TODAY'S BIBLE READING
Sunday, August 23
OLD TESTAMENT
RUTH 3 — Ruth and Boaz
NEW TESTAMENT
1 JOHN 5 — Faith in the Son of God
Congratulations on completing the book of 1 John! Tomorrow we begin 2 John.
MAJOR PROPHETS
ISAIAH 34 — Judgment Against the Nations
TODAY'S REFLECTION
Ruth 3
Ruth follows Naomi's instructions and approaches Boaz with humility and trust. Boaz responds with integrity, showing the importance of honour, kindness, and doing what is right even when circumstances are difficult.
1 John 5
John emphasizes faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and assures believers of eternal life. Our confidence is not in ourselves but in Christ, and genuine faith produces obedience and love for God.
Isaiah 34
Isaiah describes God's judgment against the nations and reminds us that God's justice is certain. No power can ultimately stand against His righteous purposes.
KEY VERSE
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
— 1 John 5:11
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith and help us to walk in obedience, love, and integrity. Give us the wisdom to trust Your timing, just as Ruth trusted You, and help us remain confident in Your righteous purposes. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
TODAY'S CHALLENGE
Put your faith into action today. Trust God's timing, walk with integrity, and let your love for Christ be seen through your obedience and the way you treat others.
WE STUDY. WE PRAY. WE OBEY. WE GROW. UNTIL WE ARE TOTALLY TRANSFORMED.

GOD’S PROMISES NEVER FAIL

There may be times when you don’t understand what God is doing, but you can always trust who He is. His promises remain true in every season of life.

He is with you when you feel alone.
He gives you strength when you feel weak.
He protects you when you are afraid.
He gives you peace when your heart is troubled.
He has a plan for you even when you cannot see the way forward.

“The Lord is faithful in all His promises and loving toward all He has made.” — Psalm 145:13

Whatever you are facing today, hold on to God’s promises. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep trusting.

God hears your prayers, knows your needs, loves you unconditionally, and will never let you down.

Comment AMEN if you are standing on God’s promises today!

#GodsPromises #TrustGod #JesusChrist #ChristianFaith #Faith #Prayer #BibleVerse #GodIsFaithful #Hope #ChristianPost #Amen

amen

DO YOU KNOW WHO JESUS IS?
Knowing His Name Is Not the Same as Knowing Him!

Key Scripture — Acts 19:14–16 (KJV)
“And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

