VALUE-O-METER

It was one of the hot afternoons somewhere in Dambuwa, ‘Sok-City’ (Sokoto state), I sat alone at a corner in my lodge just to meditate. As I meditated, I suddenly remembered something that happened at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Gallery during my university days and I burst into laughter, I laughed and laughed as I refreshed my memory on that great incidence. Not to bore you, let me give you the gist. On this fateful day, after series of lectures coupled with a very stressful day, I had to find my way home under the hot sun of the sun shine state - Ondo State. Realising the need to withdraw the very little amount of money remaining in my account, I was on a mission to sweep out the little change in my account and probably the least denomination any ATM could dispense. Mounting the stairs of the beautifully built ATM Gallery, I immediately got into the gallery and located the machine that was meant for special people like myself who had come to sweep out the last money in their account. As usual, the queue was relatively long that I had to be the eighth on the queue (I guess). While waiting for my turn, other members of the “Account Sweepers network” joined the queue behind me not paying attention to other machines. Meanwhile, a young engineer who was working on one of the construction sites in the school walked into the ATM Gallery, looked around in awe and tried to understand why eight people were standing on a queue waiting to use the ATM while other machines had just two persons on the queue. Still wondering, he joined the short queue and made his withdrawal; as he headed for the glass door soliloquising about the funny “Long and Short Queue ATM Model”, he paused and turned to the users in confusion saying openly “Excuse me, what is happening here, why on earth do we have just two people waiting to use this ATM while that other ATM has about eight people on the queue?”. As soon as he finished speaking, we all couldn’t help it but laugh with some of us laughing more hysterically upon remembering what had brought us to that ATM. My school was approaching the end of the semester and almost all the students were financially humble (you know what that means right?). The unfortunate thing is that the engineer never got a response to his question other than a weird reaction which left him more confused. Leaving confused, the engineer gently left the ATM Gallery. Let me save you the stress and not leave you confused like the young engineer. The fact is that the ATM with two persons was dispensing a thousand naira while the ATM with about eight people was dispensing five hundred naira - now you get the gist! Most students who had less than a thousand naira in their accounts were waiting to withdraw their last five hundred naira to sustain themselves pending the time they will get their next allowance from home or sponsors. Others had up to a thousand naira in their account the previous day just to wake up that morning to discover that their banks had rudely removed some unexplainable yet little sum of money that has reduced their hallowed savings to nine hundred naira plus. Hence, they had no option than to remove their five hundred naira and recharge their mobile phones with the rest. Here is my discovery - In life, men will only pay attention to what gives them value. Value is all about the ability of someone or something to solve people’s problems or meet the important immediate needs of people. As long as the ATM with the long queue was concerned, it offered value to those who used it, their waiting was worthwhile as long as their needs were met. Value is not about how much you have or how expensive you are; it is about your ability to touch lives, meet people’s needs and solve problems with the little that you have. People will only gather round a person or system that offers them value. Value is your only ticket to relevance in life. I leave you with these questions: What needs are you meeting? What problems are you solving? How many lives are you touching with the little resources you have? How Valuable are you? Value-O-Meter! #In_Christ_Alone.

Just Believe!

I was at my uncle’s place on a Sunday morning, he woke me up at about 04:30 am to iron my clothes for the service; without wasting much time, I hurried to the ironing board and ironed my shirt and trousers respectively from the outside; while I thought to myself that I had uniquely ironed my shirt. Just when I finished my uncle came around with his trousers, I offered to help him iron but he declined, insisting that I use the time for other things.
Since there were truly other things I had to do, I decided to move ahead to do them, just as I took few steps away, something caught my attention, ‘my uncle started ironing his trousers from the inside from the pocket.’
This really thrilled me because as a student who doesn’t really have the luxury of time, all I do is iron my shirt from the outside and that’s all! As if that wasn’t enough, just after ironing the trousers (he had already ironed his shirt the previous day), he brought out his underwear (boxer shorts) to the ironing board, and this wowed me.
While I thoughtfully watched my uncle, a thought came to my mind and I saw God giving me an illustration of what happens after salvation.
When God washes the life of a man with the blood of His Son; Jesus, just as my uncle washed his clothes with soap, God doesn’t stop there, He continues working on that cloth by ironing it from inside to the outside, just as my uncle did. This implies that even after we have been saved, God still desires to take His time to work on our lives from inside or from our inward parts, to our outward parts. God begins to work on our habits/parts that we cannot see at first but, will in a short while reflect because they are the deep issues of the heart: issues concerned with our mindset, our way of thinking, our views towards life, our habits and addictions, and these things in no time affect the way we speak, dress, behave and relate with other.
God has not saved you just to wear a “shirt and tie” and look like a “pastor” on Sunday, using sanctimonious words; He has saved you so that He can firstly work on your heart and give you a solid foundation in Him. God has not called you to patch you up; He has called you to totally renew you. Some will say “…as soon as you are born again, JUST BELIEVE AND YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE”, yes! That’s correct but, “THAT’S NOT ALL!”
There is a place of God working upon your heart through His Spirit to conform you to Himself; there is also a place of YOU fleeing every appearance of evil 1Thess. 5:22.
The work of Grace is not to save us from sin and leave us in sin, the work of Grace is to teach us to deny every form of ungodliness and worldly lusts, helping us to live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world. Titus 2:11-12.
God’s aim is to redeem us, Jesus gave himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and PURIFY unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Friends, don’t be deceived, don’t “just believe” that now that you are saved, you already have eternal life. Yes, you already do, but don’t stop there, “just believe” that Jesus can work on your heart, “just believe” that you can be made perfect, “just believe” that you can have victory over sin and every form of addiction, “just believe” that you can overcome “Worldly Lusts”, “just believe” that God can give you all you need to finish your race well, yes! “Just believe” but don’t stop at “just believing” you have eternal life, but keep believing until eternal life (which is the life of God) finds full expression in you. Keep believing and you will fully become like Him.

