DeParadigm – World-Class Daily Insights on Faith, Psychology, Purpose, and Well-Being

Accountability in Leadership: Why Taking Responsibility Builds Trust

2026-10-30T15:03:33.042+01:00

Leadership comes with expectations. People expect leaders to make sound decisions, keep their promises, provide direction, and accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions.

Yet leadership becomes difficult when leaders fail to meet those expectations. A project may fail, a decision may produce an unexpected result, or a promise may be broken. At such moments, a leader's response can reveal more about their character than a series of successful achievements.

Some leaders respond by accepting responsibility and looking for ways to improve. Others search for someone to blame, make excuses, or attempt to conceal their mistakes.

The difference is accountability.

Accountability is the willingness to take responsibility for one's decisions, actions, commitments, and obligations. It also involves explaining those decisions when necessary, acknowledging shortcomings, and taking reasonable steps to address problems.

For a leader, accountability is not simply a requirement imposed by an organisation. It is a principle that influences how people experience leadership.

A leader who expects others to take responsibility must be willing to demonstrate accountability personally.

1. Accountability Begins With the Leader

It is easy to demand responsibility from other people. Managers expect employees to meet deadlines. Teachers expect students to complete assignments. Church leaders expect members to fulfil their responsibilities. Parents expect children to follow established rules.

However, leadership loses credibility when the person enforcing the rules refuses to follow them.

Imagine a manager who criticises employees for arriving late but regularly arrives late without explanation. The manager may have the authority to discipline staff, but the inconsistency weakens the moral force of that authority.

The same principle applies when a leader demands honesty but conceals personal mistakes, or insists that others keep their promises while repeatedly breaking their own.

Accountability requires leaders to examine their own conduct before concentrating exclusively on the shortcomings of others.

This does not mean leaders must be perfect. Every leader will eventually encounter difficulties, make an error of judgement, or discover that a decision did not produce the expected result.

What matters is the willingness to acknowledge those situations honestly and respond responsibly.

Before asking whether your team is accountable, consider whether your own behaviour reflects the standard you expect from them.

2. Taking Responsibility Is Not the Same as Making Excuses

When something goes wrong, explanations can be useful. Problems often arise from several factors, including inadequate resources, unclear instructions, unexpected events, or decisions made by multiple people.

Understanding these factors helps prevent similar problems in the future.

However, explaining what happened is different from using circumstances to avoid responsibility.

Consider a project leader whose team misses an important deadline. The leader might explain that a supplier delivered materials late. That information may be accurate, but it does not answer every relevant question.

Did the leader identify the risk early enough? Were alternative arrangements considered? Was the delay communicated to the people who depended on the project? Could the team have adjusted its schedule?

These questions help distinguish between circumstances outside a leader's control and responsibilities the leader could reasonably have fulfilled.

Accountability does not require accepting blame for everything that happens. It requires being honest about one's contribution, acknowledging what could have been handled better, and taking appropriate action.

A responsible leader can explain the circumstances without using them to escape every difficult question.

3. Admit Mistakes Without Losing Your Authority

Some leaders avoid admitting mistakes because they fear that doing so will make them appear incompetent or weak.

They may believe that authority depends on maintaining an image of certainty. As a result, they defend poor decisions, minimise problems, or shift responsibility to less powerful people.

This approach can create a serious problem: people may become reluctant to communicate honestly because they expect the leader to respond defensively.

Admitting a mistake can create a healthier alternative.

Suppose a supervisor gives an employee incorrect instructions that lead to wasted time. Rather than accusing the employee of misunderstanding, the supervisor acknowledges that the instructions were unclear, corrects the information, and considers how future instructions can be improved.

Such a response does not remove the supervisor's responsibility to maintain standards. Instead, it demonstrates that those standards apply to the supervisor as well.

An apology is most meaningful when accompanied by corrective action. Saying sorry without addressing the underlying problem may leave people uncertain about whether anything will change.

Leaders should therefore aim to acknowledge errors promptly, explain what they have learned, correct what can be corrected, and take reasonable steps to prevent recurrence.

Authority does not require pretending to be infallible. It requires exercising responsibility even when doing so is uncomfortable.

4. Keep Your Commitments

Trust is influenced by the relationship between what people promise and what they actually do.

A leader who consistently fulfils commitments gives others a reason to rely on their word. A leader who repeatedly makes promises and fails to honour them creates uncertainty.

Commitments do not always involve major decisions. They can include returning a phone call, providing feedback, paying an agreed amount, attending a meeting, or delivering a report by a specified date.

When these commitments are repeatedly neglected, people may begin to question whether more significant promises can be trusted.

Of course, circumstances sometimes change. A leader may become ill, encounter an unexpected obstacle, or discover that a commitment cannot be fulfilled as originally planned.

Accountability does not mean pretending that circumstances never change. It means communicating when they do.

If a deadline cannot be met, explain the situation as early as reasonably possible. If a promise must be revised, discuss the change honestly. If you have made an unrealistic commitment, acknowledge it rather than allowing others to rely on an expectation you cannot meet.

A person's credibility is shaped not only by the promises they keep, but also by how honestly they handle the promises they cannot fulfil.

5. Create Clear Expectations for Everyone

Accountability becomes difficult when people do not understand what is expected of them.

A leader may assume that an employee knows which task has priority, while the employee believes a different assignment is more urgent. A church committee may expect a member to organise an event without clearly explaining the responsibilities, budget, or deadline.

When the result falls short, the leader may blame the person responsible. Yet the problem may partly reflect inadequate communication.

Clear expectations reduce avoidable misunderstandings.

Before assigning responsibility, leaders should clarify the task, the expected outcome, the deadline, and the resources available. Where necessary, they should explain who has authority to make decisions and when progress should be reviewed.

People should also have an opportunity to ask questions and identify practical obstacles before committing to a task.

This does not mean every detail must be controlled by the leader. People need appropriate freedom to decide how to complete their work.

The goal is to establish enough clarity for individuals to understand their responsibilities and take ownership of their decisions.

Accountability works best when people know what they are responsible for and have a reasonable opportunity to fulfil that responsibility.

6. Hold Others Accountable Without Humiliating Them

Accountability is sometimes confused with punishment, public criticism, or the exercise of authority to demonstrate superiority.

A leader who uses mistakes as opportunities to embarrass people may create an atmosphere in which employees conceal problems rather than report them. Team members may become more concerned about avoiding blame than solving the underlying issue.

However, avoiding accountability altogether creates a different problem. Repeated misconduct or neglected responsibilities may continue, placing additional burdens on people who are doing their work properly.

Responsible leadership requires a balance between fairness and firmness.

When addressing a problem, establish what happened before reaching a conclusion. Give the person an opportunity to explain relevant circumstances. Distinguish between an honest mistake, inadequate training, unclear expectations, negligence, and deliberate misconduct.

These situations may require different responses.

Someone who has made an understandable mistake and is willing to learn may need guidance and additional training. Someone who repeatedly neglects a clearly understood responsibility may require a formal performance discussion or another proportionate response.

Leaders should apply standards consistently rather than protecting favoured individuals while treating others more harshly.

The objective is not to avoid difficult conversations. It is to address problems in a manner that protects standards, respects people, and encourages improvement wherever possible.

7. Accountability Requires Action, Not Just Words

Acknowledging a problem is an important beginning, but accountability must extend beyond an admission.

A leader may apologise for poor communication, yet continue to withhold important information. A manager may promise to improve working conditions without taking any practical steps. A committee may acknowledge financial irregularities but fail to establish better oversight.

In these situations, the words of accountability are not matched by meaningful change.

Taking responsibility involves identifying what needs to be corrected and deciding what action is reasonably possible.

For example, if a leader's failure to communicate has caused confusion, the corrective action might involve establishing regular updates, documenting important decisions, or confirming responsibilities in writing.

If a decision has caused avoidable harm, the leader should consider whether an apology, practical remedy, or change in procedure is appropriate.

Where a problem resulted from several contributing factors, the solution should address those factors rather than focusing exclusively on finding someone to blame.

Accountability becomes more credible when people can see that lessons have been learned and reasonable improvements have followed.

8. Make Accountability Fair and Consistent

People pay attention to whether leaders apply standards fairly.

When one employee is disciplined for an error while another is excused for similar conduct because of personal connections, the organisation risks losing trust. When leaders demand transparency from their teams but refuse to explain their own decisions, accountability becomes a one-sided exercise.

Fairness requires leaders to apply relevant standards consistently and explain significant decisions appropriately.

Consistency does not mean treating every situation identically regardless of its circumstances. Different situations may require different responses because the facts, responsibilities, or consequences differ.

However, those differences should be based on relevant considerations rather than favouritism, personal hostility, or convenience.

Leaders should also recognise good performance. If accountability is discussed only when something goes wrong, people may come to associate it exclusively with criticism.

Acknowledging completed work, responsible decisions, and improvements reinforces the understanding that accountability includes owning successes as well as addressing shortcomings.

A fair approach encourages people to take their responsibilities seriously because they understand that standards are meaningful and apply to everyone.

9. Build a Culture Where People Can Speak Up

Leaders cannot address every problem if people are afraid to report it.

An employee who notices a serious error may remain silent because previous attempts to raise concerns were dismissed. A team member may recognise that a plan is unrealistic but hesitate to speak because disagreement is treated as disloyalty.

When people hide relevant information, leaders may make decisions without understanding the actual situation.

Creating a healthier environment begins with how leaders respond to concerns.

They should listen carefully, ask questions, investigate credible reports, and avoid automatically treating criticism as a personal attack. People should understand the appropriate channels for raising concerns, particularly where safety, misconduct, or serious organisational risks are involved.

This does not mean every complaint is accurate or that every proposal must be accepted. Reports still require careful assessment, and people remain responsible for communicating honestly.

The important point is that raising a concern should not automatically expose someone to humiliation or retaliation.

Leaders who welcome appropriate scrutiny give themselves a better opportunity to identify problems early, learn from experience, and make informed decisions.

Accountability should encourage people to bring problems into the open so that they can be addressed, rather than teaching them to hide mistakes until the consequences become more serious.

10. The Christian Perspective on Accountability

Christian teaching places considerable emphasis on responsibility, integrity, humility, and the way people exercise authority.

In Luke 12:48, Jesus teaches that greater responsibility brings greater accountability. The principle challenges leaders to recognise that positions of trust carry obligations.

Leadership is not simply an opportunity to enjoy privileges. It is a responsibility to use whatever authority, resources, and opportunities one has been given wisely.

Galatians 6:5 teaches that each person has responsibilities to bear. In practical terms, this reminds us that while leaders can guide, support, and correct others, individuals must also take responsibility for their own conduct.

James 5:16 encourages believers to acknowledge their faults to one another and pray for one another. In appropriate circumstances, honest acknowledgement can help create room for reconciliation, growth, and restoration.

These principles should not be used to demand perfection from leaders or to excuse misconduct by those in authority. Rather, they encourage a sincere willingness to examine one's conduct and respond responsibly when shortcomings are identified.

Christian leaders should be willing to receive correction, acknowledge wrongdoing, make appropriate amends, and apply the same standards of integrity they expect from others.

A position in ministry does not remove the need for accountability. If anything, the responsibility to serve others makes integrity and responsible conduct especially important.

11. Seven Practical Habits of Accountable Leaders

Accountability becomes more effective when it is practised consistently. The following habits can help leaders develop a more responsible approach.

Own your decisions. Explain the reasoning behind important choices and acknowledge your part when things go wrong.
Keep track of commitments. Record important promises, deadlines, and responsibilities so that they are not easily forgotten.
Communicate early. Inform relevant people when a problem threatens a deadline or changes an agreed plan.
Admit mistakes honestly. Avoid concealing errors or shifting blame to protect your image.
Correct problems where possible. Identify practical steps that can repair harm, improve a process, or reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Apply standards fairly. Avoid favouritism and ensure that expectations are communicated clearly.
Invite feedback. Give people appropriate opportunities to raise concerns and help identify areas for improvement.

These habits do not guarantee that every decision will be successful. They help create a more responsible way of handling both successes and setbacks.

Conclusion: Responsibility Is the Foundation of Credible Leadership

Leadership is tested not only when plans succeed, but also when mistakes occur, expectations are not met, and difficult decisions must be explained.

In such moments, accountability gives leaders a chance to demonstrate integrity. They can acknowledge what happened, distinguish between their responsibilities and external circumstances, correct what they reasonably can, and learn from the experience.

Accountability also requires fairness towards others. Leaders must establish clear expectations, provide appropriate support, address shortcomings proportionately, and apply standards consistently.

These practices help build relationships where responsibility is seen as part of leadership rather than a punishment for mistakes.

No leader will handle every situation perfectly. What matters is the willingness to remain honest, accept appropriate responsibility, and take meaningful steps towards improvement.

DeParadigm — Accountability is not a sign of weak leadership. It is the courage to own your decisions, learn from your mistakes, and demonstrate through your actions that your principles are worth trusting.

Reflection Questions

Do I accept responsibility when my decisions produce disappointing results?
How do I respond when someone points out a mistake I have made?
Do I apply the same standards to myself that I expect others to follow?
What practical step can I take to become more accountable in my leadership?

How to Influence People Without Manipulation or Control

2026-10-15T04:54:03.274+01:00

Influence is part of everyday life. Parents influence children, teachers influence students, leaders influence their teams, and friends influence one another through their words, attitudes and decisions.

Even without holding a position of authority, you can influence how people think, what they consider possible and the choices they make.

However, there is an important distinction between influencing someone and controlling them.

Influence gives people reasons to consider an idea, understand a different perspective or willingly take action. Manipulation, by contrast, attempts to secure a desired response through dishonest tactics, concealed motives, emotional pressure or the exploitation of another person's vulnerabilities.

The difference matters because getting someone to agree with you is not necessarily the same as earning their trust.

The goal of ethical influence is not to take away another person's freedom to choose. It is to communicate so effectively and honestly that they can make an informed decision.

1. Understand the Difference Between Influence and Manipulation

Imagine two managers who want their teams to adopt a new working method.

The first explains why the change is necessary, presents the expected benefits, acknowledges the difficulties employees may face and invites questions. The manager listens to concerns and makes reasonable adjustments where possible.

The second manager exaggerates the consequences of refusing, hides important information and suggests that anyone who disagrees is disloyal.

Both managers may obtain initial agreement, but their methods are fundamentally different.

The first seeks understanding and cooperation. The second relies on pressure and fear.

Ethical influence does not require everyone to agree with you. It requires you to present your position honestly, consider other perspectives and respect people's ability to make their own decisions.

This principle applies in workplaces, families, friendships, churches and public life.

Before attempting to influence someone, ask yourself: Am I helping this person understand a decision, or am I trying to make it difficult for them to disagree with me?

Your answer reveals much about your approach to influence.

2. Build Trust Before You Need Cooperation

People are more likely to take your words seriously when they have reasons to trust you.

Trust develops through repeated experiences. People observe whether you keep your promises, respect confidentiality, acknowledge mistakes and behave consistently when circumstances become inconvenient.

You cannot demand genuine trust simply because you have authority, expertise or a persuasive personality.

Consider a team leader who regularly makes promises but fails to follow through. Even if that leader presents an excellent proposal, colleagues may hesitate because previous experiences have weakened their confidence.

Now consider a leader who communicates honestly, fulfils commitments and admits when something cannot be done. That leader has established a stronger foundation for cooperation.

Trust does not mean people must agree with everything you say. Healthy relationships allow disagreement without automatically treating it as betrayal.

If you want your influence to last, concentrate on becoming someone whose words and actions are consistent.

3. Listen Before Trying to Persuade

One common mistake is preparing a response before fully understanding what another person is saying.

When this happens, conversations become competitions. Each person tries to defend a position, prove a point or identify weaknesses in the other person's argument.

Listening changes the direction of the conversation.

Instead of immediately explaining why your idea is right, ask questions that help you understand the other person's concerns.

For example:

What concerns you most about this proposal?
What would make this approach more practical?
Is there something important I may have overlooked?
What outcome would you consider acceptable?