Thought Of The Day...
There is a tremendous difference between knowing about Jesus and actually knowing Jesus.
Acts 19 gives us a powerful and sobering picture of this truth. The seven sons of Sceva had heard about the miracles taking place through the Apostle Paul. They had witnessed or heard reports of demons being cast out and lives being transformed through the name of Jesus.
They saw the results, but they did not understand the relationship behind the results.
They wanted the authority Paul demonstrated without possessing the relationship Paul had.
They attempted to use the name of Jesus almost like a spiritual formula. Earlier in the passage they said:
“We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
— Acts 19:13 (KJV)
Notice their language.
They did not say, “Jesus whom we know.”
They said, “Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
Jesus was Paul's testimony, but He had not become their personal testimony.
And that raises a serious question for every believer:
Do you know Jesus for yourself?
It is possible to grow up in church and still only know about Jesus.
It is possible to know Scripture and still not truly surrender to Jesus.
It is possible to sing about Jesus, preach about Jesus, teach about Jesus, shout about Jesus, and even use the name of Jesus—yet lack a genuine relationship with Him.
Christianity was never intended to be secondhand.
You cannot survive spiritually forever on your mother's relationship with God, your father's prayers, your pastor's anointing, your bishop's revelation, your spouse's faith, or your grandmother's testimony.
Eventually, you must know Him for yourself.
Paul could say:
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…”
— Philippians 3:10 (KJV)
Paul wasn't satisfied merely knowing facts about Christ. His desire was, “That I may know Him.”
“JESUS I KNOW, AND PAUL I KNOW; BUT WHO ARE YE?”
These may be some of the most sobering words in Acts.
The evil spirit responded:
“Jesus I know.”
There was no confusion in the kingdom of darkness concerning Jesus.
The demons knew exactly who He was.
During Jesus' earthly ministry, an unclean spirit cried:
“I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”
— Mark 1:24 (KJV)
James gives us another sobering reminder:
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
— James 2:19 (KJV)
Simply acknowledging that Jesus exists is not the same as belonging to Him.
But then the spirit said something else:
“Paul I know.”
Why was Paul recognized?
Because Paul's life demonstrated that he belonged to Jesus.
Paul wasn't borrowing somebody else's faith. He had encountered Christ for himself. His authority did not come from merely repeating Jesus' name; it flowed from his relationship with and commission from Jesus.
Then came the devastating question:
“BUT WHO ARE YE?”
In other words, You are using the name, but where is your relationship with the One whose name you are using?
The sons of Sceva discovered that the name of Jesus is not a magical phrase.
There is power in the name of Jesus because of who Jesus is.
Jesus declared:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
— Matthew 28:18 (KJV)
His name represents His person, His authority, His victory, His lordship and His kingdom.
We must never reduce the name of Jesus to something we merely shout when we are in trouble. His name belongs to the Savior to whom we surrender our lives.
DO YOU KNOW THE JESUS YOU CALL ON?
Jesus is more than a name mentioned at the end of a prayer.
He is the Son of God.
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
— Matthew 16:16 (KJV)
He is the Savior.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
— Luke 19:10 (KJV)
He is the Way to the Father.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
— John 14:6 (KJV)
He is the Resurrection and the Life.
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
— John 11:25 (KJV)
He is Lord.
“And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
— Philippians 2:11 (KJV)
The question is not merely, “Have you heard about Him?”
The question is:
Have you trusted Him?
Have you surrendered to Him?
Are you following Him?
Are you walking with Him?
Does your life belong to Him?
YOU CANNOT BORROW SOMEBODY ELSE'S ANOINTING
The sons of Sceva tried to imitate what they saw Paul doing.
But spiritual authority cannot be copied like a technique.
You can imitate someone's preaching style.
You can imitate someone's prayer language.
You can imitate someone's worship.
You can repeat someone's favorite Scriptures.
But you cannot imitate their relationship with God.
Jesus said:
“Abide in me, and I in you… for without me ye can do nothing.”
— John 15:4–5 (KJV)
Our strength comes from abiding in Christ.
The greatest danger is not weakness that drives us toward Jesus. The greater danger is trying to operate spiritually while disconnected from Him.
The seven sons discovered this painfully.
The possessed man “overcame them, and prevailed against them.”
They entered believing they had authority they did not possess and left “naked and wounded.”
There is a warning here:
Never attempt to substitute religious activity for genuine relationship with Christ.
YOUR PRIVATE WALK MATTERS
Before Paul stood publicly in authority, he had privately surrendered his life to Jesus.
Our public Christianity must be supported by a private relationship with God.
Who are you when there is no microphone?
Who are you when there is no congregation?
Who are you when nobody sees you praying?
Who are you when temptation comes?
Who are you when life becomes difficult?
Do you still trust Jesus when there is nobody around to applaud your faith?
Jesus said:
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.”
— John 8:31 (KJV)
Real discipleship is demonstrated through continued fellowship, obedience, faith and dependence upon Christ.
KNOW HIM BEFORE THE BATTLE COMES
Don't wait until trouble arrives to try to discover who Jesus is.
Know Him now.
Know Him in prayer.
Know Him through His Word.
Know Him in worship.
Know Him through obedience.
Know Him when everything is going well so that when everything begins falling apart, you already know where your help comes from.
David could face Goliath because David already knew God before Goliath appeared.
Daniel could face the lions because Daniel knew God before he entered the den.
The three Hebrew boys could face the fiery furnace because they knew God before Nebuchadnezzar heated it.
Paul could endure persecution because he knew the Christ for whom he suffered.
And when your day of testing comes, you need more than something somebody told you about Jesus.
You need to be able to declare:
I KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
Job said:
“For I know that my redeemer liveth…”
— Job 19:25 (KJV)
There are some storms where somebody else's testimony will not be enough.
You need your own history with God.
You need memories of prayers He answered.
You need moments when His Word carried you.
You need times when you experienced His grace.
You need the confidence to declare:
I know who Jesus is because I have walked with Him for myself!
THE QUESTION STILL STANDS
Acts 19 leaves us with a question that should cause every believer to examine his or her heart:
DO YOU KNOW WHO JESUS IS?
Not just the Jesus your pastor preaches.
Not just the Jesus your parents taught you about.
Not just the Jesus you heard about in Sunday School.
But Jesus Christ for yourself.
And perhaps an even deeper question is:
DOES YOUR LIFE SHOW THAT YOU KNOW HIM?
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
— John 10:27 (KJV)
Knowing Jesus should produce following Jesus.
Following Jesus should produce obedience.
Obedience should produce transformation.
And transformation should cause our lives to testify that we have been with Jesus.

