples show people who had concluded that their cases were closed and it was all over for them. However, in spite of their hopelessness, God still proved Himself a faithful keeper of His promises to them. In truth, what we often see as delayed promises, unfulfilled desires or closed cases are nothing but a misunderstanding of God’s timetable and divine principles. God never closes the chapter of an issue He has committed Himself to until it is resolved. Therefore, no matter what you are passing through right now, I am assuring you today that God is not done with you yet!

God is the Alpha and Omega who knows the end from the beginning, and He has the power to do all things. It is not in His character to abandon a project. He reconnected Moses to his destiny at the age of eighty. He destroyed the giant occupants of Canaan to fulfil His promise to Israel. He sent Jesus the Messiah as the Saviour of mankind, and He gives the Holy Spirit to all believers in Christ. God has promised that He will not leave or forsake you, so you can be sure that He is not done with you yet (Hebrews 13:5). He will surely bring His word to pass in your life, and He will see you through to the very end, to the glory of His Name. Praise the Lord!
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

At a point in everyone’s life, we all come face to face with crossroads. Many people don’t know what to do when they find themselves at crossroads, and so they take steps in the wrong direction, leading to setbacks or destruction. This will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name. However, for this not to be your lot, you need to know what to do when at crossroads in life. The Holy Spirit offers an excellent solution in Jeremiah 6:16. From His recommendations, the first thing you need to do is to pause and consider the options before you. He said “Stand ye in the ways, and see.” Some people are always in a hurry to make decisions at such moments, but this is not a wise thing to do. Do not allow your emotions or anyone rush you into making a decision when at crossroads. You need to learn to wait for the Lord, especially at such moments. Wait to hear expressly from God or for Him to give you a sign on the right thing to do. In Acts 16:6-10, when Paul and his company faced a dilemma on where next to take the message of the gospel, they waited until God gave them a sign through a night vision. Mind you, they were obeying the commandments of the Lord “to go ye into the world and preach the gospel”, and yet the Holy Spirit forbade them from preaching in two places. The Holy Spirit who forbade them from preaching in those places did not expressly tell them where they would preach next. They had to wait for the Lord until He showed them the path to toe. How marvelous are the ways of our God! No wonder Isaiah 30:18b: from our Bible reading says:
“…for the LORD is a God of judgement: blessed are all they that wait for him.”

After pausing to see, the next step the Holy Spirit recommends in Jeremiah 6:16 is to ask for the old paths. There is a Nigerian adage that says “He who asks questions will not miss his way.” You need to ask questions on how the issue you are facing was handled by those who have gone ahead of you and what their results were. It is unfortunate that today’s men and women tend not to see anything good in the old paths, and yet these sometimes hold the key of their future. However, take careful note of the words used by the Holy Spirit in Jeremiah 6:16. He said you should ask for the old paths and make further enquiries on where the good way is. The old paths are not necessarily the good way, but they can point you in the direction of where the good way is. Don’t be fixated on doing things the way they have always been done, except that is seen to be the good way. You need to have a relationship with the One who declared Himself to be The Way, in order for you to discover where the good way is in all situations (John 14:6). When you are His sheep, you will hear His voice behind you, telling you which way to go. When you yield to His voice, you will surely find rest for your soul.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

When the Bible says that God remembered an individual, a group of people or a covenant, it does not mean that He is forgetful. How can the One who created memory forget something? It is impossible for God to forget anything. The phrase “God remembered” simply means that God decided to show mercy at that point in time. God will show tender mercy to you today in Jesus’ Name. When the Bible speaks of God remembering Noah in Genesis 8:1, it is referring to the favour that God bestowed upon him. God put Noah in the ark, and so there is no way He would have forgotten him there. God follows His own time-table for all events in the world. When it was time for Noah to come out of the ark to fulfil his divine destiny, God swept into action and Noah and all the creatures in the ark were restored to the surface of the earth. On the other hand, when God decides to abandon an individual, probably as a result of his or her disobedience of His word, the people of the world would say that God has forgotten him or her, like He did when He left the people of Ephraim alone to wallow in the terrible consequences of their apostasy in Hosea 4:16-19.

Divine remembrance can also mean God arising to fight on behalf of an individual or a nation, in response to their cry, as He did for the children of Israel in Exodus 2:23-25. God will remember you and fight for you today in Jesus’ Name. Are you passing through the turbulent waters of life? Since Noah did not perish in the flood, you will be divinely remembered, and you will not drown in Jesus’ Name. This is because the Lord made you this promise in Isaiah 43:2a:
“When thou passest through the water, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.”
Are you experiencing the fire of affliction? God will remember you today in Jesus’ Name. A widow was on the verge of losing everything her husband left behind for her, because a bank came around claiming that her deceased husband owed them a huge sum of money, which she knew nothing about when he was alive. The Lord intervened in such a way that the book of remembrance was divinely opened, and it was discovered that instead of owing a debt, her late husband was actually owed by the bank. At the end of the day, this widow became so rich that poverty became a stranger to her and her children. It is pleasant when God remembers an individual and fights on his or her behalf. Nehemiah understood this, and that was why he prayed that God should remember him for his good works (Nehemiah 13:14). When God remembers your good works, He gives you a sumptuous recompense, like He did to the midwives in Egypt (Exodus 1:17-20). Do you have any good works you can call on God to remember?
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Surprises come in different sizes and categories. Some surprises fall within our day to day activities, like receiving visitors you least expect. These are aptly described as surprise visit, and an example of this is Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-44). There are pleasant surprises, such as when Abraham and Sarah were told at a very old age that their child of promise was about to come (Genesis 18:9-14). The announcement was so great and seemingly impossible that Sarah laughed in disbelief; yet, it was a pleasant surprise when God gave her the son He had promised (Genesis 21:6-7). There are also unpleasant surprises, such as when you are betrayed by someone very close to you, like Absalom did to David, his loving father (2nd Samuel 15:6-14).

