Today’s message
Read and reflect
MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL
By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
A man received his sight, and religious leaders developed an emergency: God had performed a miracle without submitting an application to their committee!
The neighbours saw a wonder. His parents saw a danger. The authorities saw a threat.
One would expect thanksgiving. Instead, they opened an investigation. Apparently, the greatest offence was no longer blindness—it was seeing through an unauthorised channel!
How tragic when a congregation can accommodate your affliction but cannot tolerate your testimony.
In John 9, the authorities questioned the man and his parents, disputed his testimony, and eventually cast him out. They were so determined to defend their judgment that they refused to reconsider it in the light of what Jesus had done.
The man’s eyes were opening while their hearts were closing.
WHO IS REALLY REBELLING?
Mutiny is rebellion against rightful authority. But when religious authority resists Christ, who is rebelling against whom?
A church may punish a member for disobedience while its leadership disobeys the Lord of the church. We must all remember: the pulpit belongs to Christ; every preacher remains accountable to Him.
You can occupy the chairman’s seat and still need to kneel in repentance.
This warning reaches beyond church leaders. A member can also shout “revival!” merely because someone has challenged the pastor he dislikes. Pride does not become holiness because it carries a microphone from another ministry.
Neither office nor opposition makes a person right. Christ is the standard for both.
WHEN RELIGION BECOMES A BUSINESS OF FEAR
The parents acknowledged that the man was their son and that he had been born blind. But fear restrained their testimony about how he now saw.
Their caution exposes a painful reality: people sometimes know more truth than they dare to speak.
Fear whispers: “Protect your position. Remember your connections. Think about your seat!”
And conscience replies: “What shall it profit you to retain your seat and surrender your integrity?”
Some people can rebuke Satan for forty minutes but cannot respectfully disagree with a church officer for forty seconds.
Yet courage must remain Christian. Speak truth without slander. Ask questions without contempt. Refuse wrongdoing without becoming cruel. Boldness loses its moral force when bitterness writes its script.
DO NOT CONFUSE DISCERNMENT WITH JEALOUSY
Church leaders must examine spiritual claims. Scripture commands us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). A dramatic testimony does not place anyone above biblical scrutiny.
But examination must seek truth.
When we investigate another person’s testimony secretly hoping it will collapse, our discernment needs deliverance.
When the same conduct becomes “anointing” in our friend and “rebellion” in our critic, we have appointed favouritism as our theologian.
A shepherd protects the flock; he does not need to manufacture wolves to remain important.
Likewise, believers must receive correction. Every closed door is not persecution, and every rebuke is not an attack on your calling. Sometimes the person challenging you is helping you confront what your admirers have politely ignored.
THE MAN THEY CAST OUT, JESUS FOUND
John 9:35 records that Jesus heard they had cast the man out, and He found him.
What tenderness! The argument did not have the final word. Jesus did.
The man’s testimony began with what he knew: he had been blind, and now he could see. His encounter deepened until he confessed faith in Jesus and worshipped Him (John 9:25, 35–38).
The greatest blessing was more than restored eyesight; it was coming to know the One who opened his eyes.
Dear reader, do not let mistreatment turn you into the very thing that wounded you. Keep your conscience tender. Keep your speech clean. Seek wise counsel and faithful Christian fellowship.
You can refuse manipulation without abandoning humility. You can survive rejection without recruiting hatred.
And if you hold authority, make room for repentance. A sincere apology will honour your office more than a successful cover-up.
The church needs more than open doors and open microphones. We need open hearts before Christ.
By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
A man received his sight, and religious leaders developed an emergency: God had performed a miracle without submitting an application to their committee!
The neighbours saw a wonder. His parents saw a danger. The authorities saw a threat.
One would expect thanksgiving. Instead, they opened an investigation. Apparently, the greatest offence was no longer blindness—it was seeing through an unauthorised channel!
How tragic when a congregation can accommodate your affliction but cannot tolerate your testimony.
In John 9, the authorities questioned the man and his parents, disputed his testimony, and eventually cast him out. They were so determined to defend their judgment that they refused to reconsider it in the light of what Jesus had done.
The man’s eyes were opening while their hearts were closing.
WHO IS REALLY REBELLING?
Mutiny is rebellion against rightful authority. But when religious authority resists Christ, who is rebelling against whom?