#JESUS_IS_COMING_SOON
#IN_CHRIST_ALONE

FRIENDS BEWARE

2 Timothy 4:3-5
3 For the time will come when  they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they  heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn  away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  5 But  watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,  make full proof of thy ministry.
Friends beware,  there are so many false doctrines and demonic teachings around because these are the last days,  they will come and present the gospel to you like a piece of bread all in the name of Rhema or contextual explanation of the Bible, they are full of themselves believing they know it all, anyway that's the sign of how ignorant they are.
Know God for yourself, forsake not the ancient landmarks and separate yourself from them.
2 Timothy 6:1-5
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters  worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not  blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not  despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do  them service,  because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These  things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not  to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to  the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing  nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof  cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of  men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is  godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

#JESUS_IS_COMING_SOON
#IN_CHRIST_ALONE

His Presence,Knowing,Glory,Power

You know today the Church is full of motivational speakers who will tell you that "When the Praises go up,His blessings come down" yes that is true but when we praise God ,He has more in stock for us than just the "Blessings",in fact His blessings are the least things we can ever get,isn't it better to recognize that  "When the Praises go up,His Presence comes down"  isn't  "His Presence,Knowing,Glory,Power e.t.c" greater than His blessings,in fact in them we can find God's blessings and even more.
God seeks for Christians who will Praise and Worship Him not solely because they want His blessings but "He Himself".More than we ever want God wants to reveal Himself to us personally just that we have streamlined and limited our worship to an ATM Machine which we use to collect from God...

GOD'S PRESENCE IS A KNOWING WHICH COMES THROUGH FAITH AND NOT A FEELING!

John17:2-3
"As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give  eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal,  that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom  thou hast sent."
GOD WANTS TO GIVE US MORE AND ALL OF HIMSELF.

#Selah.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO POPOOLA PAUL'S BLOG: GOOD NEWS!!!

YOU ARE WELCOME TO POPOOLA PAUL'S BLOG: GOOD NEWS!!!: Many a times the devil tries to destabilize us and makes us feel as if we are at the end of the rope,he fills our hearts with fearful though...

GOOD NEWS!!!

Many a times the devil tries to destabilize us and makes us feel as if we are at the end of the rope,he fills our hearts with fearful thoughts of disasters and dangers,he makes us think our diseases and infirmities are unto death and makes tears run down our eyes due to the pressures of life,he whispers to our ears "you can never rise again" when we fall and makes life look life a home of unending defeats,all these and many more he is doing and is willing to do that the word of God in John10:10a ("The thief cometh not, but  for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy") may be fulfilled,all these are indeed bad news,but not to worry because there is a way of escape,knowing that for every bad news there is an opposite which is a "GOOD NEWS".

Therefore; the Good news is that there is no need to panic or continue in the abyss of oppression because God has made a way out of your predicaments in that same book chapter and verse of John10:10b "I am  come that they might have life, and that  they might have it more abundantly."
And John14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

That way out you have been looking for is "JESUS"
Jesus is the way out of the devils oppression, Consider Him today and be free from the operations of the devil.

NOW YOUR DESTINY IS YOUR HANDS; "I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that God, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

JESUS PAID IT ALL

Jesus is talking to you "come out from amongst them,and be ye separate" Come out from amongst those sinful deeds of yours that have held you bound.Yes gold and silver you do not have to bail out yourself from this torment of the devil,but today i announce to you that there is a way out and no need to worry,because Jesus saw your wretchedness and helplessness and paid it all for you on the cross.All you need to do to be free from those habits,be setting sins that have refused to leave you and makes you shed tears after engaging in it, is just to accept the provision that Jesus made for you on the cross.Behold there is a balm in gilead and it is for the healing of the nations,a flowing river at the feet of His great throne for all who thirst to drink from,Food for the spirit in every of His spoken,written and revealed word all just for you. Are you tired of those habits,sinful deeds,or are you thirsty or hungry? Not to worry Jesus paid it all on the cross of calvary all for you,what you just need to do is to accept Him a your Lord and Savior,confess it and live it by living your life based on His word. ‪#‎JESUS‬ INDEED PAID IT ALL FOR YOU.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL..