These questions do not guarantee agreement. They demonstrate that you are interested in understanding the issue rather than simply winning the argument.

Listening can also reveal that the other person has information you did not possess. You may discover that their objection is reasonable or that your original proposal needs improvement.

Effective influence is not about entering every conversation determined to change someone else's mind. Sometimes, listening should change yours.

4. Explain Your Reasons Clearly

People should not have to guess why you want them to accept an idea.

Whether you are proposing a workplace change, encouraging a friend to consider a different perspective or presenting a plan to a church committee, explain your reasoning.

A clear explanation should answer three questions:

What are you proposing?

State your idea or request in language the other person can understand.

Why does it matter?

Explain the problem you are trying to solve, the opportunity you have identified or the outcome you hope to achieve.

What are the possible consequences?

Discuss the realistic benefits, limitations and practical implications of the proposal.

Avoid exaggerating the benefits or pretending that every uncertainty has been resolved. If you do not know something, acknowledge it.

Honest communication allows people to evaluate your proposal using relevant information rather than relying entirely on your confidence or authority.

The stronger your reasoning, the less you need to depend on intimidation or emotional pressure.

5. Connect Your Proposal to Shared Goals

Influence becomes more constructive when people understand how an idea relates to something they genuinely value.

For instance, a manager who wants employees to adopt a new process should explain how it might improve efficiency, reduce avoidable errors or make their work easier. The manager should also be willing to hear whether the proposed process creates additional difficulties.

A parent encouraging a child to develop a study routine might explain how regular preparation can reduce last-minute stress and improve understanding.

A community leader proposing a new initiative might demonstrate how it addresses a concern shared by residents.

The important point is that you should not invent benefits merely to secure agreement. Understand what matters to the people involved and explain the genuine connections.

Shared goals can create common ground without requiring everyone to have identical interests or opinions.

You may still disagree about the best way forward. However, recognising what you have in common can make a constructive conversation possible.

6. Respect the Freedom to Say No

One of the clearest tests of ethical influence is how you respond when someone refuses your request.

Do you respect the decision, ask reasonable questions and consider alternatives? Or do you respond with insults, threats, guilt or repeated pressure?

A person who feels unable to refuse may agree outwardly while becoming resentful or withdrawing from the relationship.

This is especially important where a power imbalance exists, such as between a supervisor and an employee, a religious leader and a member, or a parent and a child.

People may feel compelled to agree because they fear losing opportunities, disappointing someone they respect or facing unfair consequences.

Leaders should therefore be careful not to interpret silence or compliance as proof of genuine agreement.

Respecting someone's choice does not mean you must abandon your own boundaries. You can decline a request, explain your expectations or make a firm decision while still treating the other person with dignity.

Ethical influence allows room for meaningful choice. It does not make agreement the price of being treated fairly.

7. Lead by Example Instead of Demanding Perfection

People pay attention to what leaders do, not just what they say.

A person who constantly demands punctuality but arrives late without explanation weakens their credibility. A leader who preaches honesty but conceals personal mistakes undermines the very principle they claim to uphold.

By contrast, people who consistently demonstrate the standards they promote give others a practical example to consider.

Leading by example does not mean pretending to be perfect. It means taking responsibility for your conduct, correcting mistakes and demonstrating a willingness to practise what you encourage.

If you want your colleagues to communicate respectfully, model respectful communication.

If you expect people to accept accountability, acknowledge your own responsibilities.

If you encourage people to keep learning, remain open to correction yourself.

You cannot determine every choice another person makes. You can, however, make your own behaviour a credible example of the principles you value.

8. Avoid Emotional Pressure and Hidden Agendas

Emotions are part of human decision-making. Compassion, hope, concern and enthusiasm can all help people understand why an issue matters.

The problem arises when emotions are deliberately exploited to prevent people from thinking clearly or exercising independent judgement.

Examples include making someone feel guilty for setting a reasonable boundary, exaggerating a danger to force agreement, withholding important information or using personal affection as leverage.

In leadership, manipulation can also appear when a person publicly praises loyalty but privately punishes anyone who raises a legitimate concern.

These approaches may produce immediate compliance, but they can damage relationships and discourage honest communication.

A more responsible approach is to communicate openly about what you want, explain why you want it and allow the other person to evaluate your reasons.

Emotional awareness should help you understand people, not become a tool for exploiting them.

Before making an appeal, consider whether you are presenting genuine reasons or deliberately provoking fear, guilt or insecurity to obtain the response you want.

9. Handle Disagreement Without Turning It Into a Personal Battle

Disagreement is inevitable whenever people have different experiences, priorities, beliefs or interpretations of a situation.

The presence of disagreement does not automatically mean someone is disrespectful, unintelligent or unwilling to cooperate.

Sometimes, disagreement identifies a weakness in your proposal. At other times, it reveals a difference in values or priorities that cannot be resolved through a single conversation.

When disagreement occurs, focus on the issue rather than attacking the person.

Separate what you know from what you assume. Ask for clarification where necessary. Explain your reasoning without insulting opposing views.

You can also acknowledge valid points without abandoning your entire position.

For example, you might say, "I understand your concern about the cost. I still believe the proposal is worth considering, but let's examine whether there is a more affordable way to implement it."

Such a response keeps the conversation focused on finding a workable solution.

The objective is not to eliminate every disagreement. It is to handle disagreement in a way that preserves dignity and creates room for sound decisions.

10. The Christian Perspective on Ethical Influence

Christian teaching provides important principles for influencing others responsibly.

In Matthew 5:37, Jesus teaches the importance of straightforward communication: let your yes be yes and your no be no. This principle challenges deception and encourages honesty in our words.

Ephesians 4:15 speaks of speaking the truth in love. Truthfulness and consideration for others should work together rather than compete with one another.

Likewise, Philippians 2:3–4 encourages believers to reject selfish ambition and consider the interests of others.

These principles are relevant to leadership, ministry, family relationships and everyday conversations.

Christian influence should not depend on manipulating people's fears, exploiting their trust or using spiritual authority to silence legitimate questions.

A leader may teach, correct, advise and challenge others. However, these responsibilities should be exercised with integrity, humility and respect for the people involved.

Jesus demonstrated that truth could be communicated firmly without making the pursuit of personal status the centre of leadership.

For Christian leaders, the question is not merely whether people follow their instructions. It is whether their influence reflects the values they claim to represent.

11. Seven Practical Habits for Ethical Influence

You can strengthen your ability to influence people by practising the following habits:

Be honest about your intentions. Explain what you want and why you want it.
Listen carefully. Understand the other person's concerns before presenting your argument.
Use relevant evidence. Support important claims with reliable information rather than exaggeration.
Identify genuine common ground. Explain how a proposal relates to shared interests without inventing benefits.
Invite questions. Allow people to examine your reasoning and raise reasonable objections.
Respect boundaries. Do not use guilt, threats or personal relationships to force agreement.
Accept correction. Be willing to revise your position when better information or stronger reasoning becomes available.

These habits will not make everyone agree with you. They will, however, help you communicate more responsibly and build relationships in which honest discussion is possible.

Conclusion: Influence Through Integrity, Not Control

The ability to influence others is valuable, but it carries responsibility.

Persuasion can help people understand new ideas, solve problems and work towards shared goals. Manipulation uses influence in ways that undermine trust, distort information or disregard another person's freedom to choose.

The distinction is not simply about whether you achieve your objective. It is also about the methods you use and the consequences for the people involved.

You do not need to control people to become influential. You can build credibility, communicate clearly, listen carefully, demonstrate integrity and present ideas that others can evaluate for themselves.

Sometimes, the person you are trying to influence will disagree with you. That does not necessarily mean you have failed. Respectful disagreement may be healthier than agreement obtained through fear or deception.

DeParadigm — True influence does not require control. It grows when integrity, honest communication and respect give people good reasons to listen, think and choose wisely.

Reflection Questions

Do I try to understand people before attempting to persuade them?
Have I ever used guilt, fear or pressure to obtain someone's agreement?
How do I respond when someone disagrees with me?
What can I do to make my influence more honest, respectful and constructive?

Servant Leadership: Why Great Leaders Put Service Before Status

2026-10-15T04:09:14.946+01:00

Leadership is often associated with authority, recognition, influence and the ability to make decisions. Many people aspire to leadership because they want to make an impact, advance their careers or occupy positions of responsibility. Yet one important question is often overlooked: Who benefits from your leadership?

A leadership position is not simply an opportunity to direct people. It is also a responsibility to support them, help them develop and make decisions that contribute to their wellbeing.

This is the central idea behind servant leadership: the understanding that leadership is not merely about being served by others, but also about serving them.

Servant leadership does not mean that leaders must abandon authority, avoid difficult decisions or allow people to take advantage of them. Instead, it means using authority responsibly, recognising the value of others and placing the legitimate needs of the people and community ahead of personal pride.

1. Leadership Is a Responsibility, Not a Privilege

A title may distinguish a leader from other members of a team, but it does not make that person more valuable as a human being.

Whether someone leads a business, a church, a school, a family or a community, the position carries responsibilities. People depend on leaders to make decisions, provide direction, resolve problems and create conditions in which others can contribute meaningfully.

A leader who views a position primarily as a privilege may become preoccupied with recognition, comfort and personal advantage. A leader who understands it as a responsibility will ask how that position can be used to make a positive difference.

The distinction becomes clear when leadership becomes inconvenient.

Will the leader listen when criticism is uncomfortable? Will they accept responsibility when a decision goes wrong? Will they help a struggling team member, even when doing so attracts little recognition?

These everyday choices reveal whether leadership is centred on status or service.

2. Great Leaders Listen Before They Act

One of the most practical ways to serve people is to listen to them.

Leaders sometimes assume that because they occupy positions of authority, they automatically understand the needs of the people they lead. This assumption can create unnecessary conflict and poor decisions.

Listening provides an opportunity to understand challenges, discover overlooked information and consider perspectives that may differ from one's own.

A leader does not have to agree with every suggestion. However, people should be able to express legitimate concerns without being humiliated, ignored or treated as disloyal.

Consider a manager whose team is consistently missing deadlines. The manager could immediately accuse employees of laziness. A more responsible leader would first investigate the situation. Perhaps expectations are unclear, workloads are unreasonable or essential resources are unavailable.

Listening does not eliminate accountability. It helps leaders exercise accountability with better understanding.

3. Service Means Helping Other People Grow

Effective leadership should not make people permanently dependent on the leader. It should help them develop the knowledge, confidence and judgement needed to become more capable.

A supervisor can serve by teaching a new employee instead of simply criticising mistakes. A teacher can serve by helping students understand difficult concepts rather than embarrassing them for asking questions. A pastor can serve by equipping people to grow spiritually rather than making every decision for them.

In each example, service involves investing in another person's development.

Leaders can practise this by delegating meaningful responsibilities, giving constructive feedback, recognising progress and creating opportunities for others to learn.

This also requires patience. People will not always learn at the same speed, and developing competence takes time. The leader's responsibility is to provide appropriate guidance while allowing people to take ownership of their growth.

A leader's success should not be measured only by personal achievements. It should also be reflected in the people who become more capable because of that leadership.

4. Servant Leadership Requires Humility

Humility is sometimes misunderstood as weakness or a lack of confidence. In leadership, however, humility means recognising that one's knowledge and abilities have limits.

A humble leader can admit a mistake, ask for advice and learn from someone with less authority or experience. Such a leader does not have to pretend to know everything.

This attitude strengthens decision-making because it creates room for honest feedback and correction.

Pride, on the other hand, can make leaders defensive. When every disagreement is interpreted as disrespect, people may stop speaking honestly. Problems then remain hidden until they become more serious.

Humility does not require leaders to surrender their convictions or avoid making decisions. It allows them to remain firm when necessary without becoming arrogant.

The question is not whether a leader has all the answers. It is whether that leader is willing to seek the truth, acknowledge limitations and make improvements.

5. Serving People Does Not Mean Avoiding Difficult Decisions

A servant leader must sometimes make decisions that people dislike.

An organisation may need to enforce professional standards. A church may need to address misconduct. A manager may need to correct repeated poor performance. A parent may need to establish boundaries that a child does not appreciate.

Service is not the same as pleasing everyone.

When leaders avoid necessary conversations because they fear rejection, they may allow harmful behaviour to continue. That can disadvantage responsible team members and damage the wider community.

The difference lies in how difficult decisions are made and communicated.

A responsible leader explains expectations, considers relevant facts, treats people fairly and avoids using authority to settle personal scores. Where correction is necessary, the goal should be to address the problem and protect those affected, not to humiliate the person involved.

Compassion and accountability can coexist. In fact, responsible leadership often requires both.

6. The Christian Foundation of Servant Leadership

The Christian understanding of leadership places considerable emphasis on service.

In Mark 10:42–45, Jesus contrasts the desire to exercise authority over others with the call to become a servant. He presents His own life as an example of service rather than self-exaltation.

This teaching challenges the idea that greatness is demonstrated primarily through control, public recognition or privileged treatment.

Christian leaders, therefore, should examine not only what they accomplish but also how they treat the people entrusted to their care.

Do they lead with patience? Do they act with integrity when nobody is watching? Do they make room for others to grow? Do they use their position to protect and strengthen people, or mainly to advance themselves?

First Peter 5:2–3 also instructs spiritual leaders to care for the people entrusted to them willingly and to lead by example rather than domineering over them.

These principles apply beyond formal ministry. Christian leadership at home, in the workplace and in public life should reflect responsibility, fairness, humility and concern for others.

Service does not require a platform. It begins with the people already within one's reach.

7. Practical Ways to Become a More Service-Oriented Leader

Servant leadership develops through consistent choices. Here are seven practical habits to cultivate:

Ask before assuming. Find out what people need instead of deciding on their behalf without sufficient information.
Listen without immediately becoming defensive. Consider whether criticism contains information that could help you improve.
Share knowledge. Help others develop skills instead of using information to maintain unnecessary dependence.
Give credit fairly. Recognise the contributions of people whose work helped achieve a result.
Accept responsibility. When you make a mistake, acknowledge it and take reasonable steps to correct it.
Set clear boundaries. Serve people without abandoning standards, fairness or personal responsibility.
Measure your impact. Ask whether your leadership is helping people become more capable, confident and responsible.

You do not need to hold a senior position to practise these habits. Anyone can begin serving through the way they communicate, cooperate, solve problems and treat others.

Conclusion: Use Your Position to Make a Difference

Leadership becomes meaningful when authority is used responsibly and influence contributes to the good of others.

Servant leadership does not eliminate ambition, competence or the need for results. Instead, it challenges leaders to pursue those results without losing sight of the people affected by their decisions.

A leader who serves listens, develops others, accepts accountability and understands that authority carries obligations.

Ultimately, the question is not simply how many people answer to you, how impressive your title sounds or how much recognition you receive. It is also whether your leadership leaves people and communities better equipped to move forward.

The true value of leadership is seen not only in what a leader achieves, but also in how that leader serves and strengthens others.

Reflection Questions

Do I view leadership more as a position of status or as a responsibility to serve?
What can I do this week to help someone become more capable?
How do I respond when people disagree with me or point out my mistakes?

DeParadigm — Leadership begins with responsibility. It grows through service and becomes meaningful through the positive difference it makes in the lives of others.

The Power of Influence: Why Your Character Matters More Than Your Position

2026-10-15T03:03:53.833+01:00

A position can give you authority, but it cannot guarantee respect. A title can introduce you to a room, but it cannot ensure that people trust you once they get to know you. And power can compel people to obey instructions without persuading them that the person giving those instructions deserves their confidence.

This is one of the most important distinctions in leadership: having the power to direct people is not the same as earning the trust to influence them.

Consider two managers. Both have the same qualifications, responsibilities, and authority. The first manager takes credit for the team's achievements, avoids responsibility for mistakes, and treats criticism as disloyalty. The second recognises other people's contributions, admits errors, listens to concerns, and applies standards fairly.

Both managers may obtain compliance because of their positions. However, the reasons people trust them, cooperate with them, or choose to follow their example may be very different.