PRAYER...
Father, in the name of Jesus,
Thank You for revealing Your Son to us. Lord, forgive us for every time we have been satisfied with simply knowing about Jesus instead of developing a deeper relationship with Him.
We don't want secondhand faith. We don't want borrowed convictions. We don't want to depend solely upon somebody else's prayers, testimony or relationship with You.
Lord Jesus, we want to know You for ourselves.
Draw us closer to You. Give us a hunger for Your Word, a desire for prayer, a heart of worship and a spirit willing to obey Your voice.
Search our hearts and remove everything that has created distance between us and You.
Teach us not merely to speak Your name but to honor Your name with the way we live.
When temptation comes, remind us who You are.
When storms arise, remind us who You are.
When fear attacks, remind us who You are.
When the enemy challenges our faith, help us stand firmly upon the authority of Your Word.
May our lives testify that we belong to Jesus Christ.
And Lord, let our greatest desire always be the cry of Paul:
“That I may know him.”
We want to know You more deeply, love You more completely, trust You more confidently, obey You more faithfully, and represent You more boldly.
In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen.

DECLARATION...
I DECLARE that I will not live on borrowed faith!
I know who Jesus is!
Jesus is my Savior.
Jesus is my Redeemer.
Jesus is my Lord.
Jesus is my Deliverer.
Jesus is my Rock.
Jesus is my Strength.
Jesus is my Hope.
Jesus is my King!
I will seek Him, follow Him, obey Him and grow deeper in my relationship with Him.
I refuse to merely know about Jesus.
I WILL KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
And when life asks me, “Do you know who Jesus is?”
My faith, my testimony, my obedience and my life will answer:
YES! I KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…” — Philippians 3:10 (KJV)

Enjoy your Sunday Church Services and God Bless!

