DO STEP-PARENTS MATTER? SYNOPSIS: (NOTE: before you pre-judge and fire off a comment, please READ THE FULL ARTICLE at the "Them Before Us" link.) The children come first! Nick Spencer, founder of Them Before Us (TBU), explains that children have a fundamental right to their biological mother and father, stating that every child is conceived by one man and one woman. The group distinguishes between adoption and remarriage, which they view as adults stepping in to provide stability for children after a pre-existing tragedy; compared to surrogacy or donor conception, which they define as adults intentionally, to satisfy their own desires, causing via IVF a child’s loss of biological connection. READ MORE: https://agape-restoration-society.org/ARC-News/a-n_2026-08-15.htm#article_4

What Does It Mean To Be Saved? To be saved means to be rescued by God from the penalty, power, and ultimately the presence of sin, and brought into a right relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ alone. The Problem: Why You Need to Be Saved All humans are born under the curse of Adam's sin. Because God is holy and just, sin separates you from Him and places you under His righteous judgment (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23). You cannot save yourself by being good enough, religious enough, or sincere enough. Your best works are like filthy rags before a perfectly holy God (Isaiah 64:6). What Salvation Is Salvation is God's act of rescuing sinners through the finished work of Jesus Christ. It involves several realities that happen together: Regeneration (New Birth): The Holy Spirit gives you new spiritual life. You are born again. Apart from this, you are dead in your trespasses and unable to seek God on your own (Ephesians 2:1-5, John 3:3-8). Faith and Repentance: You respond to the gospel by turning from sin (repentance) and trusting in Christ alone (faith). These are two sides of the same movement—turning from sin and to the Savior (Acts 20:21, Romans 10:9-10). Justification: God declares you righteous, not because of anything in you, but because Christ's perfect righteousness is credited to your account and His punishment for your sin is credited to Christ. You stand before God as if you had never sinned, clothed in Christ's righteousness (Romans 3:24-26, 2 Corinthians 5:21). Adoption: You are brought into God's family as a beloved child. You are no longer an enemy but an heir (Galatians 4:4-7, Romans 8:15-17). Sanctification: The Holy Spirit begins the lifelong work of making you actually holy in your daily life, conforming you to the image of Christ (Philippians 2:12-13, Romans 8:29). Glorification: At Christ's return, you will receive a resurrected body, free from all sin, suffering, and death. This is the final completion of salvation (Romans 8:30, 1 Corinthians 15:52-54). How You Are Saved By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone. There is no other name under heaven by which you can be saved (Acts 4:12). Salvation is entirely God's work from start to finish. You contribute nothing to your rescue except the sin that made it necessary. What Salvation Looks Like in a Person's Life A truly saved person will bear fruit. This does not mean perfection, but it does mean a changed life—a growing hatred of sin, a growing love for God and His people, and a persistent faith that endures to the end (James 2:17, 1 John 2:3-6, Matthew 7:16-20). If there is no change at all, there is reason to question whether salvation has actually taken place. The Bottom Line To be saved is to be brought from death to life, from condemnation to justification, from slavery to sin to adoption as a child of God, and from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Christ. It is entirely a work of God's grace, received by faith, and it results in a life that increasingly reflects the supremacy of Christ. If you are asking this for yourself: repent of your sin, trust in Christ's death and resurrection alone, and you will be saved.

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 17–18 | Galatians 4 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 17 The Consequences of Persistent Rebellion 2 Kings 17 records one of the most significant turning points in the history of God's people—the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel to Assyria. After generations of rejecting the Lord, the nation experiences the judgment that God had repeatedly warned would come through His prophets. The chapter is not simply a historical account of military defeat; it is a theological explanation of why the nation fell. The final king of Israel reigns during a time when Assyria grows increasingly powerful. Eventually, Samaria is besieged, the people are carried into exile, and the northern kingdom comes to an end. Yet the inspired writer makes it clear that Assyria is only the instrument. The true reason for Israel's downfall is persistent covenant unfaithfulness. The chapter pauses to explain Israel's long history of rebellion. Despite God's continual faithfulness, the people repeatedly chose idolatry, ignored His commandments, rejected His prophets, and followed the practices of the surrounding nations. Again and again, the Lord patiently called them to repentance. He warned them through Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea, and many other prophets. Yet they hardened their hearts and refused to return. God's judgment, therefore, is not sudden or unfair. It comes only after centuries of patience and repeated opportunities for repentance. The exile demonstrates that God's holiness requires Him to deal with sin while His patience reveals His desire to save rather than destroy. The chapter concludes by describing the resettlement of the land by foreign peoples who adopt a mixture of pagan worship and limited acknowledgment of the Lord. This blending of truth and idolatry becomes another reminder that God desires wholehearted devotion rather than divided allegiance. Theologically, 2 Kings 17 reveals both God's justice and His extraordinary patience. The Lord faithfully keeps both His promises of blessing for obedience and His warnings of judgment for persistent rebellion. The chapter also demonstrates that outward religion without genuine faithfulness can never substitute for wholehearted obedience. This chapter points to Christ, who bore the judgment that sinful humanity deserved. Israel experienced exile because of covenant unfaithfulness, but Jesus endured separation and judgment on the cross so that those who trust Him might be reconciled to God forever. Through Christ, believers are brought into a new covenant founded upon His perfect obedience rather than their own. For believers today, 2 Kings 17 reminds us not to take God's patience for granted. His mercy invites repentance, not complacency. We are called to reject every form of idolatry and remain wholly devoted to the Lord. In Christ, we have received grace beyond measure, and our response should be faithful obedience flowing from grateful hearts. 2 Kings 18 Trusting God Above Every Earthly Power 2 Kings 18 introduces the reign of Hezekiah, one of Judah's most faithful kings. In sharp contrast to many of his predecessors, Hezekiah wholeheartedly seeks the Lord and leads the nation through a season of genuine spiritual reform. He removes idols, destroys the high places, and restores proper worship according to God's Word. His leadership demonstrates that true revival begins when God's people return to wholehearted obedience. The chapter emphasizes that Hezekiah trusted the Lord with exceptional faith. Rather than simply maintaining religious traditions, he actively removed everything that competed with God's rightful place in the nation. Even objects that had once served a legitimate purpose were removed when they became idols. His actions remind us that anything replacing devotion to God must be surrendered, regardless of its history or significance. Because of Hezekiah's faithfulness, God blesses his reign. Yet obedience does not eliminate opposition. The powerful Assyrian Empire eventually invades Judah, placing enormous pressure upon the nation. Humanly speaking, Judah appears defenseless against such overwhelming military strength. The Assyrian commander attempts to undermine Judah's confidence through intimidation and deception. He mocks Hezekiah's trust in God, questions the Lord's ability to save His people, and encourages surrender rather than faith. His strategy is spiritual as well as military, seeking to replace confidence in God with fear and doubt. Throughout the chapter, the central question becomes this: Will God's people trust the Lord when circumstances appear impossible? The enemy's arguments sound persuasive from a human perspective, yet they ignore the sovereign power of the living God. Hezekiah's response is marked by restraint and quiet trust. Rather than engaging in fearful debate, the people remain silent according to the king's instruction. The chapter closes with the crisis unresolved, preparing the reader for God's remarkable deliverance in the chapters ahead. Theologically, 2 Kings 18 teaches that genuine faith is demonstrated not only during seasons of blessing but also in moments of overwhelming opposition. The chapter highlights the importance of removing idols, trusting God's promises, and refusing to allow fear to replace faith. This chapter points to Christ, who perfectly trusted the Father in every circumstance. Jesus faced opposition, temptation, and impossible situations without wavering in His confidence. He is the greater King who leads His people not merely against earthly enemies but to victory over sin, death, and Satan through His perfect obedience and finished work. For believers today, 2 Kings 18 reminds us that faithfulness to God does not guarantee an easy life, but it does guarantee God's presence. We will face voices that