<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[TEMI OLU: 🌸 DEVOTIONALS]]></title><description><![CDATA[This space holds the quiet words that accompany you through life, one scripture at a time.

]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/s/devotionals</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1Bt4!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa864826a-7200-4b5f-b065-5690c9ac1b1a_320x320.png</url><title>TEMI OLU: 🌸 DEVOTIONALS</title><link>https://www.temiolu.com/s/devotionals</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2026 18:03:14 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.temiolu.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Temitope Olusola]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[mizztemiolu@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[mizztemiolu@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[mizztemiolu@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[mizztemiolu@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[WHEN YOUR HEART IS NOT IN THE RIGHT PLACE]]></title><description><![CDATA[What occupies your heart will eventually influence the direction of your life.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/when-your-heart-is-not-in-the-right</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/when-your-heart-is-not-in-the-right</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2026 09:02:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5a5y!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F962845fa-d818-4e39-a9d5-2416985e7607_1414x2000.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. <strong>Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)</strong></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5a5y!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F962845fa-d818-4e39-a9d5-2416985e7607_1414x2000.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5a5y!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F962845fa-d818-4e39-a9d5-2416985e7607_1414x2000.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5a5y!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F962845fa-d818-4e39-a9d5-2416985e7607_1414x2000.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5a5y!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F962845fa-d818-4e39-a9d5-2416985e7607_1414x2000.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5a5y!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F962845fa-d818-4e39-a9d5-2416985e7607_1414x2000.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5a5y!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F962845fa-d818-4e39-a9d5-2416985e7607_1414x2000.png" width="1414" height="2000" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5a5y!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F962845fa-d818-4e39-a9d5-2416985e7607_1414x2000.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5a5y!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F962845fa-d818-4e39-a9d5-2416985e7607_1414x2000.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5a5y!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F962845fa-d818-4e39-a9d5-2416985e7607_1414x2000.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5a5y!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F962845fa-d818-4e39-a9d5-2416985e7607_1414x2000.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Message:</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>The heart is more than a place where emotions reside. It is where desires, motives, intentions and convictions sit. What you continually entertain within your will eventually find expression in how you think, speak, respond and live.</p><p>This is why Scripture tells us to guard our hearts diligently.</p><p>Guarding your heart does not mean shutting people out, avoiding relationships or becoming emotionally unavailable. You cannot give everything access to your heart and expect everything to produce good fruit. You want God&#8217;s will, but you are equally attached to your own way. You desire peace, yet keep entertaining what disturbs it.</p><p>Before asking God to change your circumstances, examine what is happening within you.</p><p>A guarded heart is not a hardened heart. It is a heart that remains open to God while exercising discernment about what it welcomes.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>Identify one attitude, influence or desire that is pulling your heart away from God. Make a conscious decision to address it rather than continue entertaining it.</p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Father, give me wisdom to protect my heart without hardening it and let my thoughts, decisions and actions reflect a heart that is fully yielded to You. In Jesus&#8217; name, Amen.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[ONLY OPTION]]></title><description><![CDATA[The heart that truly trusts God does not make His faithfulness dependent on having a backup plan.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/only-option</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/only-option</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2026 09:02:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Avb5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7a02686-d889-42b4-8a30-4af638dbc6f7_1080x1080.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.Proverbs 3:5&#8211;6</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Avb5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7a02686-d889-42b4-8a30-4af638dbc6f7_1080x1080.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Avb5!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7a02686-d889-42b4-8a30-4af638dbc6f7_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Avb5!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7a02686-d889-42b4-8a30-4af638dbc6f7_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Avb5!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7a02686-d889-42b4-8a30-4af638dbc6f7_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Avb5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7a02686-d889-42b4-8a30-4af638dbc6f7_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Avb5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7a02686-d889-42b4-8a30-4af638dbc6f7_1080x1080.png" width="1080" height="1080" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Avb5!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7a02686-d889-42b4-8a30-4af638dbc6f7_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Avb5!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7a02686-d889-42b4-8a30-4af638dbc6f7_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Avb5!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7a02686-d889-42b4-8a30-4af638dbc6f7_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Avb5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7a02686-d889-42b4-8a30-4af638dbc6f7_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>Trusting God means surrendering the need to control every outcome. Sometimes, you say you trust God while secretly holding on to options in case He doesn&#8217;t come through.</p><p>Setting your intentions on God requires more than including Him in your plans; it means surrendering your plans to Him. It means obeying all the way, remaining faithful when the answer delays, and refusing to let fear dictate your decisions.</p><p><strong>Your intention is not fully set on God when your confidence in Him depends on having another way out.</strong></p><p>Don&#8217;t abandon wisdom or responsible planning, but don&#8217;t allow fear to become your master or your options to become your true source of security. Trust God wholeheartedly, and let His will guide your steps.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>Map out the vision and surrender it to God today; take one step of obedience without allowing options to dictate your decision.</p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Father, help me trust You with my whole heart and let my confidence rest in Your faithfulness, not in my ability to control outcomes. In Jesus&#8217; name, Amen.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[WHAT IS GROWING IN YOUR LIFE]]></title><description><![CDATA[Spiritual gifts reveal what God can do through you, but the fruit of the Spirit reveals the character He is developing within you.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/what-is-growing-in-your-life</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/what-is-growing-in-your-life</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 08:06:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OEp1!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22&#8211;23 (KJV)</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OEp1!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OEp1!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OEp1!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OEp1!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OEp1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OEp1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png" width="1080" height="1080" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1080,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1810539,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/221445157?