Daily Devotion — August 19 | Acts 19:20 (NKJV)

God's Truth Always Prevails

Acts 19 describes the powerful work of God in the city of Ephesus. As the gospel spread, many people turned away from sinful practices and publicly demonstrated their repentance by destroying items connected with their former way of life. Their transformed lives became evidence of God's power at work.

Luke concludes this section with a simple but powerful statement: "The word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." Despite opposition, spiritual darkness, and resistance, nothing could stop God's truth from accomplishing His purpose.

This verse reminds us that God's Word continues to transform lives today. Cultures may change, opposition may arise, and circumstances may seem difficult, but the message of Jesus Christ remains powerful. As believers faithfully live and proclaim the gospel, God continues to accomplish His work.

Reflection Questions

1. Am I allowing God's Word to shape my daily life?

2. What old habits or influences should I leave behind?

3. How can I help others experience the transforming power of God's Word?

Prayer

Lord God, thank You that Your Word is living, powerful, and unchanging. Continue to transform my heart through the Scriptures and help me faithfully share the gospel with others. May Your truth always prevail in my life. In Jesus name Amen.

Practical Application

● Spend time reading God's Word every day.

● Remove influences that hinder your spiritual growth.

● Share God's truth with someone this week.

Takeaway Thought

Nothing can stop the life-changing power of God's Word.

#LordsbookDailys #DailyDevotion #August19 #Acts1920 #WordOfTheLord #FaithThatPrevails #GrowingInChrist #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

https://youtu.be/b7Nf5bUapyM?si=6IXQ0jxPqF5ygCxh

Good day, brothers and sisters. I believe you are all blessed and doing well in Jesus’ name.

I want to share something I’ve created for the glory of God. As I have shared before, I often play the Bible while I sleep and even while I’m at work. However, I’ve found that many audio Bibles on YouTube don’t always contain the complete text of a particular book.

So, I decided to create my own Audio Bible series, starting with the Gospels. I’m still working on the rest, but I have now completed the Book of Matthew.

It is not only an audio Bible. The full text of Matthew appears on the screen as the Bible is being read, so you can either listen, read along, or do both.

You can play it in your home while cleaning, cooking, or doing other things, or you can listen with your earphones while working. You can also download the video through YouTube so that you can listen to it offline without Wi-Fi or mobile data. Of course, you will need Wi-Fi or data initially to download it.

I also created this because I noticed that some audio Bible videos on YouTube do not always contain the complete text of the book. That is not necessarily wrong, as some may have been created with a particular audience or purpose in mind. But with this series, my goal is simple: the complete text of the book, from beginning to end, without adding to or taking away from the Word.

My prayer is that you will listen to it, read along, be blessed by God's Word, and share it with others. Let us make disciples and share the Gospel with everyone we can.

Jesus commanded us:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...”
Matthew 28:19

And Scripture tells us:
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:17

I know that for some people, sitting down and reading the Bible can be difficult. I understand this personally because, with little ones around, it isn't always easy to find the time to sit quietly and read. That is one reason I often listen to the Bible.

As you listen, don't just let it play in the background. Listen for God speaking to you through His Word. When God speaks to you, pause. Make notes. Go back and study it. Ask questions. Compare Scripture with Scripture. And most importantly, allow the Word of God to transform your life.

The Bible says:
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword...”
Hebrews 4:12

Let's not simply hear the Word let's live it.

“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”
Romans 11:36

May this Audio Bible be a blessing to you, your family, and anyone else who listens to it.

Listen. Read. Study. Share. Make disciples.

All glory belongs to God.

God bless you all, brothers and sisters, in the mighty name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

A Prayer to Lay Down My Crown

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Learn More:

The Girl in the Pew: Loving Jesus. Loving People. Speaking the truth in love.

Philistia Pittman is The Girl in the Pew, a woman of immense spiritual depth and battle-tested resilience.