question God's promises and encourage compromise, yet we are called to trust the Lord above every earthly power. In Christ, we have a King who has already won the ultimate victory, giving us confidence to stand firm regardless of the challenges before us. Galatians 4 — Adopted as Sons Through the Christ Galatians chapter 4 continues Paul's explanation of the believer's freedom in the Christ, the Son of God. Having established that righteousness comes by faith rather than by the Law, Paul now reveals the intimate relationship believers have with God through adoption into His family. The chapter contrasts slavery under the Law with the freedom of sonship, demonstrating that the redemptive plan has always pointed toward a personal relationship with God through His Son rather than a life of religious bondage. The chapter begins with the illustration of an heir who, while still a child, lives under guardians and restrictions until the appointed time. Paul uses this picture to explain that before the coming of the Christ, God's people lived under the supervision of the Law. The Law served an important purpose, but it was temporary. It prepared people for the coming of the Son of God, who would bring the fullness of God's redemptive plan. At the perfect time in history, God sent His Son into the world. The Christ entered humanity, fulfilled the requirements of the Law, and accomplished redemption for those who were under its condemnation. Through His work, believers are no longer slaves but sons and daughters of God. Christian living begins with this new identity. The Son of God has not simply forgiven sinners; He has welcomed them into His family. Paul emphasizes the privilege of adoption. Believers are no longer distant from God but are able to know Him as their loving Father. The Holy Spirit confirms this relationship by producing confidence, assurance, and intimacy with God. The redemptive plan does not merely change a believer's legal standing before God; it transforms the relationship completely. Those who belong to the Christ become heirs of all that God has promised. The chapter then expresses Paul's concern that the Galatian believers were drifting back toward religious bondage. Having experienced the freedom found in the Christ, they were allowing themselves to become entangled again in regulations and external observances. This saddened Paul because it represented a return to slavery after having experienced true freedom. Christian living is never sustained through legalism but through continual dependence upon the grace of the Son of God. Paul reminds the Galatians of the love they once shared and recalls how they had joyfully received him when he first preached the gospel. His concern is not personal rejection but their spiritual well-being. Like the Christ, Paul longs to see believers fully mature in their faith. The redemptive plan is not complete until the character of the Son of God is increasingly formed within His people. Toward the end of the chapter, Paul uses an illustration from the lives of Abraham's two sons to explain the difference between living under the Law and living under God's promise. One son represents human effort and bondage, while the other represents God's promise fulfilled by grace. This comparison demonstrates that believers belong to the family established through God's promise rather than through human achievement. The Son of God fulfills the promise, and those who trust in Him become children of the promise as well. The chapter concludes by reminding believers that they are not children of slavery but children of freedom. Their identity is no longer defined by striving to earn God's acceptance but by receiving His grace through the Christ. Christian living flows from that secure relationship rather than attempting to achieve it. Throughout Galatians chapter 4, the Christ is revealed as the One who brings believers into God's family, secures their inheritance, and frees them from the bondage of legalism. The redemptive plan moves from law to grace, from slavery to sonship, and from fear to joyful fellowship with God. For believers today, this chapter reminds us to live in the freedom the Christ has secured for us. Christian living is rooted in our identity as God's beloved children, not in our ability to keep religious rules. We are encouraged to reject every form of spiritual bondage and to embrace the confidence that comes from knowing the Son of God. As we walk daily in the assurance of our adoption, we experience the joy, freedom, and intimacy that God's redemptive plan has provided through the Christ. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH, 2026 THEME: THE WEIGHT OF COVENANT I AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE MEMORISE: "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." Psalm 89:34 READ: Genesis 17:1-8 1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. MESSAGE: In today's Bible reading, God made a covenant with Abram and promised to make him a father of many nations, then changed his name to Abraham. God never lies, so all the promises that He made to Abraham were fulfilled. Numbers 23:19 says: "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" When God makes a covenant with a person, He always fulfils His part, and this gives the fellow access to everything he or she will ever need on earth. These things include long life, prosperity, favour, blessings, joy, peace, divine health, and everything good. The devil, on the other hand, is unable to keep any covenant he makes. He breaks his promises at will because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). People often enter into covenants with other parties to receive something from them, while also giving something in return. The real weight of a covenant, however, comes when one of the parties involved is unable to fulfil their obligations. In most cases, a heavy weight of death is the consequence for breaking a covenant. When people join secret societies, they enter into covenants. When they do not do the things they are asked to do in the group, the penalty is usually death. You might be asking yourself, "Why would anybody want to join a cult knowing that it could lead to their death?" Some people claim that they join secret societies because they need protection, while others say that it is for prosperity and other benefits. It is important to note that the devil lures them into such societies with the promise of those things, but in return, he takes their souls and destroys them. What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul (Matthew 16:26)? A soul is too heavy a weight for anyone to surrender to the devil. Beloved, do not allow the devil to tempt you into establishing an evil covenant with empty promises, and if you have entered into any covenant with hell and signed a pact with satan, Jesus can set you free if you run to Him. He will not cast away anyone who comes to Him (John 6:37). I pray that the Lord will establish His covenant of peace with you and your household, in Jesus' name. KEY POINT: Any covenant that is made with the devil is based on lies. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 33-36 HYMN 11: STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST MY KING 1 Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God. Chorus: Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Saviour; Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God. 2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God. 3 Standing on the promises I now can see Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free, Standing on the promises of God. 4 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God. 5 Standing on the promises I shall not fall, List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call. Resting in my Saviour as my All in all, Standing on the promises of God. ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY, 14TH AUGUST, 2026 *THE WEIGHT OF COVENANTS I* ‎ 1.Father, I worship You, The covenant keeping God. You are faithful to Your promises from generation to generation, for Your word is Yea and Amen. 2.Father, thank You for giving me a new name, from a slave to sin to a heir of Your glorious Kingdom. Thank You for the grace of adoption into sonship. 3.Father, thank You for the fulfillment of Your promises in times past; thank You because You are not a man that should lie nor repent, for You are able to do what You say. 4.Father, thank You for granting me access to long life, prosperity, favour, blessings, joy, peace, divine health and all that I will need in life to fulfill Your purpose on earth through Christ Jesus. 5.Father, please help me to fulfill my own obligations for the fulfillment of Your covenant with me. Help me not to break Your covenant with me through sin, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to do all that I need to do in living Holy and in total obedience to Your commands, so I can remain under the covering of Your covenant for me, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please help me not to surrender my soul to the devil for protection, prosperity or for any other gains of this world, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, as many of our Youths and young adults that might have established an evil covenant with hell or signed a pact with satan please, set them free today, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please empower all Your children to be able to resist any temptation from the devil to enter into unholy covenant at the expense of their souls, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please establish Your covenant of peace with me and my household, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to remain committed to Your covenant, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) #GodBlessOurNation *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.