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OEp1!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OEp1!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OEp1!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OEp1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1405fca6-5a59-4030-a440-2c66a5770a29_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>It is possible to be gifted and still need character growth. You can pray powerfully, teach the Word, or exercise the gift of prophecy while struggling to demonstrate patience, gentleness, or self-control. In 1 Corinthians 13:2, the Apostle Paul reminds us that even if we have the gift of prophecy and understand mysteries, without love, we are nothing.</p><p><strong>Our spiritual gifts reveal how God can work through us, but the fruit of the Spirit reflects the character He is developing within us.</strong></p><p>Imagine someone who delivers a prophetic message but uses it to intimidate or humiliate another person. The gift may be present, but the way it is exercised does not reflect Christ&#8217;s love. Spiritual gifts should be exercised with humility, wisdom, and love. </p><p>God is not asking you to pursue gifts at the expense of character. He invites you to walk in the Spirit and allow Him to transform your heart.</p><p>So, beyond asking, <em>&#8220;Lord, use me,&#8221;</em> pray, <em>&#8220;Lord, change me.&#8221;</em></p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>A Call to Self-Examination: What Is Your Life Producing?</p><p>Perhaps you are a preacher, worship leader, intercessor, prophet, teacher, or someone who serves faithfully behind the scenes. People come to you for prayer, counsel, encouragement, or direction.</p><p>Today, the Holy Spirit invites you to examine yourself more than your public ministry.</p><p>Ask yourself:</p><ul><li><p>Am I growing in love?</p></li><li><p>Can I remain patient when things do not happen according to my expectations?</p></li><li><p>Do people experience kindness when they interact with me?</p></li><li><p>Am I willing to receive correction without becoming defensive?</p></li><li><p>Do I exercise my gifts with humility and self-control?</p></li><li><p>Does my conduct at home reflect the same faith I profess in public?</p></li><li><p>Am I becoming more like Jesus?</p></li></ul><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Father, help us to exercise every spiritual gift with love, wisdom, discernment, and accountability. May I never use what You have given me to manipulate, intimidate, or elevate myself above others. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[SPIRITUAL GROWTH]]></title><description><![CDATA[Spiritual growth helps us become more mature in how we receive, steward, and express the grace God has given us.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/spiritual-growth</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/spiritual-growth</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:00:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTsW!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 </p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTsW!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTsW!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTsW!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTsW!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTsW!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTsW!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png" width="1080" height="1080" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1080,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:45551,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/220248936?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTsW!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTsW!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTsW!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTsW!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4746af75-3160-405e-9771-b8326cbe4237_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>Grace is God&#8217;s gift, and our growth determines how we learn to walk in it, respond to it, and fulfil the purposes for which He has called us.</p><p>Spiritual growth is more than knowing Scripture and attending church. It is allowing God to shape your hearts, renew your minds, deepen your understanding, and mature your character.</p><p>There are things God desires to do through you that require you to grow beyond who you are today. The patience required for one season is different from the wisdom required for the next. The responsibility you pray for demands a deeper level of discipline, discernment, and dependence on God. Grace is not a reward for growth. Rather, <strong>spiritual growth helps you become more mature in how you receive, steward, and express the grace God has given you.</strong></p><p>You do not have to know everything today. You have to remain willing to grow.</p><p>The more deeply you grow in Jesus Christ, the more intentionally you live out the grace He has placed upon your life.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>Set aside intentional time to pray, study Scripture, or practise an act of obedience that strengthens your walk with God. </p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Father, thank You for Your grace and for the purpose You have placed upon my life. Help me not to remain stagnant in my spiritual journey. Amen.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[BE THE LIGHT]]></title><description><![CDATA[My life shines Christ's light into my world.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/be-the-light</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/be-the-light</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:02:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pnqc!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cf5e23f-c1f7-48d2-9cce-8ff2f9556e78_1080x1080.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You are the light of the world.<strong> </strong>Matthew 5:14</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pnqc!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cf5e23f-c1f7-48d2-9cce-8ff2f9556e78_1080x1080.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pnqc!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cf5e23f-c1f7-48d2-9cce-8ff2f9556e78_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pnqc!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cf5e23f-c1f7-48d2-9cce-8ff2f9556e78_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pnqc!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cf5e23f-c1f7-48d2-9cce-8ff2f9556e78_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pnqc!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cf5e23f-c1f7-48d2-9cce-8ff2f9556e78_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pnqc!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cf5e23f-c1f7-48d2-9cce-8ff2f9556e78_1080x1080.png" width="1080" height="1080" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pnqc!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cf5e23f-c1f7-48d2-9cce-8ff2f9556e78_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pnqc!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cf5e23f-c1f7-48d2-9cce-8ff2f9556e78_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pnqc!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cf5e23f-c1f7-48d2-9cce-8ff2f9556e78_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pnqc!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5cf5e23f-c1f7-48d2-9cce-8ff2f9556e78_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Message:</p><p>The way you speak, treat people, and live when no one is watching matters because being the light is encouraging someone who is struggling, telling the truth when it&#8217;s inconvenient, showing compassion when others have become impatient, or noticing the person everyone else overlooked.</p><p><strong>Light changes the atmosphere by being present.</strong></p><p>The world did not need another loud voice, but a sweet soul who is clear<strong>, </strong>compassionate, courageous, genuine and who influences without losing humility when she/he walks into a room.</p><p><strong>Your assignment is to shine where God has placed you.</strong></p><p>Midweek Challenge:</p><p>Think about the spaces and people God has placed around you this week. Choose one person and intentionally bring a little light into their day through encouragement, kindness, or a thoughtful message.</p><p>Prayer:</p><p>Lord, help me to shine wherever You have placed me; let my words carry kindness, and my life bring hope to those around me. Keep me from shrinking, hiding, or becoming discouraged. <strong>Amen.</strong></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[WHEN REJECTION BECOMES REDIRECTION]]></title><description><![CDATA[Rejection is an event, not your identity..........]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/when-rejection-becomes-redirection</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/when-rejection-becomes-redirection</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:01:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nDFm!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes. Psalm 118:22&#8211;23</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nDFm!