August 23
“WHO GOD IS TO ME”
MY KEEPER
Psalm 121:5 (LLV) —
“The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.”
There is comfort
in knowing
someone
is watching
over us.
Not watching
to find fault.
Not watching
from a distance.
Watching
because
we matter
to them.
The psalmist says,
“The LORD
is your keeper.”
He guards.
He watches.
He preserves.
He cares.
Earlier
in this psalm,
the writer
looks toward
the hills
and asks,
“Where does
my help
come from?”
His answer
is immediate.
“My help
comes
from the LORD.”
Then he tells us
something remarkable
about this Keeper.
“He who keeps you
will not slumber.”
We grow tired.
God does not.
We become
distracted.
God does not.
We sometimes
fail to see
the danger
ahead.
God does not.
There is never
a moment
when God's attention
wanders
from His children.
But then
the psalmist
makes the picture
even more intimate.
“The LORD
is your shade
at your right hand.”
In the fierce heat
of the ancient world,
shade
was not merely
comfortable.
It could mean
survival.
And shade
cannot protect you
from far away.
It must be
near.
Very near.
The psalmist
could have said
that God
watches us
from heaven.
That would
have been true.
Instead,
he describes
God as shade
beside us.
Close enough
to shelter.
Close enough
to protect.
Close enough
to remain
at our side.
We may not
recognize
every danger
from which
God has protected us.
We may never know
how many paths
were quietly
redirected,
how many doors
remained closed,
or how many circumstances
God used
to keep us
from something
we could not see.
But our confidence
does not depend
upon knowing
everything
God is doing.
It rests
in knowing
who He is.
My Keeper.
The One
who watches
when I sleep.
The One
who sees
what I cannot.
The One
who remains
beside me
through every step
of the journey.
A new beginning rests beneath this promise:
I do not know everything that lies ahead, but my Keeper does—and He never stops watching over me.
Reflection: Can I trust God's watchful care even when I cannot see what He may be protecting me from or how He is guiding my path?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my Keeper. Thank You for watching over me when I am awake and when I sleep, when I understand the road ahead and when I do not. Help me trust Your protection even when I cannot see what You are doing. Remind me that You are not distant, but near—my shade at my right hand. Let me walk through today resting in Your faithful care. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAY 23 - Morning

Theme: BUILDING A SAFE HOME
Creating a Marriage Where Love, Respect and Peace Can Grow

Reflection
Respect Is a Language of Love

Good morning,
Love without respect eventually becomes painful.
You can love someone and still speak to them in a way that wounds their dignity.
Respect means remembering that your spouse is not your opponent.
It means refusing to insult, embarrass, belittle or humiliate them—even when you disagree.
A disagreement should never become permission to destroy someone's dignity.
In many Ghanaian homes, people may tolerate harsh words during an argument because "we are married."
But marriage is precisely where our words should become more careful.

God's Word
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." — Romans 12:10

Today's Love Action
Give your spouse one sincere compliment today, preferably about a quality beyond physical appearance.

Let's Talk
What does respect look like in everyday married life?

Prayer
Lord, teach us to honour one another even when we disagree. Let respect become part of the language of our home. Amen.

From The Counselor's Chair
Never use intimacy as permission for disrespect. Familiarity should increase tenderness, not reduce it.

Marriage Nugget
"The person closest to your heart should never become the easiest person to disrespect."

Remember
In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST 2026
IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL

Topic: When You Feel Like Giving Up

Bible Reference
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

A Short Story
Prince had completed his university education, but life after graduation did not look anything like he had imagined. He had expected that his certificate would open doors, but months passed without a meaningful opportunity. His phone rarely rang, and whenever it did, the call was often from someone asking for something he could not provide. His graduation certificate remained in his drawer, looking more like a reminder of disappointment than a symbol of achievement.

One evening, Prince stood by his window and watched people moving through the street. Everything outside seemed normal. Children were playing, traders were going about their business, and vehicles moved along the road, but inside him was a deep sense of emptiness. He wondered whether his life would ever become what he had hoped it would be.

He was tired of waiting. He was tired of unanswered prayers. He was tired of feeling as though everyone else was moving forward while he remained in the same place. In that moment, giving up seemed easier than continuing to hope.

But instead of allowing his disappointment to consume him, Prince entered his room, took his Bible, and decided to seek God. He did not have a perfect prayer. He did not even know exactly what to say. He simply knew that he needed Jesus.

Even then, distractions came. His former girlfriend suddenly appeared at his door. His landlord called about his overdue rent. Messages began arriving on his phone. Everything seemed to compete for his attention at the exact moment he had decided to seek God.

Prince could have abandoned the moment and returned to his worries, but he chose to continue.