THE GOD WHO WALKS IN HISTORY Thesis: The God who reveals Himself in Scripture also reveals Himself in the soil, stones, and civilizations of history. Faith is not blind; it is anchored in time, space, culture, and material reality. SECTION 1 THE GOD WHO STEPS INTO HISTORY Texts: Luke 1:1–4; John 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16 Doctrines: Incarnation, Revelation Luke writes with the meticulous care of a historian, John speaks as a firsthand witness, and Peter writes as a man who saw Christ's glory and majesty with his own eyes. Christianity is not built on myth, speculative theories, or symbolic folklore; it is firmly anchored in concrete moments, specific places, real people, and verifiable historical events. Biblical faith is rooted in time, space, culture, and material reality. Archaeology amplifies and illuminates this truth. While archaeology cannot create faith or prove divine inspiration, it bridges faith and historical inquiry by excavating, deciphering, and evaluating ancient material records. It demonstrates that biblical narratives are historically reliable, connecting sacred Scripture to the real world of ancient civilizations and providing material evidence that grounds divine revelation. The Tel Dan Stele stands as a stone‑carved testimony that King David was not a legend, myth, or literary invention. Discovered in 1993 in northern Israel, this basalt victory monument commissioned by Hazael of Aram-Damascus contains the Paleo-Hebrew inscription Beit David ("House of David"). Written by a pagan king and bitter enemy of Israel, it provides an unshakeable external confirmation of David's historical existence, dynasty, and lasting impact. In similar fashion, the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered between 1947 and 1956 in caves along the Dead Sea shore, testify that the Scriptures were preserved with astonishing accuracy across generations. Containing biblical manuscripts over 1,000 years older than any previously known Hebrew texts—most notably the complete Great Isaiah Scroll—the scrolls demonstrate the faithful transmission and historical trustworthiness of God's Word across centuries. Illustration: A man once told me, “I don't believe anything I can't touch.” I handed him a pottery shard from Galilee and said, “Then touch the world Jesus walked in.” He broke. This moment illustrates how material evidence grounds divine revelation. The shores of the Sea of Galilee served as the floorboards of Jesus' classroom, where He ministered in real fishing villages like Capernaum and Magdala. Excavations in these towns have uncovered first-century synagogues, black basalt foundations, ancient homes, and fishing tools that directly reflect the Gospel accounts. Such artifacts and pottery shards demonstrate that the Incarnation is not an abstract theory or myth; the Word became flesh, breathed the air of a fishing village, walked on specific floors, and occupied the same physical world we do. By bridging faith and historical inquiry, archaeology confirms that biblical faith is firmly anchored in time, space, culture, and material reality. SECTION 2 — SCRIPTURE’S RELIABILITY THROUGH ARCHAEOLOGY Texts: Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; Psalm 119:89 Doctrine: Biblical inspiration Archaeology does not create faith it illuminates faith. The Lachish Letters Written during the critical moments of the Babylonian invasion described in the prophetic book of Jeremiah, these military ostraca capture the immense fear, pressing urgency, and real-time collapse of Judah. One notable message vividly records the military outpost's dire situation: “We are watching for the signals of Lachish… but we cannot see Azekah.” As Jeremiah describes a nation enduring a catastrophic siege, the physical soil and artifacts of Lachish tangibly preserve the frantic final communications and authentic voices of its ancient defenders. Other confirmations Numerous other archaeological discoveries provide historical grounding for biblical accounts. For example, the Pool of Bethesda was excavated and uncovered precisely as described in John 5. Similarly, the powerful Hittite Empire—a civilization once dismissed by critics as mere literary fiction—is now fully documented through extensive historical records and material evidence. Illustration: Archaeology acts as a floodlight. It does not create faith out of nothing, but rather illuminates the historic reality that was present all along, allowing us to see the historical record clearly. SECTION 3 — THE WORLD OF THE PATRIARCHS Texts: Genesis 12; Genesis 15; Hebrews 11:8–12 Doctrine: Covenant theology Abraham lived in a world of law, covenant, and custom, deeply embedded in the cultural and legal frameworks of the ancient Near East. Surrounding civilizations possessed sophisticated legal traditions—such as the Code of Ur-Nammu, the Code of Hammurabi, and Hittite laws—demonstrating that codified law and covenantal structures were widespread during the second millennium BC. The 15th-century BC Nuzi Tablets provide abundant cultural confirmation of Genesis, revealing adoption practices identical to Abraham’s heir dilemma where childless couples could adopt a servant as an heir—precisely mirroring Abraham's arrangement with Eliezer (Genesis 15:3). Nuzi documents also detail surrogate motherhood provisions requiring barren wives to provide servant girls to their husbands (matching Sarah and Hagar in Genesis 16:2) and document negotiable birthright transactions similar to Jacob and Esau. Similarly, the 19th-century BC Mari Letters—a collection of 20,000 tablets—describe nomadic migrations, tribal movements, and Northwest Semitic customs that directly mirror Genesis. These texts contain name patterns specifically current in Mesopotamia during this period, including names closely matching Serug, Nahor, Terah, Abraham, and Jacob. Additionally, the contemporary Alalakh Texts further illuminate the authentic family and legal practices reflected throughout the patriarchal narratives. God’s covenant was not communicated in a cultural vacuum; it was spoken into a real society with real expectations, authentic legal customs, and verifiable historical settings. Illustration: A footprint in clay proves someone walked there. Genesis is full of footprints. SECTION 4 EXODUS: THE GOD WHO LIBERATES Texts: Exodus 3; Exodus 12; Psalm 77:14 Doctrine: Redemption The Exodus is not a fairy tale. It is God confronting the Egyptian empire. Egyptian records confirm Semitic populations resided in the Delta. The Merneptah Stele declares “Israel is laid waste,” providing early extra-biblical confirmation of Israel’s presence in Canaan. Furthermore, satellite technology using infrared sensors has detected ancient trails and heat patterns left in desert sands made by large groups leaving the Nile Delta along the Suez coast, mirroring the biblical route. Archaeological excavations at Tell el-Kharouba in northern Sinai revealed a massive Egyptian military fortress guarding "The Way of Horus". This heavily fortified coastal highway explains why God redirected Israel through the wilderness—as recorded in Exodus 13:17–18—sparing a newly liberated population from encountering seasoned Egyptian military garrisons. In Canaan, Late Bronze Age cities show sudden collapses consistent with Joshua’s conquest. At Jericho, archaeological excavations revealed massive fortifications featuring 4.6-meter stone retaining walls topped by mud-brick walls 1.8 meters thick. The collapsed mud-brick walls fell outward to form natural ramps for attackers at the wall base, while a massive 9-meter ash layer attests to fierce, intense destruction by fire. Jars of stored grain further indicate a brief siege before the city fell, exactly matching the biblical account in Joshua. At Ai, traditional identification