COMPASS DEVOTIONAL

*IF YOU ARE STARTING A NEW SEASON 8* I asked him a simple question that night, “How would you describe the season you have been through on this journey?” He did not mince words when he said, “frustrating”. What was his issue? He started a church with a lot of desires. He wanted the best in everything. Even when the church was still few in number, he already had men who stood on the stage as he preached. He did not realise that ministry is a marathon and not a dash. If you are starting a new thing, you must know that you are in for a marathon and not just a hundred-metre dash. If you understand this, you will know how to pace yourself so you can finish well. It is not just about starting; it is about enduring to the end. There is a reason why endurance began with “e-n-d”. You must keep the end in mind. Pace yourself. The race is not to the swift. Yet we must be fast! The battle is not to the strong. Yet we must be strong! The race of vision belongs to the one who is doing it right and not just the one doing it fast. If you burn all your energy at the beginning, when the tests of the in-between seasons of the vision come, you will be discouraged! Your energy is one of your finest assets; conserve it! A young man joined an older minister in prayers one evening. The young man began to pray with a lot of energy while the older minister prayed with quiet, focused strength. After three hours, the young man was tired, but the older minister was just starting- he could still carry on for another six hours all night. It is not just about starting; it is also about finishing. *“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24 : 12 - 13 NKJV * When the love of others loses steam in between, may you have the strength to run till the end. Conserve your strength. Pace yourself! temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa Thank you for receiving God’s Word. Be among the first to receive daily updates here👇🏽👇🏽 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5RiAB4CrfZCPGdWs0b

IF YOU ARE STARTING A NEW SEASON 7 As I was leaving service year, I already knew that I was heading to Eruwa for ministry. I sat down and documented what I perceived to be my next season. It was titled, “Life After Service Year: Embracing the Call and Pursuing Purpose”. I sent it to my mentors. There was a beloved aunt who said to me, “Temi, you do not want me to ask any questions about this decision, so you wrote a whole document starting from the dealings of God in 2006. How do I question God?” Beloved, if you are starting a new season, you must understand the importance of clear communication. You must be prepared to communicate clearly with those who will be affected by your decision. We see this in the life of Nehemiah: There is Communication for Permission: There are people in your life that you must seek their permission and blessings as you begin a new season. It may be your spouse, it may be your boss (as it was in the case of Nehemiah), or it may be your parents. Never take it for granted. Communicate till it is clear. Be patient for significant relationships to get what you are saying. Even when they do not agree, make sure you have done your own part. “Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”” Nehemiah 2 : 4 - 5 NKJV There is Communication for Partnership: Nehemiah sought the partnership of the king. The king was generous enough to use his influence to help Nehemiah. Then Nehemiah sought the partnership of the Jews. “Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.” Nehemiah 2 : 17 - 18 NKJV Do not assume they will get it or have gotten it. Do not say anyone’s “No” on their behalf. Communicate clearly. ©️ temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. Be among the first to receive daily updates here👇🏽👇🏽 > https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5RiAB4CrfZCPGdWs0b > - > Discover powerful, practical teachings from Pastor temilOluwa Ola that will transform your walk with God. 👇🏽👇🏽 > https://t.me/ngccglobal