The disciples of Jesus Christ experienced pleasant surprises at a time when they thought all hope was lost for them. This is evident from the encounter two of them had on the road of Emmaus. As they journeyed, they spent their time lamenting their shattered hopes about Jesus. In Luke 24:21 they said:
“But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.”
Meanwhile, a great and pleasant surprise had taken place in Jerusalem where they were coming from, which they just could not believe. Though they had been told of Christ’s resurrection before they embarked on the trip to Emmaus, they were still full of unbelief. The story seemed too good to be true! This is one of the characteristics of pleasant surprises occasioned by miracles. When the early visitors to the tomb of Jesus Christ were greeted with the news of His resurrection, they experienced this type of pleasant surprise. Matthew 28:8 captures their emotions in these words:
“And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.”
As if that was not enough, those who took the news of the resurrection to others had not finished speaking when the Master Himself appeared to them all to confirm the news (Luke 24:36)! In the same way, there is no adjective to qualify the type of surprise that results from the miracle of a baby being born by a woman without a womb. It is indeed pleasant to experience the impossible becoming possible in one’s life. Your pleasant surprises are coming your way this season in Jesus’ Name. All you need to do is to identify with the Great Miracle Worker, and He will work things out that will give you pleasant surprises in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

The ‘arm of flesh’ refers to efforts that are solely based on the wisdom, ability and strength of man. Unfortunately, the best of efforts is limited in any venture, because the spiritual controls the physical. In 2 Chronicles 32:1-8, it is glaring that Hezekiah knew the limitations of the arm of flesh. Concerning the threat of Sennacherib and his army, he boldly declared in 2nd Chronicles 32:7-8:
“Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”
Similar to the scenario that played out between Hezekiah and Sennacherib, 1 Samuel 17:45 tells of an encounter between two individuals who went into battle, one divinely armed and the other relying on arm of flesh. The one with the arm of God was David. He went into battle with what seemed to be the feeblest weapon of war – a simple sling (catapult). On the other hand, Goliath went into battle with the arm of flesh, trusting in his chain armour, helmet of brass, shield, spear and sword, altogether constituting the most sophisticated weapons of war available at that time. Just like Hezekiah, David was aware of the divine arm backing him up, and he proclaimed the great words in 1 Samuel 17:45. At the end of their duel, Goliath did not live to tell the story of how, within the twinkle of an eye, a feeble stone won a battle that had simmered for more than forty days. The fate that befell Goliath exemplifies how the arm of flesh can let down those who put their trust in it. Beloved, it is time you stopped trusting the arm of flesh in the form of godfather, spirits of divination and witchcraft, riches that can fly away overnight and political power that can slip out of your fingers. Learn from the story of Hezekiah and Sennacherib and the decisive battle that saw the demise of the boastful Sennacherib (2nd Chronicles 32:31).

Although the Almighty is a great ally to have, He is also a dangerous enemy to engage in battle. Everyone who lives in sin is at war with Him (Psalm 7:11). Are you one of those who have not decided to be a friend of God? You must have a rethinking today and stop trusting in the arm of flesh which can lead to perpetual shame. Jesus is Lord, mighty in battle, and He will fight for you if you will let Him be Lord indeed over your life from today.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Many people do not realize that the Almighty God is a strategist and a God of order. This divine character is evident in the story of creation itself. The orderliness and sequence of the project of creation can only have come from the mind of a master strategist. The light came first, then the firmament, then the gathering together of the waters and the appearance of dry land, followed by the vegetation upon which animals would feed, before the animals themselves were created (Genesis 1:1-13). Everything was in place before man was created. What a wonderful God we serve! No wonder the Psalmist in Psalm 53:1a says:
“The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.”

In Luke 14:28, the Lord Jesus Christ shared with us the divine wisdom embedded in strategic planning. It takes strategic planning for anyone to succeed in life, and the good news is that the greatest strategist is our Father in heaven. The ability to strategize wisely is therefore available to us when we give our lives to God through Jesus Christ. Irrespective of how disjointed you may appear to be as a person, as a born-again Christian, you are a partaker of the divine nature of God, and so you are a strategic planner by nature (2nd Peter 1:4). You need to understand this truth and begin to apply it to your reality.

Nehemiah was one strategic builder. Through strategic planning, he was able to do what seemed to be humanly impossible. Though very passionate and driven about his mission to rebuild the house of God and the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah was not presumptuous in the zeal. His strategy was built on the foundation of first seeking divine guidance through prayer and fasting (Nehemiah 1:4). Some children of God, maybe due to unrealised hidden pride, would not pray like Nehemiah did to find mercy in the sight of the king (Nehemiah 1:11). To succeed in life, we need the favour of God to be manifested in the attitude of men towards us. No wonder Luke 2:52 says:
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
The good news is that even though human beings are complex and unpredictable, they are still under the control of their Maker. Establishing this truth in Proverbs 21:1, the Holy Spirit says:
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”
Nehemiah strategically presented his case before the king, and because he had presented his case to the Lord before going to the king, he got what he wanted: leave of absence, authority to build, the materials for the project and security in the course of building. The project would have ended in failure if any of these variables was missing. Beloved, be strategic in the planning of your life under the guidance of the Holy Trinity.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

One of the original plans of God for man is for man to continually have fellowship with Him. This is the reason why He created man to be like Himself. Genesis 1:26 says:
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
The Bible further reveals in the second and third chapters of Genesis that after creating man, God fellowshipped with him until this divine relationship was bungled through sin. Genesis 3:8 says:
“And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.”
From this verse of scripture, it is evident that God came down to take a walk with His beloved image carries, but sin came and destroys their fellowship. The interesting thing is that God is still interested in walking with as many as would determine in their hearts to pay the price of godly living, just like He did with Enoch (Genesis 5:24).

So, how can we walk with God? The answer lies in the instruction that God gave Abraham in Genesis 17:1:
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”
We see from this verse that it was God Himself who appeared to Abraham. In other words, we cannot discover God by our personal efforts. You cannot search for the Almighty God through religion; you only discover Him when He reveals Himself to you (Matthew 11:27, John 6:44, John 15:16). Another lesson is that living a holy life can never be compromised as the condition for walking with God. Immediately God made Himself known to Abraham, He declared holiness as the term on which they could walk together. This is why I am so addicted to the teaching of holiness. Under the New Testament, to walk with God as a Christian requires experiencing what Paul describes in Galatians 2:20-21, wherein you must allow your old Adamic nature to die on the cross of Jesus Christ. That disobedient heart that yearns for its own way, influenced by the old serpent, must be circumcised to bleed to death while you are infused with the new life that flows in the Blood of Jesus Christ. Then and only then can you have a blessed and successful walk with our Maker.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Just as the Lord Jesus Christ cursed the fruitless fig tree in our lesson yesterday, we see a similar scenario playing out in Luke 13:6-9. These two examples are indicative of heaven’s standpoint of zero tolerance for fruitlessness. This principle is laid bare by the Master Himself in John 15:2, where He says:
“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
Heaven values fruitfulness and would rather preserve and purge a fruitful tree to make it bring forth more fruits. On the other hand, every unfruitful tree stands the risk of being uprooted and done away with.