with et-Tell presented problems because that site was not occupied during Joshua's time. However, candidate sites such as Khirbet el-Maqatir show evidence of a 15th-century BC fortress that fits all biblical requirements, offering a promising resolution to long-standing geographical and chronological debates. At Hazor—explicitly described as the "head of all those kingdoms" in Joshua 11:10 and noted uniquely in the 14th-century Egyptian Amarna Letters with a ruler titled "king"—excavations uncovered city walls over 7 meters wide, a massive conflagration layer, and evidence of sudden, violent destruction by fire dated to approximately 1400 BC. Illustration: A chain breaks only when something stronger pulls against it. God pulled. The physical collapse of ancient Canaanite fortifications bears silent witness to divine intervention in human history. SECTION 5 — THE KINGDOM ERA: GOD’S RULE IN REAL TIME Texts: 1 Samuel 8; 2 Samuel 7; Psalm 2 Doctrine: Kingship Israel’s monarchy unfolded in the same geopolitical world we excavate today. The Karnak relief records Shishak’s campaign. Samaria ostraca reveals taxation systems matching Scripture. The Babylonian Chronicles align with 2 Kings and Jeremiah. In 701 BCE, facing the imminent threat of Assyrian invasion, King Hezekiah secured Jerusalem’s water supply by redirecting the Gihon Spring—Jerusalem’s only permanent water source—through a 1,750-foot tunnel carved through solid rock, directly confirming 2 Chronicles 32:30. When Assyrian king Sennacherib boasted of shutting up Hezekiah "like a bird in a cage," he underestimated a king who had secured the city's lifeblood so that invading armies would not find water. Inside the tunnel, the Siloam Inscription documents this extraordinary engineering achievement, describing how two teams of stonecutters guided by the sound of their axes carved through rock from opposite directions until meeting in the middle. This discovery validates the strategic preparations detailed in Scripture, demonstrating that Hezekiah did not simply pray and wait, but prayed and prepared by taking decisive action in obedience. Illustration: History is God’s canvas. Kings rise and fall — the Artist remains. Faith does not wait for crisis; faith prepares for victory. Hezekiah dug a tunnel before the enemy arrived. SECTION 6 — JESUS IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME Texts: Galatians 4:4; Luke 4:31–37; John 19:16 Doctrine: Christology Jesus entered a world we can still touch. The Incarnation means the Word became flesh and dwelt in real geographical spaces, walking on physical stones and breathing the air of first-century Judea and Galilee. At Capernaum—known as Jesus' "own city"—excavations uncovered the black basalt foundations of the very synagogue where He taught, along with an octagonal church built over a humble first-century home identified as the House of Peter. Nearby at Magdala, archaeologists discovered a first-century synagogue featuring the "Magdala Stone," which depicts the Second Temple and its Menorah, as well as fishing tools and home structures consistent with the Gospel accounts. In addition, first-century burial practices and ornate limestone ossuaries confirm names common to Jesus' era, including the ossuary of High Priest Caiaphas inscribed "Yehosef bar Qayafa". In 1961 at Caesarea Maritima, archaeologists discovered the Pilate Stone—a limestone block explicitly inscribed "Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea"—verifying the exact historical title and identity of the Roman governor who presided over Jesus' trial. Excavations in Nazareth further confirm authentic first-century settlement patterns, establishing that the narrative of Christ is deeply anchored in real time, space, and history. Illustration: Walk the streets of Capernaum today and you walk where Jesus walked. Faith becomes sight. SECTION 7 — THE RESURRECTION: THEOLOGY MEETS TANGIBLE REALITY Texts: 1 Corinthians 15; Matthew 28; Romans 6:4 Doctrine: Resurrection theology The resurrection was proclaimed in a culture that understood death intimately. Second Temple Jewish burial customs involved precise two-stage practices, where bodies were laid in rock-cut tombs before bones were placed in limestone ossuaries. Excavations throughout Jerusalem reveal tombs featuring burial niches and rolling stone tracks that directly mirror the Gospel accounts. For example, the discovery of the ornate limestone ossuary inscribed "Yehosef bar Qayafa" (Joseph, son of Caiaphas) confirms the historical reality of the high priest who presided over Jesus' trial and demonstrates the authenticity of first-century Judean burial traditions. Furthermore, physical evidence such as the heel bone of Yehohanan—pierced by a seven-inch iron nail—forensically confirms Roman crucifixion mechanics and subsequent proper burial in Jerusalem during this era. Excavations beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre complex have also uncovered a first-century limestone quarry transformed into a working garden outside the ancient city walls, containing a rock-cut tomb matching the exact geographical and architectural setting described in John's Gospel. Ossuaries and funerary traditions reflect a deeply ingrained belief in bodily resurrection, while subterranean catacombs, sacred symbols, and early Christian inscriptions boldly proclaim, “He is risen”. While archaeology cannot measure the supernatural moment of resurrection, the physical record—from excavated gardens to empty tombs—demonstrates that the Gospel narrative is anchored in tangible historical reality. ” Illustration: A seed buried in the ground does not stay dead. Neither did the Son of God. SECTION 8 — CLOSING MOVEMENT: “THE STONES CRY OUT” Texts: Luke 19:40; Psalm 78:4; Hebrews 13:8 SECTION 8 — CLOSING MOVEMENT: “THE STONES CRY OUT” Texts: Luke 19:40; Psalm 78:4; Hebrews 13:8 Doctrine: Faithfulness of God Scripture is inherently trustworthy because God Himself is faithful. While archaeology is not the primary foundation of faith, it serves as a powerful, unbiased witness to the historical reality of divine revelation. The archaeological record does not invent spiritual truth; rather, it shines a floodlight on the physical setting of redemption, confirming that God acted directly within human history. When Jesus declared in Luke 19:40 that the very stones would cry out, He testified to a reality that echoes through centuries of excavation. From the basalt of the Tel Dan Stele to the rock walls of Hezekiah’s Tunnel, physical artifacts continuously affirm the biblical narrative. As Psalm 78:4 urges believers to tell the glorious deeds of the Lord to the next generation, material discoveries serve as tangible evidence that can be passed down across ages. The stones cry out from ancient city ruins. The scrolls cry out from the caves of Qumran. The inscriptions cry out from military ostraca, royal stelae, and Roman limestone. History itself cries out in unison. And they all proclaim the exact same eternal truth: Jesus Christ is Lord. Yesterday, today, and forever. Just as Hebrews 13:8 affirms His unchanging character, the historical record testifies that the God who acted in centuries past remains the faithful Lord of today and eternity. Final Illustration: Archaeologists brush away layers of dust and debris from ancient ruins to reveal the historical truth beneath. In the exact same way, God brushes away the guilt, darkness, and decay of sin to reveal the glorious, living presence of Christ in the human heart.

Gal 4:3-5 KJV Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. You were born in God (Born again) at such a time, because it was the fulness of time. And that is why the creation is confidently waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, because We have been redeemed. Hallelujah!