DATE : Wednesday 31 December 2014

THEME : IT PAYS TO LIVE HOLY II

Memorise:
For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of
fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst
of her.
Zechariah 2:5

Read: Job 1:8-10
1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou
considered my servant Job, that there is none like
him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man,
one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said,
Doth Job fear God for nought?
1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and
about his house, and about all that he hath on
every side? thou hast blessed the work of his
hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ACTS 27-28 and SONG OF
SOLOMON 8:8-14

Message
Everybody in this world wants to be secure.
Witchcraft is prospering because people feel
insecure and they are looking for security from
any available source. The unfortunate thing is
that, looking for security from the forces of
darkness is looking for security from the very
person who wants to destroy you. Those who are
living a holy life have the protection of the Lord
Almighty. This is because God has built a hedge
around them. In Job 1:9-10, the Bible tells us that
God had put a hedge around Job and his
household. God put a hedge around Job because
he served Him. Job got into the predicament that
befell him because God wanted to prove a point
to Satan. Around every holy child of God, there is
an unseen wall. Satan cannot pass through this
wall because it is made of fire. The Bible in
Zechariah 2:5 says,
“For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of
fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst
of her.”
Satan knows that he is going to end up in the
Lake of fire. He is therefore not very anxious to
taste this fire yet, so when he sees anybody who
is surrounded by this fire, he keeps his distance.
God has made so many promises to those that
are holy. Psalm 91 contains classical examples of
these promises. You cannot abide in the secret
place of the Most High without being holy.
Without being holy, God’s promises cannot be
yours. The fire of the Almighty God is so hot that
when it surrounds you, the fire of this world will
make way for you to pass. We have a good
example in Daniel 3:24-28, where Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego were put in the fiery
furnace. Their experience confirms what the
scripture says concerning the holy in Isaiah 43:2:
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be
with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not
overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire,
thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame
kindle upon thee.”
There is however one thing that can remove the
security covering from you. This is sin. Whenever
you sin, you create a barrier between you and
God. It is therefore dangerous to sin, not even for
once because you may not be able to recover
from the devastating effect of the ensuing satanic
attack in the course of your backsliding. I pray
that your fire will not go out in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point:
Father, whatever will take away your banner of
protection over my life, withhold me from such
from now on.

STUBBORN BULLS AND GOATS...

By Pastor Great Emmanuel Donatus.

STUBBORN BULLS AND GOATS Just recently,I finished killing three (3)
very big,strong and stubborn
Chickens,all in 10 to 15 minutes (Dont
ask me what for..lol). I was all sweaty
and a bit tired afterwards coz those
guys have really grown and strong,they had muscles!..lol And mehn!, it
quickly brought to mind
the Levitical priesthood of Israel. And I
was like, 'Boy,is this how the Priests
killed numerous bulls and goats for the
many sins of Israel everyday?!' I could
imagine! Israel, a stubborn people, around 1.3 million people, so
rebellious. And then, for every of their
sin, there was always a goat to
slaughter, and a bull to kill! Think of it! A GOAT, A BULL! Nobody
likes to be compared to a goat! You
know those animals are naturally
stubborn, very strongwilled and
strongheaded! I tried to travel back in
time to view what it looked like. I killed 3 strong Chickens in a short
space of
time, and I was all sweaty. Imagine
killing bulls and goats every blessed
day for about 40 years! Even if not for
40years,close to it! Not for one, not for
two, not for three persons! They must have killed at least a thousand
everyday since there were about 1.3
million people travelling to Canaan at
that time. 1000 might even be an
understatement! Maybe I want to be
merciful on them. Those Priests must have built so much
muscles doing that everyday!..lol. No
matter how enjoyable the job wij look
at first, after sometime, it will surely
bore them! They might be planning to
take a rest after killing say 200 at a time, and as they are about to sit,
another set of maybe liars, thieves and
adulterers will just throng to the
entrance again. And work begins. Maybe they even made a roster for the
'Killing Time of Bulls and Goats'..Maybe
they say, 'For thieves,come from the
6th to the 9th hour of the day. For
adulterers, so you wont feel too
ashamed, come in the 3rd watch of the night'..lol. Many permutations!
And I just kept
thinking and broadening my
imaginations to see various
possibilities. But bottomline, IT MUST
HAVE BEEN STRESSFUL! That made me cherish the Sacrifice of
my Jesus much more! It was a Once-
And-For-All payment for my Sins. "And every priest stands ministering
daily and offering repeatedly the same
sacrifices, which can never take away
sins. But this Man, after He had offered one
sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at
the right hand of God, from that time
waiting till His enemies are made His
footstool. For by one offering He has perfected
forever those who are being
sanctified." (Hebrews 10:11-14). No need to come back in the afternoon
or evening coz it's not yet Killing Time. No stress of resharpening the
axe,
knife, cutlass of whatever was used to
kill the bulls and goats every time. No need of cleaning the instruments
of
killing everytime after use! No need of looking for where to get
more bulls and goats since the ones in
my flock have been exhaused due to
my many sins! No need for worry about scarcity or
fee-hike of bulls and goats.

ALL GONE! ALL GONE!! ALL GONE!!! BECAUSE
OF THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS! It was STRESSFUL yet it was NEEDFUL
It was PAINFUL yet it is GAINFUL
I was UNFAITHFUL but He is FAITHFUL
My bucket was SIN-FULL yet He is
MERCY-FULL
Because He is GRACEFUL, I will forever be GRATEFUL! WHAT AN
EXCHANGE!