In continuation of the subject matter studied yesterday, we must never lose sight of the lesson learnt not to lead a fake life. Acts 5:1-5 tells of a man in the early Church who attracted capital punishment to himself by living a pretentious life. One thing we learn from the story of Ananias and Sapphira is that the lie they told was unnecessary. This fact is buttressed by Peter’s question to Ananias in Acts 5:4, saying:
“Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”
In other words, “Ananias, why should you lie to the Holy Spirit who knows everything? The land belonged to you. If you gave 50% and chose to keep the remaining 50% for your personal use, nobody would query you for doing so.” The problem with Ananias and Sapphira was that they wanted to be recognised to have a virtue they did not actually possess. Prior to their unfortunate act, Joses Barnabas has sold his land, bought the total proceeds and had been commended by the apostles. He was even given a nickname: “The Son of Consolation”. Ananias and Sapphira wanted to receive the same level of commendation but they could not do what Barnabas did, and so they lied to earn it. Romans 12:3 says:
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly that he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to everyman the measure of faith.”
You must therefore learn from the fig tree and from Ananias and Sapphira that living a fake life can only earn you a bad reputation, shame and untimely death. This will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

For the next two days, we shall be reflecting on some lessons from the fig tree which Jesus condemned to death for being fruitless. Fruitlessness is a grievous deviation to all children of God. From our Matthew 21:18-22, we see that our Lord Jesus Christ was attracted to the fig tree because everything about it told Him that it had the capacity to bear fruit, but alas, He was disappointed (Matthew 21:19). For this reason, the first lesson we need to learn from this fig tree is that physical appearances can be very deceptive. This lesson is stated very clearly in Proverbs 31:30. In 1st Samuel 16:7b, when Samuel went to anoint another king to replace King Saul from the house of Jesse, God explained to him:
“For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
These words should speak to young people who are waiting on the Lord for a godly spouse.

Another lesson to be learnt from the fig tree is that it is dangerous for you to portray yourself as what you are not. The appearance of the fig tree was such that anybody would expect it to possess some fruit. One can reasonably assume that the fig tree was cursed, not necessarily because it did not bear fruit (Mark 11:13 clearly says it was not its seasons to bear fruit), but rather because it deceptively appeared to bear fruit. Unfortunately, these days, people pretend a lot. To their shame and peril, many people fail to get the help they need from potential helpers because of the fake lifestyle they portray to the world. They ride in borrowed cars to show off wealth that they do not possess. When such people ask for financial assistance from their closest friends, it is assumed that they are just joking or trying to hide their real worth. Also, many marriages have broken down irreparably because of deceitful lifestyles. During courtship, some couples conceal many things from each other only for the truth to be discovered on the first night of marriage. Some men appear to be gentle during courtship, only for them to show their true colours as wife-beaters after the woman says “I do”. Sadly for them, a fellow who sows deceits will also reap deceit. An adage in my mother-tongue says, “The wife you choose from a dancing floor will sooner or later dance away from your house.” Beloved, the antidote for a life of deceit is to be in Jesus Christ, who is the Truth. Accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour today, and the shame that follows a deceitful life will cease in your life. When you have the Truth in your life, you will not be a victim of deceit, because you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Over the past two days, we have been learning from the Parable of the Sower. The importance of this parable is underscored by the fact that Jesus referred to it as the key to understanding the mysteries of His other parables. In Mark 4:13 He said:
“Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
Today, we will reflect on this teaching from the perspective of marital faithfulness and fruitfulness. When a man sleeps with a woman, he is sowing seeds into her. In light of this truth, the Holy Spirit makes us understand in Malachi 2:15 that there is a difference between godly and ungodly seeds resulting from this act. Let every man therefore beware of where he sows his seeds, and let every woman also be cautious of the type of seeds she receives into the ground that is her body. Sow wisely for your godly seeds to come at God’s appointed time. Proverbs 6:32 profoundly says:
“But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destoryeth his own soul.”
In other words, when you have illicit sexual intercourse with a woman other than your wife, you lack understanding of the fact that you are sowing into wrong soil. As a woman, it is foolhardy for you to allow weeds to be sown into your vineyard through adultery.
“For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is better as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.”
Proverbs 5:3-5
Another lesson to learn from the Parable of the Sower is that keeping a concubine is very costly. What your spouse cannot demand from you, a concubine will. If you are engaged in adultery or fornication, you are sowing into grounds that cannot bring forth any profitable harvest. Some men build houses for their concubines and extend resources on training children that don’t belong to them. Sex workers and concubines are usually disrespected and abused by men who are merely using them. The motive of these men is not to hold on to them forever but to use and dump them as they choose. Eventually, they will have to face the consequences of their sinful way of life. If you are caught in the web of this lifestyle, call on Jesus to deliver you before it is too late. Remember, today is the day of salvation; tomorrow may be too late.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

This morning, we learnt a great lesson on the futility of indiscriminate sowing from the Parable of the Sower. The Holy Spirit taught us that it would amount to a waste of seed, time and energy if we do not sow wisely. Today, we will reflect on the benefits of sowing with wisdom.

To conclude His parable on the sower, the Lord in Mark 4:8 said:
“And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.”
The first lesson here is that seeds don’t all yield the same amount of fruit. Every child of God must have this understanding in order not to be frustrated by unfulfilled expectations. In His own wisdom, the owner of the Church did not endow every member of His Church equally (Romans 12:6-. What is important is that we all sow seed, using the endowments God has given to each of us, and we must do all within our ability to maximise the potential of our seed in order to yield the expected fruits (John 15:16). It will therefore be wrong for us, as members of the Body of Christ, to begin to compare ourselves competitively with one another. The Holy Spirit discourages this type of attitude among the brethren (2nd Corinthians 10:12)

When we choose correctly the right soil to sow our seeds into, we are bound to prosper. It is frustrating to work and have nothing to show for it. Peter experienced this in Luke 5:3-8, but by the time he encountered the Owner of heaven and earth, he had a big catch. From Peter’s experience, you be wise to learn that you need Jesus Christ, who is Himself the Wisdom of God, to experience breakthroughs in life without struggle (1st Corinthians 1:24-29). Moreover, if you are one of those who pay tithes and give offerings as commanded by God, you must identify the correct soil to sow these seeds of faith into. You must identity a commission which has God’s backing to sow yours seeds of giving into. Many people have been discouraged from paying their tithes, offerings and first-fruits because God’s promise on these in Malachi 3:10 is not fulfilled in their lives. They have become disgruntled about giving, not only to God but also to the needy, because they lack adequate knowledge on the principles of sowing. The problem is that many people unknowingly sow among thorns and thistles, on the roadsides or even on the rock. From the Parable of the Sower, we know what happens to such seeds. This will not be your experience in Jesus’ Name. Some ministries which are not founded on the call of God are like the wayside and rocky ground that Jesus described; you will be wise not to sow your time and resources in such places. Overall, the best investment you can make is to sow the seed of your life into Christ. If you do, you will surely reap the benefits in multiple folds (Mark 10:30, John 10:10).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

If you have heard or read the Parable of the Sower as told by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, you must have learnt some things from it. However, if the Lord tarries, the Holy Spirit will be teaching us some more lessons from this parable over the next few days. The first of those lessons is that the sower was not prudent enough in the business of sowing. He sowed carelessly and in so doing, wasted a lot of good seed on inappropriate ground. This situation applies to the lives of many people who wasted their energy and resources on unprofitable ventures because they are not wise enough to identify the appropriate business, places and people to invest in. It is unimaginable but true that some people sentimentally site their bakery business in their village of less than a hundred inhabitants. Among such inhabitants, hardly would twenty people buy a loaf of bread in three days because not only are they used to their local foods, they are also not rich enough to afford a loaf of bread. The story was told of a poor fellow who was the first to show up and the last to leave; he was indeed very hardworking and dedicated. One day, the king decided to help him out of his poverty. He disguised a huge sum of money in a big loaf of bread and gave it to him. “Take this bread home and let me see how it will transform your life for the better,” said the king. Incidentally, the value of the bread was enough to pay for food that the poor man could eat for five days. To the disappointment of the king, the poor man sold the loaf of bread, not knowing what was in it, and that was how he lost the fortune of a lifetime.


Some ventures are like sowing among thorns or on stony ground. Initially, such ventures may appear as though they have prospects, only for diminishing returns to set in later. It is one thing to be hard working and another thing to work wisely. It is one thing to keep busy and another thing to be busy doing something profitable. Even as a minister of the gospel, you need God’s wisdom in the business of Church planting. It is counterproductive to build a three thousand-seater capacity auditorium in a community of 500 people. It is true that the souls of men are more valuable than money and that those souls in the village are not inferior to the souls in the city, but wisdom dictates that a congregation cannot grow beyond the number of people living in the community where it is located. This is the reason why the Holy Spirit inspired the words of Proverbs 4:7. Wisdom enables the soul-winner to engage in profitable methods of evangelism and church-planting. Praying for a miracle of any kind for an unrepentant sinner, apart from the miracle of salvation, may be equivalent to sowing by the roadside. I pray that the wisdom you need to experience breakthroughs in all dimensions of life will be given to you in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

As we start another year, it is pertinent for us to have an understanding of the times we live in, in order for us to succeed. The good thing about understanding is that it belongs to God (Psalm 147:5). 1 John 5:20 reveals that one of the reasons why the Lord Jesus Christ came to the world is to give us understanding. How then do we gain access to the understanding that has been freely given to us? Psalm 119:98-100 says:
“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.”
From this scripture, it is glaring that we need to meditate on the word of God this year if we will walk in the understanding that comes from heaven. No wonder God told Joshua that in order for him to succeed, the Book of the Law should not depart from his mouth; rather, he should meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:

The children of Issachar were men who understood the times that they lived in. Now more than ever before, this is an important attribute that every child of God should possess, especially in these end times. We thank God that we have the Bible available in all kinds of languages and media. It is our sure aid for understanding the signs of this dispensation. In it, the Holy Spirit warns us of the nature of the end times, saying in 1st Timothy 4:1-2:
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
Beloved, to speak lies is evil enough, but to add the character of hypocrisy to the speaking of lies is a double tragedy. Our Lord Jesus Christ also said in Matthew 24:24:
“For there shall arise false Christ, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
In order not to be deceived by different schemes being propagated by the devil in the world today, the elect of God by grace must have an understanding of the times they live in just like the children of Issachar. As the new-year beings, many prophecies, predictions and projections will be given by different types of characters. As a child of God with understanding, you must be very careful not to be receptive to them all. Anchor your expectations on the revealed truth in the Bible, and you will live a life of freedom and good success in this new year. May the Lord continually be with you in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Welcome to a new year!!! The Almighty God says to you and me, “I will do a new thing.” How marvellous it is to begin the year with this promise from our Father. These are not empty words! They are the declaration of the Creator of heaven and earth, the Sustainer and Redeemer of all things, who cannot lie. However, for you to partake of the transformative power in this word sent from God, all you have to do is believe. Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ to the ruler of the synagogue in Luke 8:50b , saying:
“Fear not: believe only and she shall be made whole.”
Beloved, this new-year, God is telling someone reading this devotional, “I will do something new about your spiritual life. Your spiritual status will change from being sinful to being holy. In this new year, you will no longer continue to live a life that saddens My heart, because I have decided to save your soul and cleanse you from all your impurities.” If this applies to you, you must take a bold step of faith like Zacchaaeus did in Luke 19:1-10, repenting of your sins and choosing to right your wrongs through the help and power of the Holy Spirit.

As a new year gift for all faithful children, our Abba Father makes a promise in Isaiah 43:14-19 to do that which is humanly impossible. If you are numbered among His children, I congratulate you, but if you are not, the new thing promised by the Lord begins with the salvation of your soul. Do you know that everything required for your salvation has already been accomplished by the death of Jesus Christ at Calvary?

A new thing can mean different things to different people, depending on their current state. Have you been living in abject poverty in the past years? Do you work like an elephant but eat like an ant? Has your mortgage repeatedly failed or is your business crumbling under tough financial difficulties? Read 2 Corinthians 8:9 and believe what it says. For a user of this devotional to whom the enemies have said there is no way to escape, the Lord is saying you should not remember the former things nor consider the things of old. Why? It is because this year, that sickness that has devoured your finances shall not remain in your body. This year, the status of those who desire a godly and blissful marriage will change for the better, and those considered barren will experience fruitfulness. However, for you to partake of the new thing God has promised, you must heed His words to Martha in John 11:40:
“…Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”
In this year, the One who brought forth water from the rock will bring forth the good desires of your heart in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

The God we serve is very result-oriented. He never does anything just for the fun of it, and so He created every one of us with a purpose in mind. Not one person on this earth exists without a special assignment. He expects our lives to yield pleasant results for Him. Unfortunately, many people live life on their own terms. They just glide through life without a specific divine goal; the wind directs them to the south and they go to the south, and the next minute, the wind carries them to the north and they follow. They do not live their lives with a purpose in mind, because they don’t value their existence.

There is nothing as rewarding as being used of the Lord; He is the best boss that anyone can ever have. It is only in His organization that every act of service is generously rewarded. However, our God is also driven by His principles. There are things that you have to do in order to be used by Him. First of all, you have to be clean. God will use any type of vessel - broken vessels, young vessels, old vessels, poor vessels - but He will never use a dirty vessel, except, of course, for dirty and irritable things. The Holy Spirit makes this clear in 2nd Timothy 2:21, saying:
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

Secondly, you have to seek to know what specific assignment God has for you. Your assignment in life is specific to you. For example, even though there were many apostles in the early Church, God still chose Paul and sent him to the Gentiles. Even if it seems like you have similar assignments with your neighbor, you don’t have the same purpose with them. To know your specific purpose, your spiritual eyes must be open and fixed on God’s dictates. When your relationship with God is solid and strong, you will have no problem with keeping your purpose firm and focusing on Jesus. It is also in maintaining a strong relationship with God that you will find strength to do all that He asks of you. As you prepare to enter a new year, desire to know your specific assignment from God, and determine to be focused on it. In this coming year, God will greatly use you for His purpose in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
Hebrews 11:3
From the above scripture, we understand that everything begins and ends with the word of God. Since the word of God is the architect, designer and builder of all that has ever existed, it means that nothing is hidden from its reach and power. This is good news to all lovers of God’s word. There is no hiding place for Satan to buffet you if the word of God is your teacher and guide. In today’s world, a lot of people hate the word of God, particularly those aspects that seem to encroach on their pleasures and “fundamental human rights”, such as homosexuality, incest, bestiality, alcoholism, smoking and drug addiction. Many hate what God’s word says about these acts not only because they indulge in them but also because these acts serve as the means of livelihood for some of them. I encourage such people to receive the good news of change that comes through God’s word today, because the same word will stand to condemn them on the Day of Judgment if they continue to ignore it now. On the Day of Judgment, not only will God judge our acts, He will also judge the intent of our hearts, and He is already doing this today with His word (Hebrews 4:12)

In John 12:3-8, we see how the word of God x-rayed the intent of Judas Iscariot’s heart. A woman came with costly ointment to anoint Jesus’ feet, and Judas Iscariot, being Jesus’ treasurer, saw this as a waste of resources. Besides the fact that Judas was wrong to condemn a sacrifice offered to Jesus, the word of God exposes the real reason he was “concerned” about keeping the money “for the poor”. John 12:6 says:
“This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.”
Today, some church treasurers may not support the acquisition of anything befitting for God’s house because the greater the credit balance in the church account, the more funds available for them to steal. Dealing with the rottenness of men’s hearts is very important to God because it controls their words and actions. A person who goes to church indecently dressed has more than meets the eye in his or her heart. When a man begins to plait his hair in the name of “fashion”, he needs to re-examine the motivations of his heart. A pastor who indiscriminately hugs congregation members should watch it with the opposite sex. Erotic jokes are an overflow of what is in the heart; don’t trivialize or condone them. May the Lord clear all forms of rottenness from our hearts in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Prosperity is a very good thing, In fact, God wants His children to prosper and live in abundance. So many good things come with being rich. For example, a rich man is more likely to be respected and listened to than a poor man. Ecclesiastes 9:15-16 says:
“Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then Said I, wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his good words are not heard.”
However, as good as riches are, they never really satisfy. We even understand through Ecclesiastes 5:12 that the abundance of a man’s riches keeps him from good sleep. The humbling truth is that no matter how many treasures a man amasses here on earth, he will never take a penny with him when he dies.

In Luke 12:30-37, our Lord Jesus Christ advised us to store our riches in heaven for a number of reasons. Firstly, riches stored in heaven are secure, because there are no moths, thieves or other devourers in heaven. Secondly, your heart will be wherever your riches are, and so if your riches are stored in heaven, your heart will also concentrate on the things of heaven (Matthew 6:21). Also, a person whose riches are stored in heaven will have just one master: God. Money has become the master of some people, and as the Bible says, no man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).The Holy Spirit makes it clear that the love of money is the root of all evil (1st Timothy 6:10).

How then can we store up our riches in heaven? Jesus answered this question in Luke 12:33, instructing us to give to the poor. This He said would guarantee us treasures in heaven. Paul also made the same connection in 1st Timothy 6:17-19, saying:
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
We can also store up our riches in heaven by investing in things that bring people to Jesus: financially supporting evangelism, bringing your tithe into God’s storehouse, and much more. Prospering here on earth is important, but nothing is as important as making it to heaven.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Our God is not a slave driver. He is a loving Father who wants restful peace for His children always. Even though He cannot by any means get tired, He rested after six days of creation to demonstrate to us the need for rest (Genesis 2:2). Consequently, whenever we find ourselves in a stressful situation where one cannot even find rest in sleep, a prayerful probe into the matter usually points either to human error or the threats of enemies. I pray for anyone passing through difficult times, burdened with the load of life and without any hope of deliverance in sight: receive God’s rest now in Jesus' Name.

Rest from enemies and the travails of life has been the greatest concern of mankind from one generation to another. Since God’s judgment came on humanity for the wrongdoing of Adam and Eve, hardship, trouble and travail have become a daily experience for people (Genesis 3:17-19). Humanity labored under these harsh conditions without any respite until the advent of Jesus, the Messiah and Saviour of the world. In Matthew 11:28, He invited us to all-round rest in Himself, saying:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
This proclamation presents Jesus as the source of rest from labour without reward, rest from adversaries, rest from life’s troubles, and the promised rest with God in eternity. All those who answer His call will receive allround rest here on earth and eternal rest with God in heaven.

Rest can also be an expression of trust or reliance. When a person ceases from all personal efforts in a troubled situation, it implies confidence in and dependence on the assistance of a higher power. Those who turn to Jesus for rest can never be disappointed. Psalm 37:7 says:
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prosperth in his way, because the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
Through this scripture, the Holy Spirit is emphasizing that when an enemy is so powerful, well connected and reputed to have successfully carried out wicked plans in the past, you should rest in the Lord and patiently wait for His salvation, because our God is the final authority in heaven and on earth. As you accept the Lord's invitation to come into His rest today, no matter what you are going through, you will find rest for your soul in Jesus' Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Your body is a very important asset that God has given you. Without your body, you have no license to remain on earth. One of your major responsibilities therefore is to take care of your body constantly by feeding it and keeping it clean. It is the food we eat that gives our body the energy it needs to function well. However, not all the food we eat supplies our bodies with the kind of energy that it actually needs. There are healthy foods and there is junk food. When eaten, both types of food will supply energy to the body. However, while healthy food supplies the kind of energy that positively enhances the functions of our body and helps it build its resilience against diseases, the energy that junk food supplies will do just the opposite, and over time, this will contribute to the body breaking down.

Although it is important to care for the body, much more importance should be placed on feeding the soul with healthy food. When we neglect our souls, so much more is at stake than sickness and physical death. Jesus does not just say things for the fun of it, and He was the one who said “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth" (Matthew 4:4). He was saying that if feeding the body alone (eating bread) is all you do, then you will not live. Although your body will be nourished, your soul will starve and eventually die.

How then can our souls be fed? We feed our souls on the word of God written in the Bible. The habit of reading the Bible is fast becoming archaic, especially with how busy everyone has become with making ends meet. Nevertheless, 1st Timothy 4:13 says:
“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
No one ever said you have to read a large portion of the Bible daily. If reading a chapter of the Bible per day is what you can properly reflect on, then start with a chapter per day. Furthermore, you should not stop at reading the Bible; it is also very important to reflect on what you have read. While reading is for the head, reflecting is for the heart. You have to meditate on what you read by thinking it over and allowing it sink deep into your heart. A good way to do this is to have a book where you write down points from what you have read, and then consciously think about these points during the day. Irrespective of what you do and how busy your schedule is, always endeavor to feed your soul daily. Remember, man shall not live by bread alone.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Many people in the 21st century do not believe in the reality of evil in this world, because of the high level of secular knowledge and enlightenment they have attained. Prominent among the reasons why some people find it difficult to accept the reality of evil is the fact that almost all the things attributed to evil can be scientifically explained away. However, physical and Biblical evidence abound to prove the reality of evil. The Bible is filled with accounts of events that show the reality of evil: the activities of Pharaoh’s magicians, human sacrifices, idol worshiping and much more. In the world today, we are often confronted with situations that defy any human understanding or scientific explanation. There are cases where an attack in the dream becomes reality after waking up. There are also cases of evil manifestations working strongly against people’s health. While all medical tests reveal that all is well, such people continue to experience incapacitating illness. Many have even lost their lives in such circumstances. In Ephesians 6:12, the Holy Spirit reveals the root of the matter, saying:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

The entities identified in Ephesians 6:12 are all demonic powers under the control of their master the devil. Since the expulsion of Satan from heaven and his arrival on earth, evil has become an integral part of this present world (Revelation 12:12). Satan, who is the god of this world, is a spirit-being operating in the spiritual realm (2nd Corinthians 4:4). His spiritual activities manifest in the form of suffering, sickness, death, failure and other calamities. For this reason, 1st Peter 5:8 says,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”
The devil indeed goes about destroying anyone who is ignorant of his activities. The solution to the devils rampant attack on humanity is found in 1st John 3 :8b, which says:
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
All powers belong to Jesus. At the mention of His Name, even the devil trembles (James 2:19). To bring evil to a permanent end, the devil will be cast into the Lake of Fire forever (Revelation 20:7-10). I pray that God will permanently silence evil in your life in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

One proof that a man is wise is that he listens to instruction and takes to correction. In this regard, Proverbs 10:8 says:
“The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.”
Wisdom is considered to be the correct application of knowledge; it is therefore a wise thing to seek knowledge. The wise men from the east demonstrated their wisdom by applying their knowledge of stars to seek after the new-born King, Jesus. Wisdom is not determined by the number of academic qualifications gathered but by the products of the quest for knowledge. The wise men saw a unique star, and they sought after its meaning until it led them to the Bright and Morning Star. For two years, they were resolute in finding the new born King. The learned rabbis in Israel did not see what the wise men saw, even though it was happening in their own backyard. How amazing! Of course, this is why these men from the east were considered to be wise. Although only God knows what these wise men did with their discovery of the King of the Jews, also born to be the King of the world, their wisdom would have been in doubt if they had not heeded the Lord’s instruction that they should not return to King Herod. Their efforts would have been wasted and they would have gone back to their country frustrated and in sorrow, because the wicked King Herod would have slaughtered the Holy Child right before them. Thank God they were not just philosophers and theologians, but also men who heard from God. They were not carried away by the allure of gifts they would have received from the king for their great discovery; rather, they heeded the voice of the Lord. This world would have been a better place if our philosophers and theologians were also prophets.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
The wisdom of God in the above scripture recommends that we deploy everything we have in the quest for understanding. The surest way of getting understanding is through the Scriptures. Unfortunately, some foolish people who think they are wise are always undermining the Bible, which is true source of knowledge and understanding (Psalm 119:104). Beloved, ensure that your knowledge is based on the word of God, and that your understanding of things is influenced by the mind of God as revealed in His word. Merry Christmas!
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Salvation through Christ originated from God as an act of love towards humanity. It was specially designed to be the only way out of human sinfulness, indebtedness and bondage to the devil. The foundational role of love in the process of salvation is made clear to us in John 3:16, which 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.”
It was divine love that propelled God, as a compassionate Father, to offer His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. Out of love for humanity, Jesus accepted His Father’s will and came into this world to relate with sinful men and women, working out our salvation freely and unconditionally. Considering all His labor of love and the suffering He endured in His final hours before death, the Bible in 1st John 4:9 rightly concluded:
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”
Therefore, the role that love plays as the catalyst for soul winning has its roots in God Himself, and it is transmitted to those who have partaken of His divine nature through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For obvious reasons, soul-winning requires love. Winning a soul involves fierce competition and confrontation with the kingdom of darkness. It is apparent to anyone involved in soul-winning at any level that Christians are competing with the devil for the souls of men. Because eternal life is involved, the stakes could not be any higher. Therefore, soul-winning is of everlasting importance, and it demands determination, commitment and sacrifice. All of these can only flow from a heart overflowing with love for Christ and perishing souls. Anyone who confesses Christ as Lord and Savior is compelled by the love of God to spread the love he or she has received to others who are still living in sin (2nd Corinthians 5:14-15). The golden rule set by Jesus is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39), and He identifies your neighbour to be anyone who has a need within your sphere of influence (Luke 10:29.37). Are you then moved by the knowledge that anyone without Christ is lost and hell-bound if they remain unsaved? Has this knowledge moved you to share the gospel with your family members, neighbours, co-workers, schoolmates and the society at large? The Christmas holiday is a good opportunity to do this. I pray that God will fill your heart with love for perishing souls today, in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

The Principle of giving is one of the cardinal principles that God has put in place for the benefit of His children. God wants us to prosper and be wealthy, to the extent that we can afford to lend to nations. However, the measure of God’s liberality to us is determined by our liberality to Him. All of God’s principles are simple and straight forward. This principle we are considering today simply says "Give, and it will be given to you.” In other words, you have to give so as to receive. Unfortunately, as simple as this principle is, many Christians do not apply it, because deep down in their hearts they don’t believe it.

When you sow a seed, you never get back the exact seed you gave out. For example, a farmer who plants a water melon seed will reap multiple water melons with much more seeds in them; all from that single seed. That is the meaning of good measure. God always multiplies whatever you give to Him, and He never owes anyone. He always pays back His debts, and that is why Genesis 8:22 says that seed time and harvest will never cease. If you are faithful to your seed time, you can rest assured that He will be faithful enough to give you your due harvest.

Why do many people sow without receiving in good measure? This might be because they don’t give willingly. 2nd Corinthians 9:7 says that we must not give grudgingly or as though we are under compulsion. In other words, for us to reap the benefit of our sowing, it must be done willingly from the heart. Our God loves a cheerful giver, and for this reason, aside from the fact that you have to willingly give, you also have to do it joyfully. I was invited to a certain church a while ago, and because I was there, they were calling for all manner of offerings. l was getting annoyed already when they still called for one more offering. Grumbling, I put my hand in my pocket to get money out and I heard God say to me, “Keep your money! If you want to grumble while giving Me an offering, then don’t bother.” I quickly changed my attitude before giving the offering. Do you know that if you grumble to give an offering, you are just throwing away your money? That sort of offering is not accepted by God, it is better for you not to give at all.

Correct your attitude to giving from today. Whenever you have the opportunity to give, remember that when you give joyfully, you will also receive in good measure.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

One of the great titles of our Lord is ‘Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6). He is the possessor of peace and He has bequeathed this peace to us all. In John 14:27, He said:
“Peace l leave with you, my peace l give unto you: not as the world giveth, give l unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus demonstrated to us that His ability to instill peace was no fluke. After a successful preaching assignment, He told His disciples that they should sail to the other side of the sea in order to continue their assignment there. On their way, a great storm arose on the sea that was about to cause their ship to capsize. Interestingly, the Prince of Peace was in the inner part of the ship, sleeping. Out of fear, the disciples woke Him up, indicting Him for not showing concern about their situation. With the benefit of hindsight you might say, “What a faithless group of disciples these were. “However, if you were to be sincere with yourself, have you not also been in situations that have caused you to indict Jesus in your heart? Nevertheless, Mark 4:39 says:
“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
That is our Master for you - compassionate, loving, omniscient and understanding of our frame. After He stilled the storm, He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. Do you also feel that He does not care about you? He is also rebuking you today. I found myself in such a situation some years ago. I thought that I had been forsaken and nobody cared about me. Nevertheless, the Lord sent a little girl to give me a cake like He did for Elijah (1st Kings 19:6). Beloved, Jesus cares. He will not leave you in that situation. As a matter d fact, His peace will overwhelm the current storm in your life and there shall be great calm. This calmness will surpass the rage of the storm, and it shall be as though you never experienced a storm in your life.

One truth you can learn from this story is that working for God does not make you immune to the storms of life. Jesus and the disciples had just had a successful outreach and there came a storm. As a matter of fact, the storm came because their exploits wreaked havoc on the kingdom of Satan. What worked in favor of the disciples was that the Stiller of Storms was with them. He promised us also that He would be with us till the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Learn from this story that you must always keep Jesus in the boat of your life at all times. Don’t ever undertake a journey or project without His involvement. Moreover, we should not be faithless to the point of indicting our Lord. We should outgrow crying like babies in Christ. He has given us authority to still storms ourselves, but not without abiding in Him (Luke 10:19, John 15: 4).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Many people may miss heaven not because their sins were more grievous than the sins of those enjoying eternal bliss with the Father, but because they did not see the grace of Jesus Christ as being sufficient for all that they needed in this world, nor enough to grant them the required right standing with God. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself gave us a parable to this effect about an arrogant man who was graciously invited by a king to the wedding feast of his son. This man was also offered a wedding garment free of charge to wear to the feast. However, he refused to wear it. While the king was going round to thank those who came to the feast, he discovered this man without his wedding garment. Matthew 22:12 says:
“And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless."
The king subsequently ordered his arrest, and he was thrown out of the feast. My prayer is that arrogance and faith in your own righteousness will not disqualify you from the marriage feast of the Lamb in Jesus' Name.

Thank God for His grace that qualified Paul to be part of the heritage of the Lord, in spite of all that he did against the early Church. Further down the road in his Christian life and ministry, he still acknowledged that he needed the grace of God to help him make it, due to the circumstances of life that take people away from the narrow path to heaven. In 2nd Corinthians 12:7-9, he wrote:
“…there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest l should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Beloved, let the grace of Jesus Christ be sufficient for you, even in the face of life's challenges. Don’t allow Miserable comforters derail you from reliance on His grace. In Philippians 3:2, Paul warns us to beware of dogs. Such people will advise you to seek alternatives to Jesus; please don't yield to their advice. Don’t Compromise your faith, because the grace of Jesus has always been sufficient for all those who believe. May His grace be enough for you until you see Him in glory.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

To succeed in life, one must know how. Many people are failing today not because they want to, but because they were not taught how to succeed. However, we thank God who has given us the Bible, where we can learn how to succeed. The problem is how many people read and study the Bible, which contains the secrets of success? One of these secrets is found in Deuteronomy 28:2, which says:
“All these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”
In Luke 4:4, our Lord Jesus Christ also showed us that the secrets of success are hidden in God’s word. Quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, He said:
“...It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

It is an exercise in futility for a fellow to seek success outside the dictates of God in His word. I am a living testimony of this truth. My success as a PhD student of mathematics was gotten from a Bible passage. An equation that would have made it impossible for me to solve the problem in my thesis was solved with the aid of a passage of scripture. If God’s word can be applied in such scenario, it is grievous for a pastor to attempt using human gimmicks in order to succeed. The secrets of Church growth and growth in other endeavors of life are in the Bible; if only we care to read, study, meditate and act on it. A good example of success through diligent listening and acting on God’s instruction is found in Luke 5:1-10. Peter and his colleagues toiled throughout the night, using all their expertise in fishing to no avail. As they were washing their nets and mending them for another night of struggle, Jesus came into the scene. After allowing Him to use their boat, the “Rewarder of those who diligently serve Him” said to Simon Peter in Luke 5:4b:
“Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”
Take note of the words of this instruction. The Lord said to Peter that they should let down their nets not just for some fishes but for a draught, meaning a great catch. Our Lord is not a gambler: He gives precise instructions because He is the Almighty who makes the impossible possible and brings success out of failure. He knew what He was saying when He told Peter to let down his “nets” and not “net” Beloved, you will succeed if only you listen to what God is telling you to do about that business, project or career. The Lord will teach your hands to war, and you will not be a victim but a success in Jesus’ Name (Psalm 144:1-2).
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

A very large part of our day to day activities is based on relationships and connections with other people. For example, if you want something done at a bank that involves a lot of processes, you will naturally begin to think of someone you know in that bank that can help you speed things up. Many people maintain friendship with certain people not because they actually like them, but because they know that those people will be useful to them in the future one way or another. There is a popular saying that your network is your net-worth. In other words, with a good network of influential friends, things that are difficult for others to get done will be easy for you. Some people are very powerful not because they hold any position of power or wealth, but because they have friends in high places.

If having friends in high places is very beneficial to attaining your goals, how much more having the Most High as your Friend? Anyone who is friends with God has unlimited power and Influence. There is no contractor job that God cannot help you get, there is no position too high for Him to reach, there is no heart too hard for Him to influence in your favor, and there is absolutely no door that He cannot open. Unfortunately, many people who profess to be Christians are actually not friends with God.

Friendship Is like Fire; if tended properly, that fire will burn for a very long time. No friendship will stay alive if it is not properly and constantly maintained. God wants you to seek Him with your heart and not through activities. Many Christians concentrate so much on religious activities that they stop tending to their relationship with God for a very long time, to the point that they have no intimacy with Him. Some would rather be on the pulpit in front of people than be alone with God just communing with Him. No wonder Jesus Christ says that some people who thought they had been working for Him would be turned away like strangers on the last day. Matthew 7:21-23 says:
”Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, lord, shall enter Into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And In thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will profess unto them,I never knew you, depart from me.”Ye that work iniquity."
Further confirming the words of this scripture, John 15:14 says that only those who do His commandments are His friends. Are you His friend?
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

For you to be triumphant in warfare, you need to know your adversary well so that you can Checkmate his or her every move. 1 Peter 5:8 makes it clear that the devil is our adversary; you would therefore be wise to understand his character and modus operandi in order not to be ensnared by his wily crafts. The devil is a doomed fellow, and he is a slave beneath every true Christian (Matthew 25:41, Ephesians 1:21-23, Ephesians 2:6). Since the day iniquity was found in him, there has not been any good in him at all (Ezekiel 28:15). Having known this, it will be dangerous to assume that the devil is a fool. He is no fool, but rather cunning and with a lot of experience. The devil is very studious and diligent. When he sets a goal, he does everything possible to ensure he meets his target. This is why we have to watch and pray against his moves. We also have to be as gentle as doves, but as wise as serpents. Furthermore, we have to be guarded with our armor always, because our adversary never rests, always going around looking for whom to devour.

Now, when does the devil strike? He first studies his target by watching for any weakness in that target. When he finds a weakness, he begins to hit at that weakness, so much so that if the fellow does not brace up and strengthen that weak point, it could trigger his or her fall. This was the case with Moses. When he killed an Egyptian for flogging a Hebrew, the devil noticed that he had a problem with anger. Having discovered this, the devil constantly influenced the Israelite's to provoke him, but Moses held on strong until the day when out of anger he struck the rock he was supposed to speak to. Beloved, you cannot afford to be lackadaisical at any time, and neither can you indulge a weakness for the slightest moment, because the devil is working overtime to make you fall. Moses was careless just once, and the result was that he couldn't enter the Promised Land.

Another time the devil strike is after a victory. David experienced this. After he killed Goliath, the devil raised an enemy against him in King Saul. Similarly, immediately after Jesus fed 5,000 men with five loaves of bread and twofishes, the devil tried to use a storm to swallow His boat. It was also after Jesus had finished an impactful 40-day fast that the devil came to tempt Him (Luke 4:1-13). ). The devil knows that everyone tends to relax and celebrate after a victory, and so he uses that Opportunity to strike. Note that the devil attacks by putting something ternpting right in front of you so that you will constantly see it. He adopts this method because he knows that no matter how strong a rock is, if water keeps dropping on it continually, it will eventually give way. What is that source of temptation the devil is constantly throwing your way? It’s time to get rid of it. May God help you in this regard in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Spiritual growth is not an option for all children of God who want to end well and strong. For this reason, the Holy Spirit in 1 Peter 2:2 admonishes us to desire the necessary spiritual nutrients that will help us grow. This verse of scripture points to some critical elements that are involved in the journey of spiritual growth. Firstly, spiritual newborn babies must desire the milk of God’s word. Secondly, the midwives that God uses as vessels to birth babies in His kingdom must make the milk of God’s word available to those who are eager to drink it. Thirdly, the milk of God's word given to spiritual babies must be the sincere type. In other words, it must contain a balanced diet for growth.

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all Long suffering and doctrine.”
2nd Timothy 4: 2
From the above scripture, we understand that the milk of God’s word that will cause a believer to grow must include reproving of wrongdoing, rebuking the wrongdoer, patiently exhorting young believers to embrace righteousness even in the face of persecution that will definitely come, and teaching sound doctrines. A believer who is not ready to be established in the sound doctrines of the kingdom will soon fall into error and thus make shipwreck of his or her faith. Such are the seeds that fell on stony ground in the Lord's parable of the sower (Matthew 13:20-21).

Although every Christian needs to have a personal relationship with God, there is a place for every one of us to be impacted by the gifts that the Lord has set in His Church. In Ephesians 4:11-16 we are told that one of the reasons why Jesus bestowed ministry gifts upon certain individuals in His Church is for us to grow to the measure of the stature of His fullness (Ephesians 4:13). There is therefore a place for pastors, evangelists, teachers and all other ministry gifts in the spiritual development of all Christians.

Today’s devotional should not be seen as a mere admonition; it should rather be taken as a command from God to grow. To ministers of God: it is obligatory for us to see our spiritual children grow. To babies in the Faith: you must desire the sincere milk of God’s word and not the diluted motivational talks of these days which do not guarantee spiritual growth.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

Isaiah 43:2 reminds us of God’s promise to be with His children whenever they pass through the storms, rivers and fires of life. We see this promise literarily fulfilled in the lives of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they were confronted with Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace. For your own good, you need to understand that these words proclaimed by God in Isaiah 43:2 are not empty promises. To the three Hebrew boys, the Lord who helped the Israelites walk through the waters during their exodus from Egypt was also able to deliver them from the fire of Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace in accordance to His promise. In contrast to these young men, many people today would not want to take this promise of God literarily. However, the experience of the three Hebrew boys shows that none of God’s promises will go unfulfilled in our lives if we hold unto them.

Let us consider what the young Hebrew men did to draw the presence of the Fourth Man into the furnace and see how it applies to each one of us. Essentially, they decided to be different and lived a separated life in the land of unbelievers. They took a collective decision with Daniel not to defile themselves with pagan lifestyles and delicacies (Daniel 1:8-17). A proverb in my native tongue says, “There is a tendency for a child to change his good name in a foreign land.” This was not the case with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. For this reason, the Lord of Hosts Himself came to join them when they were thrown into the burning furnace. The Fourth Man in the furnace was no other person than the Son of the Living God (Daniel 3:25).

Beloved, if God could fulfil His promise in Isaiah 43:2 in the lives of these men, He will also fulfil this promise to us. However, you need to ask yourself if you are living a separated life. Is there any difference between you and everyone else who does not know your God? Do you behave one way in church and another way outside church? If someone spends time with you, can they indeed say that you have been with Jesus? You need to live a life that gives a positive answer to these questions. I decree into your life today that the grace to live a separated life will come upon you in Jesus’ Name. The waters of life will not drown you, and the fire of the enemy will not burn you in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.