The difference is not necessarily intelligence or technical competence. It is the character demonstrated through their everyday decisions.

Character is therefore not an optional quality to develop after becoming a leader. It is part of what determines how leadership is experienced by the people affected by it.

1. Your Position Gives You Authority; Your Character Shapes How You Use It

Authority can be assigned. Character must be demonstrated.

An organisation can appoint someone as a director, a church can appoint someone to a leadership position, and a community can elect someone to public office. These decisions establish formal responsibilities and powers.

They do not automatically establish that the person will exercise those powers wisely.

Character becomes visible in the choices leaders make after receiving authority. Do they use their position to solve problems or protect their egos? Do they apply rules fairly or create exceptions for themselves? Do they welcome honest feedback or surround themselves with people who never disagree?

These questions matter because authority creates opportunities to affect other people's lives.

A supervisor can influence an employee's working conditions. A teacher can affect a student's confidence. A parent can shape the atmosphere in a home. A public official can influence decisions that affect an entire community.

The greater the potential consequences of a decision, the more important it becomes to consider the character of the person making it.

This does not mean that every leader with a character flaw will fail or that every person of good character will make excellent decisions. Leadership also requires knowledge, judgement, experience, and appropriate systems of accountability.

It does mean that technical competence cannot excuse dishonesty, and a prestigious title cannot turn irresponsible conduct into responsible leadership.

The real test of authority is not simply whether you can make a decision, but whether you exercise that authority responsibly.

2. Character Is Revealed When Doing the Right Thing Becomes Inconvenient

It is relatively easy to speak about honesty when telling the truth costs nothing. It is easier to praise fairness when your own interests are not affected. It is easier to demand accountability when someone else is the person who made the mistake.

Character is tested more seriously when a worthwhile principle conflicts with personal convenience.

Imagine a team leader who discovers that a report contains an error. Correcting it will delay a presentation and may attract uncomfortable questions from senior management.

The leader has a choice: disclose the error and help correct it, or conceal it and hope nobody notices.

The second option may appear easier in the moment. But it transfers risk to others and undermines the reliability of the work.

Or consider a manager whose preferred employee breaks an important workplace rule. If the manager ignores the violation while punishing another employee for the same conduct, the problem extends beyond the original offence. The manager has demonstrated that rules can change according to personal relationships.

Character is not established by the values we claim to possess. It is revealed by the standards we are willing to uphold when doing so carries a cost.

This is why leaders should examine their decisions in moments of pressure, temptation, disappointment, and conflict.

Ask yourself:

Would I make the same decision if nobody could reward me for it?
Would I accept this treatment if I were the person affected?
Am I applying the same standard to myself that I expect from others?
Am I avoiding the truth because it is genuinely inappropriate to disclose, or because the truth is inconvenient?

These questions can expose the difference between values that sound impressive and principles that actually guide behaviour.

3. Integrity Means Reducing the Gap Between Your Words and Actions

Integrity is often discussed as though it were simply another word for honesty. Honesty is essential, but integrity also involves consistency between a person's stated values, decisions, and behaviour.

A leader may sincerely believe in teamwork while repeatedly taking individual credit for collective achievements. Another may speak about respect while humiliating employees who make mistakes. A third may promote accountability but refuse to acknowledge personal responsibility.

In each case, the problem is the gap between what the leader communicates and what the leader demonstrates.

Over time, people notice these inconsistencies. They may begin to question instructions, doubt promises, or assume that official values are merely slogans.

Research published in BMC Psychology examined the relationship between ethical leadership, perceived leader integrity, and ethical climate among teachers. Its findings linked ethical leadership and perceived integrity with a more positive ethical climate in the schools studied. This supports the importance of examining leadership behaviour, not merely leadership statements.

Integrity does not require a leader to be perfect. It requires a willingness to recognise when behaviour falls short of the standard being defended.

A leader with integrity can say, "I was wrong about that decision." The leader can apologise without making excuses, correct the error where possible, and explain what will change.

This response does not erase the mistake. It demonstrates that the leader takes responsibility for addressing it.

A practical way to strengthen integrity is to make fewer careless promises and become more deliberate about the commitments you make. If you promise to follow up on a concern, do so. If you cannot meet a deadline, communicate early. If new information changes your judgement, explain why you have revised your position.

People do not need leaders who pretend to be flawless. They need leaders whose words provide a reasonably dependable guide to their actions.

4. Trust Is Built Through Repeated Behaviour

Trust is rarely established by one impressive speech. It develops through accumulated experiences.

A colleague who consistently keeps sensitive information confidential gives others a reason to trust their discretion. A supervisor who applies expectations fairly gives employees a reason to believe that decisions are not purely personal. A parent who listens without immediately dismissing every concern creates more room for honest communication.

These patterns do not guarantee that everyone will trust the person. Past experiences, cultural expectations, misunderstandings, and individual differences also influence trust.

Nevertheless, repeated behaviour gives people evidence on which to base their judgements.

This is why leaders should pay attention to small actions that might appear unimportant.

Do you arrive when you say you will? Do you acknowledge contributions that were not yours? Do you explain changes that affect other people? Do you protect confidentiality when sharing information would make you appear important? Do you respond respectfully when someone with less authority raises a legitimate concern?

Such actions help establish the everyday conditions in which trust can develop.

The opposite is also true. Repeatedly changing explanations, taking credit unfairly, making promises without following through, or punishing people for honest mistakes can weaken confidence.

Trust is not something a leader can demand into existence. It is something that must be earned and maintained.

And when trust has been damaged, a single apology may not be enough. Rebuilding it usually requires acknowledgement, appropriate correction, patience, and consistent evidence of change.

5. Humility Makes Leaders More Teachable

Humility is sometimes mistaken for weakness. In leadership, it is better understood as the ability to recognise that authority does not eliminate the possibility of being wrong.

A leader may possess years of experience and still misunderstand a situation. A professional may have excellent qualifications and still need advice from someone with a different kind of expertise. A parent may have good intentions and still misjudge what a child needs.

When leaders cannot acknowledge these possibilities, they become vulnerable to avoidable mistakes.

Imagine a project manager who dismisses every warning from junior employees because they believe experience gives them a complete understanding of the problem. Important information may never reach the decision-maker because people learn that speaking honestly is unwelcome.

A humble leader can still make the final decision. The difference is that the decision follows an effort to understand the available evidence rather than a need to protect personal status.

Humility involves listening, asking questions, acknowledging limitations, and giving credit where it is due.

It also requires discernment. Not every criticism is accurate, and not every suggestion should be accepted. A leader must evaluate feedback carefully rather than automatically agreeing with everyone.

The goal is neither arrogance nor insecurity. It is the ability to remain open to correction while continuing to exercise sound judgement.

A useful question for any leader is: What important information might I be missing because I am too concerned with appearing right?

The answer can reveal opportunities for growth that authority alone cannot provide.

6. Fairness Matters Most When You Have the Power to Be Unfair

It is easy to support fairness in theory. The real test comes when favouritism would benefit you, when enforcing a rule would inconvenience a friend, or when an unpopular person deserves the same consideration you would give someone you admire.

Leaders frequently make decisions that affect opportunities, responsibilities, recognition, and consequences.

If those decisions are guided by personal loyalty rather than defensible standards, people may begin to believe that effort and merit matter less than access to the person in charge.

This can damage cooperation and discourage people who feel that their contributions are being overlooked.

Fair leadership does not always mean identical treatment. People can have different needs, responsibilities, and circumstances. A reasonable accommodation for one employee, for example, is not necessarily unfair to everyone else.

The important distinction is whether differences in treatment have legitimate reasons that can be explained and defended.

Leaders can strengthen fairness by establishing clear expectations, applying relevant standards consistently, explaining important decisions, and providing appropriate ways to raise concerns.

They should also examine their own preferences. Are they more patient with people who resemble them? Do they give more opportunities to those who flatter them? Are they dismissing someone's contribution because they dislike the person?

These questions require honesty because bias is not always deliberate.

A leader's responsibility is not to claim perfect objectivity. It is to take reasonable steps to make decisions fairer, more transparent, and more accountable.

7. Character Includes How You Treat People Who Cannot Benefit You

People sometimes behave respectfully towards influential individuals while treating those with less status carelessly.

They may speak politely to a senior executive but dismiss a cleaner, interrupt a junior employee, or ignore someone who cannot offer them an advantage.

This inconsistency raises an important question about the basis of their respect.

Is it directed towards people because they have dignity, or primarily because they possess something desirable?

Leadership character becomes visible in ordinary interactions with people who have little power to reward or punish the leader.

Consider how a manager speaks to an administrative assistant after a stressful meeting. Consider how a public official responds to a citizen who has no special connection. Consider how a mentor treats a learner who needs more time and guidance than expected.

These interactions reveal habits that grand public gestures may conceal.

Respect does not mean avoiding correction or pretending that every person behaves appropriately. Leaders must sometimes address poor performance, enforce boundaries, and make difficult decisions.

But correction can be firm without being degrading. Authority can be exercised without humiliation. Disagreement does not require contempt.

A person's position may determine the responsibilities they carry, but it should not determine whether they deserve basic consideration.

Leaders who remember this are less likely to confuse status with personal worth.

8. Character Must Be Supported by Accountability

It is possible to have good intentions and still make poor decisions. It is also possible for a leader to believe deeply in personal integrity while overlooking the harm caused by their own behaviour.

This is why character cannot be treated as a substitute for accountability.

Responsible leaders accept that their decisions may need to be reviewed. They are willing to explain the reasons for important actions, consider evidence of unintended consequences, and correct failures when appropriate.

Accountability also requires boundaries. A leader should not have unchecked power simply because people believe the leader is a good person.

Transparent procedures, independent oversight where appropriate, clear responsibilities, and fair ways to report concerns can help protect both the organisation and the people within it.

These safeguards are not necessarily expressions of distrust. They recognise that everyone has limitations and that responsible systems should not depend entirely on one person's judgement.

A leader with good character should be willing to operate within reasonable safeguards rather than insisting that personal intentions make oversight unnecessary.

Indeed, accepting accountability can demonstrate confidence in the principles one claims to uphold.

The objective is not to create a culture in which leaders are constantly suspected. It is to create an environment in which power is exercised responsibly and mistakes can be addressed before they become larger problems.

9. Can Character Be Developed?

Yes. Character is not simply a fixed label that divides people into permanently good and bad categories.

People can strengthen their habits through reflection, deliberate practice, feedback, and a willingness to change. They can learn to manage anger more constructively, become more reliable, listen more carefully, and make fairer decisions.

However, improvement requires more than admiring good qualities.

Someone who wants to become more honest must practise telling the truth when it is uncomfortable. Someone who wants to become more patient must learn how to respond when frustrated. Someone who wants to become more accountable must stop treating every mistake as someone else's fault.

The process often begins with recognising a recurring pattern.

For example, a leader may discover that they become defensive whenever their decisions are questioned. Rather than simply declaring a commitment to humility, they can practise listening to the entire concern before responding, asking clarifying questions, and evaluating the evidence after the conversation.

Another leader may realise that they frequently make promises in order to end uncomfortable discussions. They can begin making fewer commitments, recording the ones they make, and communicating honestly when circumstances change.

These practices are specific enough to observe and review.

Feedback can also help. A trusted colleague, mentor, or supervisor may notice behaviour that the leader has overlooked. Receiving such feedback requires courage, particularly when it challenges a favourable self-image.

Growth does not mean that every weakness disappears. It means becoming more aware of one's patterns and taking sustained steps to reduce their harmful effects.

The goal is not to look like a person of good character. It is to become more dependable in the choices that character requires.

10. A Christian Perspective: Character Before Recognition

For Christians, the relationship between character and leadership can be considered through the biblical emphasis on integrity, humility, stewardship, and service.

In Mark 10:42–45, Jesus challenges the use of authority as domination and presents service as a defining feature of greatness. His teaching invites Christian leaders to examine not only the responsibilities they hold but also the manner in which they exercise them.

First Timothy 3:1–7 also sets out character-related expectations for people entrusted with leadership in the church. The passage places substantial emphasis on conduct, self-control, reputation, and the ability to manage responsibilities appropriately.

These passages challenge the idea that gifting, visibility, eloquence, or public recognition should be the only measures of leadership readiness.

A person may be talented and still need to develop greater maturity. Someone may be popular and still need to become more accountable. Another person may possess strong communication skills but struggle to treat others fairly.

For Christian leaders, spiritual language should never become a substitute for responsible behaviour.

Claiming to act in God's name does not remove the need to be honest, fair, teachable, and accountable. Nor should religious authority be used to silence legitimate concerns or excuse harmful conduct.

The biblical emphasis on service reminds leaders that their responsibilities are entrusted to them for purposes beyond personal prestige.

This principle applies in ministry, family life, business, education, and community service.

The question is not merely whether people recognise your position. It is whether your conduct reflects the values you claim to represent.

Practical Exercise: Examine the Character Behind Your Leadership

Take ten minutes to reflect on the following questions. Write down your answers honestly rather than selecting the responses that make you look best.

Integrity: Where is there a gap between what I say and what I do?

Accountability: When something goes wrong, do I first look for someone to blame or try to understand my contribution to the problem?

Fairness: Am I applying the same relevant standards to people I like and people I find difficult?

Humility: What kind of feedback do I find hardest to accept, and why?

Respect: How do I treat people who have less authority or influence than I do?

Reliability: Which commitments have I made that require clearer communication or follow-through?

Choose one area for improvement. Identify one observable action you can practise during the next seven days.

At the end of the week, review what happened. Did you follow through? What made it difficult? What did you learn? What needs to change?

This small exercise will not transform character overnight, but it can turn a general desire to become a better leader into a practical process of growth.

Conclusion: Let Your Character Support Your Influence

Positions change. Organisations restructure. Titles can be granted or withdrawn. Public attention can rise quickly and disappear just as quickly.

Character, however, influences the way a person uses whatever responsibilities they hold.

It affects whether promises are dependable, whether decisions are fair, whether mistakes are acknowledged, and whether people can raise legitimate concerns without unnecessary fear.

Character does not replace competence, experience, or sound judgement. Effective leadership requires these qualities as well. But without integrity and accountability, authority can become a tool for personal advantage rather than responsible service.

You do not need to wait until you occupy a more important position to begin developing the qualities that make leadership trustworthy.

You can practise honesty in your present responsibilities, fairness in your daily decisions, humility when corrected, and respect in your interactions with others.

The goal is not to convince everyone that you are a person of good character. It is to build habits that make your conduct more dependable, including when recognition is absent and doing the right thing is inconvenient.

Your position may give people a reason to listen to you. Your character gives them evidence for deciding whether your influence deserves their trust.

Reflection Questions

Do I rely more on my position to gain cooperation or on the trust I have developed?
Which of my actions might contradict the values I publicly promote?
How do I behave when honesty, fairness, or accountability becomes inconvenient?
What safeguards help ensure that I use authority responsibly?
What specific character habit will I work on this week?

Leadership Is Influence: How to Make a Positive Difference in Other People's Lives

2026-10-12T17:50:13.605+01:00

Leadership Is Influence: How to Make a Positive Difference in Other People's Lives

A person can occupy a position of authority without becoming a meaningful leader. Someone can supervise a team, manage an organization, lead a congregation, or hold an important public office and still struggle to inspire the people around them.

Conversely, someone without an impressive title can influence an entire community through their example, decisions, courage, and commitment to helping others grow.

The difference lies in understanding what leadership really involves.

Leadership is not merely about occupying a position; it is about how your presence, decisions, and actions affect the people around you.

Your influence may encourage someone to pursue a worthwhile goal, help a colleague discover their abilities, inspire a young person to make better decisions, or give a struggling individual the courage to try again. It can also have the opposite effect when it is exercised carelessly.

This is why leadership deserves more than admiration. It requires responsibility.

1. Leadership Begins Before You Receive a Title

One of the common mistakes people make is postponing leadership until they receive an appointment, promotion, or public recognition.

They believe they will become leaders when they are made managers, pastors, coordinators, directors, or heads of departments.

But leadership opportunities often appear long before formal recognition arrives.