Good morning, brethren. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🌹🎀🎁💝🌺 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY TUESDAY AUGUST 4, 2O26. " PATRIA POTESTAS" '...you received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing son-ship]...’ Romans 8:15 NKJV PAUL’S AUDIENCE would have understood his use of Roman adoption in teaching the benefits we receive as redeemed members of God’s family. A Roman father held absolute right and control, legally entitled ‘patria potestas’, over his children at any age. Roman adoption was a two-step process that transferred children from one patria potestas to another. 1) Emancipation. This step included a symbolic sale where the natural father twice ‘sold’ and ‘bought back’ his child, and a third where he didn’t buy them back, ending his paternal rights. 2) Vindication. Here the adoptive father presented his case for adoption to a Roman magistrate, who legally transferred the child to his patria potestas. Likewise, we have been transferred from satan’s grip to our heavenly Father’s blessed patria potestas! The benefits of Roman adoption were Paul’s chief focus in Romans chapter eight: a) The adopted person lost all rights in their old family and gained a new father, plus all rights of a legitimate member of their new family. b) They became heir to their new father’s estate. When there were other siblings, they became joint-heirs together. c) All their debts were completely cancelled, legal records of their history were expunged; the past had no effect on their new life. d) Seven citizens witnessed all legal adoptions. If the adoptee’s legitimacy was ever challenged, each witness could testify to their legitimate standing. Thank God, ‘The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children’ (Romans 8:16 NIV). No less than the Holy Spirit Himself validates your membership in God’s family! Bible In A Year: 1 Sam 17:4-51, Eph 6:10-18. 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.*🌹🌷🎀💝 brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.ii. [03/08, 9:36 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) TUESDAY 4TH AUGUST, 2026``` *GRACE FOR THE FALLEN ONES* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️👥🫂🤝🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:2 CORINTHIANS 2:6-11```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 CORINTHIANS 2:11).*_ *In His book, _Uncommon Friends,_ James D. Newton (1905 - 1999) related the story of Thomas A. Edison, who was working on a light bulb, which took a team of men 24 hours to complete. When he finished, he gave it to a young boy to carry upstairs. The boy held it nervously and mistakenly dropped it at the top of the stairs. The entire team took 24 more hours to make another bulb. Finally, tired and ready for a break, Edison was prepared to have his bulb carried up the stairs. He handed it to the same young boy who had dropped the first one. That was a demonstration of true forgiveness.* *Apostle Paul, in today's text, showed similar forgiveness to an errant member of the Corinthian church. The young man was involved in the egregious sin of sleeping with his father's wife. News of this incest and the associated scandal so grieved the apostle that he cancelled his planned trip to them and wrote a stern rebuke, instructing them to excommunicate the offender. With time, when the discipline had had the expected effect of godly sorrow and repentance on both the incestuous fellow and the church, the apostle recommended that the man be restored fully to fellowship. The penitent offender needed the forgiveness and acceptance of the church to assuage his agony and recover his spiritual confidence.* *This narrative highlights a balanced blend of chastisement and charity. Apostle Paul reasoned that abandoning the excommunicated offender, even after his repentance, would cause him further torture and give Satan a chance to hijack the affair; "...for we are not ignorant of his devices", he said. Many believers seem to be ignorant of Satan's devices in this regard. Very often, a fallen Christian is left to rot on the island of banishment. Many such forgotten ones would have traced their way back home to Calvary and church, but for the hostile attitude of the believers around them.* *If God, Apostle Paul, and the Corinthian church could forgive the repentant incestuous backslider, who are we to keep such fallen brethren away from the means of grace? Let us give Satan no advantage over the church.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*If you can't keep a brother from falling, don't keep him from rising up.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *JOHN 8-9*📜📜 Grace For The Fallen Ones https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 117: SHOW A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE AND KINDNESS; GHS 122: SOMEBODY NEEDS YOUR LOVE; GHS 232: BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS; AND GHS 75: THE CHURCH'S ONE FOUNDATION* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna4thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [03/08, 9:36 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```TUESDAY 4TH AUGUST, 2026``` *TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🗣️📢📣🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:ROMANS 1:14-18```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (ROMANS 1:16).*_ *"Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world, that cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity. Wherever you go, ask God for wisdom on how to get that Gospel in, even in the toughest situations of life," says Ravi Zacharias.* *A young student of a university had a prompting of the Holy Spirit to minister to his roommate friend but was ashamed of being identified as a church boy. Incidentally, as he kept resisting the voice of the Spirit to minister to his friend, the sudden news of the friend's death during a long holiday came to him.* *It was heartbreaking as he felt the guilt of not saving a soul when the opportunity was there for him to do so. He learnt his lessons, but it was too late. Dear youth, are you a child of God? If your answer is yes, then you have a duty to preach the gospel to sinners around you before it is too late. Be not ashamed of the gospel of our Lord.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Preach the gospel.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Save the perishing.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to preach Your word.*_ Tell Others About Jesus https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday4thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [03/08, 9:36 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```TUESDAY 4TH AUGUST, 2026``` *A LIGHT IN THE DARK* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🕯️💡🌟💥🌍🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```MATTHEW 5:14-16```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Light is very important because it helps us see and find our way. When it is dark, we can feel lost or scared, but light makes everything clearer and safer. Just like a small light can brighten a whole room, God's light help us find hope and peace even in tough times. For believers, this light shows the way to follow God's love and truth, guiding us through any challenge we may face. Light has an amazing power to reveal what is hidden and guide people safely through the dark. Jesus calls us to be that light in the world. Just like a light helps us see in the dark, believers are like lights showing kindness and love to everyone around them. *When we help others, share love, and talk about God's goodness, we are being the light in the dark world. God wants us to shine bright and make others feel happy and loved, just like a light makes the environment brighter.* *Being a light does not require doing something extraordinary. It means living out the love of Jesus in your daily life; being kind, being honest, being helpful, and sharing His message of love. Every act of kindness you show is like a little spark that points others to the light of Christ.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Jesus, help me to shine Your light in the world around me so others can see and enjoy Your love and truth.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Philippians 2:13-16* A Light In The Dark https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk4thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [03/08, 9:36 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* TUESDAY, 4TH AUGUST, 2026. *PRECEPTS ON CHURCH DISCIPLINE* *TEXT:* 2 CORINTHIANS 2:6-11. 6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. 