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nDFm!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nDFm!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nDFm!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nDFm!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nDFm!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1350,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:687445,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/215877997?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nDFm!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nDFm!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nDFm!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nDFm!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F30711b96-4a2b-4e1d-b26a-a40c079db999_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>Your identity must come from the One who created you, not from the people who failed to recognise you. <strong>God redeem what hurt you. </strong>Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. So don&#8217;t allow rejection to make you bitter. David was overlooked by his own family when Samuel came looking for the next king. His father didn't even initially consider him. Yet the one who was overlooked was the one God had chosen.</p><p>Don&#8217;t spend the rest of your life standing at a door God has given you grace to walk away from. You don&#8217;t have to chase what God has released. There is a difference between fighting for something and fighting to be accepted.</p><p>Fight for what God has entrusted to you.</p><p>Fight for your marriage when there is genuine repentance and a willingness to rebuild.</p><p>Fight for your calling.</p><p>Fight for your growth.</p><p>Fight for your healing.</p><p>But don&#8217;t spend your life begging someone to see what they have decided not to see. You can love people and still release them.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>Now ask yourself: <strong>&#8220;Am I grieving this, or am I still trying to prove myself to it?&#8221; </strong>For the next seven days, challenge yourself to stop chasing validation from that closed door.</p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Father, thank You because my identity is not determined by who accepted me or rejected me. Amen </p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[THE MATURITY TO CHOOSE PEACE]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every reaction deserves a response...]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/the-maturity-to-choose-peace</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/the-maturity-to-choose-peace</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 08:00:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jEJ-!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jEJ-!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jEJ-!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jEJ-!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jEJ-!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jEJ-!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jEJ-!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1350,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1334940,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/215871002?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jEJ-!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jEJ-!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jEJ-!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jEJ-!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9d5adc2c-1061-4085-9109-793b366ed203_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><p><span>There comes a point in your walk with God when you realise that not every reaction deserves a response. Someone can misunderstand you, and you don&#8217;t have to prove yourself. Peacemaking requires maturity. It takes maturity to refuse revenge when you know exactly what you could say to hurt someone. And sometimes, it takes the greatest maturity of all to recognise that silence is more powerful than a response.</span></p><p><span>We live in a world that often celebrates the person who has the quickest comeback, the sharpest response, or the last word. But the Kingdom of God teaches us something different. Jesus didn&#8217;t call us to win every argument. He called us to become more like Him.</span></p><p><span>&#8220;Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.&#8221;  Matthew 5:9</span></p><p><span>Jesus said peacemakers, not peacekeepers. A peacekeeper avoids difficult conversations because they don&#8217;t want conflict. A peacemaker pursues what is right while refusing to surrender love. Sometimes making peace means speaking, listening, apologising, setting a boundary. And sometimes it means walking away because continuing the argument will only produce more wounds.</span></p><p><span>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance&#8230;Galatians 5:22&#8211;23. Choose peace not because you are weak. But because you have decided that your peace is too valuable to surrender to every provocation.</span></p><p><span>Today, ask yourself: What kind of person am I becoming when I am offended?</span></p><p><strong><span>Midweek Challenge:</span></strong></p><p>At the end of each day, write down <strong>one situation where you were tempted to react</strong> and answer:</p><blockquote><p><strong>&#8220;What did I choose, and what would the mature version of me choose next time?&#8221;</strong></p></blockquote><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Father, teach me the maturity to choose peace. Help me not to react from anger, pride, hurt or insecurity. Give me the wisdom to know when to speak, when to listen, when to apologise, when to establish a boundary and when to walk away. Amen</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[GOD SURE PROMISES]]></title><description><![CDATA[Return to what He has said.......]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/god-sure-promises</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/god-sure-promises</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iJ9s!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iJ9s!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iJ9s!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iJ9s!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iJ9s!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iJ9s!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iJ9s!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1350,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1066567,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/215863548?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iJ9s!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iJ9s!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iJ9s!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iJ9s!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7e656931-a56c-4fa8-aff5-dc74bc6484f8_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>For all the promises of God in Him are Yes and Amen.  2 Corinthians 1:20</p><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p><span>But God&#8217;s promises don&#8217;t become uncertain because circumstances change. His Word doesn&#8217;t lose its power because the timeline is different from what you expected. Abraham received a promise, but he had to wait. The waiting did not mean God had forgotten them. And perhaps, like Abraham, you are learning that </span><strong><span>faith is not only believing God for what He promised; it is trusting Him while you wait for it. </span></strong><span>&#8220;Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.&#8221; Hebrews 10:23</span></p><p><span>The foundation of our hope: </span><strong><span>He who promised is faithful. And t</span></strong><span>hat is enough to keep you standing. So today, don&#8217;t measure God&#8217;s faithfulness by the speed of your circumstances. And when you cannot see the promise, </span><strong><span>hold on to the Promiser. </span></strong><span>Because your confidence is not ultimately in what God will give you. Your confidence is in </span><strong><span>who God is. </span></strong></p><p><strong><span>Midweek Challenge:</span></strong></p><p><span>Write down one promise you&#8217;re believing God for.</span></p><p><span>Underneath it, write: &#8220;I will trust God with the process, the timing, and the outcome.&#8221; Let your prayer become a place where you surrender your fear and renew your trust.</span></p><p><span>Prayer:</span></p><p><strong><span>Faithful Father, </span></strong><span>thank You that Your promises are sure. Give me grace to trust Your timing and courage to keep moving forward as I choose to stand on Your unfailing promises today.</span></p><p><strong><span>Amen.</span></strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[DIVINE PURPOSE]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sometimes purpose isn't waiting somewhere ahead of you.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/divine-purpose</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/divine-purpose</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:01:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ZXM!