Consider a young employee who notices that a colleague is struggling with a task. Instead of mocking the colleague or ignoring the problem, the employee offers assistance and explains what they know.

The employee may have no authority to supervise anyone, yet their action demonstrates initiative, cooperation, and concern for another person's development.

Similarly, a student who encourages classmates to work honestly, a parent who takes responsibility for mistakes, and a community member who helps resolve a disagreement can all exercise positive influence.

These examples reveal an important principle: you do not need permission to begin behaving like a responsible leader.

Formal positions may expand your opportunities, but they do not automatically produce maturity. The habits you develop before receiving authority often shape how you behave when greater responsibility eventually comes.

Instead of asking only, When will I become a leader?, ask yourself:

What problem can I help solve today?
Who can benefit from my knowledge or experience?
What responsibility am I avoiding?
What example am I setting through my daily behavior?

The answers can reveal opportunities for leadership that already exist in your life.

2. Your Influence Is Revealed by What You Encourage

Influence is not simply the ability to attract attention. It is also the ability to affect what people believe, value, choose, or do.

A person may have thousands of followers on social media without encouraging meaningful growth. Another person may influence only a handful of people but help them develop confidence, discipline, and sound judgement.

The number of people watching you does not, by itself, establish the quality of your influence.

A more useful question is: What becomes more likely because people interact with me?

Do people become more willing to tell the truth, or do they learn to hide their mistakes?

Do they become more confident in developing their abilities, or do they feel that they must depend on you for every decision?

Do they become more responsible, or do they expect you to solve every problem?

These questions help distinguish constructive influence from influence that merely serves the ego of the person exercising it.

Positive leadership should not make people feel permanently small so that the leader can feel permanently important. It should help people recognize their own responsibilities, develop their capabilities, and make increasingly thoughtful decisions.

A leader's success is therefore not measured only by how many people listen to them. It is also reflected in the quality of the growth they encourage.

3. Character Gives Influence Its Foundation

Imagine two supervisors giving the same instruction.

The first supervisor regularly arrives late, ignores agreed standards, blames employees for personal mistakes, and expects special treatment.

The second supervisor respects agreed standards, acknowledges mistakes, listens to concerns, and applies rules fairly.

Both may have the same job title. Both may possess technical knowledge. Both may have the authority to assign tasks.

However, their behavior gives employees different reasons to trust—or distrust—their leadership.

This illustrates why character matters.

People observe how leaders behave when they are under pressure, when nobody appears to be watching, when their interests conflict with those of others, and when admitting a mistake could be uncomfortable.

Repeated behavior creates expectations. If a leader consistently demonstrates honesty and fairness, people have stronger reasons to believe that those qualities will guide future decisions. If the leader repeatedly behaves inconsistently, confidence becomes harder to maintain.

Character does not mean never making mistakes. No leader is perfect.

It means developing the willingness to acknowledge mistakes, accept appropriate consequences, correct harmful behavior, and learn rather than repeatedly defending the indefensible.

Your character determines whether your influence is worthy of the trust people place in you.

This principle applies in families, businesses, churches, schools, professional associations, and public institutions.

The setting may change, but the need for integrity remains.

4. Influence People Without Manipulating Them

There is an important difference between influencing people and manipulating them.

Influence can involve presenting reasons, sharing experience, setting an example, offering encouragement, and helping people understand the consequences of their decisions.

Manipulation, by contrast, attempts to steer people through deception, concealed motives, unnecessary fear, guilt, or the deliberate withholding of important information.

The distinction matters because not every successful attempt to persuade someone is ethical.

A manager may persuade employees to work towards a shared objective by explaining why the work matters and giving them the support they need.

The same manager might instead threaten employees unnecessarily, take credit for their contributions, or conceal information to secure personal advantages.

Both approaches may produce short-term compliance. But compliance obtained through pressure is not the same as genuine commitment.

Responsible influence respects the fact that other people have minds, responsibilities, and legitimate interests of their own.

This does not mean a leader must avoid difficult conversations or allow every decision to become a vote. Leaders sometimes have to make unpopular decisions, enforce standards, and address poor performance.

The difference is that responsible leadership uses appropriate authority transparently and proportionately rather than treating people as instruments for personal gain.

Before attempting to influence someone, consider three questions:

Is my intention honest? Am I trying to solve a genuine problem or simply protect my image?
Is my approach fair? Am I giving the person a reasonable opportunity to understand the issue?
Does this respect their dignity? Am I recognizing them as a person rather than treating them as a tool?

These questions will not remove every difficult leadership decision, but they can help prevent the pursuit of results from becoming an excuse for harmful behavior.

5. Listen Before You Try to Lead

Some people approach leadership as though it requires them to have an immediate answer to every question.

They speak quickly, interrupt frequently, and interpret disagreement as disrespect. They may believe that listening makes them appear uncertain.

In reality, refusing to listen can make leadership less effective.

A leader who listens carefully may discover that an employee's poor performance is connected to unclear instructions. A parent may discover that what appears to be stubbornness is actually fear or confusion. A community leader may learn that a disagreement has been intensified by a misunderstanding that nobody has taken the time to investigate.

Without listening, a leader may respond to the wrong problem.

Listening does not require agreeing with everything people say. It requires giving their concerns enough attention to understand what they mean before deciding how to respond.

Useful questions include:

Can you help me understand what happened?
What do you think is causing this difficulty?
What have you already tried?
What kind of support would help you move forward?
Is there something important I may have overlooked?

These questions encourage people to explain their experiences rather than merely defend themselves.

Listening also creates opportunities for leaders to discover information that challenges their assumptions. That can be uncomfortable, particularly when a leader has become accustomed to being treated as the person who always knows best.

Yet revising an opinion when presented with good evidence is a strength, not a weakness.

A leader who listens well is better positioned to make informed decisions, avoid mistakes, and understand the people those decisions affect.

6. Lead Through Consistency, Not Occasional Inspiration

An emotional speech can motivate people for an afternoon. A powerful meeting can renew enthusiasm for a week. A memorable message can encourage someone to reconsider a decision.

But sustained influence requires more than moments of inspiration.

People also need to see consistency between what a leader says and what that leader repeatedly does.

Consider a supervisor who gives an impressive presentation about teamwork but takes credit for other people's achievements. Employees may remember the presentation, but the supervisor's behavior teaches a different lesson.

Or consider a parent who tells a child to apologize when wrong but refuses to apologize personally. The child receives conflicting messages about responsibility.

Consistency helps people understand which values actually guide a leader's decisions.

This does not mean behaving identically in every circumstance. Good judgement sometimes requires different responses to different situations. Fairness, for example, does not always mean treating people identically when their circumstances are genuinely different.

Consistency means that your decisions are guided by defensible principles rather than changing conveniently whenever your personal interests are involved.

If you value punctuality, respect other people's time.

If you value honesty, tell the truth when it is inconvenient.

If you expect accountability, accept it when your own decisions produce poor results.

If you encourage learning, remain willing to learn yourself.

The everyday nature of these actions may make them seem unremarkable. Yet they help create the credibility upon which lasting influence depends.

7. Help People Become More Capable, Not More Dependent

An unhealthy form of leadership makes the leader indispensable by preventing others from developing.

The leader keeps important information to themselves, refuses to delegate meaningful responsibilities, discourages questions, or treats independent thinking as a threat.

Over time, the people around such a leader may become reluctant to act without permission.

This can make the leader appear powerful. However, it also creates a fragile arrangement in which progress depends excessively on one individual.

Constructive leadership takes a different approach.

It shares knowledge, explains decisions, provides appropriate opportunities to practice new skills, and allows people to assume responsibilities suited to their abilities.

A good mentor does not simply complete every difficult task for a learner. The mentor helps the learner understand how to approach the task, recognizes mistakes as opportunities for improvement where appropriate, and gradually increases the learner's capacity to work independently.

The same principle applies to managers developing employees, parents preparing children for adulthood, and community leaders training volunteers.

Helping people grow does not mean abandoning supervision. New responsibilities require guidance, appropriate safeguards, and feedback.

Nor does it mean that every person will become equally skilled or ready for every opportunity.

It means that a leader should not deliberately restrict another person's development merely to preserve personal importance.

One meaningful measure of leadership is whether people become better equipped to handle responsibility because of the time they have spent learning under your guidance.

When people can think, learn, contribute, and take appropriate initiative, the benefits extend beyond the leader's immediate presence.

8. Take Responsibility for the Effects of Your Decisions

Good intentions are important, but they are not the only consideration in leadership.

A leader may genuinely want to improve a situation and still make a decision that creates unexpected difficulties.

For example, a manager may introduce a new procedure to improve efficiency without considering whether employees have the equipment or training required to implement it. The intention may be positive, but the decision may create unnecessary delays and frustration.

Responsible leadership requires attention to both intentions and consequences.

This involves explaining decisions where appropriate, seeking relevant information, anticipating foreseeable risks, and reviewing outcomes after implementation.

When a decision fails, the leader should resist the temptation to blame everyone else automatically.

Instead, useful questions include:

What did we expect to happen?
What actually happened?
Which assumptions were incorrect?
Who was negatively affected?
What can we change to reduce the likelihood of a similar problem?

These questions turn mistakes into opportunities for improvement.

They also communicate an important message: accountability is not merely something leaders demand from other people. It is a standard they accept for themselves.

Of course, leaders cannot control every outcome. Some circumstances are unpredictable, and some decisions must be made with incomplete information.

The goal is not to achieve perfect control. It is to exercise reasonable care, learn from experience, and take responsibility for what can fairly be attributed to one's choices.

9. Make Your Influence Useful Beyond Your Immediate Circle

Influence can begin with one person, but its effects can extend further.

A teacher who helps a student develop confidence may influence how that student approaches future opportunities. A supervisor who encourages fairness may contribute to a healthier workplace. A parent who demonstrates accountability may help a child understand how to handle mistakes in relationships.

These outcomes are not guaranteed. People make their own choices, and many factors shape how they develop.

Nevertheless, responsible leaders recognize that their actions can have consequences beyond the immediate moment.

This awareness encourages them to consider who may be affected by their decisions, including people who have little power to challenge them.

It also encourages leaders to look beyond personal recognition.

Instead of asking only whether a project will make them look successful, they can ask whether it will genuinely help the people it is intended to serve.

Instead of concentrating exclusively on the number of people attending a programme, they can examine whether participants are gaining useful knowledge or support.

Instead of measuring success only by how quickly a team completes a task, they can consider whether the work is sustainable, fair, and consistent with the organization's responsibilities.

Leadership becomes more meaningful when achievement is connected to the well-being and development of others.

10. A Biblical Perspective: Influence as Stewardship

For Christians, leadership offers an opportunity to consider an important biblical principle: responsibility should be exercised in a manner consistent with service, humility, and love for others.

In Mark 10:42–45, Jesus contrasts the domineering exercise of authority with the call to serve. His teaching challenges the assumption that greatness is demonstrated primarily through the power to command others.

This does not suggest that leadership should have no authority, standards, or accountability. Rather, it challenges leaders to consider the purpose for which authority is exercised.

A Christian leader should not use a position in ministry to demand unquestioning admiration, exploit people's trust, or pursue personal recognition at the expense of those being served.

The same principle applies to leadership in business, education, family life, and public service.

First Peter 5:2–3 also instructs those who shepherd others to serve willingly and not to exercise their responsibility by domineering over those entrusted to them, but to lead by example.

This is a demanding standard because it places the leader's behavior under scrutiny alongside the leader's message.

A person may teach about humility while behaving arrogantly. Someone may speak about integrity while concealing dishonest conduct. Another may encourage service while expecting everyone else to make the sacrifices.

The biblical challenge is to close the gap between professed values and daily conduct.

For a Christian, influence should therefore be treated as a responsibility to steward wisely, not merely an opportunity to gain recognition.

The central question becomes not simply, How many people can I influence? but also, Am I using that influence in a way that honours God and treats people responsibly?

How to Begin Improving Your Influence Today

You do not have to wait for a promotion, appointment, or public platform to begin developing your leadership.

Start with a few practical commitments.

1. Identify one person you can help.
Offer useful guidance, encouragement, or assistance without making the person feel indebted to you.

2. Examine one inconsistency in your behavior.
If you expect others to practice a standard that you regularly ignore, identify what needs to change.

3. Listen carefully during one difficult conversation.
Resist the urge to prepare your defence while the other person is speaking. Make an effort to understand their point before responding.

4. Share knowledge instead of guarding it unnecessarily.
Help someone develop a skill or understand a process that will make them more capable.

5. Review one recent decision.
Consider its intention, its consequences, who benefited, who may have been disadvantaged, and what you could improve next time.

6. Ask for honest feedback.
Choose someone who can speak candidly about how your behavior affects others. Listen without immediately dismissing the response.

7. Measure progress by more than recognition.
Notice whether your actions are helping people develop sound judgement, confidence, responsibility, and the ability to contribute meaningfully.

These practices are simple enough to begin today, but applying them consistently requires attention and effort.

Leadership is developed through repeated decisions, not merely through an understanding of leadership principles.

Final Thoughts: The Responsibility Behind Influence

Everyday life presents opportunities to influence other people, whether we recognize them or not.

Our words can encourage or discourage. Our decisions can build trust or weaken it. Our example can make responsible behavior easier to understand, or it can undermine the values we claim to defend.

This does not mean that we are responsible for every decision another person makes. People have their own judgement, agency, and responsibilities.

It does mean that we should take reasonable care with the influence we exercise.

Leadership is not proved simply by the number of people who obey us, the positions we occupy, or the recognition we receive. It is demonstrated through the responsible use of our abilities, the quality of our decisions, and the respect we show for the people affected by our actions.

You may never hold a prominent office. You may never lead a large organization or address a large audience.

Yet you can still make a meaningful difference by acting with integrity, helping people grow, accepting responsibility, and using your abilities to contribute to something worthwhile.

Do not wait for a title before becoming a positive influence. Begin with the responsibilities already in your hands.

Because the real test of leadership is not simply whether people follow you. It is whether you exercise your influence responsibly and help create conditions in which others can learn, contribute, and flourish.

Reflection Questions

Who is currently influenced by my words, decisions, or example?
Do my actions consistently reflect the values I expect others to uphold?
Am I helping people develop their abilities, or am I making them unnecessarily dependent on me?
How do I respond when someone challenges my judgement?
What one change could make my influence more constructive this week?

Dangote Refinery IPO Opens Today: How to Buy the Shares and Where Nigerians Can Subscribe

2026-09-14T15:43:43.462+01:00

Dangote Refinery IPO Opens Today: How to Buy the Shares and Where Nigerians Can Subscribe

The much-anticipated Dangote Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO) has officially opened, allowing Nigerians and other eligible investors to become shareholders in one of Africa’s biggest industrial projects.

The public offer for Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE opened today, Monday, September 14, 2026, and investors can now submit applications for the shares.

The shares are being offered at ₦525 each, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares, meaning an investor can start with ₦5,250.

The offer is scheduled to close on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

With 4.1 billion shares on offer, the IPO could raise approximately ₦2.15 trillion if fully subscribed, making it Africa's largest IPO to date.

How Much Does One Dangote Refinery Share Cost?

The offer price is:

₦525 per share

The minimum subscription is 10 shares:

10 × ₦525 = ₦5,250

Here are some examples:

Amount	Number of Shares
₦5,250	10 shares
₦10,500	20 shares
₦52,500	100 shares
₦105,000	200 shares
₦262,500	500 shares
₦525,000	1,000 shares
₦1,050,000	2,000 shares

The calculations above exclude any applicable transaction or platform charges.

Where Can You Buy the Dangote Refinery IPO?

This is perhaps the most important question for anyone interested in the offer.

Do not simply send money to someone claiming to be an IPO agent.

Dangote Refinery has published approved channels for investors to subscribe. Treat the official IPO portal as the primary reference for the current list of authorised channels. (The IPO for the People)

The approved electronic/mobile channels also include Airtel SmartCash, MTN MoMo and NGX Invest.

Important: The approved-channel list is the authority to rely on. If a platform is not on the official list, don't assume it is authorised simply because someone advertises the IPO through it.