10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. *Timeless Truth:*_"But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons"_ (Hebrews 12:8). *INTRODUCTION* Church discipline is a biblical expression of love, holiness, and restoration. A church without discipline for erring members is not a church of Christ, but a mere association of religious people. God disciplines those that err and He expects us to follow suit. *"But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons"* (Hebrews 12:8). It is not designed to destroy offenders, but to correct, restore and preserve the purity of Christ's church. In this passage, Apostle Paul instructed the Corinthian believers on how to handle a repentant offender. He emphasized that discipline must be fair. Repentance and forgiveness must be genuine and believers must be vigilant against Satan's schemes. Every church should maintain a proper balance between firmness against sin and compassion toward the repentant. The attitude of those on discipline should also reflect humility and teachability according to the Word of God. *1. Proportionateness in Discipline* a. The offender committed immorality with his step mother. That was a heinous sin with no sign of remorse from the culprit and no discipline from the church leadership, until Apostle Paul rebuked them of the gravity of the sin. The man was eventually, excommunicated from the church (1 Corinthians 5). The most serious sin next to physical murder attracted the most serious discipline of excommunication. The discipline must be commensurate with the evil or wrongs that need to be judged or corrected. Paul the apostle declared that the punishment already administered by the majority was sufficient. This teaches that discipline must always be proportionate to the offence and should never become an instrument of revenge or bitterness. There are disciplines that only demand rebuke while there are some that will have more severe punishment. The punishment is to show God's displeasure with sin and to wake up the backslider or sinner from spiritual slumber. b. The first is to determine the gravity of the sin and what we want the punishment to achieve, which is majorly restoration. Once the purpose of correction has been achieved, prolonged discipline only produces unnecessary pain. God expects church leaders to administer discipline with wisdom, fairness and love, remembering that the ultimate goal is restoration rather than condemnation. This person was restored to membership and fellowship when the purpose of the excommunication was fulfilled. In fact, the church was not willing to shorten the punishment until Apostle Paul passionately, intervened. True and right attitude of repentance and restitution should command total and timely forgiveness and restoration, especially when the tendency to revert to such things have been crucified and destroyed. *Question* Do I administer correction with love and fairness or do I prolong discipline beyond what is necessary? *2. Pardon for Deserving* a. After genuine repentance comes genuine forgiveness. The man had the right attitude towards discipline. Some church members are averse to church discipline. Instead of enduring the pain, they decide to go to other churches where their sins would be overlooked. Such are not heaven bound. This man had originally separated himself from the Gentile sinners and identified with believers in Corinth. But the discipline put him in isolation from the only set of people he was closed with, i.e. the believers. Obviously, it is expected that there would be loneliness, isolation and sorrow. Since he refused to go back to the world, but endured the punishment, that was a commendable and expected attitude. b. Paul the apostle urged the church to forgive, comfort, and reaffirm their love for the disciplined brother so that he would not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. True Christian discipline always opens the door for restoration. Refusing to forgive a repentant believer contradicts the grace that God has freely extended to us in Christ. Forgiveness heals wounds, restores fellowship and reflects the heart of the gospel. The same thing happens when we are offended by fellow believers. We should be magnanimous in grace and forgiveness when there is genuine repentance. *Question* Am I willing to forgive and restore those who sincerely repent, just as Christ has forgiven me? *3. Projects of the Devils* a. Satan is never idle or passive. He has his own mapped out agenda, plans, projects for the saints and he always looks out for loopholes and times of carelessness through which he strikes at the least prepared time against the saints. Apostle Paul warned that unnecessarily prolonging the discipline and failure to forgive could give Satan an advantage over the church. The devil exploits bitterness, division, resentment and unforgiveness to weaken Christian fellowship. b. While discipline protects the church from sin, unforgiveness opens the door to Satan's destructive work. Believers must therefore, remain spiritually discerning, resisting every scheme of the enemy by walking in love, humility and reconciliation. *Question* Is there any unforgiveness or bitterness in my heart that could give the devil an opportunity in my life or church? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, grant me the wisdom to uphold biblical discipline with justice, love and compassion 🙏. 2.Father, give me a forgiving heart that willingly restores every genuinely repentant believer 🙏. 3.Give me the right attitude of humility, patience and teachability when I am rebuked or put under discipline 🙏. 4.Lord, deliver Your church from bitterness, division and every scheme of Satan 🙏. *HYMN:* Lower and lower *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOHN 8-9. Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* MONDAY 3RD AUGUST, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD'S GRACE. *TOPIC:* SET YOUR HEART ON ETERNAL THINGS. *TEXTS:* COLOSSIANS 3:2; 1 JOHN 2:15. *COLOSSIANS 3:2.* 2. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. *1 JOHN 2:15.* 15. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. *TOPIC:* SET YOUR HEART ON ETERNAL THINGS. *THE MESSAGE:* The youth of the 21st century is preoccupied with worldly affairs. Today's text urges the believers to shift their focus from worldly pursuits to eternal values. It warns that loving the world and its fleeting pleasures hinders one from experiencing God's love and grace. Loving the world and mundane things is an indication that the love of the Father is absent. Earthly things are temporary, while eternal things last forever. To truly walk with God and be used by Him, young people must let go of materialism and worldly entanglements, setting their hearts on things above. You can achieve this through constant study of the word, a life of prayer, and fellowship with the brethren. On what have you set your heart? Evaluate! *REFLECTION:* The world and it's desires are temporary. *PRAYER:* Lord Jesus, help me to pursue eternal things. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* JEREMIAH 7-10. ED.ii. TRULY BORN AGAIN "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17 There are a few essential points when it concerns being born again. 1) There must be a confession of sins. In other words: you must regret your sins. You have to acknowledge that you have sinned against God. An example is King David's prayer which shows his remorse: 'Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love… Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin… Against You, You only, have I sinned' (Psalm 51:1-4). 2) You have to know what Jesus Christ did at Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus Christ is the only One who can take sin away. 'The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin' (1 John 1:7). 3) There must be a real change in your heart when you are born again. This change is so great that you can say like 2 Corinthians 5:17 that you are created again by God. A whole new life has begun. A radical change These are the essential points to be truly born again. It is not only by believing that you come to heaven; nor do you get to heaven because you go to church. The evil one also believes that Jesus is the Son of God. There are so many things people say which make them think they are born again. My question is: 'what happened when you gave your life to Jesus'? To truly be born again this radical change has to take place in your life. This change makes you turn your back on your old self. If this is not yet the case for you, pray the sinner's prayer with all your heart to God. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening Prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. ⏤ Psalm 3:5 Prayer is aligning ourselves with the purposes of God. ⏤ E. Stanley Jones To whom, Lord, shall we go but to You? You have the words of eternal life! You alone know our needs—and You alone can meet them. You alone can give us guidance, wisdom, help, comfort in sorrow, forgiveness for sin, and eternal life. We bow at Your feet tonight, knowing that there is no need we have that You cannot meet. You can provide for our bodily needs. You can supply everything we need for our mental and spiritual lives. This has been a profitable day for us because You have blessed us. We have received new mercies from Your hand. We have had food and clothing, and many of life’s good things. For these common mercies, we thank You. We thank You for all the good that has come to us through our human friends—their sympathy and kindness. We thank You for the love and trust in our home, for all that our home means to us. It is a shelter from life’s storms. We can turn away from the world’s insincerity, self-interest, envy, and bitterness, and always find within our own door—love that is true, deep, unselfish, enriching, and comforting. Here we are sure of each other’s love. We do not need to be on guard as we do when we are outside. So we thank You for the blessing of our home, for its companionship, its joy, its comfort, and the healing of its love. Help us to make our home holier, more loving, truer and purer, more full of inspiration—the best place in the world to grow. Now while we kneel together as a family around the family altar in our evening prayer, we ask for Your blessing. Abide with us. Be our guest tonight. Bless us in our sleep. Prepare us for a new day, and give us new blessings when it dawns. We ask all in the name of our Redeemer. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/29/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀💝🌺🎁🌹🎀 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY WEDNESDAY JULY 29, 2O26. "DEAL WITH THE STUMBLING BLOCKS (1)" 'Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block…in your brother’s way.’ Romans 14:13 NIV IF YOU want to win someone to Christ, there are certain stumbling blocks you may have to remove. Let’s be honest, people are turned off by religion for a lot of reasons—legitimate ones. Let’s look at some: 1) Hypocrisy. Think about the twelve disciples; one of them betrayed Jesus, one denied Him, and one doubted Him. That’s a 25% failure rate! But the good news is, Jesus continues to love us and work with us in spite of our problems. 