😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY. SATURDAY JULY 4, 2026. "DO YOU WANT YOUR CHURCH TO GROW? (4)" ’The new wine in the cluster...' Isaiah 65:8 NKJV THE FOURTH, and perhaps the most frustrating challenge we face when it comes to church growth, is to involve them. Why is that? A message on a bulletin board outside a church gives us a clue. The top line says, ‘We care about you,’ and the line underneath reads: ‘Sundays. 10 am only.’ A cartoon by Erik Johnson puts it another way. At the top in big bold letters is a sign that reads: ‘The challenge of starting a men’s ministry.’ Standing directly under the sign is a group of bored-looking guys. To the right of the group is the pastor, who quips: ‘So far, the only thing we have in common is an aversion to singing, socialising and sharing.’ People can feel lost and lonely in a crowd, even if it’s in church. Sitting in a pew looking at the back of somebody’s head for an hour and a half doesn’t meet anyone’s emotional, relational, or spiritual needs. As a member of Christ’s body, the church, it’s your job to take the first step and initiate contact with those around you. Jesus went out of His way to love the fallen, the fraudulent and the faithless—people others wouldn’t have anything to do with. When someone comes into your church and finds Christ, your job has only begun. They are called to serve and you are called to show them how, when and where. ‘The new wine is found in the cluster…’ Wine speaks of joy. But you can’t get it out of a single grape; you’ve got to have a ‘cluster’. Are you getting the idea? Bible In A Year: Jer 49-50; Matt6:19-34; Ps122; Pro 15:10-14. Courtesy : Grace So Amazing Foundation🌹🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🎀💝🌹🌷. MD.ii. THE FATHER OF LIES "When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." - John 8:44 There is only one way for the evil one to enter the mind of man, and that is with lies. The snake told Eve that she could safely take from the fruit of that one tree, which God had said not to eat because they would then be like God. That was a lie. Eve saw that the tree looked beautiful, she desired it, she took, and she ate it! She gave a piece to Adam and then they both hid from God. No wonder Jesus calls the evil one a liar and 'the father of lies' (John 8:44). We often see this in the Bible, and it is written for us as a warning not to sin. Israel was ordered to take the strong city of Jericho. They had to destroy everything except for the gold, silver and the copper & iron barrels. These had to be taken to the house of the Lord. Achan disobeyed. After it had been discovered, he said 'I saw them, I desire them, I took and hid them.' Influenced by lies King David saw a beautiful woman while she was taking a bath. He desired her, he took her and hid his crime. Samson, a judge anointed by God, saw Delilah, desired her, took her and this was fatal to him. The desire for power was Lucifer's fall. The lust for money became fatal to Achan. The desire for sex got David and Samson into trouble. They all allowed for their thoughts to be influenced by the lie of the evil one and they took what God had forbidden. If you are in trouble due to circumstances, do not listen to the evil one. Fill your thoughts with the Word of God and make the right choice based on this. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. ⏤ Galatians 4:6 As His children, we walk in the light of His love, reflecting His glory. ⏤ Oswald Chambers O God, our heavenly Father, we bless You for the way You have revealed Your love to us through Jesus Christ. He has taught us to call You our Father, showing us that You love us with all the tenderness of a father’s heart. Your care for us is constant, and we enjoy all the privileges of being Your children. Help us also to be faithful children—obedient, trusting, loyal, and true. We thank You, Father, for Your goodness and mercy throughout the night, and for all Your kindness toward us. Give us hearts full of gratitude so that we may never fail to recognize Your hand in the blessings we receive. May Your goodness lead us to live more carefully, avoiding sin and unbelief. Keep our hearts open to the gentle influences of Your love. We remember before You all the needs of Your church. Bless everyone who has confessed Your name, and give them the grace to remain faithful and true in all their ways. Lead Your people into holier living, deeper experiences of Your love, more earnestness in serving You, and fuller consecration to Your work. Give Your church greater power and influence in the world. We also ask that our home may be filled with more of Your grace. Whatever is not in line with Your will, help us to bring it into harmony with You. May we be drawn closer together in true affection. Help us live together with love, patience, and unselfishness, so that Jesus would feel at home in our midst. We ask all these blessings and mercies in Jesus Christ’s precious name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/90/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.