IF YOU ARE STARTING A NEW SEASON 6 She was quite restless. I had to call her after one Sunday service. I asked why she was quite unstable in church. She gave her reasons, which included the preparation for her wedding. I encouraged her to be at rest. I also challenged her to attend the conference we had that week. She obliged. One of the speakers was a resident in the city where she would settle. He said to me, “This sister is coming to my city. She can have the things in my kitchen and other home appliances since I will be relocating”. That was how favour spoke about her matter. She was so elated. If you are entering a new season, choose rest. Favour follows rest. Be calm. I know people who messed up longstanding relationships at the end of a season. They were too preoccupied with entering their new season that they trampled on their labour of many years. It is always a painful one to see. Be sensitive to your entry and exit points as seasons are about to change- the pressure of preparation must not change your attitude. Where is the pride coming from? Why are you now in the gang of “no one understands me”? Why have you become a truant where you used to be devoted? Why is communicating effectively now a challenge? Favour waited for Esther in the form of guidance from Hegai. She was calm enough to receive the counsel others despised: “When it was time for her to go to the king’s palace, she was given her choice of whatever clothing or jewellery she wanted to take from the harem. When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her.” Esther 2 : 13 , 15 NLT Favour waits at the exit doors. Look at the children of Israel: “He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes.” Psalms 105 : 37 NKJV Do not shortchange yourself. Remain calm. Remain steadfast. Do not become restless. Favour will bring to you all you are jumping around to get. Be at rest! ©️ temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. Be among the first to receive daily updates here👇🏽👇🏽 > https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5RiAB4CrfZCPGdWs0b > - > Discover powerful, practical teachings from Pastor temilOluwa Ola that will transform your walk with God. 👇🏽👇🏽 > https://t.me/ngccglobal

IF YOU ARE STARTING A NEW SEASON 5 They hated the way they were being treated. They had invested a lot of time and life into that organization. They felt like exiting in the midst of all the lies and schemes. They were offended. When I sensed the tone of offense, I begged them to be a little patient. They should not leave in offense. Some few months later, they left that organization with a lot of pomp and pleasantries. They received gifts, and many shared how impactful their stay had been. Even they were all smiles. When they shared the moments and testimonies, I asked them, “Which one was better — leaving in offense or leaving without offense?” We had a good laugh about it. If you are about to start a new season, beware of the trap of offense. Offense is a major stumbling block as you commence a new season. The devil plants it as a seed that has caused many to stumble. Think about it — why did the disagreements between your parents and yourself intensify the moment you are about to get married? Why is it suddenly an issue that is making both parties, who have lived together in love for many years, become sworn enemies? Think about it — why is it now that the boss you have worked for all your life is acting like Laban, coming after your life and hindering your progress? Think about it — how come the pastor that named all your children is now acting like King Saul because you are about to leave the church to start a new work? Think about this — when offense is deployed by the devil as you want to start a new season, be sensitive to know that there are battles you win by weapons of war, but some are won by the fruit of the Spirit. Discern whether this is a battle of fire or a battle of fruits. Do not bring in a bulldozer in the season of harvest with the heart of, “If I will not have my way, then let’s destroy everything.” That would be a disaster. Be like David: “But David said to Abishai, ‘Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?’ David said furthermore, ‘As the Lord lives, the Lord shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go.’” I Samuel 26:9–11 NKJV You walk in love. Refuse to be offended. Leave the vengeance for the Lord. *©️ temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa* - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. Be among the first to receive daily updates here👇🏽👇🏽 > https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5RiAB4CrfZCPGdWs0b > - > Discover powerful, practical teachings from Pastor temilOluwa Ola that will transform your walk with God. 👇🏽👇🏽 > https://t.me/ngccglobal