How to Subscribe for the Dangote Refinery IPO

The process will vary slightly depending on the bank or investment platform you use, but generally, investors will need to:

1. Choose an approved subscription channel

Select a bank, fintech, investment platform or other channel appearing on the official approved list.

2. Provide your required details

The subscription process includes identity verification, including BVN.

3. Select the number of shares you want

Remember that the minimum application is 10 shares, costing ₦5,250.

4. Pay for your application

Make payment through the approved channel you have selected.

5. Keep your application confirmation

Keep any receipt, reference number or confirmation generated by the platform.

Can I Subscribe Through InvestNaija?

Yes.

InvestNaija is among the approved channels for the Dangote Refinery IPO.

This means existing InvestNaija users can use the platform to participate in the offer.

If you already have the InvestNaija app, check the IPO section in the app and follow the current application instructions displayed there.

Do not rely on screenshots or instructions forwarded by other people if they differ from what the official platform currently displays.

What Happens After I Apply?

One important thing prospective investors need to understand is that applying for shares is not necessarily the same as receiving every share applied for.

If demand exceeds the shares available under the offer, the final allocation will be determined according to the terms of the public offer and its prospectus.

Therefore, someone who applies for 1,000 shares should not automatically assume that all 1,000 shares will be allotted.

Investors should carefully read the offer documents for the applicable allocation rules.

Is There a Bonus for Retail Investors?

The offer includes a Retail Investor Incentive Programme under which qualifying retail investors who subscribe and meet the applicable holding conditions may receive bonus shares.

However, investors should read the specific terms and conditions in the prospectus rather than treating the bonus as an automatic or unconditional return.

When Will the Dangote Refinery Shares Start Trading?

The IPO is the process through which investors subscribe to the shares before the eventual listing and trading of the shares on the Nigerian Exchange.

Reuters reports that the shares are expected to begin trading in late November, subject to the applicable process and timetable.

That means investors should distinguish between:

Subscribing during the IPO
and
Buying or selling the shares on the stock market after listing.

They are not the same thing.

Why Is Dangote Refinery Raising Money?

The IPO is intended to raise capital for the refinery's expansion programme.

The refinery currently has a production capacity of about 700,000 barrels per day, with plans to increase this to approximately 1.4 million barrels per day.

The company has also said the capital raised will support its broader growth plans.

The IPO therefore isn't simply about selling shares to the public; it is also part of the company's strategy to finance its next phase of expansion.

What Makes This IPO Different?

The scale is extraordinary.

The offer consists of 4.1 billion shares at ₦525 each, potentially raising about ₦2.15 trillion if fully subscribed.

It also gives ordinary retail investors an opportunity to participate in the ownership of a refinery that has become strategically important to Nigeria's petroleum industry.

The refinery, which began operations in 2024, currently produces around 700,000 barrels of refined petroleum products per day.

But Is ₦525 a Cheap Price?

Not necessarily.

This is an important point for investors.

The fact that the minimum investment is only ₦5,250 does not mean that the shares themselves are automatically cheap or that investors are guaranteed to make money.

The real question is whether the company's future earnings, growth prospects, dividends and other fundamentals justify the valuation investors are paying for.

The reported valuation of the refinery at the IPO price is roughly ₦63 trillion (about $47.6 billion).

Therefore, investors should look beyond the attractive ₦525 headline price and study the company's financials and the risks outlined in the prospectus.

Is Buying the Dangote Refinery IPO Guaranteed to Make Money?

No.

An IPO is an investment, not a guaranteed-profit scheme.

After listing, the market price can rise or fall depending on the company's performance, investor sentiment, oil prices, refining margins, foreign exchange conditions, government policies and many other factors.

Dividends are also not something investors should treat as guaranteed.

Invest only what you can afford to commit and understand the risks before applying.

⚠️ VERY IMPORTANT: Beware of Dangote IPO Scams

With the enormous public interest surrounding this IPO, fraudsters may attempt to take advantage of unsuspecting investors.

Do not send money to a person simply because they claim to be helping people buy Dangote Refinery shares.

The official IPO platform provides approved subscription channels and warns investors to use only those channels. (The IPO for the People)

Also:

Do not pay into an individual's personal account.
Do not give anyone your OTP.
Do not disclose your banking PIN.
Do not give anyone your investment-platform password.
Do not click suspicious WhatsApp or social-media links.
Verify the platform before making payment.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had previously warned the public about unauthorised solicitations connected with the Dangote Refinery public offer.

If in doubt, go directly to the official IPO website rather than following a link sent to you by a stranger.

How to Access the Official Dangote Refinery IPO Portal

The safest starting point is the official Dangote Refinery IPO website:

Official Dangote Refinery IPO Portal

From there, investors can access information about the offer and the approved subscription channels. (The IPO for the People)

Dangote Refinery IPO at a Glance

Details	Information
Offer	Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE
Opening date	September 14, 2026
Closing date	October 13, 2026
Offer price	₦525 per share
Minimum subscription	10 shares
Minimum investment	₦5,250
Shares on offer	4.1 billion
Potential proceeds	About ₦2.15 trillion
Expected listing	Late November 2026, subject to the timetable
Approved channels	Banks, fintechs, mobile channels and NGX Invest

DEPARADIGM'S TAKE

The Dangote Refinery IPO has moved from “coming soon” to reality.

As from today, investors can actually submit applications for shares in the refinery at ₦525 per share, with a minimum entry point of ₦5,250.

For many Nigerians, this represents an unusual opportunity to potentially become shareholders in one of the country's most significant industrial projects.

But excitement should not replace due diligence.

₦525 is the offer price; it is not a promise of profit.

Before subscribing, understand what you are buying, read the offer documents, consider the risks and use only an approved subscription channel.

And if you decide to participate, don't let anyone rush you into sending your money to an unofficial account.

The Dangote Refinery IPO is open. The opportunity is real—but so are the risks.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Dangote Refinery IPO official website, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Dangote Refinery IPO: Shares Priced at ₦525 as SEC Approves Landmark Offer — What Nigerians Need to Know.

2026-09-05T21:22:10.113+01:00

Dangote Refinery IPO: Shares Priced at ₦525 as SEC Approves Landmark Offer — What Nigerians Need to Know

The much-anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Refinery has taken a major step forward following regulatory approval from Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), potentially opening the door for Nigerians and other investors to own shares in one of Africa's most ambitious industrial projects.

The SEC has approved the proposed offer of 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ₦525 per share. If fully subscribed, the offer could raise approximately ₦2.15 trillion for the refinery. The order book is expected to open on September 14, 2026, according to reports citing people familiar with the transaction.

The development could make the Dangote Refinery IPO one of the largest equity offerings ever seen on the African continent and a significant test of investor appetite in Nigeria's capital market.

What Does the Dangote Refinery IPO Mean?

An Initial Public Offering, or IPO, is the process through which a company offers shares to the public for the first time.

In simple terms, the IPO is designed to allow investors to become shareholders in the business.

This means that instead of Nigerians merely buying products produced by the refinery, eligible investors will potentially be able to own a small stake in the company itself.

The SEC has also registered the refinery's existing 120.13 billion ordinary shares, clearing an important regulatory hurdle for the proposed public offering.

How Much Will One Dangote Refinery Share Cost?

The reported IPO price is:

₦525 per share

At that price, the mathematics is relatively straightforward.

Amount	Approximate shares	Amount used
₦100,000	190 shares	₦99,750
₦500,000	952 shares	₦499,800
₦1,000,000	1,904 shares	₦999,600

These calculations are based purely on the reported ₦525 offer price and do not include any applicable transaction charges.

However, there is an important distinction.

Being able to calculate how many shares an amount could buy does not mean that an investor will automatically receive that number of shares.

If demand exceeds the number of shares available, allocation may be affected by the terms of the final offer.

Investors should therefore rely on the approved offer documents and official instructions when the subscription process opens.

How Much Money Could the IPO Raise?

The offer involves 4.1 billion shares at ₦525 each.

If all the shares are fully subscribed:

4.1 billion × ₦525 = approximately ₦2.15 trillion.

That is an enormous amount of money by Nigerian capital-market standards.

The transaction could therefore become one of the most significant public offerings in Nigeria's history.

There is also reportedly a 15% greenshoe option, which could allow additional shares to be sold if demand exceeds the initial offer.

Why Is Dangote Refinery Raising Money?

The IPO is not simply about putting the refinery on the stock market.

The company has major expansion ambitions.

The refinery currently has a nameplate refining capacity of about 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to Reuters, while the company is pursuing plans to increase capacity substantially.

Dangote's expansion target is approximately:

1.4 million barrels per day

If achieved, the expansion would dramatically increase the refinery's production capacity and strengthen its position in the global refining industry.

The money raised through the IPO is expected to support the refinery's expansion plans.

In other words, investors are not simply being asked to put money into an existing facility. The public offering forms part of a broader plan to finance the refinery's next stage of growth.

Why Is This IPO Important to Nigeria?

For decades, Nigeria has had a peculiar economic problem.

The country is one of the world's major crude oil producers, yet it has historically depended heavily on imported refined petroleum products.

The emergence of the Dangote Refinery has begun changing that equation.

The facility, located in the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, is designed to process crude oil into products for both domestic consumption and export.

Its infrastructure includes extensive storage facilities, marine infrastructure and a dedicated power plant. The refinery complex also includes a polypropylene plant.

Consequently, the success or failure of the refinery is not merely a matter concerning Dangote Industries.

It has implications for Nigeria's energy security, foreign exchange requirements, industrialisation and export ambitions.

Could Ordinary Nigerians Become Dangote Refinery Shareholders?

Potentially, yes.

That is one of the most interesting aspects of the IPO.

For years, large infrastructure projects of this magnitude have often appeared distant from the ordinary Nigerian.

The IPO could change that by creating an avenue through which retail investors can participate in the ownership of the business, subject to the terms of the offer and applicable allocation rules.

However, Nigerians should not confuse access to an investment opportunity with a guarantee of profit.

An IPO is still an investment.

The share price can rise.

It can also fall.

What About Dividends?

This is an area where prospective investors need to exercise particular caution.

There have been various discussions and reports surrounding the possibility of dividend payments from the refinery, including speculation about dollar-denominated dividends.

However, investors should distinguish between public discussion, expectations and an officially established dividend policy.

A dividend is not guaranteed simply because a company is profitable or because investors expect one.

The company's approved offer documents and future corporate disclosures should be the primary reference for any dividend policy.

Therefore, Nigerians should be extremely cautious about anyone promising them a specific annual return or guaranteed dollar dividend from the Dangote Refinery IPO.

A Very Important Warning for Investors

This is perhaps one of the most important parts of the story.

Earlier this year, before the IPO received regulatory approval, the SEC warned Nigerians about unauthorised advertisements and solicitations relating to purported Dangote Refinery share offerings.

The regulator specifically warned against schemes asking people to create accounts, pre-fund accounts, make advance payments, or secure guaranteed allocations.

The SEC directed operators involved in such activities to stop and advised members of the public to rely on formal announcements from the Commission.

Now that the IPO has received regulatory approval, the public should still remain vigilant.

Do not send money to an individual simply because they claim they can secure Dangote Refinery shares for you.

Use only the official subscription channels and properly authorised capital-market operators identified in the approved offer documentation. [Read the SEC's official warning here.]

What Could Make the IPO Attractive?

There are several reasons investors may want to study the offer carefully.

1. The scale of the refinery

The Dangote Refinery is one of the largest industrial projects ever undertaken in Africa.

2. Expansion potential

The company is targeting an increase in refining capacity towards 1.4 million barrels per day.

3. Domestic and international markets

The refinery has the potential to serve Nigeria while also exporting refined petroleum products to other African and international markets.

4. Strategic importance

Nigeria's need to reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products makes domestic refining strategically important.

5. Public participation

The IPO could broaden participation in the ownership of a major Nigerian industrial asset.

But all these factors must be considered alongside the valuation and risks.

What Are the Risks?

Investors should not buy Dangote Refinery shares simply because the company has a famous name or because the refinery is a major Nigerian success story.

Potential investors need to consider factors such as:

the valuation implied by the ₦525 offer price;
future profitability;
crude oil prices;
refining margins;
foreign-exchange movements;
government policies and regulations;
operational risks;
expansion costs;
debt and financing obligations;
competition in international petroleum markets;
and future dividend policy.

The fact that an investment is connected to a major company does not eliminate investment risk.

What Does ₦525 Really Mean?

Perhaps the most important question for investors is not:

"Can I afford ₦525 per share?"

It is:

"Is the company worth buying at ₦525 per share?"

Those are two very different questions.

A ₦525 share price may look affordable to one investor while the underlying valuation may still be expensive.

That is why prospective investors should examine the company's financial information, the approved prospectus, its earnings prospects, expansion plans and associated risks before making a decision.

When Will the Dangote Refinery IPO Open?

The order book is expected to open on September 14, 2026, according to current reports citing sources familiar with the transaction.

Investors should nevertheless look for the final official announcement and approved offer documentation before committing funds.

The SEC's approval clears an important stage of the process, but investors should still follow the formal instructions governing the offer.

DEPARADIGM'S TAKE

The Dangote Refinery IPO is much bigger than a story about buying shares.

It represents a potentially important moment for Nigeria's capital market and for ordinary Nigerians who may want to participate in the ownership of one of the country's most important industrial assets.

But the excitement surrounding the IPO should not replace careful thinking.

₦525 is a share price — it is not a promise of profit.

The real question is whether the refinery's future earnings, expansion plans, valuation, dividend prospects and risks justify the investment.

For anyone considering participating, the best approach is simple:

Study the official offer documents. Understand the risks. Use an authorized investment channel. And never send money to anyone promising a guaranteed allocation or guaranteed returns.

If the offer performs as expected, the Dangote Refinery IPO could become a landmark event in Nigeria's investment history.

But whether it becomes a landmark investment for an individual investor will ultimately depend on what they buy, what price they pay, how the company performs — and how wisely they approach the opportunity.

Sources: Reuters, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Punch, and Daba Finance.

Prayer To Destroy Forces Of Demotion

2022-09-01T09:28:00.004+01:00

PRAYER TO DESTROY FORCES OF DEMOTION

1. My father, my God, i thank you always for what you've done, what you're doing and what you're going to do in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ.

2. Mercy of God, blood of Jesus Christ, speak for me as i embark on this prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ

3. Voices of demotion, speaking against me and my destiny, hear the word of the Lord, i silence you by the blood of Jesus, in the name Jesus Christ

4. Every incantation of demotion, backfire, in the name of Jesus Christ.

5. O carpenters from heaven, dismantle the roadblock to my breakthroughs, in the name of Jesus Christ

CLICK TO WATCH 👉 STRANGE ENEMIES STRANGE PRAYERS

CLICK TO WATCH 👉 TERMINATING YOUR DRY SEASON BY DR. D. K. OLUKOYA

6. Every vessel of witchcraft attack, sleep the sleep of death, in the name of Jesus Christ.

7. O arm of the Lord, arise and let my Hamman die, in the name of Jesus Christ.

8. Every rat of destruction, dry up and die, in the name of Jesus.

DON'T BREAK THE HEDGE (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

Click To Watch👇 and Subscribe for more of Dr. D.K.O Vidoes

9. Let all slavery in my life be abolished, in the name of Jesus.

10. O Lord, before the next program, I claim unexpected income, in the name of Jesus.

11. Let the tap-root of infirmity in my life dry up and die, in the name of Jesus.

12. Fire of affliction, die and rise no more, in the name of Jesus.

Thank God for answered prayers

DeParadigm

PLEASE TRY AND LEAVE A COMMENT AND ALSO SHARE IF THIS SITE HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO YOU. THANKS

How to Influence People Without Manipulation or Control

DON'T BREAK THE HEDGE (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-08-10T06:47:00.007+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DON'T BREAK THE HEDGE (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Job 1:6-12

MEMORY VERSE: Ecclesiastes 10:8 "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

The Bible affirms that there is a hedge of protection put in place by God around every believer. Whether you are aware or this or not, if you are a believer, you have it around you. The purpose of that divine hedge is to shield or protect you from the invasion and attack of the devil and his cohorts (demons and human agents). It is a spiritual guard and covering that ensures your safety. When you have the hedge around you, the enemy will not be able to steal or kill or destroy in your life.

