COMPASS DEVOTIONAL

LET IT SHOW ON YOU   Many years ago, when I got a “Yes” from a lady, I went on a trip the same day. I boarded the bus to Eruwa. As I got down at the junction to the house and was strolling home, I heard a familiar voice behind me calling my name. I turned back, and it was my brother. I was shocked because he was meant to be in Ibadan.   He said to me, “I was in the same bus that brought you from Ibadan. I was sitting at the back”. I was surprised. I did not notice him at all. He then said to me, “You were grinning all the way from Ibadan to Eruwa. You were just smiling to yourself. What happened to you?”   He had no idea one fine babe just said “Yes” to his brother. I just grinned again.   What is the point? You cannot be in love with God the Father, enjoy the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and stay in communion with the Holy Spirit, and it would not show on you.   No! It would show on you without saying a word. When you give your life to Christ, you have what is called the “Joy of Salvation”. It is visible. You cannot be joyful and hide it. It shows on you.   It is not a hidden impact; it is a visible one! It shows in your words. It reflects in your choices. It impacts your fashion choices. It brings a revolution in the relationships you prioritise.   Salvation does not kill your passion; it redirects it! Your passion is now used for the right purposes. The same energy you used to organise wild parties is not used for kingdom purposes. You would no longer choose sin or self. You are now led by the Holy Spirit. You burn for the things of the Lord and no longer the things of the World.   Apostle Paul was still as passionate as he was when he persecuted the church, but it was now for the advancement of the kingdom. If you have met with God, it would show.   There is a song that we used to sing:   I’ve got the life of God in me. I’ve got the life of God in me. I have the Spirit of the Son of God I have the life of God in me.   When the Samaritan Woman met Jesus, it showed! She could not keep it to herself   “The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” John 4:28-29, 42 NKJV   When was the last time you won a soul? Let it show that you have met the Lord!   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

FITNESS HELPS RECOVERY   John Bevere shared a personal story. In his own words:   While in Hawaii, I climbed a wall to take a picture. When I did, I pulled a group of muscles in my knee and could not walk for four days. “If you had been exercising regularly,” the physical therapist told me, “this would not have happened. Because your muscles are out of shape, you are prone to injury.” Once I was able to walk, another expert instructed me, “You must do these exercises to bring your knee muscles back into proper shape and condition.” It took a few months to get my knee back to normal.   Note the words of the Physical Therapist:   First, there are things that would never happen if you exercised regularly. Second, when you are not fit, you are prone to injury. Third, if you want to be back in shape, you must exercise.   If you are not spiritually fit, you will also fall. It takes fitness to stand. Jesus told us the test of those who are fit: They lay their hands on the plough, and they do not look back.   If you realise that you get easily offended and you find it hard to forgive, you will need to do a fitness Test.   If you realise that you keep revisiting pains and hurts while you build imaginations about revenge or vengeance, you need to run a fitness test.   If you see that you keep going back to the same mess - lust, disobedience, or addictions- you need to run a fitness test.   However, if you begin to exercise, there is a restoration. You will come back to shape. When you begin to exercise, your flesh will complain, but keep at it. The initial struggle would soon give way to ease.   Exercise in your love walk. Choose to love even when it is difficult.   Exercise by practising forgiveness. Forgive before there is an apology. Choose your walk with God above any shortcomings of man.   Exercise by worshipping. Lift your hands when it is not easy. Bend your knees when it is painful. Train your heart to worship.   Exercise by fleeing all appearances of evil. Catch the first runaway opportunity when sin entices you. If you are not fit, you will fall.   Fitness is important on our journey as believers. If you are not fit, take the prophecy of Isaiah as a project: Wait upon the Lord!   “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NKJV   If you are fainting, check your waiting! Are you spiritually fit, or are you merely struggling?   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