IF YOU ARE STARTING A NEW SEASON 4 I still remember where I was standing when I got the call: "So when you have children, how will you afford to buy diapers for them?" Other questions in that format kept pouring in. I had no answers. The only thing I knew was that the Lord sent me and I was already in the land. There are many people who wanted to start a new thing but are still analyzing, still now. Over-analysis has kept them in one spot. If you look at the wind, you will not sow. If you wait for perfect conditions, you will make no move. Do you know it was something they called a wise move that triggered their long stay in the wilderness? Let us take a look together: The Lord told them to go into the land and possess it at once: "Look, I am giving all this land to you! Go in and occupy it, for it is the land the Lord swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to all their descendants." —  Deuteronomy 1:8 NLT Moses reiterated the same thing: "I said to you, ‘You have now reached the hill country of the Amorites that the Lord our God is giving us. Look! He has placed the land in front of you. Go and occupy it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. Don’t be afraid! Don’t be discouraged!’" —  Deuteronomy 1:20‑21 NLT Instead of taking that leap of faith, they had a great idea—let us send in spies first to bring us information so we can analyze and decide how we want to take the land. "But you all came to me and said, ‘First, let’s send out scouts to explore the land for us. They will advise us on the best route to take and which towns we should enter.’" —  Deuteronomy 1:22 NLT Moses listened to them and thought it was a great idea anyway to send in spies first: "This seemed like a good idea to me, so I chose twelve scouts, one from each of your tribes." —  Deuteronomy 1:23 NLT What was the outcome of their SWOT analysis? They rebelled against the Lord. They refused to go. They became stuck for years. "But you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God and refused to go in." —  Deuteronomy 1:26 NLT They complained. They said the Lord hated them. They refused to trust the Lord. They became demoralized. Does it sound familiar? Do you see how we lose out on God’s plans for us? Do not over-analyze! There is something called a step of faith. *©️ temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa* - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. Be among the first to receive daily updates here👇🏽👇🏽 > https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5RiAB4CrfZCPGdWs0b > - > Discover powerful, practical teachings from Pastor temilOluwa Ola that will transform your walk with God. 👇🏽👇🏽 > https://t.me/ngccglobal

IF YOU ARE STARTING A NEW SEASON 3 When an elderly person heard about my response to the call of God into full time ministry in Eruwa in 2011, the conclusion was that I was simply being overzealous. It was tagged youthful exuberance. However, I was not the type to make such a hasty decision. I knew what I was signing up for. I knew the trajectory of my life would not be the same as that of others. I had reviewed my initial plans and I knew I had to let them all go. There were even relationships I lost. I understood it was a leap of faith, but it was not a blind move. It was a blessed one. Till today, I have no regrets. You must be willing to count the cost. You must ensure that you are not making a blind move out of unprocessed, zealous desperation. There are people who resigned from their jobs and never accomplished anything meaningful afterward. For instance, you do not resign because you are angry. You resign to pursue an idea. If offence triggers the move, you may have fenced yourself out of a better season. Jesus Christ told us to sit down and count the cost. Luke 14:28 to 30 NLT But do not begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, There is the person who started that building and could not afford to finish it. Do not begin until you count the cost. Do you know and understand what you are signing up for? For instance, are you just excited about the idea of a wedding, or do you understand what marriage truly entails? Do not come back to say you were scammed. Do not return to join the company of those who say, Marriage is overrated. Kindly acknowledge that you were not thoroughly prepared for the journey. If you are willing, it is not too late to learn. Jesus Christ did not make the journey look easy for Peter and the other apostles. He made it clear that there would be things to leave behind, but there would also be rewards. He also told them that even the rewards would come with persecution. Have you sat down to count the cost? Are you willing to trust the Lord all the way? Are you committed to the journey? *©️ temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa* - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. Be among the first to receive daily updates here👇🏽👇🏽 > https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5RiAB4CrfZCPGdWs0b > - > Discover powerful, practical teachings from Pastor temilOluwa Ola that will transform your walk with God. 👇🏽👇🏽 > https://t.me/ngccglobal