Click here to learn more about The Girl in the Pew: thegirlinthepew.com/about-the-girl-in-the-pew

Explore The Girl in the Pew Series (Read & Watch): thegirlinthepew.com/series

#TheGirlInThePew #SpeakTheTruthInLove #FaithJourney #SurrenderingYourPlanstoGod #TrustingGodWithDetours #SovereignShifts

A Nugget of Truth.
“The man who would truly know God must give time to Him.”

This quote agrees with the teaching of Scripture. No man grows in the knowledge of God by neglecting Him. A close relationship with the Lord is not built in a moment, but through daily fellowship in His Word and in prayer.

The Bible says:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

Many people have time for work, entertainment, social media, and worldly pleasures, yet very little time for God. Then they wonder why they are spiritually weak. A starving soul cannot be strong. Jesus said,

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

To know God is more than knowing facts about Him. It is to walk with Him, obey Him, and delight in His presence. David declared,

“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” — Psalm 119:97 (KJV)

If you desire to know Christ more deeply, make time every day to read His Word, pray without ceasing, and seek His face. The Lord reveals Himself to those who diligently seek Him.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13 (KJV)

Do not wait until tomorrow. Every day spent without seeking God is a day of missed fellowship. Open your Bible today, humble your heart before the Lord, and give Him the first place in your life. For those who truly know God are those who continually seek Him. Amen.

August 19th, 2026
Read; Hebrews 6:10

So much comfort in one short verse! God isn't unfair—and that's putting it mildly. Because He gave His Son for our sins, we can trust Him never to overlook love shown in His name. He will never forget the good things we have done and the work we have done for Him. When we help our Christian brothers and sisters, we bless Jesus. We belong to Him! That's a good reason to keep getting better in Christ.

Prayer

You are so kind, God. I'm grateful. Thank You for remembering every work of love done in Your name and every act of service to Your people. I'm so happy to be Your child. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.

✟
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
1 John 3:16

In some Bible translations, John 19:2 reads
"And the soldiers TWISTED together a crown of thorns and placed it on His head..."

JESUS is The One King whom the Old Testament book of laws and of prophets all longed for.
HE is also the same LORD that the New Testament disciples all looked back on.

Today, we see a list of thousands of religious groups that were established even before we were born.

Some religions led families to charity, humility, and blessings of heaven, and we should be happy about that.

On the other hand, there are still existing congregations that when left unchecked, crush souls, control people, and create even more divisions while protecting and elevating a few, canceling others instead of celebrating shared prosperity together and of keeping alive our hope for eternity through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. This is devastating but not unusual. Sadly, it happens to both the humblest local sects and cathedrals of megachurches.

But The Bible ends with "GRACE", not with chronic depression and hopelessness.

The consistent pattern throughout the Scriptures is that it redirects all our devotion and attention to GOD.

The book of Genesis starts with: "In the beginning, GOD created..."

While Revelation ends with:

"The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all. Amen."

The scene where the soldiers thought of twisting together a crown of thorns displays this fallen world and our tendency to join or create yet another religion that may only give us and others headaches instead of leading us to have a vision of our Savior: THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH —JESUS.

And just as JESUS bled and was painfully hurt by the soldiers' twisted crown of thorns they designed for His head, we can also expect to experience a similar sense of treatment from others against our mental headspace as we now pursue the glory of GOD through His Son, JESUS CHRIST.

Our LORD has done His part.
His sacrifice on the cross is finished.
THE WORD OF GOD is sufficient.
His Holy Spirit is given to our hearts.

Reflection questions:

Where is He leading you today?
What is He directing you to do?
When was the last time you had an honest talk with JESUS?

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,

You are The GOD of sound mind.
You give clarity where there is confusion and provide us with correction when needed.
You feed Your children with daily bread through Your incorruptible WORD that nourishes, strengthens, and teaches us to see yet another day of grace through the cross of CHRIST.