A church may punish a member for disobedience while its leadership disobeys the Lord of the church. We must all remember: the pulpit belongs to Christ; every preacher remains accountable to Him.
You can occupy the chairman’s seat and still need to kneel in repentance.
This warning reaches beyond church leaders. A member can also shout “revival!” merely because someone has challenged the pastor he dislikes. Pride does not become holiness because it carries a microphone from another ministry.
Neither office nor opposition makes a person right. Christ is the standard for both.
WHEN RELIGION BECOMES A BUSINESS OF FEAR
The parents acknowledged that the man was their son and that he had been born blind. But fear restrained their testimony about how he now saw.
Their caution exposes a painful reality: people sometimes know more truth than they dare to speak.
Fear whispers: “Protect your position. Remember your connections. Think about your seat!”
And conscience replies: “What shall it profit you to retain your seat and surrender your integrity?”
Some people can rebuke Satan for forty minutes but cannot respectfully disagree with a church officer for forty seconds.
Yet courage must remain Christian. Speak truth without slander. Ask questions without contempt. Refuse wrongdoing without becoming cruel. Boldness loses its moral force when bitterness writes its script.
DO NOT CONFUSE DISCERNMENT WITH JEALOUSY
Church leaders must examine spiritual claims. Scripture commands us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). A dramatic testimony does not place anyone above biblical scrutiny.
But examination must seek truth.
When we investigate another person’s testimony secretly hoping it will collapse, our discernment needs deliverance.
When the same conduct becomes “anointing” in our friend and “rebellion” in our critic, we have appointed favouritism as our theologian.
A shepherd protects the flock; he does not need to manufacture wolves to remain important.
Likewise, believers must receive correction. Every closed door is not persecution, and every rebuke is not an attack on your calling. Sometimes the person challenging you is helping you confront what your admirers have politely ignored.
THE MAN THEY CAST OUT, JESUS FOUND
John 9:35 records that Jesus heard they had cast the man out, and He found him.
What tenderness! The argument did not have the final word. Jesus did.
The man’s testimony began with what he knew: he had been blind, and now he could see. His encounter deepened until he confessed faith in Jesus and worshipped Him (John 9:25, 35–38).
The greatest blessing was more than restored eyesight; it was coming to know the One who opened his eyes.
Dear reader, do not let mistreatment turn you into the very thing that wounded you. Keep your conscience tender. Keep your speech clean. Seek wise counsel and faithful Christian fellowship.
You can refuse manipulation without abandoning humility. You can survive rejection without recruiting hatred.
And if you hold authority, make room for repentance. A sincere apology will honour your office more than a successful cover-up.
The church needs more than open doors and open microphones. We need open hearts before Christ.
Reflection
Moral Challenge:
Have I silenced someone to protect my pride? Have I concealed truth to preserve acceptance? Have I called correction persecution? Repent where necessary, repair the harm you have caused, and let obedience strengthen your testimony.
Have I silenced someone to protect my pride? Have I concealed truth to preserve acceptance? Have I called correction persecution? Repent where necessary, repair the harm you have caused, and let obedience strengthen your testimony.
Prayer
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, deliver us from the pride that controls others and the fear that compromises truth. Give leaders humility, members discernment, and Your whole church integrity. Heal wounded hearts without allowing bitterness to rule them. May we never defend our reputation at the expense of obedience to You. Amen.
Prophetic Declaration:
May the Lord give you courage without arrogance, discernment without suspicion, and conviction without cruelty. Rejection will not become your identity, and bitterness will not become your inheritance. May your eyes remain open to truth and your heart remain obedient to Christ, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Your brother,
Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
CAC IBUDO ONA ABAYỌ
cacsolutioncenter@outlook.com
Lord Jesus, deliver us from the pride that controls others and the fear that compromises truth. Give leaders humility, members discernment, and Your whole church integrity. Heal wounded hearts without allowing bitterness to rule them. May we never defend our reputation at the expense of obedience to You. Amen.
Prophetic Declaration:
May the Lord give you courage without arrogance, discernment without suspicion, and conviction without cruelty. Rejection will not become your identity, and bitterness will not become your inheritance. May your eyes remain open to truth and your heart remain obedient to Christ, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Your brother,
Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
CAC IBUDO ONA ABAYỌ
cacsolutioncenter@outlook.com