Excellent Chucka

He was very intelligent in the class, he
has won many awards, gifts and also a
scholarship.
He answers any question in the class.
The school cannot exist one day
without mentioning the name of chuka.
His own intelligence is versatile.
He is good in all the subject, if chuka
mistakenly graduates from secondary
school and university also, every
company will like to have him as a
staff, his brain was like that of a
computer.
But something happened, one day
chuka wanted to jump over a fence,
when he finally Jumped the fence, he
landed on a dangerous ground, and he
died instantly.
What a sad story to everyone that
chuka has died. He died with all his
intelligence, smartness, and all his
knowledge.
This is what I called unfulfilled
destiny.
A destiny that has been discovered but
the enemy succeeded and made it
unfulfilled.
Some of you reading this has a great
destiny in life but the enemy has been
standing against it.
Don't think that the present level you
are now in this life, is the level where
you suppose to be.
Child of God, I pray for you and i today that
We must fulfill our destiny, we will
never die without fulfilling our destiny
in jesus name!

Jesus is the only one who can secure your
destiny for you,
Accept Him today.

REMINDER!!!

Hello,i just want to remind you that God has special plans for you and God cares about you and your future,whatever challenge you see today cannot limit your tomorrow because your yesterday,today and tomorrow is in God's hand and God will never fail you because His word never fails,hold on to ever of His promises because they will never fail,it may seem to far or too big for you to imagine,just hold on to it and remember that God's ways are not your ways.Keep on allowing God to work upon your life and never loose hold of His presence because His presence is where your power,strength,security,success,prosperity,etc. lies.

KEEP SEEKING GOD AND REMAIM HEAVEN CONSCIOUS.

Are You Seeking Great Things For Yourself?

Are You Seeking Great Things
For Yourself?

By Jon W. Quinn

It may have been that he could have served
in some prestigious governmental position. His
brother was an officer in the king's court. He
was of a prominent family. With a little
ambition and drive, he could have really gone
places, as long as he would not allow anything
to stand in his way.
But, there was something standing in his
way. It was his duty and loyalty to God. He had
made the same choice that Moses had made
eight centuries before; “By faith Moses, when
he had grown up, refused to be called the son
of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to
endure ill-treatment with the people of God,
than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin;
considering the reproach of Christ greater
riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was
looking to the reward.” (Hebrews 11:24-26).

Background

“This was the message which Jeremiah the
prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah,
when he had written down these words in a
book at Jeremiah's dictation, in the fourth year
of Jehoikim the son of Josiah, king of Judah,
saying...” (Jeremiah 45:1).
Our mystery guest is Baruch. Baruch is not
an extremely well known Bible character, but
he is the one being described in the first two
paragraphs. He was like Moses in the sense
that he, too, passed by a promising career to
occupy what, by the world's standards at least,
was a much lower position. Instead of serving
along side his brother on the king's court, he
had become the scribe of a prophet who was
unpopular with the leaders of the land. Thus,
his promising career had gone nowhere fast,
and from all appearances, that was precisely
where it would end up.
Baruch was Jeremiah's scribe. As such, it
had been Baruch who had penned the
prophecies of doom for the apostate nation
and their wicked leaders. His city, its temple,
its people; all he held dear were facing
catastrophic ruin. The very words he had
written were hated by the leadership and
unpopular with the people. All his own
personal aspirations had been cast aside, and
now he was in hiding with Jeremiah under
threat of execution by the evil king Jehoikim.
He had stood for what was right, and now the
question had crossed his mind as to whether it
had all been worth it.

Why Is This Happening to Me?

“Thus says the Lord the God of Israel to
you, O Baruch: You say, 'Ah, woe is me! For
the Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am
weary with my groaning and have found no
rest.” (Jeremiah 45:2,3).
Many times there are huge costs to pay for
faithfully serving the Lord. Many times it
means taking stands which are unpopular. It
may mean facing ridicule. It may mean
ostracism. It may mean being treated unfairly.
It may call for sacrifice of material things and
the goodwill of man in order to have the
approval of God (John 12:42,43). Many are
unwilling to pay the costs. Are you? Or will you
make the compromises the world expects you
to make to avoid paying the costs? Will you
refrain from speaking the truth or taking a
stand for right when it may prove too costly in
terms of losing the world's approval?
Baruch had been willing to serve, but had
become discouraged and had begun to
question his decision. As he contemplated the
losses he had endured, he wondered if it had
been worth it. There seemed no relief in sight.
Somewhere along the way, Baruch had lost
something that is very important to every child
of God; a simple, trusting confidence that
yields peace even during the roughest storms
of life. That was what he needed to find once
again (Philippians 4:4-8).
If such questions should arise within us
during trials as arose in Baruch, then let us
remember our assurance in Christ Jesus;
“Therefore, do not throw away your
confidence, which has great reward. For you
have need of endurance, so that when you
have done the will of God, you may receive
what was promised. 'For yet in a very little
while, He who is coming will come and will not
delay. But My righteous one shall live by faith;
and if he shrinks back, My soul has no delight
in him.' For we are not of those who shrink
back to destruction, but of those who have
faith to the preserving of the soul.” (Hebrews
10:35-39).