Despite the twisted crown of thorns You humbly received from fallen humanity, You still finished Your journey then with us in Your mind.

Forgive us LORD GOD, for the many times we dishonored Your precious words by how we responded to Your grace through our actions and imaginations. We ask that you also give a forgiving heart to those we have hurt in this earthly journey and comfort us through the pains we still do carry.

We ask You to lead us into a lasting and honest fellowship with Your Holy Spirit and keep us joyfully serving You and the people You surround us with as we await Your return.

In JESUS' Name, Amen.

Matthew 12:49
“And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said,
Behold my mother and my brethren!”

#perception
#notdeception 🫣
#religion
#LifeWithJESUS 🕊

FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD
Believe, Come, and Diligently Seek Him

Key Scripture:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

Thought Of The Day...
There are many things we desire from God—healing, provision, direction, protection, restoration, peace, deliverance, and breakthrough. But Hebrews 11:6 turns our attention from what we want God to do for us to what pleases God.
And Scripture gives us the answer:
FAITH PLEASES GOD.
Not perfect circumstances.
Not having every answer.
Not knowing how everything will work out.
Faith.
Faith says, “God, I may not understand what You are doing, but I still believe You.”

• WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD
The Scripture does not say it is difficult to please God without faith. It says:
“Without faith it is impossible to please him.”
Why is faith so important?
Because faith reveals where our confidence rests.
When everything is going well, it can be easy to say, “I trust God.” But genuine faith is revealed when the diagnosis is uncertain, the money is tight, the family is struggling, the door has not opened, the prayer has not yet been answered, and you cannot see what God is doing.
Faith says:
“Even here, I trust You.”
Job declared:
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” — Job 13:15 (KJV)
There will be seasons when you cannot trace God's hand. But you can still trust His heart.
Your circumstances may change, but God has not changed.

• YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT GOD IS!
Hebrews says:
“…he that cometh to God must believe that he is…”
Before believing God for something, we must believe God is.
He is God when you understand Him.
He is God when you don't.
He is God when the door opens.
He is still God when the door closes.
He is God when the answer comes immediately.
He is still God when He makes you wait.
Sometimes our faith becomes focused primarily on God's gifts: “Lord, give me this. Lord, change that. Lord, open this door.”
But mature faith says:
“Lord, even if You don't give me what I requested when I requested it, I still want You.”
Remember the three Hebrew men standing before the fiery furnace:
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…” — Daniel 3:17 (KJV)
But then they declared:
“But if not… we will not serve thy gods…” — Daniel 3:18 (KJV)
That's powerful faith.
God can.
God is able.
I believe God will.
But even if He chooses another way, HE IS STILL GOD!

• FAITH COMES TO GOD
Notice the wording:
“…he that cometh to God…”
Faith doesn't run away from God during trouble.
Faith runs toward God.
When you're hurting—come.
When you're confused—come.
When you're disappointed—come.
When you're weary—come.
When you've made mistakes—come.
When you don't know what tomorrow holds—COME TO GOD!
David said:
“When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” — Psalm 61:2 (KJV)
Your feelings may tell you to withdraw.
Your disappointment may tell you God has forgotten you.
Your circumstances may tell you prayer isn't working.
But faith says:
“I'm going back into His presence.”

• DILIGENT FAITH DOESN'T QUIT SEEKING!
The verse concludes:
“…he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
There is a difference between casually seeking God and diligently seeking God.
Diligence means persistence.
It means you keep praying.
You keep believing.
You keep worshiping.
You keep reading His Word.
You keep serving.
You keep showing up.
You keep trusting God even when nothing appears to be changing.
Jesus taught:
“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” — Luke 18:1 (KJV)
Some answers require faith that refuses to quit.
You prayed yesterday?
Pray again.
You worshiped yesterday?
Worship again.
You believed yesterday?
Believe again today.
Don't allow God's silence to convince you that God is absent.
Silence does not mean abandonment.
Waiting does not mean denial.
Delay does not mean God has forgotten you.

• GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM!
God promises that He is:
“…a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
But we must understand the greatest reward of seeking God.
The greatest reward is not merely receiving something from His hand—it is experiencing more of His presence.
Sometimes the reward is an open door.
Sometimes it is healing.
Sometimes it is provision.
Sometimes it is restoration.
But sometimes the reward is strength to endure what God has not yet removed.
Paul prayed three times for his thorn to be removed, but God's response was:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
Paul asked for removal.
God gave him sustaining grace.
Never limit God's reward to one particular answer.
Sometimes God changes the situation.
Sometimes God changes you while you're walking through the situation.
Either way, God remains faithful.
DON'T STOP BELIEVING!
Perhaps you have been praying about something for a long time.
You've asked.
You've waited.
You've cried.
You've prayed again.
And you're wondering:
“God, when will You answer me?”
Hebrews 11:6 speaks directly into that season:
KEEP BELIEVING.
KEEP COMING.
KEEP SEEKING.
KEEP TRUSTING.
Your faith is not wasted.
Your prayers are not wasted.
Your worship is not wasted.
Your obedience is not wasted.
God sees every moment you choose faith instead of fear.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
You don't need to see everything God is doing to believe God is still working.

PRAYER...
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today declaring that You are God, and besides You there is none other.
Lord, increase our faith.
When we cannot see the way, help us trust You.
When we don't understand what You're doing, help us trust You.
When our prayers seem unanswered, help us trust You.
When our bodies are hurting, our finances are strained, our families are struggling, our hearts are heavy, and our minds are weary—help us trust You!
Father, forgive us for the times we allowed fear to speak louder than faith.
Forgive us for the times we doubted Your goodness because we could not understand Your plan.
Today we declare:
YOU ARE STILL GOD!
We believe that You are.
We believe You are faithful.
We believe You are able.
We believe You are our Provider.
We believe You are our Healer.
We believe You are our Deliverer.
We believe You are our Keeper.
And we believe You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek You.
So we will seek You when life is good, and we will seek You when life is difficult.
We will seek You when doors open, and we will seek You when doors close.
We will seek You when we understand, and we will seek You when we don't.
Give us faith that refuses to quit.
Let our lives declare:
“I DON'T HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT, BECAUSE I KNOW THE GOD IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!”
We trust Your timing.
We trust Your wisdom.
We trust Your Word.
We trust Your plan.
And most importantly, we trust You.
In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen and Amen!

DECLARATION OF FAITH...
Today I declare:
I WILL WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT!
I believe God is.
I believe God can.
I believe God is able.
I believe God is faithful.
I will not allow what I see to cancel what God has spoken.
I will diligently seek Him.
I will keep praying.
I will keep worshiping.
I will keep trusting.
I will keep believing.
And even while I am waiting, MY FAITH WILL STILL PLEASE GOD!
BELIEVE. COME. SEEK. TRUST.
GOD IS STILL FAITHFUL!
“But without faith it is impossible to please him…” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

*It Will Not Pass From Us...*

"He went away a second time and prayed, 'My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done'" (Matthew 26:42).

Even though Jesus knew He was born to die, He prayed earnestly to the Father before His betrayal. The Scripture says, "Surely, in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird" (Proverbs 1:17). Yet, Jesus knew well the day of His death. He knew exactly how He would suffer and die. Nevertheless, He fully surrendered Himself to the Father's will.

Knowing He had to taste the cup of death placed in His hands by the Father, Jesus prayed, "If this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, let Your will be done."

At times, we must walk through the suffering that lies before us. When we face such tribulations, we should remember the event of Jesus's death. For the Scripture says, "...we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God..." (Acts 14:22).

Just as Jesus endured suffering and received glory from God, if we too learn to walk through our own sufferings, we can attain eternal glory.

*Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope...* (Romans 5:3)

Amen.