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feea34d60-5ee8-44f0-b95c-c640169ef873_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Ephesians 2:10</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ZXM!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feea34d60-5ee8-44f0-b95c-c640169ef873_1080x1350.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ZXM!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feea34d60-5ee8-44f0-b95c-c640169ef873_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ZXM!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feea34d60-5ee8-44f0-b95c-c640169ef873_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ZXM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feea34d60-5ee8-44f0-b95c-c640169ef873_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ZXM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feea34d60-5ee8-44f0-b95c-c640169ef873_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ZXM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feea34d60-5ee8-44f0-b95c-c640169ef873_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ZXM!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feea34d60-5ee8-44f0-b95c-c640169ef873_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ZXM!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feea34d60-5ee8-44f0-b95c-c640169ef873_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ZXM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feea34d60-5ee8-44f0-b95c-c640169ef873_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ZXM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feea34d60-5ee8-44f0-b95c-c640169ef873_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p><strong><span>&#8220;What am I here for?&#8221;</span></strong></p><p><span>Some people spend years searching for purpose as though it is a destination waiting somewhere far ahead of them. They compare their journeys with others, look at their achievements, and wonder if they are behind.</span></p><p><span>You see someone walking confidently in their calling and question your own. God has a way of revealing purpose through seasons, experiences, relationships, gifts, opportunities, disappointments, and even the things we never expected to encounter. That means your journey matters.</span></p><p><span>Even the seasons that didn&#8217;t look productive prepare something within you. The waiting developed your patience, difficult conversations developed your wisdom, unexpected responsibility revealed your leadership. The experience you once wanted to forget may eventually become something you use to help someone else.</span></p><p><span>I am not saying that every difficult thing was good or that you need to romanticise pain; what I did mean is that nothing has to be wasted. God works through the pieces of your stories that you don&#8217;t yet understand.</span></p><p><span>You were created intentionally, and your gifts are not accidental.</span></p><p><span>Purpose isn&#8217;t about discovering what you are good at, but discovering </span><strong><span>what your gifts are for.</span></strong></p><p><span>Who can you serve?</span></p><p><span>Who can you encourage?</span></p><p><span>What problem can you help solve?</span></p><p><span>What burden has been placed on your heart?</span></p><p><span>What difference can your life make?</span></p><p><span>The clues to purpose are already present in your life; you need to slow down enough to notice them.</span></p><p><strong><span>Midweek Challenge:</span></strong></p><p><span>Recognise what has already been placed within you.</span></p><p><span>Write down </span><strong><span>three gifts or strengths</span></strong><span> you believe God has placed in you, and don&#8217;t overthink them. Allow yourself to see your abilities not as things you possess, but as tools that can serve a greater purpose.</span></p><p><strong><span>Prayer:</span></strong></p><p><span>Give me wisdom to recognise what matters, courage to take the next step, and discipline to steward what You have entrusted to me. Help me walk confidently in the assignment You have given me, trusting that You are shaping me even in the places I cannot yet understand. Amen.</span></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[CHILDREN OF LIGHT]]></title><description><![CDATA[You don't have to be the loudest person in the room to make a difference.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/children-of-light</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/children-of-light</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:01:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5GJA!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05483ca0-6b13-4b54-b040-9a1d050e2d6b_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.  Ephesians 5:8</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5GJA!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05483ca0-6b13-4b54-b040-9a1d050e2d6b_1080x1350.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5GJA!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05483ca0-6b13-4b54-b040-9a1d050e2d6b_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5GJA!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05483ca0-6b13-4b54-b040-9a1d050e2d6b_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5GJA!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05483ca0-6b13-4b54-b040-9a1d050e2d6b_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5GJA!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05483ca0-6b13-4b54-b040-9a1d050e2d6b_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5GJA!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05483ca0-6b13-4b54-b040-9a1d050e2d6b_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5GJA!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05483ca0-6b13-4b54-b040-9a1d050e2d6b_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5GJA!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05483ca0-6b13-4b54-b040-9a1d050e2d6b_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5GJA!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05483ca0-6b13-4b54-b040-9a1d050e2d6b_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5GJA!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05483ca0-6b13-4b54-b040-9a1d050e2d6b_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p><span>When light walks into a dark room, it doesn&#8217;t need to convince the darkness that light exists. The moment light enters, darkness loses its influence. Apostle Paul&#8217;s words in Ephesians 5:8 are so powerful; he doesn&#8217;t tell us to </span><em><span>find</span></em><span> the light. He reminds us that, in Christ, </span><strong><span>we have become people of light.</span></strong><span> To live as a child of light is to allow what is happening within you to reflect the light of God in you.</span></p><p><span>Choosing honesty when pretending would be easier, purity when compromise is available, courage when fear would be more comfortable, kindness when someone else is difficult, truth when appearances would be easier to maintain. Light is not afraid of what can be seen because it brings things into the open.</span></p><p><span>And walking in the light means allowing God to illuminate the parts of your heart that you would rather leave untouched, like your motives, attitudes, wounds, habits, relationships &amp; many more.</span></p><p><span>Light doesn&#8217;t expose you to shame; it only reveals what needs attention so that you can walk more freely. You may never know that your willingness to show up with hope permitted someone else to keep going, and that is why your light matters beyond you.</span></p><p><span>Your words, presence, integrity, compassion, and courage bring light. So this week, don&#8217;t underestimate the impact of your presence. You don&#8217;t have to change the whole world today. Just let your light reach the space you&#8217;re standing in.</span></p><p><span>You were not called merely to receive light&#8230; You were called to </span><strong><span>live as a carrier of it.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span>Midweek Challenge:</span></strong></p><p><span>Be a light today.</span></p><p><span>Think of </span><strong><span>one person who may be discouraged</span></strong><span>, overlooked, tired, or struggling quietly. Reach out, send the message, make the call, offer encouragement and listen. Let someone know that they are seen.</span></p><p><span>Sometimes a small act of kindness arrives at exactly the right moment.</span></p><p><strong><span>Prayer:</span></strong></p><p><strong><span>Father,</span></strong><span> illuminate the places within me that need Your attention, and give me the courage to respond with humility, that my words bring encouragement, my choices reflect integrity, and my presence brings hope to the spaces I enter. Amen.</span></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[UNSHAKABLE TRUTH]]></title><description><![CDATA[Have I been more influenced by fear, comparison, and circumstances, or by truth? The foundation you choose determines the life we build.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/unshakable-truth</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/unshakable-truth</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:01:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0nt6!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7bc43b90-2a57-4dc7-81d7-b15c64a1cf87_940x788.