2) Terminology. If you grew up in the church, you’re probably familiar with Bible terminology. But don’t assume everybody else is, or you’ll talk over their heads. When Jesus talked to shepherds, He discussed sheep. When He talked to farmers, He discussed sowing and reaping. Identify the person’s interests and spiritual needs, then use language they understand. 3) Negative emphasis. If your major emphasis is on what people can’t do, they’ll run in the opposite direction. A well-known preacher says, ‘I grew up understanding what our church was against, but never what it was for. Basically, we were against everything!’ Smiling, he added, ‘We preached against smoking and drinking. We especially preached against adultery, because we believed that could lead to dancing.’ Seriously, the gospel is not about what you lose when you come to Christ, but what you gain. Jesus said, ‘…I have come that they may have life and have it to the full’ (John 10:10 NIV). If you’re serious about winning people to Christ, you must recognise the stumbling blocks that stand in their way and try to remove them. Bible In A Year: Deut 14-17; Matt 13:1-9; Ps 78:32-39; Pro 16:31. 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. [28/07, 9:58 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) WEDNESDAY 29TH JULY, 2026``` *CHRISTIANITY'S ALL-TIME IMPACT* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:JAMES 2:1-9```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors" (JAMES 2:9).*_ *Christianity and its adherents have indisputably been described as humanity's revolutionary "pioneers for legal equality". In his seminal study, _Real Faith,_ the American evangelist, Mark Driscoll, writes: "Christians broke ground on the battle for...equality... The Bible from beginning to end describes God's heart for the poor and commands His people to be generous (and respectful) toward those who possess little or nothing...Christianity does not allow us to equate net worth with self-worth."* *Apostle James' inspired dictum on how not to treat the underclass in the Church or society is but a slice of the unequivocal stand of Christ on the matter. As He walked the streets during His ministry, the Lord never contemned the poor or wretched sinner because of their socioeconomic status. He was (still is) their Friend. He brought down all class distinction and taught His disciples that His Father's love extends to all humanity, beyond Jewry, religion or politics.* *Great changes, movements and reforms over the generations along with the emergence of landmark constitutions such as that of the United States in 1787, have a heavy and unmistakable infusion of the teachings of Christianity on the equality of all men and women. This attests to the inerrant position of our Lord that He brought a message meant to transform lives for a rancour-free relationship among men, and prepare us for a hereafter of harmonious experience.* *The Lord does not expect Christians to wear a partisan or condescending outlook in our assembly or outside it. Christianity has given the world a "royal law" that disavows looking down on the deprived in order to please the rich. James says those who flout such a creed that has benefited humanity are "transgressors". We do not only need to embrace the law wholeheartedly in the home and in our congregations, we also need to practise it in our workplaces. We must be doers of the Word.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*The ripple effects of the advent of Christ are ageless.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *EPHESIANS 1-3*📜📜 Christianity's All-Time Impact https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 75: THE CHURCH'S IS ONE FOUNDATION; GHS 49: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU; AND GHS 232: BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna29thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [28/07, 9:58 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```WEDNESDAY 29TH JULY, 2026``` *DON'T GIVE UP!* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️💪🏽🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽✌🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:ISAIAH 43:2-7```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (ISAIAH 43:2).*_ *In February 2025, in Winterset, Iowa, U.S.A., Keigan Reisor, a 16-year-old secondary school student, found himself and his family trapped in their home by a sudden flood. Torrential rains had overwhelmed rivers and drainage systems, and in hours, water was rising fast around their house. Keigan's mother panicked, and his younger sister cried. They were scared and had no way out, and the roads turned into rivers.* *But Keigan remembered a verse he had learned in youth group: Isaiah 43:2. He held onto that verse as a lifeline. Instead of panicking, he began praying aloud and singing worship songs to calm his sister and encourage his mother. After hours of waiting in the cold, a rescue team arrived in boats and helped the family to safety.* *The phrase 'fear not' and its variants appear over eighty times in the King James Version of the Bible, emphasising the significance of trusting God always, giving no room for worry. Fear weakens faith and hinders one from receiving from God. All things are possible with God, and if you trust Him, nothing shall be impossible.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Fear weakens faith.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Only believe, nothing is impossible with God.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, increase my faith.*_ Don't Give Up! https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday29thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [28/07, 9:58 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```WEDNESDAY 29TH JULY, 2026``` *THE MOTE AND THE BEAM* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️👥😡😠⚠️‼️🛑❌🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```MATTHEW 7:1-5```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" (Matthew 7:3).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 In the examination hall, Emily spotted Olivia copying answers from a tiny piece of paper she had sneaked in. She tried asking for answers to one of the questions but Olivia refused, for fear of being caught. Because of this, Emily raised her hand and reported Olivia to the teacher, who seized the piece of paper; and after much pleadings, asked her to start all over on a new, fresh answer script. However, towards the end of the examination, the teacher noticed that Emily was restless and behaving in a suspicious way. She walked up to her table and asked her to raise her answer booklet. Lo and behold, there was a full page of all the answers neatly scribbled. The teacher wrote *"CHEATED"* on her examination answer booklet in bold letters and walked her out of the examination hall. Check yourself! Do you engage in stealing, cheating, backbiting, and other vices that you condemn in other people? *Like Jesus warned, you're to remove the log of wood in your own eyes before removing the speck from others. It is true that you cannot give out what you don't have. Instead of always pointing accusing fingers at others, examine yourself and pray to be free from every form of sinful behaviour. That done, it will be a lot easier to correct and point out the way of salvation to others. Your life is a book before the world, does it point them to Jesus?* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, please help me not to be a hypocrite.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Luke 6:39-42* The Mote And The Beam https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk29thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [28/07, 9:58 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* WEDNESDAY, 29TH JULY, 2026. *AVOID PARTIALITY: IT IS SIN* *TEXT:* JAMES 2:1-9. 1.My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. *Timeless Truth:*_"But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors"_ (James 2:9). *INTRODUCTION* Partiality and favouritism are part of the mark of the corrupted adamic nature. God is impartial and He expects His children to reflect His character in their relationships with others. Favouritism is the act of treating people differently based on their appearance, wealth, social status, tribe or influence. Scriptures strongly condemn this attitude because it contradicts the gospel of Christ, who died for all and takes every soul to be equally in need of redemption. Every believer must guard against prejudice and show the same love and respect to everyone, knowing that all people are created in God's image. *1. The Commandment against Favouritism* a.James begins with a direct command: *"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ... with respect of persons."* The Christian faith is incompatible with favouritism and partiality. Genuine faith in Christ cannot coexist with partiality. God created each soul with His breath, He gave the same life to all and made the same heaven for all without discrimination. The gospel is the same and the conditions for salvation are the same for all. It is the same Rapture for all believers. The Gospel of Christ breaks all barriers, via social, race, status, education and wealth. During Christ days here on earth, He welcomed the rich and the poor, the influential and the rejected without discrimination. When believers show favouritism, they misrepresent the nature of Christ and weaken the testimony of the Church. b. The faith of Christ is a leveler. *"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus"* (Galatians 3:28). True Christianity values people because of who they are before God, not because of what they possess. *Question* Does my attitude towards people reflect Christ's impartial love or am I influenced by their social status and outward appearance? *2. Cases of Favouritism* a. James illustrates favouritism with the example of giving the wealthy man a place of honour while humiliating the poor man. Such conduct exposes worldly thinking and evil motives. Definitely, people have different positions and some are given special honour because of their positions. However, giving honour to such people should not translate to dishonouring or disrespecting others. Everyone should be given due honour and respect. *"Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king"* (1 Peter 2:17). The Church should be a place where everyone receives equal dignity and acceptance. Judging people by external appearance instead of godly character creates division and dishonours God. Believers must consciously reject every form of discrimination based on wealth, education, ethnicity or influence. b.Those who are partial *"are become judges of evil thoughts"* because it involves pride, deriding and degrading God's creatures in their thoughts. The Scriptures ask, *"Who maketh thee to differ?"*. All God's human creations regardless of race, social and material status are equal before Him. Also, in the day of judgment, there will be no special consideration or special treatment of anybody before God. God will judge without any partiality where everybody will be naked before Him and the servant will be freed from their masters. *Question* Do I ever treat someone differently because of his or her appearance, possessions, position or background? *3. Concerns Over Favouritism* a.James gives serious reasons why favouritism is sinful and does not make sense. The people who are poor are often more serious with their faith than those we specially esteem because of who and what they possess. *"Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?"*. The people Jesus chose as His disciples were not even lettered men and yet they were the people who *"turned the world upside down"* and their ministries remain blessings to generations after them. God has often chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom. Ironically, some of those receiving preferential treatment are sometimes the very people who oppress the poor. b. Above all, favouritism violates the royal law: *"Love your neighbour as yourself."* Anyone who practices partiality becomes guilty of sin before God. Love cannot be selective; it must be impartial, sincere and Christ-like. *Question* Am I fulfilling the royal law of love by treating every person with equal respect and compassion? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, forgive me for every form of favouritism, prejudice and partiality in my heart 🙏. 2.Father, fill me with Christ's love so that I will treat every person with dignity and respect 🙏. 3.Purge Your Church from all carnal discriminations and favouritism 🙏. 4.Lord, help our church to reflect Your impartial nature and welcome everyone without discrimination🙏. *HYMN:* The way of the cross leads home *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* EPHESIANS 1-3. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ⏤ Romans 8:15 The greatest privilege of prayer is not what you can get from God, but simply to be with God. ⏤ A.W. Tozer It is a great comfort, our Father, to always be able to come to You with our needs. It is reassuring to know that You are truly our Father. We understand something of what fatherhood means to a child, and it is wonderful to know that You are our divine Father, not just in name, but in all that a father can be to a child—You are to us, and even more, as Your divinity is greater than humanity. Help us to know You as our Father, to trust in Your fatherly love for us, and in Your fatherly care. Grant us the spirit of being Your children, the spirit of adoption, that we may look up to You and say, "Abba, Father!" May we be obedient children, doing all that You ask us to do. May we honor You as children are taught to honor their parents. May our commitment and our actions be worthy of You. Let us never do anything that would bring dishonor to You. May Your image be reflected in our lives so clearly and brightly that everyone who sees us will see Your divine fatherly qualities shining through us. Today, as we go out into the world, we ask that we may indeed go as Your children. We will need Your protection. The world is full of dangers, subtle enemies, insidious influences, and crafty evils. We cannot take care of ourselves—so we ask You to take care of us. Hide us away in the secret of Your presence, from the strife of tongues. We will need Your sustaining grace for every step of the way—grace upon grace. Just as the flowers cannot live without Heaven's dew, rain, and sunshine—so neither can we live without Your love and strength. Fill us with Your Spirit. Pour Your love into our hearts. Then we will be able to live lives worthy of Your children. We ask all this in Jesus' precious name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/24/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Jump In All The Way Text: Ezekiel 11:1 Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of YHWH'S house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people. Ezekiel 47:1-5 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. (2) Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. (3) And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. (4) Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. (5) Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. Ezekiel 47:9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. I. Ezekiel is taken to the house of YHWH. • By the way, that’s always the place the blessings start – in the house of YHWH. • You hang around the assembly house, like this one, and you’ll get blessed sooner or later. • The water began at the house of YHWH. • What better place is there to get saved in. • What better place is there to grow spiritually? • The best place to invest your life is the assembly. • The best place to invest your tithe is the assembly. • More people get saved at the altar of a scripture preaching assembly than all other places put together. Romans 8:13-15 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of YHWH, they are the sons of YHWH. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Children should be taught that sabbath morning they go to Assembly. After all you make your children go to school. As Ezekiel walked 1/3 of a mile the water got ankle deep, another 1/3 of a mile knee deep, another 1/3 of a mile waist deep, another 1/3 of a mile it was over his head and he was swimming. The first step was this: 01. He kept on walking. Are you saved? Okay. 02. Get Baptized. Are you Baptized? Okay. 03. Join an Assembly. Have you joined an Assembly? Okay. 04. Start Tithing. Are you tithing? Okay. 05. Start working for YHWH. Okay. 06. Read your Bible every day. Are you reading your Bible every day? Okay. 07. Spend some time alone with YHWH every day. Are you doing that? Okay. 08. Lead someone to Messiah. Be a witness for Him. 09. But keep on walking eastward. Don’t ever stop! Keep on growing! II. The Water Was Ankle Deep • Shallow believers have stopped here. • Their feet are covered. • Get your feet busy for YHWH. • Go deeper. III. The Water Was Knee Deep • Keep on growing in grace until you become a man or a woman of prayer. • Some of you have been saved for 10 or 20 years and are still wading in ankle deep. • The water has never gotten up to your knees yet. • You don’t know a thing about the power of prayer. • Get in the water up to your knees! • Fall down on your face before YHWH. • Some of you have never made your way down to an old fashioned alter. • Get in the water up to your knees! Move the hand of YHWH! IV. The Water Was Up To His Loins. • The loins represent strength. • The scriptures say to gird up your loins. • Be Strong! Ephesians 6:10-11 (10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in YHWH, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armour of YHWH, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. • Don’t get discouraged easily! • Don’t be a quitter! • Be strong in YHWH! V. Jump In Over Your Head. • The deeper I get in the water, the less of me that shows. • And the less of my flesh that is magnified. • The reason you don’t win souls is because of the flesh. • The reason you don’t pray is because of the flesh. • The reason you don’t stand for YHWH as a strong believer is because of the flesh. • So, jump in all the way! Conclusion: Are you content with a mediocre life with Messiah? Are you barely covering your feet this? YHWH wants you to keep going eastward! Don’t stop growing. YHWH has been good to us. We owe our lives and all that we have to Him!

Hello, I would like to share with you the message from 27 juillet 2026 from “The Good Seed” daily calendar. Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1) Christian freedom Christ has led all who believe in Him into a wonderful freedom. As those who have been redeemed, we are free from the yoke of the law to obey the Lord out of love.  Unfortunately, not all Christians live in this freedom. Some think they must adhere to this or that, or else they will be lost again. But this contradicts the teaching of the Word of God. Especially in the letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul counters this misconception. He defends Christian freedom and urges us to hold onto it firmly.  1. Believers are freed from the law as the basis of their justification before God: “A man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16). It is not keeping God’s commandments that makes us righteous before God, but our faith in the Redeemer: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).  2. Those who are redeemed are freed from the law as the basis of their relationship with God: “to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:5). We can never become children and sons of God by following the law. We enter into this relationship with Him only through faith in the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross. Now, we know God as our Father. Today’s reading: Joshua 5:1-15 – 1 Corinthians 3:11-23