The Lord's Answer to Baruch

“Thus you shall say to him, 'Thus says the
LORD, “Behold, what I have built I am about to
tear down, and what I have planted I am about
to uproot, that is, the whole land. But you, are
you seeking great things for yourself? Do not
seek them; for behold, I am going to bring
disaster on all flesh,” declares the LORD, “but I
will give your life to you as booty in all the
places you may go.” (Jeremiah 45:4,5).
Baruch was grieved over “what might have
been” but the Lord was grieved over losing
what already was; the nation of Israel. He had
built the nation, cared for it and provided for
it. Now, He was going to destroy it. Who was it
that was suffering the greatest loss? God or
Baruch?
What have you or I sacrificed that
compares to God's sacrifice in our behalf.?
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your
sakes He became poor, that you through His
poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians
8:9).  God loved us to the extent that He “gave
His only begotten Son” for the world. The Son's
anguished cry, “My God, My God, why hast
Thou forsaken Me?” reminds us of the extent
of that sacrifice for our sins.  How can we not
allow the love of Christ” to constrain us to
serve the Lord?
They say be careful what you ask for, you
may get it. If Baruch could have gone back in
time and chosen over again, would he really
want to choose differently?  The Lord asked
him, “But you, are you seeking great things for
yourself?” Would he really have wanted to be
in a high place on evil Jehoikim's court? A
leader of faithless men? A member of the
apostate government? Loved by the wicked?
Enriched by his position which had been
gained by disloyalty to Jehovah God?
The Lord invited Baruch to think again.
Those men in high places were about to be
brought down to horrible destruction. The
wages of their sins was coming due. Disaster
was coming, and far better to be as far as
possible from those places of prestige and
power. Jerusalem was soon to be judged for its
apostasy.
Baruch would escape the coming
conflagration with his life. That was far better
than the outcome for most of those in high
places. It is the same for those who live by
faith today. Do not aspire to greatness at the
expense of loyalty to God. The weak and poor
who are faithful will have a much better
outcome than those who are great in the
world's eyes but have failed to render to the
Lord His due. “What will a man be profited if
he gains the hold world and forfeits his own
soul?”
The final outcome? Baruch overcame his
doubt and stayed by Jeremiah's side. He
continued to faithfully serve the Lord, and
faced further trials in the following years. He
saw the judgment come and those he had, for
a moment, thought he would have liked to
switch places with go down into horrible
destruction. He won the victory over his
doubts and in later passages we find no hint of
his ever faltering again.

Recently, archaeologists were excited to
find in Israel some signet rings used to seal
written documents. What made these finds
particularly interesting was who the rings
belonged to. They were Baruch's, no doubt
used by him to seal some of the very
documents that now make up the book of
Jeremiah. If you aspire to greatness, let it not
be greatness by the world's standards, but by
God's (Matthew 20:25-28).

Reprinted From the Bradley
Banner
Bradley Church of Christ
Bradley, Illinois
September 22, 1996

What is a Devotional and Why is a Devotional Important.

What is a Devotional and Why is a
Devotional Important.

you go to church you probably hear people
talking about different devotionals. If you go
to a
Christian bookstore, you probably see a whole
section of devotionals. So what are they and
why
is there so much focus in church about them?
Defining a Devotional
When you look up the term “devotional,” you
get
definitions like “a short religious service” or a
“devotional exercise relating to worship.” It
doesn’t really explain what a devotional is or
why
we do them.
What most people talk about when they talk
about devotionals is a book that helps you
grow
in your relationship with God. It is usually
broken
down into daily chapters that you can read
and
pray about.
The key to understanding the devotional is to
actually break down the work. “Devotion” is a
big
clue to a devotional’s use. You show your
devotion to God by reading the passage and
praying on it every day. So the collection of
readings is then known as a devotional.
Using a Devotional
So why would you want to use a devotional?
What will it actually do? Well, Christians use
their
devotionals as a way to grow closer to God
and
learn more about the Christian life. Devotional
books are not meant to be read in one sitting,
they are designed for you to read a bit every
day
and pray on the passages. By praying every
day,
Christians develop a stronger relationship
with
God.
Devotions, the act of reading passages and
praying, are a staple in most denominations.
Yet,
it can get pretty overwhelming when you head
into that bookstore and see row after row of
different devotionals. There are devotionals
that
also function as journals and devotionals
written
by famous people. There are also different
devotionals for men and women.
Advertisement
Is There a Devotional for Me?
In the end, it is a good idea to start with a
devotional specifically written for Christian
teens.
This way you know the daily devotions will be
geared toward the things you deal with every
day.
Then take some time to skim through the
pages
to see which devotional is written in a way
that
speaks to you. Just because God is working
one
way in your friend or someone else at church,
doesn’t mean that God wants to work that way
in
you. You need to choose a devotional that is a
good fit for you

POPULAR HYMN "NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD"

Nothing but the Blood , the Song and the Story

Composer Robert Lowry Writes Nothing but
the Blood
The blood of Jesus to the Christian these words
are some of the most beautiful ever spoken or
penned. To others, the idea that all mankind
needs a Savior is foolish thought. “For the
preaching of the cross is to them that perish
foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is
the power of God. ” (Corinthians 1:18).
The timeless words of the song Nothing But
the Blood were written by Robert Lowry in
1876. More than 130 years later,
contemporary Christians still sing the hymn
with conviction, resounding the eternal truth
that “without the shedding of blood there is no
remission of sin. ” (Hebrews 9:22)
The blood of Jesus is salvation, healing, and
eternal life. “He was wounded for our
transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was
upon Him; and with His stripes we are
healed. ” (Isaiah 53:5)

Nothing But the Blood
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Now by this I'll overcome
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I'll reach my home
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Glory! Glory! This I sing
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
All my praise for this I bring
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Refrain
Written by : Connie Ruth Christiansen

AMAZING:OBASANJO NOT SURE OF HIS AGE!!!