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. </strong>John 17:17</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0nt6!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7bc43b90-2a57-4dc7-81d7-b15c64a1cf87_940x788.png" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0nt6!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7bc43b90-2a57-4dc7-81d7-b15c64a1cf87_940x788.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0nt6!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7bc43b90-2a57-4dc7-81d7-b15c64a1cf87_940x788.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0nt6!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7bc43b90-2a57-4dc7-81d7-b15c64a1cf87_940x788.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!0nt6!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7bc43b90-2a57-4dc7-81d7-b15c64a1cf87_940x788.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Message:</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p><span>Truth is the foundation upon which you build your lives, and it&#8217;s more than a piece of  information, a collection of ideas or personal preferences. Flourishing begins when your hearts, thoughts, and decisions are anchored in God&#8217;s truth rather than being controlled by everything happening around you.  Life will bring moments that challenge what you believe, moments when fear tries to define the future, doubt questions the journey, and wonder if you are still moving in the right direction.</span></p><p><span>Your feelings, opinions, and circumstances can change, but God&#8217;s truth remains constant. Learn to walk with confidence not because you know everything, but because you are anchored in what is unchanging. A tree flourishes because it is deeply rooted. In the same way, a person flourishes when their heart is rooted in God&#8217;s truth. The depth of your roots determines the strength of your standing.</span></p><p><span>So today, ask yourself: What has been shaping my thoughts lately? Have I been more influenced by fear, comparison, and circumstances, or by truth? The foundation you choose determines the life we build.</span></p><p>Midweek Challenge:</p><p>Choose one scripture that speaks to the season you are currently walking through. Write it somewhere visible. Read it in the morning and reflect on it again at night. Allow it to move beyond words on a page and become a foundation for your thoughts, decisions, and responses.</p><p>Prayer:</p><p>Lord, root me deeply in Your truth and when fear rises, realign my heart with Your promises. Amen.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[FLOURISH WITH INTEGRITY]]></title><description><![CDATA["Who am I becoming while I pursue all that I desire?"]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/flourish-with-integrity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/flourish-with-integrity</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 08:01:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wDwI!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><span>The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.</span></strong><span> Proverbs 11:3</span></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wDwI!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wDwI!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wDwI!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wDwI!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wDwI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wDwI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png" width="1080" height="1080" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1080,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:705405,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/210197319?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wDwI!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wDwI!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wDwI!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wDwI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2112ac62-aed9-46d0-967b-0bf16f65907c_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Message:</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p><span>Integrity is the person you are when there is no audience: your decision to remain honest when a shortcut would be easier, to choose truth when a carefully created image would be more convenient. It is doing what is right, not because someone is watching, but because your values matter. A flourishing life is not built only on what people can see. Every individual wants the opportunities, influence, and increase.</span></p><p><span>But integrity asks a deeper question: </span><strong><span>&#8220;Who am I becoming while I pursue all that I desire?&#8221;</span></strong></p><p><span>What you build without character can become difficult to sustain, but when your inner world is anchored in truth, your outer world begins to carry greater clarity and peace. Integrity gives you confidence because you are no longer divided between who you appear to be and who you truly are.</span></p><p><span>There is freedom in knowing that your words, actions, values, and choices are moving in the same direction. This week, remember that integrity is not about perfection but about alignment and recognising the areas where growth is needed and having the courage to make adjustments.</span></p><p>Midweek Challenge:</p><p><span>Choose one area where you desire greater integrity.</span></p><p><span>It could be:</span></p><ul><li><p><span>A promise you need to keep to yourself.</span></p></li><li><p><span>A conversation you need to approach honestly.</span></p></li><li><p><span>A boundary you need to establish.</span></p></li><li><p><span>A habit you need to change.</span></p></li><li><p><span>A truth you need to acknowledge.</span></p></li></ul><p><span>Take one small step towards greater alignment this week.</span></p><p>Prayer:</p><p>Father, teach me to live with a heart that is steadfast and true. As I choose honesty when it is difficult, courage when it is uncomfortable, and faithfulness when no one is watching. Shape my character and help my inner life reflect the person You are calling me to become. Amen.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[GENEROSITY]]></title><description><![CDATA[God is my source, so I will live with open hands and a generous heart.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/generosity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/generosity</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:00:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jT_x!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F026a6bbc-89b1-415a-aa19-dce2081a6617_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jT_x!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F026a6bbc-89b1-415a-aa19-dce2081a6617_1080x1350.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jT_x!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F026a6bbc-89b1-415a-aa19-dce2081a6617_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jT_x!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F026a6bbc-89b1-415a-aa19-dce2081a6617_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jT_x!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F026a6bbc-89b1-415a-aa19-dce2081a6617_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jT_x!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F026a6bbc-89b1-415a-aa19-dce2081a6617_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jT_x!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F026a6bbc-89b1-415a-aa19-dce2081a6617_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jT_x!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F026a6bbc-89b1-415a-aa19-dce2081a6617_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jT_x!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F026a6bbc-89b1-415a-aa19-dce2081a6617_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jT_x!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F026a6bbc-89b1-415a-aa19-dce2081a6617_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!jT_x!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F026a6bbc-89b1-415a-aa19-dce2081a6617_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>Generosity begins in the heart before it manifests in deed. A generous life is not reserved for those with rich resources, but rather for anybody whose heart has been formed by gratitude and trust. Generosity is often expressed through financial giving, but it includes the willingness to give your time to someone who needs your presence more than your advice, encouraging someone who is quietly carrying disappointment, listening without rushing to provide solutions, extending hospitality, praying faithfully for someone else's burden, or sharing knowledge that helps another person grow.</p><p>Generosity mirrors God's generous heart, which constantly offers life, love, knowledge, and mercy to His children, and living generously challenges fears such as the fear of not having enough. You naturally desire to keep what you have because you believe that accumulation provides security. Every act of unselfish giving weakens the grasp of fear, greed, and shortage. It teaches you to have a deeper trust in God's supply and reminds you that fulfilment comes not only from receiving but also from participating in God's work to bless others.