IF YOU ARE STARTING A NEW SEASON 1 Two of my dear sons in the faith got admission into the University. They came to ask me a very beautiful question, “Sir, what would you do differently if you were to go to the university now? What is your counsel to us?” I gave my counsel to them. They both finished with good grades. They were both spiritually grounded and strong. They both attained financial independence as students. They stopped relying on resources from home. It was a great joy seeing who they had become. You cannot be better than the counsel and the guidance you have received in life. If you want to change the trajectory of your life, you must also be open to great counsel. Good counsel can lift. Terrible counsel can lead to loss. Think about Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon. He did well by seeking counsel, but he did terribly by the counsel he chose to follow. The counsel he followed led to a loss in his life and kingdom. What if he had followed the great counsel of the elders? The outcome would have been totally different. The trap of young minds is the pride of “I know what I am doing”. If you have never been on a path before, be meek and humble enough to seek the counsel of those who have gone ahead of you. Pride turns gifted people into frustrated men in the long run. Pride turns a highflier into an average performer. If you can be humble enough to learn from those who have gone ahead, you will surely fly. There are two lessons they can teach you- “How to do it” and “How not to do it”. It means that they can show you the pitfalls to avoid. Be humble enough to ask questions. No matter what it is in life- academics, career, marriage, business or even politics. Please, be humble enough to learn. A child who will master calling must understand sitting. Jesus first sat with the teachers of the law. He asked questions. “Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.” Luke 2 : 46 NKJV He followed his parents home and was submitted to them also. He learnt to sit. “Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.” Luke 2 : 51 NKJV If you are entering a new season, ask the Lord to send you teachers who can counsel you. Do not enter with pride. You will make many mistakes and elongate your journey. ©️ temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. Be among the first to receive daily updates here👇🏽👇🏽 > https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5RiAB4CrfZCPGdWs0b > - > Discover powerful, practical teachings from Pastor temilOluwa Ola that will transform your walk with God. 👇🏽👇🏽 > https://t.me/ngccglobal

OFFER LOVE WHEN YOU DO NOT FEEL LIKE IT That morning, I honestly felt like just shunning Irewamiri. We had a disagreement very early in the day. It was a Sunday morning. I mumbled the words, “I am on my way to church. This is the car key. You can come when you are ready.” I thought that was enough care and kindness as a good husband. After strolling some metres away from the house, the Holy Spirit said to me, “Go back home. Give your wife a hug and tell her you love her and that the matter will be resolved.” Who am I when my Lord has spoken? I returned home. I gave her a hug, not sure she hugged me back, and said, “Darling, I know we have a disagreement at the moment. Please know that I love you and this matter will surely be resolved.” Then I headed to church. Love is a commandment, and a commandment should be obeyed whether you feel like it or not. Our carnality has reduced love to mere emotion. Once you do not feel like it, you stop expressing love. That is not the biblical standard. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:36 to 39 NKJV Love is a debt. A debtor must pay. A debtor should not be proud. A debtor must pay his debt whether he feels like it or not. “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 NKJV Love must still be kind, no matter what. Love is spelt sacrifice. Love is not only when it is convenient. As a believer, the love that was shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit is the one that loves no matter what. “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5 NKJV What is the standard of this God kind of love that should be resident in our hearts as believers? “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NKJV Love must be demonstrated. It is not love hiding away in a corner. It must be seen. It must be felt. It must be expressed. There is a tougher standard. It is shown to those who do not seem to deserve it. Love is not based on your feelings alone. It is a duty, a demand, and a commandment. This kind of love is always kind. This kind of love is not reactive. This kind of love is always patient. This kind of love is always ready to forgive. This is the God kind of love. Do you know God? Do you have the Holy Spirit? Why is it hard to love the way God has commanded? What is your sincere answer? *©️ temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa* - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. Be among the first to receive daily updates here👇🏽👇🏽 > https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5RiAB4CrfZCPGdWs0b > - > Discover powerful, practical teachings from Pastor temilOluwa Ola that will transform your walk with God. 👇🏽👇🏽 > https://t.me/ngccglobal