How to Influence People Without Manipulation or Control

Click To Watch👇 and Subscribe for more of Dr. D.K.O Vidoes

However, it is your responsibility to ensure that the hedge remains intact and unbroken. You should learn and do the things that wIll retain, maintain and sustain the hedge. You should also learn and avoid those things that can break the hedge. The truth is that the consequences of a broken hedge are grave.

The devil knows that the hedge of God is a mark of "touch not' upon the life of Job. As long as the hedge was intact, Job prospered and his achievements and credentials were both phenomenal and unparalleled in his time. Job himself did not make the mistake that removed his supernatural hedge of protection. It was God that removed it temporarily. The devil told God, "Why won't Job have all these impressive achievements and be devoted to you when you have hedged him round about?

CLICK TO WATCH 👉 TERMINATING YOUR DRY SEASON BY DR. D. K. OLUKOYA

When the hedge of protection is in place in your life, the Holy Spirit and God's angels will repel any evil or calamity that the enemy and his cohorts direct your way. You will be miraculously saved from danger and the plans of the enemy for your life will be mysteriously thwarted. Besides, you will dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under His shadow. Day and night, asleep or awake, you will dwell in safety. This honour and privilege are for those who are born again and indwelt by the Spirit of God.

Therefore, in case you are not born again, I advise you to give your life to Jesus Christ now. As you make Him your Lord and Saviour, He will put the hedge of protection and wall of fire around you and become the shining glory in your life.

Servant Leadership: Why Great Leaders Put Service Before Status

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

God keeps His hedge firmly around covenant keepers and those who walk blameless before Him.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

I DECREE THAT ANY POWER THE ENEMY HAS ASSIGNED TO BREAK THE HEDGE AROUND YOUR LIFE SHALL DIE, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. I declare that God's presence and power will not depart from me, in the name of Jesus.

2. The hedge of God around my life will never be broken, in the name of Jesus.

3. Power assigned to breach the hedge of God about my life, you are a liar, die, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. The mark of "touch not my anointed" upon my life shall not be erased, in the name of Jesus.

5. I reject the life of sin and carelessness, in the name or Jesus.

6. I dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shelter of the Almighty forever, in the name of Jesus.

7. Father, let Your wall of fire be round about me always, in the name of Jesus.

How to Influence People Without Manipulation or Control

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 1:1-17, 1 Corinthians 6, Psalm 94:1-11

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

PLEASE TRY AND LEAVE A COMMENT AND ALSO SHARE IF THIS SITE HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO YOU. THANKS

DeParadigm

DIVINE TURNING POINT (II) Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-08-09T05:16:00.005+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DIVINE TURNING POINT (II) Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: John 5:5-8

MEMORY VERSE: Genesis 1:3 "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

God is the author of turning point in the life of man. We learnt this in the life of Abraham yesterday. Similarly, when the whole world fell into the captivity of satan and sin, God orchestrated a turning point by giving His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die for man's redemption.

A turning point refers to a junction, location or time when change occurs. A turning point could be positive or negative. But as a child of God whose hope and confidence is in God, may you experience a positive turnaround, in the name of Jesus. A turning point is often birthed by a divine encounter. There are several instances of turning point in the Bible.

CLICK TO READ THE PREVIOUS 👇

DIVINE TURNING POINT (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

There was divine turning point when God commanded light to appear and it did (Genesis 1:3). The miraculous deliverance of lsrael from Egypt was a turning point in the history of the Israelites. When a sinner is converted and becomes a saint, it is a turning point encounter. Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus was a major turning point in his life (Acts 9). When the sick experience divine healing and are made whole, it is divine turning point. The man that Jesus healed at the Pool of Bethesda after 38 years of infimity (John 5:5-8) and the demoniac of Gadara who Jesus restored (Mark 5:25-28) are beneficiaries of divine turning point. There is also turning point when sorrow turns to joy as in the case of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10), when lack becomes plenty (2 Kings 4: 1-7), when failure becomes success (Luke 5:4-6) and when a "nobody" becomes prominent as in the story of Joseph; and when a destiny is restored and aligned for fulfilment as was the case of Jacob at Peniel. You will agree with me that divine turning point is desirable. I pray that you will experience it today, in the name of Jesus.

Click To Watch👇 and Subscribe for more of Dr. D.K.O Vidoes

Beloved, to qualify for a turning point encounter, you need to do the following: (1) Give your life to Jesus Christ (2) Love, study and live by the word of God (3) Be a worshipper and be prayerful (4) Be obedient to God. Peter obeyed Jesus in John 5:4-6 and the woman of Zarephath obeyed Elijah. (5) Be a sacrificial giver (6) Live a holy lifestyle. (7) Have faith in God.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

Turning point in the life of those who succeed usually comes at the moment of crisis.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

TODAY, THAT AREA OF YOUR LIFE THAT NEEDS A TURNING POINT ENCOUNTER WILL RECEIVE DIVINE ATTENTION, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. My Father, have mercy upon me today, in the name of Jesus.

2. O God my Father, let Your mercy produce a turning point in my life, in the name of Jesus.

3. Arise, O God, and attend to the issues of my life by fire, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. Grace of God, qualify me for a divine turning point, in the name of Jesus.

5. My Father, terminate my shame today, in the name of Jesus.

6. O God of mercy, visit my life and let me experience instant turnaround, in the name Jesus.

7. My Father, grant me favour that overflows, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 28, 1 Chronicles 29, 1 Corinthians 5, Psalm 93:1-5

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

PLEASE TRY AND LEAVE A COMMENT AND ALSO SHARE IF THIS SITE HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO YOU. THANKS

Servant Leadership: Why Great Leaders Put Service Before Status

DeParadigm

DIVINE TURNING POINT (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-08-08T03:46:00.004+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DIVINE TURNING POINT (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Genesis 12:1-9

MEMORY VERSE:

Genesis 18:10 "And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

Abraham's life was full of turning point encounters. In Genesis 12, God instructed him to leave his land of

nativity, his family and brethren, and go to a land which He would show Him. Abraham obeyed God. God also pronounced seven blessings upon his life.

This marked a turning point in the life of Abraham and the beginning of an extraordinary relationship between him and God, producing transgenerational impacts and blessings. Abraham's life was without meaning, drection and impact before this encounter with God. So, the first benefit of a turning point encounter is that it will connect you to your divine purpose and give your life meaning, direction and impact! Check the lives of Abraham, Moses, David, Gideon, Peter, Paul, and so on. You will discover this timeless truth.

Click To Watch👇 and Subscribe for more of Dr. D.K.O Vidoes

Abraham had other turning point encounters in Genesis 15 and 17. First, God changed his name from Abram to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah. This was also a major turning point in their lives. Through the divine name change, Abraham and Sarah were divinely connected to God; they became His own or His property. They were properly aligned to receive and enjoy the best that God had in store for their destinies. The Bible says that you shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name (Isaiah 62:2b). Name is an omen. Don't let an evil name hamper your destiny.

The level of grace, greatness and glory that God places in your life is directly proportional to the turning point encounters you have with Him. In Genesis 18 and 21, Abraham had yet other encounters with God. In Genesis, he received and entertained three heavenly visitors. His hospitality and generosity paid off. After their

sumptuous meal, the visitors asked, Where is thy wife, Sarah? Then they pronounced, "By this time next year,

Sarah will have a child for you." That was a major turning point in the life of Abraham, who was 100 years old, and

Sarah, who was 90 years old. Finally, in Genesis 22, God tested Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, his covenant child. Abraham obeyed, and God's angel poured transgenerational blessings upon him.

Beloved, I pray that you will have a divine turning point encounter today, in the name of Jesus.

CLICK TO READ PART II👇

DIVINE TURNING POINT (II) Dr D.K. Olukoya

Servant Leadership: Why Great Leaders Put Service Before Status

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

A turning point is that moment of naked acceptance of truth.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

I DECREE THAT THE GOD OF HEAVEN WILL GIVE YOU A DIVINE TURNING POINT TODAY, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. Father, give me a divine turning point encounter, in the name of Jesus.

2. O God, arise and give my life meaning, direction and impact, in the name of Jesus.

3. Mercy of God, Speak into my life and birth a glorious change, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. Any nam that is hindering my open heaven and turning point experience, die, in the name of Jesus.

5. Powers assigned to abort my glorious change, die by fire, in the name of Jesus.

6. Father, anything that You need to change in my life for me to experience divine change, change it now, in the name of Jesus.

7. My heaven of turnaround breakthroughs, open now by fire, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 26:20-32, 1 Chronicles 27, 1 Corinthians 4, Proverbs 19:13-22

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

PLEASE TRY AND LEAVE A COMMENT IF THIS SITE HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO YOU. THANKS

Servant Leadership: Why Great Leaders Put Service Before Status

DeParadigm

WAR AGAINST DEVOURERS Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-17T13:11:00.011+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WAR AGAINST DEVOURERS Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 30:16-17

MEMORY VERSE: Malachi 3:11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

To devour is to swallow or eat up hungrily, voraciously or ravenously. To devour is to consume destructively, recklessly or wantonly. The Bible identifies the power called "the devourer". In Joel 2:25, the Bible identifies the locust, cankerworm, caterpillar, palmerworm as powers that can destructively eat up a man's years. In Jeremiah 30:16-17, the Bible talks of 'those that devour thee', symbolising men.

Devourers can be acquired or programmed into people's lives. Devourers can also be walked into consciously or unconsciously and can also walk into a man. The agenda of the devourer is to scatter, waste, destroy and collapse every effort you make to get better and bigger. This is why, as believers we must wage a powerful war against devourers.

Servant Leadership: Why Great Leaders Put Service Before Status

Beloved, you do not have to be a helpless prey to the devourer. God has provided veritable weapons you can use against any devourer that the enemy has assigned against your life. Let us examine them:

The first weapon is submission. You must submit totally to the will of God. You should pay your tithes faithfully (Malachi 3:11) and engage in effectual and fervent praying. The second weapon you can use against the devourer is to mind who you associate with. Evil association and unholy communication can open the door of your life to devourer. Also, you should mind what is right to buy and what is not right to buy. In addition, you should avoid anything that leads you to wasteful spending. Pray to the Holy Spirit for the grace and discipline to have maintenance culture and for things to be durable in your hand.

The devil and his cohorts are devourers. They devour destinies, marriages, ministries, businesses and careers as well as finances. Your guarantee for keeping devourers at bay or overcoming them is to be born again. When you dwell in the secret place of the Most High, you will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. New birth provides you divine covering. You should also let the word of God dwell in you richly. Read God's word daily and live by it. It is also important for you to live a holy life. By so doing, you will not open doors to demons in your life. Finally, it is important that you pray without ceasing and be obedient to the Holy Spirit.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

Light can devour the darkness but darkness cannot consume light.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

THE POWERS ASSIGNED TO EAT UP WHAT YOU HAVE LABOURED TO GATHER SHALL STUMBLE AND FALL, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. The enemy that pursued my parents and are now pursuing me, fall down and die, in the name of Jesus.

2. Powers from my father's house pursuing my star, die, in the name of Jesus.

3. Every dark river flowing from my father's house, I cut you off, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. Dark blood flowing inside my body, die, in the name of Jesus.

5. Battles from my parents' blood, working against me, die, in the name of Jesus.

6. Powers that defeated my father, powers that defeated my mother, I am not your candidate, die, in the name of Jesus.

7. Bad family history, break, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 2:13-46, 1 Kings 3:1-15, Acts 11:19-30, Acts 12:1-19, Proverbs 15:1-10

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

Servant Leadership: Why Great Leaders Put Service Before Status

PLEASE TRY AND LEAVE A COMMENT AND ALSO SHARE IF THIS SITE HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO YOU. THANKS

DeParadigm

BEING YOUR BROTHER'S KEEPER Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-16T07:49:00.001+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

BEING YOUR BROTHER'S KEEPER Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 25:34-46

MEMORY VERSE: Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

The term "brother's keeper" first came up in the book of Genesis, the book of beginnings. That was when God asked Cain of Abel's whereabout. He retorted and asked God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9).

In Matthew 25:34-46, Jesus, speaking a parable, talked of a king who rewarded and punished two groups of people for caring for their brethren and also not caring for their brethren respectively. We see from the Scripture that Jesus said, "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren you have done it to me." This statement goes to tell us that being our brother's keeper is a direct way of showing love to God! Cain was punished, not just because he was disrespectful to God, but because he indirectly told God, "Why should I love You?" Do we see how important this aspect of caring for others is? It runs deep!

When can we care for our brethren? Matthew 25:35-46 shows us a guide: in hunger, in thirst, in hospitality, in nakedness, in sickness, in imprisonment. These could be taken on a very deep note spiritually but let us restrict it to the literal terms. In these harsh times, we ought to show care and love, knowing full well, it is unto God! Hebrews 13:2 says something profound, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Let us briefly look at this deeply.

Angels are usually on assignment from God. If you receive a messenger well, you have received the one who sent him well indirectly. An honour to a messenger is an honour to the master behind him. So, when we are warned not to forget to entertain strangers, we are encouraged to remember that some have entertained angels unawares and directly received God!

We have been able to establish that caring for the brethren is paramount to caring and showing love for God. Therefore, let us all with a joyful heart, learn to care for the brethren and thereby show unrestricted care and love for God.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

Love one another as Jesus loves you and try to show kindness in all that you do.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

AS YOU MAKE YOURSELF A WILLING TOOL AND VESSEL OF HONOUR TO GOD, THE HOST OF HEAVEN SHALL DAILY ATTEND TO YOUR NEEDS, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. Holy Spirit, empower me to be able to do what is divinely required of me, in the name of Jesus.

2. Anointing to be obedient to divine instructions fall upon me, in the name of Jesus.

3. I receive the power to do what pleases God, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. The ability to love unconditionally, possess me, in the name of Jesus.

5. I receive faith and peace in my spirit to stand against the fiery darts of the enemy, in the name of Jesus.

6. I receive the blessing without measure to enable me to bless others, in the name of Jesus.

7. I shall not miss my day of divine visitation, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 1, 1 Kings 2:1-12, Acts 10:23-48, Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 74:10-17

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

PLEASE TRY AND LEAVE A COMMENT AND ALSO SHARE IF THIS SITE HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO YOU. THANKS

How to Influence People Without Manipulation or Control

DeParadigm

A LESSON FROM THE LIFE OF ZACCHEUS (II) Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-15T07:24:00.002+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

A LESSON FROM THE LIFE OF ZACCHEUS (II) Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:1-10

MEMORY VERSE: Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

Today, we will continue our discourse on the lessons from the life of Zaccheus. This event was a turning point in the life of Zaccheus, the tax collector. Zaccheus hurriedly came down from his high tower, and welcomed Jesus joyfully into his house without delay. It was a miraculous encounter! In the midst of the crowd, this man of small stature climbed a Sycamore tree. Though short yet has a giant mindset! There is more to a man's size, age, economic, academic or professional status when it comes to the things of God. God sees not as a man sees. God looks at the heart and not your size or achievements. No wonder the crowd rushed to see Jesus, yet only one man actually came with a deep desire to see the Lord and welcome Him into his house -- Zaccheus!

CLICK TO READ PREVIOUS 👇

A LESSON FROM THE LIFE OF ZACCHEUS (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

What are you seeking Jesus for? Remember that Matthew 6:33 enjoins us to seek first the Kingdom of God. This was the singular vision and focus of Zaccheus. After all, his riches had earned him nothing but misery. Any life without Christ will experience crisis, no matter your credentials.

Zaccheus was hungry and thirsty for a new life -- salvation in God through Christ Jesus. At this time, his riches meant little or nothing to him. Jesus meant everything to him. Why not emulate Zaccheus? As you begin to seek the Lord and His Kingdom, every other good things of life shall be added, in Jesus' name. He doesn't withhold good things from His children (Psalm 84:11).