Former Nigerian leader, Chief Olusegun
Obasanjo marked his 77th birthday
today, with President Goodluck Jonathan
leading an army of well wishers.
But the news is that today is not former
President's Obasanjo's real birthday. He
has adopted the day decades ago as 'an
official birthday".
And he promised today, that he will
sooner reveal his true birthday.
Obasanjo: does not know his real
birthday
"I want to thank the president of this
country because early this morning when
I have finished my game of squash and I
was preparing, a message came from
President Goodluck Jonathan
congratulating me on this day of my
official birthday," he said.
The former President maintained that
his birth has remained a blessing to
Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.
"Kabiyesi Olowu wanted to let the cat
out of the bag, but he was trying to
wriggle out of it but he didn't quite
succeed. Sooner than later, the cat will
be let out of the bag by myself but one
thing that is clear is that I was born.
There is no doubt about that…
"I know and she (my mother) knew that
I was born on Ifo market day. Don't ask
me what year or month.
There are those of us like me who have
no real record of birth like me. I want to
thank God once again for what He has
done in my life. Whether I know the
exact date of my birth or not, I think
God has made my birth glorious,"
Obasanjo esaid.
About a decade ago, Obasanjo's son,
Gbenga had told TheNEWS magazine in
an interview that his father does not
know his real birthday

NIGERIA WILL BE GREAT AGAIN- PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE..

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the
General Overseer of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God(RCCG) has
asked Nigerians to remain hopeful as the
country would be great again.
He said this on his 72nd birthday
message at the RCCG national
headquarters in Ebute-metta, Lagos.
Pastor Adeboye said the country Nigeria
belonged to God, and no matter what it
was currently going through, it would be
great again.
Speaking through his Special Assistant on
Administration and Personnel, Pastor
Johnson Odesola, Adeboye condemned
the insurgency in the North, saying "We
cannot agree to the terms of Boko
Haram, as the condition that Western
education is a sin is terrible. But let us
hear them out while we also apply the
use of force to curb attacks on innocent
people."
He noted, however, that the Boko
Haram insurgency would end soon, as
Nigeria had, in the past, experienced
religious crises and God intervened in
each one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY G.O

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK CONGRATULATES PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE ON HIS 72ND BIRTHDAY.

Dr. Enoch Adejare Adeboye
General Overseer,
Redeemed Christian Church of God,
Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway,
Ogun State

Your Grace,

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

As you attain the highly symbolic
landmark age of three-score-and-ten
on Friday, March 2nd 2012, it is with
profound joy that I write on behalf of
my family, the Government and people
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and
on my own behalf, to express very
warm felicitations to you.
You have lived a truly inspirational
and inspiring life of dedicated service
in the vineyard of the Lord. Rising
above the limitations of a background
of deprivation to thrive in academics
before going into full time ministry,
the phenomenal growth of the
Redeemed Christian Church of God, of
which you are the General Overseer,
clearly testifies to God’s hand upon
your life and your productive
leadership qualities.
In these critical times in Nigeria’s
developmental history, we need, more
than ever before, to seek the face of
the Lord. Your readiness at all times to
offer spiritual and prayerful support
to the nation’s leadership at all levels
deserves special commendation.
As your celebrate this historic day with
your nuclear family, your numerous
children-in the-Lord, friends and well-
wishers, I would like to paraphrase
Apostle Paul in his second letter to
Timothy by praying that Almighty God
continues to empower you to
successfully fight the good fight,
fruitfully run the course, and continue
to keep the faith, until that day when
you shall receive the crown of
righteousness laid up for you.

Happy Birthday!

Yours Sincerely

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

DADDY G.O AT 72

The General
Overseer, Redeemed Christian
Church of God, RCCG, Pastor
Enoch Adeboye, will celebrate
his 72nd birthday on Sunday.
No plan has been released by
the church except a 72-hour
‘Marathon Messiah’s Praise’
service believed to be the way
the pastor has chosen to
celebrate his life.
The easy-going Pastor, fondly
known as Daddy G.O who hails
from Ifewara in the present
Osun State, became the General
Overseer of the RCCG in 1981,
after the demise of the founder,
Pa Josiah Akindayomi.
The man of God was voted in
the Times magazine as one of
the 50 most influential
personalities worldwide a few
years ago.
Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, a
former associate professor of
Mathematics at the University of
Lagos, got a deeper call from
the Lord to lead what would be
one of the fastest growing
churches on the globe, the
Redeemed Christian Church of
God.
He is one man abundantly
blessed with this direly needed
gift of prophecy. Like Samuel,
Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and
Jeremiah, he has stood in
Nigeria and the world at large as
a voice declaring God’s warning
and counsel to nations.
Pastor E. A. Adeboye is a
mentor, teacher, leader, and
father to millions of Christians
across the world, the RCCG
leader has modelled the Jesus
Christ ‘servant-leader’ approach
of seeking to serve and not to
be served. His focus on the
ministry, humble lifestyle,
precision in his messages, and
value for holiness have caused
his horn to be exalted
continually. That is why like
Jeremiah, he has become a
prophetic voice to the nations.