</p><p>The wisdom of Proverbs points to a different reality: the person who refreshes others is also rejuvenated. This is not a formula for material riches, nor is it a guarantee that every charitable deed will result in instant visible rewards. To flourish through generosity, acknowledge that everything you have, including your abilities, opportunities, connections, resources, and experiences, is ultimately a gift from God. As diligent stewards, you are encouraged to use your gifts not just for your own advantage, but also to strengthen, encourage, and refresh those around you. And in that loyal giving, you'll frequently discover that God has been quietly renewing your own hearts all along.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>Ask God every morning, "Who can I refresh today?" Respond intentionally; it could be through a thoughtful chat, a handwritten note, practical assistance, a monetary gift, or simply being totally present with someone who needs to know they are not alone. At the end of each week, consider how generosity has influenced both the lives of others and your own heart.</p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Father, shape my heart to reflect Your kindness by living with open hands and a ready spirit. Help me to see the needs around me and generously give of my time, resources, encouragement, and compassion. Amen.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[SERVICE WITH JOY]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every act of joyful service is an opportunity to reflect Christ's heart and worship God with faithful love.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/service-with-joy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/service-with-joy</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:02:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U-aN!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U-aN!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U-aN!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U-aN!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U-aN!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U-aN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U-aN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png" width="1080" height="1080" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1080,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:576527,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/200985496?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U-aN!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U-aN!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U-aN!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!U-aN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F009d136c-bf26-48f4-bf16-b51ee8e6411a_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>From the beginning of Scripture to Jesus' ministry, there is a persistent picture of God urging His people to share their lives for the benefit of others because the manner in which you serve is just as important as the service itself. Psalm 100 not only call you to serve; it calls you to "serve the Lord with gladness." This is an invitation to examine both your acts and the posture of your hearts. It is possible to perform many excellent things while harbouring animosity, tiredness, or a need for recognition, and become preoccupied with fulfilling chores that you lose sight of the One for whom you are serving. </p><p>When your soul is anchored in God, service becomes more than just completing obligations, but a response to His grace. Jesus Christ had complete authority, but He repeatedly chose the road of humility, welcoming children, touching those whom others shunned, feeding the hungry, comforting the mourning, and washing His followers' feet. These acts were not interruptions, but rather reflections of His mission.</p><p>When you consider what Christ has done for you, service becomes a natural response rather than a difficult responsibility. You no longer inquire, "What must I do?" Instead, you begin to wonder, "How can I reflect the love I have already received?" To flourish by serving with joy, you must see that every act of fidelity, no matter how insignificant, becomes a gift of worship. Every opportunity to lift another person's burden reveals Christ's heart.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>Offer your time, encouragement, or practical assistance without expecting recognition. At the end of the week, think about how helping quietly shaped your heart and increased your sense of God's presence.</p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Lord, fill me with appreciation that spills into joyful service, and let me mirror Jesus' humility, compassion, and fidelity in every opportunity You provide. Amen.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[LOVING WELL]]></title><description><![CDATA[And when you live your life with genuine love, others see not only your kindness, but a mirror of the God who first loved us.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/loving-well</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/loving-well</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:01:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tmud!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tmud!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tmud!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tmud!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tmud!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tmud!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tmud!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png" width="1080" height="1080" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1080,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1298044,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/200984095?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tmud!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tmud!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tmud!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tmud!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5da7807-38f9-447c-94d7-e891fd72e40c_1080x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14</p><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>What would you discover if someone summarised your life based on how you treat others?</p><p>It's a fascinating question because Scripture has consistently set love at the centre of the Christian life. The Apostle Paul does not suggest that certain acts should be done in love while others are not. Instead, he provides a simple yet comprehensive instruction: "Do everything with love." Love influences how you communicate, make decisions, handle disagreement, deal with disappointment, and use the influence God has given you. It is not limited to moments of emotion or friendship but also includes regular conversations, difficult relationships, silent acts of service, and even unnoticed attitudes of the heart.</p><p>Biblical love is anchored in God's character because it wants the good of another person, even if it demands patience, humility, or sacrifice. Jesus Christ's love was never shallow or sentimental; it was intentional, brave, and deeply personal. As His followers, you are expected to mirror the same heart. One of the most difficult hurdles to loving properly is seeing others solely through the lens of their actions; you become ready to label others based on their failures, ideas, or the ways they have wounded you.</p><p>To flourish by loving well is to allow God's love to shape your inner life so that it naturally influences your outside life, as well as to recognise that every interaction is an opportunity to reveal something about His character. As you continue to walk with Christ, love becomes more than just something you do; when your life is marked by genuine love, people see not just your compassion, but a mirror of the God who first loved us.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>This week, choose one person to support, serve, or simply be present with. Ask God to let you view them through His eyes and love them in a way that reflects His heart.</p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Father, enable me to reflect Christ with humility, compassion, and integrity, bringing You honour in all relationships. Amen.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[BEARING FRUIT]]></title><description><![CDATA[Learning to value this hidden work keeps you from feeling disheartened when progress seems slow.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/bearing-fruit</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/bearing-fruit</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:00:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mve6!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mve6!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mve6!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mve6!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mve6!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mve6!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mve6!