He turned off his phone, returned to prayer, and remained in the presence of God despite the distractions and the heaviness in his heart. Eventually, the noise within him began to settle. He experienced a deep sense of peace, and in that quiet moment, he sensed a simple instruction in his spirit: Continue.

* This story is adapted from Twelve Hours: A Christian Novel on Encounters by Anthony Ijere.

Today's Message
There are moments when giving up feels easier than continuing. You may have prayed for something for a long time and still see no answer. You may have worked hard without seeing the results you expected. You may be serving God while secretly wondering whether your efforts are making any difference.

The danger is that prolonged disappointment can make you interpret a temporary season as a permanent condition. You may begin to believe that because things have not changed yet, they will never change.

But Galatians 6:9 tells us not to become weary in doing good because there is a harvest connected to perseverance. The verse does not deny that weariness will come. It simply warns us not to allow weariness to make us abandon what God has called us to do.

Sometimes, the instruction from God is not complicated. It is simply, Continue.

Continue praying when you have not seen the answer. Continue studying when your results have not yet improved. Continue building when the business is still small. Continue serving when nobody seems to notice. Continue walking in purity when temptation keeps returning. Continue trusting God when your circumstances are telling you to quit.

You may not see the harvest today, but that does not mean your labour is wasted. God may be working on your character while you are waiting for Him to change your circumstances.

Do not make a permanent decision because of a temporary season.

You may be closer to your breakthrough, growth, answer, or encounter than you realize.

What To Do Today
1. Identify the area of your life where you have been most tempted to give up.

2. Bring your disappointment honestly before God instead of hiding it.

3. Remove one distraction that has been weakening your focus and consistency.

4. Take one more step toward what God has placed in your heart, even if the step seems small.

Prayer
Lord, strengthen me when I become weary. When disappointment makes me want to give up, remind me that my season is not my entire story. Give me grace to continue praying, continue believing, continue working, and continue following You until Your purpose for my life is fulfilled. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Challenge
Think about one good thing you have almost given up on. Take one practical step toward it today. Before you sleep, spend at least ten quiet minutes with God and tell Him honestly how you feel.

Anthony Ijere
Christian Author and Revivalist

Telegram Channel
https://t.me/anthonyijere

Whatsapp Group
https://chat.whatsapp.com/BDs9qaNMQumKTicv7uU7SJ?s=cl&p=a&mlu=0&ilr=0

*TODAY'S PROPHETIC DECLARATION - SUNDAY, 23RD AUGUST, 2026.*

*COME UNTO ME, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST*

12th Sunday after Trinity | 4th Sunday in August.

Scripture:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (KJV).

*Reflection – Jesus Is Our Place of Rest*

Life can become overwhelming. There are burdens we carry because of responsibilities, expectations, disappointments, unanswered prayers, family concerns, ministry demands, work, studies, and the uncertainties of tomorrow.

Jesus does not tell the weary to struggle harder. He gives a gracious invitation:

“Come unto me.”

Christ does not promise that we will never face difficulties. Instead, He promises that when we bring our burdens to Him, He will give us rest.

The rest Jesus gives is deeper than physical relaxation. It is the rest of a heart that knows it is no longer carrying everything alone. It is peace in the midst of pressure, confidence in the midst of uncertainty, and strength to continue when we feel weak.

Today, whatever burden you are carrying, bring it to Jesus. Do not carry what Christ is asking you to surrender.

Your burden may be heavy, but His grace is sufficient.

*Prophetic Declaration:*
Today, I declare that I come to Jesus Christ with every burden, concern, fear, and uncertainty in my life. I refuse to carry alone what I can surrender to my Savior.

I declare that the rest of Christ is entering every troubled area of my life. His peace shall replace anxiety, His strength shall replace weakness, and His hope shall replace discouragement.

I proclaim that every burden weighing heavily upon my heart shall be surrendered to the Lord. I release the burdens of fear, disappointment, uncertainty, financial pressure, family concerns, ministry responsibilities, work, business, studies, and the future into God's capable hands.