ABOUT PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

THE LIFE OF ENOCH ADEJARE ADEBOYE

The life of Enoch Adejare Adeboye is a
fulfillment of the scriptures in Zechariah
4: 10 which declare, “despise not the
days of small beginnings.” Born in 1942
into a humble family in the village of
Ifewara, Osun State located in the South-
western part of Nigeria Enoch Adeboye
often humorously states that his family
was so poor that even the poor people
called them poor. As a matter of fact, he
unashamedly tells his congregation that
he never owned shoes until he was
eighteen years of age. What he possessed
though were physical intangibles such as
focus, consistency, diligence, ambition, a
brilliant mind and a determination to
succeed in life.
In 1956 Enoch Adeboye was admitted into
Ilesha Grammar School, Ilesha, Osun
State, Western Nigeria and as a youth he
discovered a passion for books, and an
aptitude for science and in particular the
field of Mathematics. This led to an
academic journey in the field of
Mathematics against incredible odds
including but not limited to finances, the
Nigerian Civil War and academic politics.
By the time he was done, Enoch Adeboye
had obtained not only a Bachelors (BSc.)
degree in Mathematics from the
University of Nigeria, Nnsukka, Nigeria
in 1967, but also a Masters (MSc.)
Degree in Hydrodynamics and a
Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Applied
Mathematics , both from the University
of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria in 1969 and
1975 respectively.
One of the motivations for these
academic achievements was Enoch
Adeboye’s passionate desire to become
the youngest Vice Chancellor
(University President) of any one of the
frontline Universities in Nigeria. It did
seem that his academic ambition would
be realized as his academic career
flourished. However, this was not to be as
a greater career awaited him in the
service of the Lord. In 1967 Enoch
Adeboye got married to his beloved wife
Foluke Adenike Adeboye (nee
Adeyokunnu) .
Growing up as a nominal Anglican
(Episcopalian), Enoch Adeboye had a
vague knowledge that God existed in
heaven but did not have or know that he
needed to have a relationship with him
until 1973 when together with his wife he
walked into a most unimpressive building
seeking divine intervention from personal
challenges. This was the only premises at
the time of The Redeemed Christian
Church of God (RCCG) . The church RCCG
was founded by Revd. J. O. Akindayomi ,
a man who though was illiterate had been
supernaturally endowed with the ability
to read the Yoruba (a native Nigerian
dialect) version of the Holy Bible
(translated from the Authorized King
James Version). Even though both the
environment and the Pastor (the founder
himself) seemed unlikely to have
anything to offer to a man of his status,
Enoch Adeboye was unusually inspired
and touched by the Word and also by the
presence of God. On that very day, Enoch
Adeboye committed his life totally to the
Lord Jesus Christ and has since not looked
back.
In 1973 Enoch Adeboye received the
Lord Jesus as his personal Lord and
Saviour, joined RCCG and became
baptized by immersion in water.
Unknown to him though, the Lord had
already informed the founder that “a
man of books” (a highly educated man)
would soon join RCCG and eventually
take over the mantle of leadership
from him (the founder) whenever he
passed away. As Enoch Adeboye joined
and became an active member of RCCG,
the founder began to personally
mentor and groom him for the future
assignment he was totally unaware of. He
initially served as the sermon interpreter
to the founder (from the native Yoruba
dialect to the English language) and later
was ordained a Pastor.
In 1977 when he was ordained a Pastor
in RCCG , Enoch Adeboye manifested an
incredible passion for the work of the
Lord, pioneering Bible Study meetings,
Crusades, Revivals, Outreaches and the
evangelistic programs known as the
Congress. These were very successfully
conducted in various cities all over
southwestern Nigeria.
By the time the founder passed away in
1980, RCCG had about 42 Parishes and
this in those days was a great
achievement. Although the founder left a
sealed document pronouncing Enoch
Adeboye as the succeeding General
Overseer, his transition into office was
not smooth but met with some
resistance. In 1981 Enoch Adeboye was
ordained the General Overseer of The
Redeemed Christian Church of God .
With time, Enoch Adeboye’s results could
not be denied. With a childlike faith in the
efficacy and power in the Word of God,
his passion was to live a life of holiness
and teach others to likewise live holy
lives.
Of course the appointment as General
Overseer immediately terminated all
academic ambitions and Enoch Adeboye
set his heart on taking RCCG to the next
level of ministry. He introduced
innovations into the ministry and in
particular sought means whereby the
elite in the society and professionals
could experience ministry in a manner to
which they were accustomed without
compromising in the worship of God in
Spirit and in truth. This led to the
establishment of the “ Model Parishes ”
through which countless millions in the
upper echelons of the society have come
to know the Lord. The poor, needy and
downtrodden have not been ignored, as
Enoch Adeboye has a deep compassion
for souls .
Soon after the innovations came the Holy
Ghost Services in the mid nineteen-
eighties which featured a night of
Praise, Worship, Prayer, Soul-winning,
Deliverance, Testimonies and the
Word once a month . Initially held on the
premises of the Headquarters in Lagos