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1350,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:2154827,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/200982364?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mve6!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mve6!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mve6!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mve6!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d5b51da-92b0-4bbf-8249-dfb602b3f5e2_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>This is to my Father&#8217;s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8</p><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>A branch does not struggle to bear fruit solely through effort because every fruit-bearing branch has the power to bear fruit purely on its connection to the vine. If the connection remains strong, life flows naturally from the source to the branch, and fruit appears in the appropriate season. Growth becomes less about trying to be a better person and more about letting God shape you from the inside out. </p><p>Spiritual maturity is typically manifested through ordinary acts of faithfulness; as you continue to seek God in prayer, ponder His Word, and respond to His leading, your character begins to change in ways that may only become apparent over time. Bearing fruit necessitates faith in God's timing, and progress may appear veiled at certain seasons. Just as roots grow before branches bloom, God frequently strengthens your inner life before visible fruit arrives.</p><p>Jesus Christ speaks of the Father's loving care for every branch, which involves pruning. Pruning might be difficult, but its aim is never punishment, but preparation. A gardener removes anything that impedes proper growth so that the plant can grow stronger and more bountiful. Spiritually, this means giving up habits, attitudes, or diversions that compete for our attention. It may necessitate letting go of self-reliance, unhealthy habits, or desires that divert us from God's will.</p><p>Finally, the fruit God seeks goes beyond personal development since fruit is never produced solely for the benefit of the branch, but to nourish, encourage, and bring life beyond itself. To flourish by bearing fruit is to remain rooted in Christ with confidence and trust that as you continue to walk intimately with Him, He will generate within you what you could never achieve through your own efforts.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>Leave your list of demands behind and avoid the impulse to fill the stillness. Instead, read a small chapter of Scripture slowly, ponder on it, and ask the Holy Spirit to show where He is cultivating new fruit in your life. </p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Lord Jesus, teach me to value intimacy with You above performance, and shape my character through Your Holy Spirit. Let my life bear fruit that brings hope to others and glory to Your name. Amen.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[MERCIFUL LOVE]]></title><description><![CDATA[As Jesus Christ's followers, we are asked not only to receive mercy but also to reflect it.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/merciful-love</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/merciful-love</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:01:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uk3N!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.<br> And what does the Lord require of you?<br>To act justly and to love mercy<br> and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uk3N!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uk3N!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uk3N!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uk3N!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uk3N!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uk3N!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/fe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1350,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:503580,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/200798914?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uk3N!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uk3N!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uk3N!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Uk3N!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe6c72f4-2711-4c39-b339-a3fd9d95a789_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>Mercy is the expression of compassion through actions. It is the decision to respond to human weakness with grace rather than condemnation, to choose understanding when judgment would be simpler, and to extend kindness even when there is no need to do so. Throughout Scripture, we see a God who is patient with imperfect people, correcting, guiding, and restoring them without abandoning them. His mercy is not weakness; rather, it is a consistent manifestation of His love for those who are constantly in need of His favour. </p><p>You are urged not just to receive mercy, but also to reflect on it, which can be difficult because kindness often requires you to go beyond what feels normal. Human nature is to keep score, remember insults, relive disappointments, and discreetly assess who deserves your patience and who has exhausted it, but mercy works differently because it allows for redemption when others may only perceive mistakes. This does not imply disregarding boundaries or denying the gravity of wrongdoing. Genuine mercy is not the lack of wisdom; rather, it is the decision to let grace and truth operate together.</p><p>One of the most ignored areas where mercy is required is in your relationship with yourself. Many people find it simpler to be compassionate toward others than toward themselves. They dwell on past failures, relive old regrets, and compare their worth to unachievable standards. However, God does not call you to live with the constant weight of self-condemnation. Merciful love entails learning to view yourself through the lens of God's grace. It means acknowledging your flaws while realising that God's work in your life is continuing.</p><p>When mercy becomes a component of your attitude toward yourself, you become less obsessed with perfection and more devoted to change. To flourish in merciful love, let God's compassion determine how you walk through the world. It is learning to treat others as individuals in the process rather than finished objects. It includes choosing kindness when harshness appears appropriate and remaining open to reconciliation when healing is feasible.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>Pay attention to times this week when you are inclined to react with annoyance, criticism, or impatience. Before answering, pause and consider: what would mercy look like in this situation? Choose one tangible act of grace per day, whether it's forgiveness, understanding, encouragement, or kindness.</p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Father, thank You for Your tender mercies; please teach me to exhibit mercy to others and to myself, and assist me in responding with wisdom, patience, and compassion. Allow my words, attitudes, and actions to reflect the grace I have received from You. Amen.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[JOY FILLED LIVING]]></title><description><![CDATA[My strength comes from the satisfaction of knowing and trusting God.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/joy-filled-living</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/joy-filled-living</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:01:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!25Lo!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!25Lo!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!25Lo!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!25Lo!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!25Lo!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!25Lo!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!25Lo!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1350,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:2810001,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/200632292?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!25Lo!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!25Lo!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!25Lo!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!25Lo!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa8531caa-78a2-402b-a0da-574f839f88ff_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Nehemiah said, &#8220;Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.&#8221; Nehemiah 8:10</p><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>The backdrop of Nehemiah's statements is important; the people of Israel had gathered after a long and difficult period of displacement and rebuilding. Many people were overcome with emotion as they listened to God's Word being read, becoming conscious of their own faults and shortcomings, and of the distance that had once existed between themselves and God. Instead of wallowing in grief, they were given a startling instruction: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." And this illustrates a crucial fact about joy: it is not based on denial or hope. Joy does not deny reality or pretend that troubles do not exist, but rather stems from the knowledge that God is faithful regardless of circumstances. Joy arises when your confidence is based on God's character rather than changeable circumstances.