Today, I receive divine strength to continue the journey. Where I have become weary, the Lord shall renew me. Where I have become discouraged, He shall restore my joy. Where I have become confused, He shall give me direction.

I declare peace over my family and household. May every unnecessary tension, anxiety, misunderstanding, and heaviness give way to the peace of Christ.

I declare grace over my ministry and service to God. I shall not serve from exhaustion or seek to carry God's work in my own strength. I receive fresh grace, wisdom, strength, and spiritual renewal.

I proclaim divine rest over my work, business, and studies. The Lord shall give me wisdom to manage my responsibilities, strength to complete my assignments, and favor to accomplish what He has placed in my hands.

I declare that I shall not be controlled by tomorrow's uncertainties. God holds my future, and I choose to trust Him one day at a time.

Today, I reject the lie that I must solve everything by myself. I acknowledge my dependence on God and receive His grace for every challenge before me.

I declare that the Lord shall restore my emotional, spiritual, and physical strength according to His will. He shall lead me beside still waters and restore my soul.

I proclaim that my home shall be a place of peace, my heart shall be a dwelling place of God's presence, and my life shall reflect the calm confidence of someone who trusts in Christ.

I come to Jesus.
I surrender my burdens.
I receive His rest.
I receive His strength.
I receive His peace.
I will not be overwhelmed, because Christ is with me.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

*Action Steps for today:*
Begin with Jesus: Before you begin carrying today's responsibilities, spend time in prayer and surrender your burdens to Christ.

Read Matthew 11:28–30: Meditate on Jesus' invitation to the weary and His promise of rest.

Declare: “I come to Jesus, I surrender my burdens, and I receive His rest and peace.”

Make a burden list: Write down the things troubling your heart and consciously hand each one over to God in prayer.

Stop carrying what belongs to God: Do your part faithfully, but leave the outcome in God's hands.

Rest in God's presence: Set aside quiet time today for prayer, worship (attend church service), Scripture reading, and reflection.

Encourage someone who is weary: Share Matthew 11:28 with someone who needs to be reminded that Jesus cares about their burdens.

End the day with thanksgiving: Thank Jesus for carrying you through the day and for every evidence of His grace.

*Sunday Prayer:*
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your gracious invitation: “Come unto me.”

Today, I come to You with everything that is weighing upon my heart. I bring my fears, worries, responsibilities, disappointments, unanswered questions, and every burden I cannot carry by myself.

Lord, give me Your rest.

Quiet every storm within me. Replace anxiety with peace, confusion with clarity, fear with faith, and weakness with strength.

I surrender my family, ministry, work, business, studies, relationships, finances, plans, and future into Your hands. Teach me to do what I can faithfully and trust You with what is beyond my control.

Restore my soul. Renew my strength. Refresh my spirit. Give me wisdom for every responsibility and grace for every challenge.

Help me not to run away from You when I am tired, but to run toward You.

Let Your presence fill my home. Let Your peace rule in my heart. Let Your grace sustain me throughout this new week.

Jesus, I come to You.
Jesus, I trust You.
Jesus, I surrender to You.
Jesus, I receive Your rest.

In Your mighty name I pray. Amen.

*Sunday Blessing:*
May the Lord Jesus give you rest from every burden that has been weighing upon your heart.

May His peace fill your home and household. May His strength sustain you in your ministry, work, business, studies, and every responsibility entrusted to you.

May God give you wisdom to know what to carry and what to surrender. May He renew your strength when you are weary and restore your joy when you are discouraged.

May every storm around you become an opportunity to experience the peace of Christ within you.

As you enter the coming week, may you go forward not in your own strength, but in the strength of the Lord.

Come to Jesus.
Surrender your burdens.
Receive His rest.
Walk in His strength.
Abide in His peace.

12TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

4TH SUNDAY IN AUGUST

“COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” — MATTHEW 11:28

May the peace of Christ fill your heart, your home, and your entire week.

Good morning beloved, happy Sunday, do have a blessed and refreshing Sunday!
Shalom!

*Remember: Your confession is your possession.*

* Postulant C. O. Oyadosu.*

_Please share with others, thank you and God bless you _

For counseling, prayers and partnership or you want to share your testimonies with us; please call or Whatsapp: +2348063128703
Or
Email: clementoyadosuAnderson Mwila.com

Sunday Morning Thanksgiving

Thank You, Lord, for this Sunday morning.

Thank You for the gift of life, Your mercy, protection, and for bringing us safely into a new day.

Lord, teach us to be merciful, kind, and forgiving to our friends and to everyone we meet. Help us not to judge quickly, but to understand, encourage, forgive, and show love just as You show mercy to us.

Fill our hearts with peace, our homes with love, and our lives with Your presence. Guide our steps and strengthen our faith throughout this day.

May we be a blessing to someone today.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sunday, 23rd August, 2026

TITLE: "SEEK GOD FIRST, AND TRUST HIM TO PROVIDE"

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S)

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

Psalm 84:11 (KJV) "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

QUOTE TO REFLECT ON

"Put God first, and trust Him to take care of what concerns you."

DAY'S REFLECTION

Life is filled with legitimate needs—food, clothing, shelter, finances, relationships, work, health, and the future. These concerns can easily become so important that they take first place in our hearts. Jesus therefore gives us a powerful principle in Matthew 6:33: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness."

To seek first means to make something your highest priority. Jesus is teaching us that God must not be an addition to our lives; He must be at the centre of our lives. The kingdom of God refers to God's rule, authority, and purposes. To seek His righteousness means to desire a life that agrees with His character and Word.

Jesus then gives a promise: "all these things shall be added unto you." This does not mean that God promises every material desire or that believers will never experience hardship. Rather, it assures us that when we put God first, we can trust Him with our genuine needs and refuse to live controlled by anxiety.

Psalm 84:11 describes God as both a "sun and shield." The sun provides light, warmth, and direction, while a shield provides protection. God therefore provides what we need for our journey and protects us as we walk with Him.

The verse continues: "The LORD will give grace and glory." Grace is God's enabling favour and strength for the journey. Glory speaks of the honour and blessing that come from His presence and purposes. The psalmist concludes that "no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

Life experience teaches us that people often become anxious because they want to control tomorrow today. But God calls us to trust Him one day at a time. Our responsibility is to seek Him, obey His Word, work diligently, and walk uprightly. God's responsibility is to sustain, guide, protect, and provide according to His wisdom.

Therefore, examine your priorities today. Is God truly first, or have worries, money, career, relationships, possessions, or personal ambitions taken His place?

When God occupies first place, everything else can be placed in its proper position.

Seek Him first. Walk uprightly. Trust His provision.

MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S)

Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV) "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."

Philippians 4:19 (KJV) "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS)

1. God must remain the highest priority in our lives.

2. Seeking God first helps us maintain the right perspective about material needs.

3. God is both our provider and our protector.

4. We should not allow anxiety about tomorrow to control today's obedience.

5. Walking uprightly positions us to enjoy God's grace and guidance.

6. Trusting God does not remove responsibility; it helps us fulfil our responsibilities with faith.

EVERYDAY ACTION

Put God first today: pray, obey His Word, do your work diligently, and trust Him with your needs.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me seek Your kingdom and righteousness above everything else. Be my provider, protector, and guide, and teach me to trust You with every need. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DECLARATION

God is first in my life. I seek His kingdom and righteousness, and I trust Him to provide for my needs. The Lord is my sun and shield; He gives me grace, protection, and direction. I will walk uprightly and confidently in His provision. Amen.

Devotion by

Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo
+233 544 295 158

Follow us on WhatsApp
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P