Zaccheus made right his wrongs and restored all he had wrongfully taken. He did a willing restitution and promised to be generous to the needy. A 360 degree turnaround from a stark sinner to a saint of the Lord. Please note: no man is too deep in sin to experience the salvation of the Lord. Are you ready to experience such divine manifestations? The Bible says He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Get ready to seek Jesus with all your heart as Zaccheus did and you shall gain eternal life.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

When you encounter Jesus Christ, your priorities will change and you will be divinely positioned.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

I PRAY FOR YOU THAT YOUR LIFE AND CONCERNS SHALL BEGIN TO MATTER TO HEAVEN, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. Lord Jesus, do not cast me away, in the name of Jesus.

2. Joy of the Lord, envelop my life to show that Christ is in me, in the name of Jesus.

3. Enemies of the presence of God in my life, jump out and die, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. Power to do the will of God, come upon my life, in the name of Jesus.

5. O God, arise and give uncommon idea that would single me out from the crowd for greatness, in the name of Jesus.

6. Enemies of my divine manifestation, die by fire, in the name of Jesus.

7. I shall not miss my hour of divine visitation, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 23:8-39, 2 Samuel 24:1-25, Acts 9:32-43, Acts 10:1-23, Psalms 74:1-9

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

PLEASE TRY AND LEAVE A COMMENT AND ALSO SHARE IF THIS SITE HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO YOU. THANKS

A LESSON FROM THE LIFE OF ZACCHEUS (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-14T07:33:00.003+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

A LESSON FROM THE LIFE OF ZACCHEUS (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:1-10

MEMORY VERSE: Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

The Bible gives an interesting story of a man called Zaccheus, a former tax collector and in every way a sinner. Having realised his sinful state, one day, he decided to see Jesus. Zaccheus wasn't a poor man; so he was not seeking Jesus for bread, neither for fun or sheer curiosity as many people would do at that time, even today. Rather, his desire was to have an encounter with the Saviour, such that it would have an eternal impact on his life. He received his heart desire with faith. He did not only think or conceive an idea, he went further to take a risk. He put his faith into action by doing the uncommon to receive divine response.

His story changed because Jesus located him on the Sycamore tree which he climbed. It was a divine attention! How did Jesus know that he was up there? It was the appointed time for his salvation. Rightly positioned, there was a divine connect between Jesus and Zaccheus. Jesus got to where he was and looked up. I pray that you shall be divinely located, in the name of Jesus.

Are you in frantic need to see Jesus? Decide to do something beyond the ordinary to get an extraordinary result. Zaccheus was not limited in his thoughts, neither was he discouraged because of his short stature. He wasn't ready to settle for self-pity and unwarranted excuses...."I would have seen Him if not for my stature." Neither did he say, "I won't bother to stress myself in the crowd. Oh! Poor me, why am I like this!" He refused to settle for less than his miracle of salvation. Jesus knew the heart of men and could see the sincerity of his mind. He addressed Zaccheus directly, "Today, salvation has come to your house."

Brother, Jesus sees and knows you. Sister, Jesus desires that you go an extra mile to show how much you want Him in your life. As he willingly went in to Zaccheus, He is willing to enter your house too. He will dine with you. Open the door of your heart to Him. Don't shut Him out. I pray that His mercy will prevail over judgement in your life, in the name of Jesus.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

Your size and height have little or nothing to do with your mindset; rather it is all about the treasure within.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

TODAY, JESUS SHALL LOCATE YOU FOR A FRESH VISITATION AND YOUR LIFE SHALL NOT REMAIN THE SAME, IN THE NAME OF JESUS

PRAYER POINTS:

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆

1. Lord Jesus, help me to seek You always, in the name of Jesus.

2. Enemy of salvation in my life, die, in the name of Jesus.

3. Lord Jesus, enter into my life today and make me a new creature, in the name of Jesus.

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆

4. Enemies of my divine positioning, what are you waiting for? Die, in the name of Jesus.

5. Satanic crowd blocking my divine vision, scatter, in the name of Jesus.

6. My spiritual antenna, be connected to the heavenly signals, by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the name of Jesus.

7. O God, arise and make me Your beloved, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 22, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Acts 9:1-31, Psalm 73:15-28

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS (II) Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-13T05:25:00.005+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS (II) Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Genesis 39:21-23

MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

Joseph, when he was young, had a dream and trusted God that his dream would become a reality. His brothers, however, were not happy about the dream. They were not only unhappy about the dream; they were also unhappy because their father had always loved Joseph more than them. All these made them agree to kill him, but they had forgotten that no one can kill the person that God has blessed.

CLICK TO READ PREVIOUS 👇

JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

When Joseph was sold to Egypt as a slave, God was with him. And wherever he went, God's blessing was with him because he trusted that God would fulfil the dreams he had as a teenager in his life. Remember, he was alone, far away from home and had no family member with him. So, it must have been so hard for him to trust God to help him. Even though he was accused wrongly of sexual harassment in Potiphar's house and thrown into prison, God was still with him and faithful to him (Genesis 39:21-23). It took God's intervention by way of making Pharaoh have a dream that only Joseph could interpret before Joseph's life changed.

Beloved, even with all Joseph went through in Egypt and in the hand of his siblings, one thing we can all learn and follow is Joseph's trust in God. Even though we cannot see any good thing coming out of our situation, let us believe that God is at work in our favour. Faith works on what we hope on in Jesus, not what we can see physically (Hebrews 11:1). The only way faith can work in our lives is by trust in God. To achieve trust in God requires our commitment to Him fully, being serious with Him and following Him with our hearts, spirits and souls. I pray that all we are trusting God for will manifest in our lives, in the name of Jesus.

I enjoin you to avoid the mistakes that Joseph's brothers made. Let the love of God fill your heart. Be an ambassador of brotherly love and seek peace with all men. Say no to sibling rivalry, hatred and disunity. You should be your brother's keeper, not seller or killer!

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

Let your life reflect the faith you have in God. Fear nothing and pray about everything. Be strong, trust God's word and trust the process.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

I DECREE THAT AS YOU WAIT ON THE LORD, HE SHALL RENEW YOUR STRENGTH, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. O Lord, I rededicate my life to You, in the name of Jesus.

2. Help me to always trust in You, in the name of Jesus.

3. I put my trust in You, O Lord, let me not be put to shame, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. Every spirit of shame and disgrace in my life, die, in the name of Jesus.

5. I bind and cast out from my life every spirit of unbelief, in the name of Jesus.

6. Let Your trust, O Lord, fill my heart, in the name of Jesus.

7. I speak woe unto the spirit of shame, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 20, 2 Samuel 21, Acts 8:4-40, Proverbs 14:25-35

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

PLEASE TRY AND LEAVE A COMMENT AND ALSO SHARE IF THIS SITE HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO YOU. THANKS

JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-12T02:47:00.011+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Genesis 50:17-21

MEMORY VERSE: Luke 17:3-4 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

Psychologist define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to withdraw feeling of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness. Forgiveness is a very key quality of being a Christian. In the Bible, the word forgiveness is mentioned about 129 times. It is also included in the Lord's Prayer.

The story of Joseph is a perfect example of forgiveness. It must have been very hard for him to forgive his brothers, but because Joseph had the love of God in his heart, God made it easy for him to do so. Joseph's forgiveness was not only for his benefit, but for the benefit of the future children of the Israelites. If Joseph had not forgiven his brothers, maybe the promise that God gave Abraham about his seed becoming as many as the sand on the seashore might not have come to pass. Forgiveness on its own is not easy, especially when it is people you love the most and hold in high esteem that have offended you. But with God, all things are possible.

We should learn forgiveness because we gain a lot when we forgive. When we forgive, our God in heaven forgives all our sins and our prayers are answered. God's mercies encompass us round about and our lives become a testimony to those around us. Remember that unforgiveness is a sin, and it can take you to hell fire.

CLICK TO READ PART II 👇

JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS (II) Dr D.K. Olukoya

Beloved, forgiving others is a great way to show that you are an obedient Christian. It is also a good way to demonstrate that the love of God is at work in your life. When you don't forgive, you imprison the person who has offended you and you imprison yourself as well. When you don't forgive, you allow bitterness and resentment to occupy your heart. As someone put it, resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. Be wise; forgive others as Joseph did.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY

FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. I repent of every sin of unforgiveness, in the name of Jesus.

2. I forgive everybody that has hurt me, in the name of Jesus.

3. O God, have mercy upon me and forgive every sin of unforgiveness, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. I wash my spirit, soul and body with the blood of Jesus, in the name of Jesus.

5. Every power using the sin of unforgiveness in my life to afflict me, die, in the name of Jesus.

6. O God, give me a forgiving spirit, in the name of Jesus.

7. From the bottom of my heart, I forgive all those that have offended me, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 18:19-33, 2 Samuel 19, Acts 7:44-60, Acts 8:1-3, Psalm 73:1-14

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

DeParadigm

AWAKE THOU THAT SLEEPEST (II) Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-11T17:18:00.001+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

AWAKE THOU THAT SLEEPEST (II) Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:13-17

MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 5:14 "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

Being a sleeper implies that a person lives in complete darkness. It is when a person lives in sickness and he thinks he is in perfect health. It is to seek how to please the world more than one can please God. A sleeper is selfish and very proud and has no regard for the things of God. He or she is over familiar with God.

CLICK TO READ THE PREVIOUS👇

AWAKE THOU THAT SLEEPEST (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

An example of this can be seen in Samson from the Bible. He had the qualities of those who are spiritually asleep. He was proud and didn't listen to the counsel of his parent. He loved the world and wanted to please the world more than Cod. This landed him in serious trouble and he wasn't the same after that again. He became vulnerable to his enemies. They ridiculed his life, stripped him of his glorious power and made him disabled for life (gouged out his eyes). This made his glorious life to be wasted and cut short. Oh, what a tragedy! The dangers of being spiritually asleep can make people end up like Samson or even worse. It can bring a person from grace to grass. Worse of all, it can make the wrath of God fall upon a person. And when the wrath of God is upon a person, nothing can deliver him or her.

Beloved, let us all humbly go to God on our knees and beg Him to have mercy upon us and deliver us from spiritual slumber. Let us take God seriously. Let us practise holiness within and without, by obeying His words, reading His words and talking to Him day and night. When we do this, God's light will automatically shine upon us and anything we lay our hands upon will prosper. May God wake us from every spiritual slumber. Amen.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. O God, arise and have mercy upon me, in the name of Jesus.

2. Let the resurrection power of God flow into my life and raise up every dead thing in my life, in the name of Jesus.

3. Let your revival fire fall upon my life, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. By the power in the blood of Jesus, I destroy every evil slumber in my life, in the name of Jesus.

5. O God, arise and destroy every evil plantation in my life, in the name of Jesus.

6. Every spirit of the end times pushing my life backwards, die, in the name of Jesus.

7. O God, prepare me for Your second coming, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 16:15-23, 2 Samuel 17, 2 Samuel 18:1-18, Acts 7:20-43, Psalm 72:1-20

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

AWAKE THOU THAT SLEEPEST (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-10T16:06:00.000+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

AWAKE THOU THAT SLEEPEST (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:13-17

MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 5:14 "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

The sleepers being referred to in our Memory Verse are the ones in darkness, thick darkness. They are also in ignorance and are not aware of their real condition. Even though they think they are knowledgeable and have all the riches and pleasures in the world, they still have no sense, no spiritual knowledge, and they feel those people that have are foolish, not knowing they themselves are the real foolish ones. Sleepers can also mean those who are satisfied with their sins; they think they have it all and feel they don't need anybody. Pride is their best friend. They want the power, protection and all the good things you get from God, but they don't want God (2 Timothy 3:4). Beloved, those that belong to this group are in very serious trouble because they are opened to all kinds of spiritual attacks, and eternity is not even sure for them when their time is up.

But God is merciful. He is calling us to wake up from the dead and come out of darkness. He is telling us to call upon Him, so that His light will shine upon every dark area of our lives (John 1:5). He is knocking on the door of our lives day and night, pleading for us to open the door for Him so that He can commune with us and we will not perish. He is calling us to live Holy lives that will make us to be a light to this dark world.

When we do this, God has promised to shine on us, bestow His favour and His honour on us, and we would become His dwelling place for His Holy Spirit, who will be our guide and help us daily to do what we ought to do. We would be His people, and He will be our God. Then finally, we would enjoy eternal life with Him. Hallelujah.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

Awake! Thou that sleepest, arise from the dead! The Lord still lives today. His power has never abated.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

TODAY, GOD SHALL AWAKE YOU FROM EVERY EVIL SLUMBER, AND ALL YOUR ENEMIES SHALL FLEE BEFORE YOU IN SEVERAL WAYS, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. O Lord, awake me from every slumber, in the name of Jesus.

2. By the power in the blood of Jesus, I destroy every power planting slumber in my life, in the name of Jesus.

3. O Lord, restore to me my wasted years of slumber, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. My Father, open the doors of opportunity for me, in the name of Jesus.

5. Every power that has taken what belongs to me during my time of slumber, I pursue you, I overtake you, and I recover all the good things that belong to me, in the name of Jesus.

6. Powers denying me of my due miracles, die, in the name of Jesus.

7. I bind and cast out every strong man in my life, family or environment who has refused to release me from evil slumber, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 15:13-37, 2 Samuel 16:1-14, Acts 6, Acts 7:1-19, Psalm 71:19-24

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

WHITED SEPULCHRE Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-09T13:29:00.006+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WHITED SEPULCHRE Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 23:29-35

MEMORY VERSE: Matthew 23:27 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

The word "sepulchre" means a grave or tomb, a place where the dead is buried. In ancient times, honouring the dead involved using a whitewash on the tomb to give it a face-lift while inside it contained bones and rotteness. It is this description that the Lord Jesus Christ employed in dismissing the Pharisees and the Scribes for their treacherous nature.

A whited sepulchre is an evil person who feigns goodness, a hypocrite or a person who is inwardly evil and deadly but outwardly professes to be virtuous. Christ reprimanded the leaders of the Jews for their hypocrisy and presented concrete proofs.

As a sincere believer in God, your ways should be plain and your conscience void of offence towards God and men. It should not be a case of being a saint in church and being a sinner outside the church. The mark of true Christianity is that you do not have a different lifestyle in public and another one in private. Your confession should be your practice both publicly and privately.

The greatest challenge Jesus had with the Pharisees was the issue of their mindset. They appeared to have good intentions, but it was all a lie. Jesus knew the state of their hearts. The human heart is like a computer. Whatever you feed it with will determine what comes out of it. The heart of a man is what shapes his destiny. The reason why some people come to church and are still not blessed is the state of their hearts. Their hypocritical hearts are hardened, and so they cannot receive anything from God. If the Pharisees had allowed the message of Jesus Christ to penetrate their hearts, their perception would have been different. If you allow God to work on your heart, your breakthrough will be immeasurable. Your heart is a reflection of who you are.

Examine your life and evaluate the usefulness in what you are doing. If you notice any act of hypocrisy in your life, repent and turn a new leaf.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

You cannot attain a glorious destiny with a fake identity.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

I DECREE THAT YOU SHALL NOT BE NUMBERED AMONG HYPOCRITES, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. My Father, my life is available, take control of my life, in the name of Jesus.

2. Every property of hell fire in my life, die, in the name of Jesus.

3. The devil will not harvest my life, by the power in the blood of Jesus, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. Arrows of bad thought, backfire, in the name of Jesus.

5. My Father, break me and remould me, in the name of Jesus.

6. Anything in my life making heaven unhappy, depart, in the name of Jesus.

7. Idols of iniquity in my heart, break, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 14. 2 Samuel 15:1-12, Acts 5:12-42, Proverbs 14:15-24

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

DeParadigm

SALVATION IS A MUST Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-08T13:32:00.008+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SALVATION IS A MUST Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:11

MEMORY VERSE: Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

The word "salvation" comes from a Greek word "soteria" which means deliverance from sin and salvation from evil. It is the same as redemption. Man cannot save himself from sin or deliver himself from evil. Man needed God to rescue him from sin and evil. As a result, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save man from sin.