</p><p>One of the most beautiful aspects of joy is that it broadens your perspective and gently lifts your eyes higher, reminding you that today's battle is not the end of your tale, because difficult seasons have a way of narrowing your focus until all you see is the problem in front of you.  To flourish in joy-filled living, build a heart of thankfulness that is constantly directed toward God. It is learning to enjoy His presence despite your circumstances, and from there, your spirit grows stronger, steadier, and more resilient in every season.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>Set aside some time this week to remember a moment that reminded you of God's goodness. It could be something major or something relatively mundane. At the end of the week, consider how these experiences have influenced your perception of His presence and faithfulness.</p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Lord, instil in me joy rooted in Your presence rather than my circumstances; teach me to recognise Your faithfulness in every season; and help me live with gratitude, hope, and confidence in Your goodness, strengthening my heart through the joy that comes from walking closely with You. Amen.</p><p></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[RADIANT LIGHT]]></title><description><![CDATA[The light of Christ within me is meant to illuminate those around me.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/radiant-light</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/radiant-light</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:01:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zqjO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zqjO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zqjO!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zqjO!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zqjO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zqjO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zqjO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1350,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1865235,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.temiolu.com/i/200598410?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zqjO!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zqjO!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zqjO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zqjO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956cc04a-abec-409f-9b37-631980d73278_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><p>When Jesus said that whoever followed Him would have the light of life, he wasn't offering a title to admire, but a responsibility and reality. Light is created to illuminate, show what is hidden, provide guidance, and allow people to see clearly. In a world full of conflicting voices and distractions, the presence of God provides clarity, hope, and truth communicated through love rather than judgment. Nevertheless, many people spend years reducing aspects of themselves that God intended to use.</p><p>Light has its roots in His presence within you and manifests itself in the way you live, interact with others, and reflect God's character. Radiant light is about allowing God's work within you to shine through your activities rather than drawing attention to yourself. This is why flourishing as a believer is more than just personal development. It's also about influence. Each person's life has an impact on others. Every decision has far-reaching consequences. The way you handle obstacles, treat others, and deal with life pressure reveals something about the God you serve.</p><p>Many individuals experience Christ first through the witness of someone's life before encountering Him through a sermon or bible, and this awareness should not cause pressure; rather, it should inspire purpose. To be effective, your light does not need to be remarkable; instead, it must be true. The world is looking for people who embody grace, humility, wisdom, and love rather than perfection. When Christ shapes your character, His light naturally shines through you.</p><p>And through that witness, others are asked to observe not only your life, but also the God who is shaping it.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>Choose an intentional way to shine the light of Jesus Christ this week. Encourage someone who feels overlooked, provide compassion without seeking acknowledgement, and consider how simple acts of faithfulness can have a significant impact.</p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Jesus, continue. Your work within me makes my life reflect Your character with authenticity and grace. Help me live with courage, integrity, and compassion. Let my words, choices, and actions lead people to Your truth and love. Amen.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[HOLY SURRENDER]]></title><description><![CDATA[Surrender teaches you to walk in trust rather than certainty and to be faithful even when you don't have all the answers.]]></description><link>https://www.temiolu.com/p/holy-surrender</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.temiolu.com/p/holy-surrender</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[TEMI OLU]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 08:01:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nE5u!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3ae8c03c-8c95-4efc-bd65-884257613b54_1080x1350.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nE5u!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3ae8c03c-8c95-4efc-bd65-884257613b54_1080x1350.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nE5u!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3ae8c03c-8c95-4efc-bd65-884257613b54_1080x1350.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nE5u!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3ae8c03c-8c95-4efc-bd65-884257613b54_1080x1350.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nE5u!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3ae8c03c-8c95-4efc-bd65-884257613b54_1080x1350.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nE5u!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3ae8c03c-8c95-4efc-bd65-884257613b54_1080x1350.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nE5u!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3ae8c03c-8c95-4efc-bd65-884257613b54_1080x1350.png" width="1080" height="1350" 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class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg aria-hidden="true" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon-noB79L"><g><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image buttonBase-GK1x3M"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2 icon-noB79L"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;<strong><sup> </sup></strong>in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5&#8211;6</p><p><strong>Message:</strong></p><p>The invitation of Proverbs 3 is not just to trust God occasionally, but to trust Him in the very places where you are tempted to rely completely on yourself. Calling you to see that your viewpoint is restricted since you only see a part of the image, whereas God sees the entire picture. Holy surrender is not passive resignation or surrendering responsibility while refusing to make decisions; rather, it is the intentional act of entrusting what you cannot control to the One who can.</p><p>Surrender is sometimes tough because of what it requires you to release, not the act itself. It could be a meticulously crafted plan, an expectation of how a relationship should play out, or a future you've envisaged so clearly that you're struggling to create a way for another option. As you grow spiritually, you will discover that surrender is less about losing something and more about getting perspective. What once seemed like letting go now seems like being guided. What was once uncertain is now an opportunity to experience God's guidance more directly.</p><p>To flourish in holy surrender, acknowledge that God's wisdom is working toward your welfare rather than contending with it. His intentions are not an interruption to your life, but rather an invitation into something more profound than you could create on your own. While surrender does not always bring immediate insight, it always puts you in a position to be directed by the One who sees deeper than you ever could.</p><p><strong>Midweek Challenge:</strong></p><p>Identify one area of your life where uncertainty is causing worry. Instead of trying to solve things on your own, spend a few minutes each day this week praying particularly about that circumstance. Ask God not just for guidance, but also for the grace to trust Him until the answer is revealed.</p><p><strong>Prayer:</strong></p><p>Lord, teach me to trust You beyond what I can see and comprehend. Help me let go of my desire to control every outcome and give me the confidence to follow Your guidance with an open heart and align my desires with Your wisdom and direct my steps in accordance with Your plan. Amen.</p>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>