DEAR FATHER, MAY YOUR NAME BE GREAT   I got a call from my dad. He needed to see me. When I got to him, he said, “I called to tell you that I have another child outside”. I just ended up bursting into laughter. He tried to tell me that he was serious. The more he tried, the more I laughed. He eventually raised the matter he wanted to discuss with me. He then asked, “So you did not even believe me”. I laughed again. Dad showed us what a life of character was like! Some things were just unbelievable.   Years after this event, we were looking to get land for the ministry, a prospective seller looked at me and said, “If not that your dad is not the greedy type, it is not you that should be looking for land to buy now”. I understood what he meant!   At another time, a man confronted my dad and told him publicly that he was one of those opposing his application to lead an institution. He said, “If you lead, how will people like us eat?” My Dad responded, “You will eat, but you will not eat the one that will cause your stomach to run”.   Dear father, there is the blessing of a good name. The scripture is very clear on it:   “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1 NKJV   A good name will attract great riches. A good name will open great doors. A good name will outlast possessions. A good name is like sweet ointment. A good name carries generational weight. A good name does not die.   You must not be the father known in the city as the philandering one. You must not be the one who is the kleptocrat. Do you know that there are names that you hear today and you automatically associate with evil?   One of the blessings of God to Abraham is to make his name great and then make him a blessing.   “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you, and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2 NKJV   If you will be a blessing, start with blessing your children with a great name because of your character, your competence, your consistency and your capacity!   Will your name bring life, or would it bring death? Jonathan’s name brought life for his son Mephiboseth.   “Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” II Samuel 9:1 NKJV   What will your name bring? Blessings or shame?   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

YOU CAN FATHER FROM REST   My Dad walked into the boys' room that Sunday Evening. He came to call on us for the usual Sunday outreach in church. The response from my brother that day was shocking. He told my dad that he was not interested in going to church that evening. In my mind, I was already shivering and pitying him. “How dare you turn down Daddy’s call for church?”   My Dad’s response that day shocked me more than my brother’s ‘stubbornness’. He just said “Okay,” and he walked away. I picked up myself and followed him without asking questions. My brother stayed at home. Today, my brother is a pastor. Laughs! My lesson that day is that “Fathering and leading is not by gra-gra” (unnecessary aggression)   You can father from the place of rest. Fathering does not have to be dictatorial. What did Abraham teach or show Isaac that the young lad was willing to lay down his life because God demanded him as a sacrifice? We see the pedigree of Abraham’s fathering pattern from the mouth of God himself:   Genesis 18:19 NIV For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”   What did Jephthah teach his only daughter that made her agree to her dad’s vow of sacrificing the first thing that came out of his house after his victory in battle? Fathering does not have to be by force!   Even God the Father did not have to force Jesus to lay down his life for the redemption of the world. He did it willingly.   By the time you begin to see that there is a competition of raised voices and flexing of muscles, then there is something already fundamentally wrong.   Father your seeds from the place of rest by trusting in the Lord, by learning from the Word and worthy examples and by saturating your home with the presence of the Lord. You can father from the place of rest.   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

HAND IT OVER AND CLIMB HIGHER   We went on a family outing to a tourist site. We had to climb the rock. I was carrying our daughter through the different phases. At one point, it was quite tricky. The tour guide had gone ahead of us. He needed his two hands and feet to climb.   There was no way I was going to climb while carrying my daughter, also. I had to make a quick decision- I handed her over to the tour guide while I used my two hands and feet to climb to the next level. Once we got to the next level conveniently, the tour guide handed our daughter over to me, and we continued the journey.   Beloved one, if you want to climb higher, you must be willing to hand over certain things to the Lord. If you keep on holding to those things, you would never be able to go to the next level you desire.   If Jesus went to the grave offended at those who deserted him, the devil would have had legal grounds to hold down. When he resurrected, there was a new level:   “So, God raised Christ to the highest place. God made the name of Christ greater than every other name. God wants every knee to bow to Jesus— everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. Everyone will say, “Jesus Christ is Lord” and bring glory to God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 ICB   The prostitute with the living child was willing to see her child live in the hands of another woman. That willingness was the key to recovering her stolen baby. There are battles you cannot win if you are still holding on tightly instead of trusting God.   There are dreams you will let go. It will seem like it is dead, but you know that in the hands of God, it will resurrect.   There are people you must let go. If Joseph were still nursing offences, he would have become a blockage to God’s redemptive plan.   Sometimes, you have to let go of yesterday so you can have tomorrow. If you hold on so tightly to past victories, you may not be able to win the present battles and scale new heights.   What is the new height you desire to attain? What would you have to hand over for a season? What would you have to let go of?   Put your trust in the Lord. He will never disappoint.   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

THE DADDY WE RAN FROM   While growing up, we had a father in the neighborhood who was quite tough. He is a Medical Doctor. Whenever we see his car coming, we would dodge and find another route.   Once he gives you a ride, you will begin to recite the multiplication table till you get to your destination. We thought that he was simply too tough. He would not allow us to have our fun as we desired. As you can imagine, he was not one of our favourites. It took years to appreciate him. It took maturity to see what he was making out of us.   The Shunamite woman said something to her rider after she laid her son on the bed of Prophet Elisha:   Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.2 Kings 4:24 KJV   Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, “Drive and go forward; do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you.” 2 Kings 4:24 NASB   The challenge and deficiency in the life of some people today is directly connected to people who slacked for them. They made it convenient and comfortable for you. They rubbed your head rather than correct you. You have turned out less than God intended. You now have character deficiencies.   Some were pastored by people who never rebuked them. Both their spiritual and physical heritages slacked the rules for them. The programme of God for their life was mixed with the sentiments of man.   Do not look for those who will slack the rules for you- you will not amount to much. Look for those who will drive you hard into God's plans without emotional attachments and sentiments that reduce a man.   You need to go to your God-ordained teachers or your Pastors and submit to training. Say to them, "Do not slow down the pace for me. Place Godly demands on me that will train me for life, destiny and eternity"   If you follow a teacher who is nice, you will return less than God ordained. If you follow a nice pastor who slows down the pace for you, you will be a Christian but a weak soldier.   When last did you pray an hour at a stretch? When last did you win a soul? When last did you read the Bible in a year? When last did you fast? When were you last awake for a vigil?   Do not remain where things are slacked for you. Your flesh will love it, but you have limited yourself.   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

"DADDY, WE ARE MAKING FOOTPRINTS"   We sat outside enjoying the breeze in the evening and at the same time watched the children play. I saw my girls standing in a corner pouring water from a container to their feet. They would then walk some steps intentionally. They returned to pour water on their feet again and repeated the process.   In my curiosity, I asked them both about what they were doing. I wanted to stop them from creating such a mess, but the answer they gave made me rethink. They both said, "We are making footprints".   Instantly, my mind went to leaving a legacy- I began to ask myself questions about what kind of footprints I was making in my generation. Were they lasting or ephemeral ones? Would they dry up and fade away so fast, or would they be one of lasting impact?   There are people whose lives would be like that of the rich man in the story of Lazarus that Jesus shared. They have an opportunity to be a blessing to lives, but the only thing that was recorded about their lives would be the clothes they wore, the food they ate, and the house they lived in. There would be nothing said about the lives they touched or the impact they made.   “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day" Luke 16:19 NKJV   This must not be the summary of your life. It is not ordained to be so. You have an alternative in the summary of the life of King David. Hear what was said of him:   “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; Acts 13:36 NKJV   David served his own generation by the will of God. He served the purpose of God in his generation. How was he able to achieve this feat? He simply lived out the will of God.   And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ Acts 13:22 NKJV   Your footprint will not fade when it is in line with the plan and purpose of God for your generation. When the story is being written, the pieces that will count are those that are in line with God's plan and purposes. Some things fade away, but some will last forever. You will make a choice every day of what will last or what will fade. You are writing a lasting or a fading story. What footprints are you making?   Think about it!   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

BE ZEALOUS AND BE HUMBLE   In the early days of the calling, I was ready to work hard, and I believe I did. I even told an elderly person that "Soon, we would have a great multitude in church". I believed it, but I was relying only on gifts and abilities. I felt that pastoring was about the ability to speak well. I had zeal, but the journey humbled me.   There are great pastors who are not necessarily great preachers. They can tend, nurture, guide, and gently lead the sheep into greatness. They carry the sheep at heart.   Beloved, when you sense the call of God, please be zealous. Performance is at the mercy of zeal. It takes zeal to have performance.   Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:7 NKJV   It speaks of increase. It speaks of order. It speaks of establishment.   It says they all will happen because something called "The zeal of the Lord" is available.   The called must be zealous. However, the called must also be humble. There are heights that did not open up until I learnt to draw the wisdom available in spiritual fathering, and also honour intentionally those who have laboured in the land before me. They may be old, but they knew certain things. I listened and learned. They prayed over us each time we honoured them as a ministry. Humility is a game-changer.   This is the pattern from the Book of Job:    And though you started with little, you will end with much. Job 8:7 NLT   How are you going to get into much? The answer is in the next set of verses:   “Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old." Job 8:8-10 NLT   Moses was zealous. He was leading millions of people, but the counsel of Jethro preserved him from pressure and maybe untimely death. Be zealous but also be humble.   David was anointed to replace King Saul, but he still served the man whom he was called to replace. Be zealous but still be humble.   Samuel was called to step into the priesthood of Eli. Even though he had God speak about the termination of Eli's priesthood, he did not hijack the priesthood. Be zealous but also be humble.   Our Lord Jesus Christ knew that he was sent to deliver the world (including John the Baptist), but He still suffered it to be so. He was baptised by John the Baptist. Be zealous but also be humble.   Absalom, in his zeal, thought he would do better than his dad, King David. He ran for a while. He burned like fire in the wild, but he vanished easily like smoke without a trace.   Be zealous. Burn passionately, but be humble. May your zeal not become a trap. Be humble.   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

DO NOT MARRY "A BABY"   Some months ago, I remembered an action of mine that I thought was proof of great spirituality back then in the university, and I was surprised at how ‘simple’ (in the proverbs dimension) I was.   For a while, as an undergraduate, I was not rooted in any local assembly on campus. I was getting blessed by reading spiritual books. I was already getting introduced to Hagin books, and they were a huge blessing. I was already making amazing friends, also.   I remember days when I would be on my way to the regular assembly that I attended, but I would suddenly sense a prompt to go elsewhere. Like that, I would go from fellowship to fellowship. I thought I was really deep. I did not know I was really simple (I got rooted in my third year). I even used to "educate" those who took fellowship too seriously.   Please, do not marry a baby. A baby finds it hard to make a destiny choice promptly and with accuracy. A baby is immature. That immaturity is cloaked in instability that can be disguised as spirituality. A baby will hide under the cloak of spirituality to cover instability, laziness and inability to carry on conversations.   Even if he has the title of an "Apostle", but he claims that the wind blows him from place to place and he goes to a church as led by the spirit of the Lord, he is a baby. He is immature.   A man who cannot decide on which church to settle in for most part of his adult life cannot be trusted to make a decision to settle with you for life. They are the type who will tell you that "God told them to divorce you" or, at the extreme ", An angel told them to get another wife".   The instability that is plaguing some homes today showed up in small doses before they ever started courtship, but they thought it would change with time. Now, the man cannot sit down in any local assembly. His rhema is deeper than that of any pastor. The voice of 'the spirit’ tells him not to go to church but take time out for six months. He will go when next he is led. The home is depreciating despite his 'spirituality'. He uses "God said" as a tool for intimidation, manipulation and control. That is the work of the flesh called witchcraft.   Look closely, he may end up jumping from job to job. He will hide it under "God said" or "I have prayed about it". He will not be able to tie down a job. Once he is tired of working in a place, the "Spirit" always leads him to convenient options. If he is into business, he cannot stay long enough on a path to see it produce results. He will always try new grounds. He has multiple business cards but no amazing track record. There is more miss than hit in life. Be careful.   If he is a righteous man, let him show it by being planted in the house of the Lord. Have you seen wind carrying a planted tree and planting it somewhere every Sunday? If you want to see the fruit of the spirit till old age, check whether he is planted well in his youthful days now.   The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, Psalms 92:12-14 NKJV   Do not let anyone use spirituality to hoodwink you. If he is indeed spiritual, we will see stability and growth. Do not marry a baby!   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

EXCELLENCE COMES AT A PRICE   We were planning to host a meeting. When the fliers for the meeting came out, there was a mistake there. It was a tiny mistake. Some suggested that we could use a black pen to make the adjustment and still manage it like that. I smiled and said, “We are reprinting this. We would not manage it like that”. It was a tough decision, but we scrapped the old fliers and then printed new ones.   Excellence does not come cheap. It comes at times with a high price, but excellence always pays. Men of excellence are men who persevered in the furnace of becoming. They endured the heat of the kitchen so they could come out as an enduring scent to their world.   Excellence is never the reason for pride. Excellence is obtained and sustained through humility. Have you ever met anyone who does things excellently but has a hint of pride? Their attitude makes the skill unattractive. We would rather learn from humble people than from anyone who is proud.   Excellence is a door opener. The doors of greatness do not swing on the hinges of mediocrity. When King Nebuchadnezzar asked for young Jews who would be trained, the qualifications were precise:   “young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.” Daniel 1:4 NKJV   Excellence is also balanced. Excellence talks about being whole. It is a hundred per cent perfect. You cannot be a good preacher and a terrible husband. That would not be excellence. You cannot be a great warrior and also an adulterer. It is not just the task that is excellent; the life must be excellent.   What areas would you need to work on? Every area where there is a deficiency should be addressed. Have you acquired the qualifications and growth for the things you desire to have? Some things are not just about prayers; they are about commitment to growth. When you grow, they happen!   Will you commit to excellence?   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

BE DILIGENT WITH YOUR DREAMS   Someone who was deeply concerned about my move to Eruwa asked me, “How are you going to survive? This is not Lagos nor a big city. It was a genuine concern about my needs and other things.   While I thought about it, a scripture came to mind. That is in Proverbs 22:29-   “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.” Proverbs 22:29 KJV   It struck me that it was not first about location, it was about diligence in whatever I lay my hands upon. I made up my mind that no matter where I was, I would touch my world. Today, the rest is history.   You cannot joke with diligence if you desire that your dreams would see the light of day or become a force in your days.   To be diligent means you are industrious, hardworking, steadfast and consistent in your business.   Diligent people are careful planners. They are not people who take shortcuts or boycott processes.   “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But of every one that is hasty only to want.” Proverbs 21:5 KJV   Diligent people think ahead and therefore plan ahead. They are people of initiative and foresight. This gives them an edge. They are committed to seeing the vision grow. They give it what it takes:   If it means taking a course, they will not delay. If it means burning the proverbial midnight candle, they will not slack in doing it. If it means staying on it till the end, they will not throw in the towel.   They are resourceful people. They find answers with resources that are available around them instead of wallowing in the pit of excuses. They finish what they start.   Do you have a plan for each day that you follow? Do you start a thing and finish it? Diligent people are refined finishers. Do not be like that hunter who does not roast his game.   “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession.” Proverbs 12:27 NKJV   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

USE THE NIGHT   A young man reached out to me some time ago and said to me, “You dropped a note for me some years back with the words, ‘Great men make use of the night.’ Sir, that brought a shift in my life.” He backed it up with a Thank You seed.   See these verses:   Ex. 14:20- “…throughout the NIGHT…” Ex. 14:21- “…all that NIGHT, the Lord drove the sea back…” Ex. 14:24- “During the last watch of the NIGHT, the Lord looked down…”   The scripture reveals that God is a night worker! Have you ever realised that the order of recording the days during creation was ‘evening and morning was the first day’ and likewise for all other days (Gen. 1:3,8,13, 19, 23,31)? Jesus in the New Testament also would be awake “long time before dawn” (Mark 1:35). IT SEEMS TO ME THAT GOD’S DAY STARTS IN THE EVENING!   There are vital lessons here:   First, “Whatever you will see in the morning must be settled at night! The final thing for the evening should be a plan for the morning. Write what your day will look like. Sleep with a vision and wake up with a mission.   Also, the quietness of the night is a good avenue for prayer, meditation, thinking, etc., without distraction. Prayer must enhance your thinking as a believer. No matter the size of your prayer, if you have a ‘small, uncultivated mind’, you will reduce divine revelations and insight to the size of your mind. Learn to think. Henry Ford said, “Thinking is the hardest work there is. That is why few people engage in it.” The night is good for thinking.   Third, spending some time awake at night for productive engagements has placed you a step ahead of many others- ‘it is like extending your 24 hours.’ By the time they are waking up, you have finished half the day’s task.   Finally, if your night will be well utilised, cut down on late-night meals. Yes! Eat light at night. Men of Old, especially, preachers keep this secret! Does that not tell you something?   Beloved, use the night!   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

THE DISCIPLINED WILL GO FAR   As a young man, there was a time I had the opportunity to preach in my local church- “The Spirit took over”. I thought everyone must hear what I needed to say, and since people were being ministered to and some were falling under the anointing, the church needed to respect that. I used way more time than I was given. After the service, I was sternly warned never to do that again. That became a solid foundation for me to date. I would have lost many other opportunities if not for the training to be disciplined.   Discipline is doing what you ought to do when you ought to do it, so you can do what you want to do when you want to do it. Discipline is paying the price today for a great tomorrow. Discipline is the refusal to blow away the future even before you see it at all.   You must be disciplined with words. Your words are the building blocks for your life. You will live tomorrow in the words you speak today. You are living today in the words you spoke yesterday.   You must be disciplined with time. You must not be a time waster. Value time. Time flies, but be the pilot. Do not have a day without a plan. Time is the currency of life. Invest it wisely. Do not abuse it or misuse it.   You must be disciplined with money. A man who lacks financial discipline will die poor. Invest. Save. Be like the ants. Prepare for tough times. Do not spend it all.   “Wise people store up the best foods and olive oil. But a foolish person eats up everything he has.” Proverbs 21:20 ICB   You must be disciplined in relating to the opposite sex. Do not joke with the warning of the mother of Lemuel!   “Don’t waste your strength on women. Don’t waste your time on those who ruin kings.” Proverbs 31:3 ICB   Ask yourself, “In what area of my life do I need to exercise discipline?” Check well and build discipline. The area where you lack discipline can become the place of your downfall. Why? Whatever brought a man down followed him to the top!   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

YOUR DREAM NEEDS YOU TO WAKE UP   On the street where we used to live, there was an old, abandoned tractor just opposite the house. When we wanted to have fun as kids, it was one of our favourite spots. I loved to climb into the driver's seat. I would step on the accelerator and steer the wheel. I knew it was going nowhere, but I had great fun overtaking imaginary cars.   That is the way some people also live their lives. They are mere talkers. They are always in motion to get something started, but there is actually nothing to show on the ground. An entrepreneur once said, “I do not employ those who say their strength is strategic thinking. I employ those who do both the thinking and execution”.   Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare. Life will remain the same until you act. You must move in faith before you can see things move. Faith and laziness are not synonyms. Faith acts. Faith is regularly accompanied by works.   In 2 Kings 7, there were two broad categories of people:   Those who heard the prophecy of Prophet Elisha that the famine would be over in twenty-four hours   Those who did not hear the prophecy but were courageous enough (motivated by a strong desire for a change in their situation) to move into the enemy's camp.   Those who heard the prophecy that “in twenty-four, the famine that besieged the city would be over” did not make any move. The four lepers who did not hear the prophecy but were tired of the way things were walked into a miracle.   Hearing of faith must be followed by walking in faith. If all you do is hear and you do not act on what you have heard, you are not better off than the person who heard nothing at all.   Stop sitting on an abandoned truck- you may get excited, but really, nothing has changed, and nothing will change. After you say “Amen” to prayers, you must then take steps of faith!   By faith, Noah built an ark By faith, Abraham left his comfort zone By faith, Gideon went after the Midianites   If fear were not a problem, what would you do? Make a list! Now start doing it. Take those steps. You will not die. A woman in labour who does not push would not carry her baby. Push! Yes!! Push!!!   Every dream has an entry point. There is always a next step you can take!   Martin Luther King Jnr said: If you can't fly, then run; if you can't run, then walk; if you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

SELFISHNESS HINDERS DREAMS   During my university days, I had a classmate who was quite busy with many things, especially as a student union leader. Once it was the season for tests and examinations, he would pull together a discussion group. The strategy worked for him. As he led the conversation, he was picking up insights and crucial points and gaining more understanding. He ended up with great grades.   One major way to get your dreams to come to pass is to help others fulfil their dreams. If you are selfish, you will be short-sighted, and you will remain small.   Joseph had dreams. He had two in his father’s house, but it was not just having dreams that made it come to pass. When he was sold into Egypt, there were no recorded dreams that he had. But there was something he began to do- He helped others to interpret and accomplish their dreams.   In Potiphar’s house, we do not know how long Potiphar had desired a faithful steward. He filled that void so well that Potiphar did not bother about anything else except the food he ate.   When he was thrown in prison, he did not start hating those who had dreams while he had none. He positioned himself to help interpret their dreams.   “And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.” Genesis 40:8 NKJV   It was the servant's attitude of interpreting the dreams of others that eventually opened the door to the palace, where he also interpreted the dream of Pharaoh. He did not say, “The last time I helped someone, I was forgotten for two years. I'm not doing it again”. Do not let hurt hold you back from giving your best!   At the end of interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams and making a recommendation that would handle the challenges, his own dreams of many years began to find expression.   If you think you will win by selfishness or isolation, you have been deceived. When Peter served the Lord by releasing his boat, the Lord blessed Peter by giving him a huge harvest, which cancelled the night-long toiling. If he had not released that boat, he would have gone home empty.   Serve. Volunteer. It gives you access to people, places and processes. See how others get it done, and you will be able to replicate the same or improve on it when it is time.   If all you think about is yourself, your dream is too small! Deal with selfishness. Ask the Lord to give you a God-sized vision. Ask God to give you something bigger than just yourself! If the vision you have for your life does not intimidate you, most likely it is too small!   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

EXCUSES WILL HINDER YOUR DREAMS   I hated Sunday afternoons. As a pastor's child, we most likely had more people with us at home- it means extra dishes to wash! It means less time to play. I was scared of the dishes. Anytime I am called to come and wash, my excuse was simple: “Let everyone finish eating. I will wash it all together”.   By the time everyone finishes eating, and I see the heap of plates in the kitchen sink, I become scared of the task. I find another excuse to run away from the house for a bit! No matter how long I stay away, wishing someone else would get it done, I always return to that heap of unwashed plates.   I realised eventually that no matter what, “Excuses, wishes and running away do not fix the task. I must do it”.   If your dreams will see the light of day, you must deal with the spirit that makes excuses and shifts responsibility. You must own it!   One of the first things that Moses used in his attempt not to return to Egypt to run a divine assignment was excuses:   Let us check some out-   - They will not listen to me.   “But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” Exodus 4:1 NLT   At a point on the journey of our dreams, we would have to speak to strangers or people we probably feel unconnected to at first. It could be tough, but that is not an excuse. Never say " No " on people’s behalf.   - I am a stammerer. I am not gifted for this.   “But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Exodus 4:10 NLT   I know you have also felt this way. You feel you are not gifted for that level. Someone else should do the work and not you. You want to run away. Beloved, those who are doing it are also doing it afraid. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the ability to act in spite of it!   - Please, can you send somebody else?   “But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” Exodus 4:13 NLT   Everybody wants somebody else to go.   Refuse to be like the lazy man in the book of Proverbs:   “The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” Proverbs 22:13 NKJV   Deal with excuses today!   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

RUNNING MUST BE WITH PATIENCE   We played quite a few board games as children- one of our favourites was the Monopoly game. One day, while playing with my childhood friend, he had acquired the pricey Bond, Regent and Oxford Streets.   In a bid to escape paying hotel bills at his property, I was frantically seeking high numbers in the throw of the dice. Well, I got the high numbers, but I ended up landing right on Bond Street, the most expensive of all the properties. That singular move bankrupted me in the game.   It birthed a popular saying between us, “Be in a hurry. Speed up and end up in Bond”.   Do you know that many in life who are also hurrying and speeding without regard for process also end up in bondage? Men who are in a hurry will end up abandoning the process and end up with issues that could have been avoided.   Gehazi was in a hurry to settle his legitimate desires for a comfortable life. He ended up with some gifts that will not last, and also with leprosy for life. It was not a question of desire; it was a question of timing. The prophet Elisha asked, “Is it time?”   “Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?” II Kings 5:26 NKJV   Men who are in a hurry always place “Give me” before and sometimes beyond “Make me”. That was the error of the lost son. He first went after things instead of waiting to be shaped. He lost everything.   When you are in a hurry, precious things can slip away from your hands, too.   “Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.” II Samuel 4:4 NKJV   Do not enter into a competitive spirit. Calm down and live. Walk through the process.   Haste leads to poverty. The scripture even added the word “surely”.   “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5 NKJV   Finally, we are admonished to run, but it must be with patience:   “…and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 KJV   Make sure you run with patience! Patience does not disregard process. Pray for speed but cry for patience too. Run, but with patience.   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

COMFORT CAN KILL DREAMS   After we had our first major meeting as a ministry, I reached out to my mentor to give him the update. He was excited about it. But I was unprepared for the next question he asked me- “Pastor Temi, what next?” I could not answer the question.   One of the things that hinders men from attaining great things is actually past victories. The good can be the enemy of the better. Choosing comfort can become the enemy of greater outcomes. Do not settle into your comfort zone. Round up the celebration and move on to the next assignment.   People who only do things when it is convenient will be servants of those who do things based on conviction, consistency, and courage.   Comfort and ease have killed many dreams. People who grow do things that are not comfortable:   It is not comfortable staying awake to pray when your bed is calling.   Paul told the Corinthians:   “…Dear friends, stand your ground. And do not hold back. Throw yourself into the work of the master…” (1 Cor. 15:58)   Paul told Timothy that things are not done just because it is convenient:   “Proclaim the Word of God and stand upon it no matter what! Rise to the occasion and preach when it is convenient and when it is not. Preach in the full expression of the Holy Spirit —with wisdom and patience as you instruct and teach the people.” 2 Timothy 4:2 TPT   Rise to the occasion. You may not be a preacher, but can you do it whether it is convenient or not?   Comfort can be an enemy on the journey to accomplishing your dreams. Rest, but do not overcompensate yourself. Do not lie in bed all day, telling yourself to “Take it easy. Keep resting. Why are you even taking life this seriously? Must you take God this seriously? What is the big deal with enjoying yourself?” Do not overcompensate yourself. It is a dangerous place to be.   temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