HE LOST THE DESIRE FOR DRUGS… He had spent some of his teenage years living in a Pastor’s house. He felt he was being choked. Once he got the freedom to step out to school, he slid into sex and drugs. He was getting into gambling. He had seen one of the popular foreign musicians as a role model. He wanted to look like him, no matter the cost. He was a low-budget version! His life was a mess. He had to be withdrawn from school. He found his way into the church. He would come to church and return to his drugs. One good thing was that he kept coming. He said once that his body would be shivering with a desire for drugs even while in church. But one day, he left the church, as usual, to go smoke some of the stuff. That day, everything changed. The desire to quit was suddenly overwhelming. He could not smoke his hemp. It felt strange. Something had died on his inside. Constant exposure to the Word of the Lord has changed his story. He also got baptised in the Holy Ghost, and that was the beginning of a new life. First, life has no meaning without the Lordship of Jesus. A sinful life is not a free life. Stop thinking that sinning is the freedom to do what you want. No! A life of sin is a slave of the devil. How do you know you are a slave? You can not stop of your own volition. Just try to stop using your will. You can try for some days, but you return to your indulgence. Sin is slavery. A sinner is a servant of sin- “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin… ” Romans 6:17 KJV Second, sin wants to have dominion even over the believer, but constant exposure to the Word of God is what makes it impossible for sin to rule over us. No matter what, make sure you are constantly exposed to the Word of God. The Word of God is your defence against sin. When sin tries to penetrate your life, it can only be resisted by the Word. David said that we must hide the Word of God in our hearts if we will not sin against the Lord. In every temptation of Jesus by the devil, Jesus had to reply with “It is written”. Keep the Word in your heart. The Word of God is a cleansing agent. It cleans us up. that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:26 KJV By the Word, spots, wrinkles and blemishes are dealt with: that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27 KJV If you stay long enough with and in the Word, your life cannot remain the same. Do not let the devil lie to you to stop staying around the Word and studying the Word because your case is bad. He is a liar. The Word works. That addiction will bow to the Word. Stay there! Do not leave the church. Stay there. You will be free! ©️ temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. Be among the first to receive daily updates here👇🏽👇🏽 > https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5RiAB4CrfZCPGdWs0b > - > Discover powerful, practical teachings from Pastor temilOluwa Ola that will transform your walk with God. 👇🏽👇🏽 > https://t.me/ngccglobal

“WHY SHOULD I BE SLEEPING IN THE MORNING?” Danielle has a pattern where she wakes up very early. There are times when she wakes up when she hears us praying. This day, when Irewamiri saw the look on her face, she was prompted to ask whether Danielle would still love to sleep. Her response shook both of us: “Why should I be sleeping in the morning?” First, it takes understanding and maturity to be aware that there is a time for everything. Once a man knows the importance of times and seasons, it makes the journey of his life more meaningful. He knows where to be at a time and what to do. A “baby” is a time waster. He lacks awareness of times and seasons. He is sleeping when others are working. Such grows up to become a son who brings sorrow to the parents. As good as sleep is, there is a time when sleep should be taboo. Know the importance of the season you’re in and the wise son you will be. But what a waste when an incompetent son sleeps through his day of opportunity! Proverbs 10:5 TPT Second, there is such a thing as taking the wings of the morning, and there is such a thing as the womb of the morning. If I take the wings of the morning… Psalms 139:9 NKJV Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth. Psalms 110:3 NKJV To take the wings of the morning means that you take flight once the day starts. It means you are not joking with the day. You take advantage of the morning to fly. You do not dwell on the failure or success of yesterday. It is a new day, and you have to take it with seriousness. The womb of the morning says to us that every new day is an opportunity to birth a new thing. However, the determinant of a great day is in the morning. A man who wastes his morning has wasted his day. The life cycle of a man is divided into morning, afternoon, and night (M.A.N.). A man who lacks awareness and wastes his morning and wakes up in the afternoon is already running against time. That is why you see some men running with the urgency of a latecomer. They woke up very late in life. What are you doing with your morning season of the day and your life? Catch the flight of the morning. Invest in the womb of the morning. It will birth greatness for you. ©️ temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa - > Thank you for receiving God’s Word. Be among the first to receive daily updates here👇🏽👇🏽 > https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5RiAB4CrfZCPGdWs0b > - > Discover powerful, practical teachings from Pastor temilOluwa Ola that will transform your walk with God. 👇🏽👇🏽 > https://t.me/ngccglobal