Salvation is the work of God that sets human beings in right relationship with Him and with one another. What we are being saved from are broken relationships with God and with other people that unleash the evil forces of sin and death in the world. Salvation is first of all the healing of broken relationships, beginning with the healing that reconciles the Creator and the created, God and you. Your reconciliation with God leads to freedom from sin and a newness of life that is not limited by death. You were reconciled to God through the death of His Son. Salvation is the best gift to a lost soul and until you are born again, you cannot have access to heaven and nothing can save a man outside of Christ. JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF OUR ETERNAL LIFE and until you accept Him, life will be full of crisis. You cannot understand God through human thinking, but through Jesus Christ.

ALSO READ👇

A NEW HEART Dr D.K. Olukoya

WHEN YOUR DREAM BECOMES A NIGHTMARE Dr D.K. Olukoya

A NEW THING Dr D.K. Olukoya

Salvation is personal; you must repent and believe the good news. You must confess and repent of all the sins you have committed in the past. Beloved, there is no other name under heaven by which you or any other mortal can be saved except the name of Jesus Christ. No man shall enter heaven except he is born again. Your status as a child of a great man or woman of God will not qualify you to make heaven. Your closeness to your pastor will not either. Genuine salvation entails saying farewell to satan, sin and the world and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. It is the key to living a victorious and fruitful life on earth and reigning with the Lord in heaven. It is the greatest miracle!

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

When you are equipped with the power of God through faith unto salvation, you are guaranteed safety.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

I DECREE THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS SHALL NOT BE WASTED BY ANY EVIL, IN THE NAME OF JESUS

PRAYER POINTS:

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆

1. My Father, restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, in the name of Jesus.

2. O Lord, uphold me with Your free Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

3. Lord, deliver me from blood guiltiness, by the power in the blood of Jesus, in the name of Jesus.

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆

4. Father, cast me not away from Your presence, in the name of Jesus.

5. My Father, take not Your Holy Spirit from me, in the name of Jesus.

6. Lord, create in me a clean heart, in the name of Jesus.

7. Father, renew a right spirit within me, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 13, Acts 4:23-37, Acts 5:1-11, Psalm 71:9-18

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

A NEW HEART Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-07T08:04:00.002+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

A NEW HEART Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 36:26-27

MEMORY VERSE: Ezekiel 36:27 "And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

When the Bible refers to a person's heart, it is usually not referring to the organ that pumps blood through the body. The heart is a symbol of what we call our soul, the centre of our being, the seat of our thoughts and emotions.

The Israelites were in a perilous state. They had chased after foreign gods and turned their backs on the true God for centuries. There were a number of kings who did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Save for an occasional righteous king, Israel had become spiritually dead. For that, they were headed for a time of captivity with the Babylonians and Assyrians. Through it all, God kept promising that He would bring them back and that He would give them a new heart. What a great hope to those who have strayed from the Lord and want to return. What a marvellous promise to His people! He will take our hearts of stone and transform them to hearts of flesh.

ALSO READ👇

WHEN YOUR DREAM BECOMES A NIGHTMARE Dr D.K. Olukoya

A NEW THING Dr D.K. Olukoya

The sanctification experience involves God taking away your old rebellious heart and replacing it with a heart of flesh that enables you to do His will without being forced. The heart of man is the engine of his life. The intents and contents of the human life go on in the heart, so God is interested in the issue of your heart. God wants your heart to be yielded to Him and not to the world or the pleasure in it.

I want you to examine your heart. Is it pure? Are your motives correct? Do you really know God or are you playing along with the crowd? Pray to God for a new heart today.

With a new, pure and sacred heart, your relationship with God will grow ans become fruitful. God will load you with benefits daily and His presence, power, grace, peace and blessing will be multiplied towards you. Receiving a new heart begins with making Jesus Christ your Lord and Saviour. Make that quality decision today, if you have not already done so. God bless you immensely, in Jesus name of Jesus.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

God is more interested in the state of your heart than in the words of your mouth.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

RECEIVE A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING:

1. Holy Spirit, quicken my spiritual life, in the name of Jesus.

2. Holy Spirit, breathe life into me, in the name of Jesus.

3. Holy Spirit, come and live within me, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING:

4. LORD, I apply the Blood of Jesus for the purification of my heart from any form of impurity, in the name of Jesus.

5. I receive the grace to maintain a perfect heart towards You, Lord, in the name of Jesus.

6. Lord, remove from me the heart of stone and give me a new heart, in the name of Jesus.

7. Lord, give me a new heart, a new life and salvation in Christ, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 11, 2 Samuel 12, Acts 4:1-22, Psalm 71:1-8

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE*l is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

WHEN YOUR DREAM BECOMES A NIGHTMARE Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-06T06:27:00.002+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WHEN YOUR DREAM BECOMES A NIGHTMARE Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Genesis 37:14-28

MEMORY VERSE: Genesis 37:20 "Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

Since God created man in His own image and after His likeness, there is this in-built desire in every man to become great in life. This innate seed of greatness inspires in everyone dreams of wondrous accomplishment in life.

Dream, in this context, is not referring to you sleeping and experiencing motion pictures involving you and others in your subconscious mind. The usage of "dream" here refers to the big picture you created for your future. It refers to your aspiration and the beautiful vision about the type of life you desire for every facet of your life -- in your relationship with your Creator, your career, your marriage, your family, your finances, your spouse, your home, your children, etc. We all have sweet dreams about these indices of our lives.

ALSO READ👇

A NEW THING Dr D.K. Olukoya

Many of these beautiful dreams about our lives come from the Almighty God, just as He gave to Joseph the glorious dream about the future He designed for him. But the dream of Joseph became a nightmare because the devil has a way of always trying to thwart God's plan for us. It was as if the glorious dream concerning the future of Joseph would die. We thank God that whatever He has purposed will always come to pass.

Nightmare, as a figurative expression, refers to a troublesome and frightful experience. It is when expectations are threatened and things are not working out as planned. Nightmare also refers to critical setback or stressful challenges.

Beloved, because of satanic interference and the invisible battles confronting believers, it could be that your dreams have become a nightmare. You may be thinking that all those wonderful plans and pictures you once had and cherished may not survive the ferocious attacks of the enemy. Please know this: just as the envious brothers of Joseph could not amputate his dream, no power will be able to kill your dream, in the name of Jesus. However, if you are not born again, there is no way the actualisation of your dreams can be guaranteed. Accept Jesus Christ now and be well positioned for exploits.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

Dreams can only become great exploits as we abide with Jesus Christ.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

YOUR DREAM SHALL NOT BECOME A STILLBIRTH, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. O Lord, I thank You for making me a wonder, in the name of Jesus.

2. Seed of greatness in my life, receive the quickening fire of God, in the name of Jesus.

3. O Lord, arise and fight my battles, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. Dream killers of my father’s house, die by fire, in the name of Jesus.

5. The eagle of my destiny shall not be caged, in the name of Jesus.

6. Witchcraft arrow fired to make me a nobody, backfire, in the name of Jesus.

7. I eat the fire of God and drink the blood of Jesus (say it twenty-one times), in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 9, 2 Samuel 10, Acts 3, Psalm 70:1-5

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

A NEW THING Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-05T17:13:00.001+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

A NEW THING Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 43:15-19

MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

Today, I believe the Lord is saying to you, "Behold I will do a new thing." He is calling you out of the ordinary to rise above limits. God is a God of new beginnings and likes to do new things. When He is doing something new, it sometimes requires you to step into the unknown, which may feel uncomfortable, scary and even unpleasant at first.

Take Abraham, for instance. God did a new thing in Abraham's life when He asked him to leave his land, his family and everything he has ever known to go to a new place. Abraham decided to trust God and abandon his old life. And through his obedience, the nation of Israel as well as the lineage of Jesus came to be.

The apostles are another example. Peter, John and James abandoned their former lives of fishing to follow Jesus and become His disciples. By embracing the new thing God did, they helped build the Church and led many to salvation.

Likewise, Paul, after he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, accepted his new role as an apostle to the Gentiles and let go of his old life as a Pharisee. God accomplished many things through Paul and his teachings make up half of the New Testament.

Are you expecting God to do a new thing in your life? That may seem overwhelming when you consider your present circumstances, but take courage. People might have concluded that you have failed in life, but I want you to know that there is a God who is about to do a new thing in your life.

Beloved, the devil does not want new and glorious things to manifest in your life. He wants you to remain in that challenge. That is why you need to run to Jesus and give your life to Him. You also need to fill your life with God's word and live a holy and prayerful life. When you develop an intimate relationship with the Lord who promised to do a new thing in your life, the enemy will not be able to stop your testimony.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

It is the nature of God to turn things new for a new phase of life.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY

GOD WILL SHOW UP IN YOUR LIFE AND DO SOMETHING NEW IN YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE, IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING

1. Lord, do a new thing in my life, in the name of Jesus.

2. O Lord, I ask for new things in my life. Open a new chapter in my life and destiny, in the name of Jesus.

3. Wicked powers reviving the battles of my life, die, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. Arrangers of desolations and shame working against my life, scatter, in the name of Jesus.

5. Blood yokes affecting my progress in life, break, in the name of Jesus.

6. Wicked powers shielding me away from my celebration, die, in the name of Jesus.

7. My Father, my Father, my Father, settle me, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 7, 2 Samuel 8, Acts 2:22-47, Proverbs 14:4-14

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

REVOKING EVIL PRONOUNCEMENTS (III) Dr D.K. Olukoya

2022-06-04T06:41:00.003+01:00

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL

REVOKING EVIL PRONOUNCEMENTS (III) Dr D.K. Olukoya

FIRE SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 2:30-34

MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."

PRAISE & WORSHIP

MESSAGE:

Revoking evil pronouncements should not be taken lightly. Evil pronouncements are like satanic prophecies. They can also be likened to satanic barrier placed on the victim's paths that he can never cross over. Evil pronouncements are like putting an embargo on something which says, "No go area". Good things will be suspended in such a life, the good that has already been received will be wasted. The victim will be compelled to go back to ground zero.

CLICK TO READ THE PREVIOUS 👇

REVOKING EVIL PRONOUNCEMENTS (I) Dr D.K. Olukoya

REVOKING EVIL PRONOUNCEMENTS (II) Dr D.K. Olukoya

Dearly beloved, words have spirit and life, they can operate in a life for hundreds of years unless they are revoked. If you do not revoke them, they will continue to operate from one generation to another. The world was created by the power of the word. Therefore, you can make your world what you want it to be. Your word can create a glorious life for you or destroy it. 1 Samuel 22:19-21 says, because Ahimelech helped David, Saul had all the priests in the priest city of Nob killed and Abiathar was the only one who escaped amongst the eighty-five persons that were killed and he followed David. However, in 1 Kings 2:26-27, Abiathar was supposed to be made the high priest, but Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being the priest unto the Lord; that he might fulfil the word of the Lord, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh (1 Samuel 2:27-36). Near the end of his life, Abiathar, a man who had been wining and dining with kings and nobles, went back to the village from the city to begin to till the ground because of evil pronouncements. He went from glory to shame and disgrace.

Dear reader of this devotional, I have a good news for you today -- Romans 8:2 tells us that there is another law that can destroy the law of evil pronouncements. Hold on to it.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES:

The weapons of destruction can only be tamed by the spirit-filled with the word of God.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

I COMMAND EVERY EVIL TONGUE ON ASSIGNMENT IN YOUR LIFE TO BE CUT OFF, IN THE NAME OF JESUS

PRAYER POINTS:

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆

1. O God, arise and redeem my life from evil words, in the name of Jesus.

2. Any serpentine tongue assigned against me, I cut you off, in the name of Jesus.

3. Any power pronouncing shame and disgrace into my life, fall down and die, in the name of Jesus.

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆

4. Tap root of evil pronouncements in my life, be uprooted by fire, in the name of Jesus.

5. Every wicked word spoken against me, backfire, in the name of Jesus.

6. Evil pattern assigned against my generation through evil words, die by fire, in the name of Jesus.

7. Words spoken to make me commit errors and mistakes, die now, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 5:6-25, 2 Samuel 6, Acts 1:23-26, Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 69:29-36

SOURCE: MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide)

DeParadigm – World-Class Daily Insights on Faith, Psychology, Purpose, and Well-Being

Accountability in Leadership: Why Taking Responsibility Builds Trust

1. Accountability Begins With the Leader

2. Taking Responsibility Is Not the Same as Making Excuses

3. Admit Mistakes Without Losing Your Authority

4. Keep Your Commitments

5. Create Clear Expectations for Everyone

6. Hold Others Accountable Without Humiliating Them

7. Accountability Requires Action, Not Just Words

8. Make Accountability Fair and Consistent

9. Build a Culture Where People Can Speak Up

10. The Christian Perspective on Accountability

11. Seven Practical Habits of Accountable Leaders

Conclusion: Responsibility Is the Foundation of Credible Leadership

Reflection Questions

How to Influence People Without Manipulation or Control

1. Understand the Difference Between Influence and Manipulation

2. Build Trust Before You Need Cooperation

3. Listen Before Trying to Persuade

4. Explain Your Reasons Clearly

5. Connect Your Proposal to Shared Goals

6. Respect the Freedom to Say No

7. Lead by Example Instead of Demanding Perfection

8. Avoid Emotional Pressure and Hidden Agendas

9. Handle Disagreement Without Turning It Into a Personal Battle

10. The Christian Perspective on Ethical Influence

11. Seven Practical Habits for Ethical Influence

Conclusion: Influence Through Integrity, Not Control

Reflection Questions

Servant Leadership: Why Great Leaders Put Service Before Status

1. Leadership Is a Responsibility, Not a Privilege

2. Great Leaders Listen Before They Act

3. Service Means Helping Other People Grow

4. Servant Leadership Requires Humility

5. Serving People Does Not Mean Avoiding Difficult Decisions

6. The Christian Foundation of Servant Leadership

7. Practical Ways to Become a More Service-Oriented Leader

Conclusion: Use Your Position to Make a Difference

Reflection Questions

The Power of Influence: Why Your Character Matters More Than Your Position

1. Your Position Gives You Authority; Your Character Shapes How You Use It

2. Character Is Revealed When Doing the Right Thing Becomes Inconvenient

3. Integrity Means Reducing the Gap Between Your Words and Actions

4. Trust Is Built Through Repeated Behaviour

5. Humility Makes Leaders More Teachable

6. Fairness Matters Most When You Have the Power to Be Unfair

7. Character Includes How You Treat People Who Cannot Benefit You

8. Character Must Be Supported by Accountability

9. Can Character Be Developed?

10. A Christian Perspective: Character Before Recognition

Practical Exercise: Examine the Character Behind Your Leadership

Conclusion: Let Your Character Support Your Influence

Reflection Questions

Suggested Scripture Readings

Further Reading

Leadership Is Influence: How to Make a Positive Difference in Other People's Lives

Leadership Is Influence: How to Make a Positive Difference in Other People's Lives

1. Leadership Begins Before You Receive a Title

2. Your Influence Is Revealed by What You Encourage

3. Character Gives Influence Its Foundation

4. Influence People Without Manipulating Them

5. Listen Before You Try to Lead

6. Lead Through Consistency, Not Occasional Inspiration

7. Help People Become More Capable, Not More Dependent

8. Take Responsibility for the Effects of Your Decisions

9. Make Your Influence Useful Beyond Your Immediate Circle

10. A Biblical Perspective: Influence as Stewardship

How to Begin Improving Your Influence Today

Final Thoughts: The Responsibility Behind Influence

Reflection Questions

Suggested Scripture Reading

Dangote Refinery IPO Opens Today: How to Buy the Shares and Where Nigerians Can Subscribe

Dangote Refinery IPO Opens Today: How to Buy the Shares and Where Nigerians Can Subscribe

How Much Does One Dangote Refinery Share Cost?

₦525 per share

Where Can You Buy the Dangote Refinery IPO?

Approved bank channels include:

Approved fintech/investment channels include:

How to Subscribe for the Dangote Refinery IPO

Can I Subscribe Through InvestNaija?