HANDLING STONES IN THE MEAL We were enjoying a great meal of rice, beans, plantain, and chicken. While savouring the sumptuous meal, my teeth had an unwelcoming crunch on a stone. I could not swallow the meal nor continue to munch on it. I stopped and walked from the meal to the nearest bin to spill the whole meal in my mouth. But I still returned to the meal to finish it all. The fact that there was a tiny stone in a spoon does not mean it is a meal full of stones. One of the finest things about relating with people is that disagreements can be like your teeth meeting a piece of pebble. It should not be the end of the relationship. Deal with the pebbles and move on with the great meal. The only time it becomes a major issue is when it becomes a pebble in every spoonful of meals. You know that is a pattern. This is also one of the amazing things about our Christian faith. A Christian may not be perfect, but he also does not take pride in shortcomings and sin. He deals with it decisively. What are the chances that you will knock your feet against a stone on a short walk? Maybe a little chance. But if you return to tell us that you knocked your feet against the stone ten times on a short walk, we will conclude that you were practicing football (or soccer). Beloved, do not make a pattern of sinning and justify it. That is no longer you falling into temptation; you are already swimming in it. A driver who keeps using the car to hit every obstacle cannot claim to be making a mistake. There is something more that is not right. Do not make a pattern of sinning and say it is a mistake. John the Beloved told us: Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 1 John 3:6, 8-9 NLT And for the married ones, there may be pebbles that show up once in a while. Do not throw away your home. Address the issue and return to enjoying your marriage. Do not keep the pebble in your mouth. Do not store the issue in your heart. If you keep the pebble in your mouth, you cannot take another spoon of the meal. If you keep offences in your heart, you will not be open to receiving your spouse’s love. Throw out the pebble. Throw out the offence. Focus on the sweet meal. There is love in sharing temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola

THE BLESSING OF COMPLETE TRUST I was away on a writing retreat. Some bills needed to be paid for our building project. We were at the foundation-filling stage. The account needed just about seven thousand naira more to make up for the required payments. I told those in the office to wait till noon. At about half past eleven in the morning, I picked up my phone with the intent of transferring the needed balance of seven thousand so they could go ahead and pay the supplier. That was when things took an interesting turn. The Lord asked me, “Is it your project?” I said, “No, Lord. It is yours”. He then said to me, “Will you take over the project after paying this seven thousand also?” I began to repent. I dropped my phone immediately. About three minutes to noon, two transfers into the project account added up to seven thousand naira exactly. From that day, I learnt that you must trust the Lord completely, especially when you have the means to do it without relying on Him. Till this day, if anything is needed in the ministry, I do not try to take things into my own hands. I ask the Lord first. Some people have mastered how to trust the Lord when they do not have enough, but I believe that it is tougher to trust the Lord when you have more than enough. Learn this from King Solomon. He had more than enough to build the temple and even his own palace. But he wrote a psalm with these words: “Except the Lord builds a house, they labour in vain that build it” Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalms 127:1 NKJV (It is a psalm of Solomon that is titled “Labouring and Prospering with the Lord”). Solomon! Really! You could build that house without any recourse to the Lord. You had everything needed. Why trust the Lord? He must have learnt from his Father. David tried to help God by constructing a cart to carry the ark. He made the first mistake. The young man called Uzzah made the second mistake. He wanted to help God by reaching out his hand to steady the tipping Ark of the Covenant. He paid dearly for it. Do not try to help God. Do not get too emotional that you take over the wheel from the Lord. Trust Him all the way. He owns you and all you have. Ask Him what He wants you to do with the resources you have. Do not assume. It is called complete trust. Hope you got it? Will you join me to pray? Lord, I would not take your place. I would not hijack your leadership. I will follow your instructions to the teeth. Help me, Lord. Help me. > ©️ temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa > - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. To explore books and resources by Pastor temilOluwa Ola, please visit 👇 > https://linktr.ee/ptemiloluwaola