space constraints required a change in
location. This led to the purchase of a
massive piece of uninhabited forest land
located on the outskirts of Lagos, a haven
of highway / armed robbers and
kidnappers with a great company of
pythons and wild animals. Enoch Adeboye
moved his family to this “ wilderness” he
called the Redemption Camp ,
constructed a large auditorium and began
to hold the Holy Ghost Services there.
To the glory of God, these services have
been consistently held for over twenty
years now and today, the crowds in
attendance run in the millions every
month. From the Redemption Camp,
Enoch Adeboye faithfully travels many
miles to work in Lagos and also ministers
all over the world.
On 18 December 1998 , Enoch Adeboye
hosted the very first Holy Ghost
Festival (open air meeting) in Nigeria
with an attendance of over seven
million people (CNN estimate) . This
most ambitious project in the form of an
open air Worship Service was carried out
in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria and in attendance
were over seven million people as
confirmed by the CNN aerial satellite. Not
one person was lost or died in that throng
and this feat was repeated the following
year. In 1999 though, there were no less
than twelve million worshipers present.
This program has since been replaced
with the annual 3-day Holy Ghost
Congress held every December at the
Redemption Camp. In addition to this is a
Special 3-day Holy Ghost Program held
in the first weekend of March yearly. At
each and every one of these events,
miracles, signs and wonders have become
commonplace as the power of God moves
freely to set free, heal, anoint, deliver,
bless and empower.
Enoch Adeboye’s trade mark of humility is
disarming and this endears him to people,
enabling him to easily share his testimony
of the Gospel. His passion for soul-
winning feeds his passion for church-
planting and through this, countless
thousands have been inspired to follow
him and likewise serve the Lord in the
ministry. From that unimpressive building
he walked into in 1973, the Lord has
today through Enoch Adeboye built a
Mission of over five thousand Churches all
over the world (Nigeria, almost all the
nations of Africa, the US, the UK, Canada,
South America, the Caribbean, Europe,
Australia, India, China, Hong Kong, the Far
East and even the Middle East). In the
United States alone there are over five
hundred Parishes and still increasing.
For several years, he has been honored to
serve as Pastor and / or spiritual
counselor to Heads of States, Ministers,
political leaders and national decision-
makers. At the same time, he endeavors
to travel to minister in unreached
places where others will not go.
To date, all over the world Enoch Adeboye
has been conferred with several honorary
degrees and national merit awards in
appreciation of his contributions to
humanity. In the 2009 Newsweek Elite
Edition (January 5, 2009), he was listed as
one of the Fifty Most Influential People
In The World (No. 49 to be exact). For
example the following are note-worthy:
1999 – Received honorary citizenship
and key of Cambridge, Massachusetts,
USA.
2000 – Dedicated the first chapel in
the Nigerian Presidential Villa, Abuja,
Nigeria.
2005 – Received honorary citizenship
and key of Dallas, Texas, USA.
2005 – Received honorary citizenship
and key of Baltimore, Maryland,
United States.
2008 – Awarded a National Honor
(Order of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria) by the Nigerian President
2009 – Led the Pre-Summit Prayers at
the 64th General Assembly of the
United Nations, Headquarters, New
York.
2009 – Named one of ‘The World’s Fifty
Most Powerful People’ by Newsweek
Magazine (USA).
2009 – Awarded honorary doctorate
degree – University of Lagos, Lagos,
Nigeria
2009 – Awarded honorary doctorate
degree – University of Nigeria, Nsukka
2010 – Awarded a National Sports
Honor (Spiritual Pillar of Nigerian
Sports)
Though the above achievements are
phenomenal, Enoch Adeboye never fails
to give glory to the Lord, claiming that
there are greater things ahead that the
Lord will yet do.
To date, Enoch Adeboye’s profile includes:
Strategic casting of the worldwide vision
of The Redeemed Christian Church of
God
General Overseer with ultimate
responsibility for over 12,000 churches
in over 120 nations.
Author / Writer of the popular, globally-
distributed daily devotional manual –
Open Heavens.
Host / Convener / Main Preacher at
the annual December three-day Holy
Ghost Congress (open air meeting) in
Nigeria with an average attendance of
over six million people
Host / Convener / Main Preacher at
the annual March three-day Special
Holy Ghost Service (open air meeting)
in Nigeria with an average attendance
of over six million people
Host / Convener / Preacher at the
monthly Holy Ghost Service (open air
meeting) in Nigeria with an average
attendance of over one million people
Host / Convener / Preacher at the
quarterly Festival of Life (indoor revival
meeting) in London, UK and various
cities in the US with an average
attendance of over fifty (UK) and seven
thousand (US)
Host / Convener / Preacher at the
Annual RCCG Conventions in Nigeria,
UK and the US with an average
attendance of over two million
(Nigeria), twenty thousand (UK) and
seven thousand (US)
Ordination of Pastors / Deacons during
the Annual RCCG Conventions
worldwide.
Convener of quarterly / annual RCCG
Leadership and Discipleship
Conferences and Retreats all over the
world.
Author of over forty books published all
over the world.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME.