Our hero makes a cup of Turkish coffee, gets his pack of cigarettes, and goes into his room, responding to some emails and messages, then goes to exercise in his home gym; the workout is the same with dumbbells, sometimes light barbell deadlifts, and simple moves with weights.
He posts the workout live on YouTube; he has a YouTube channel, even though he does not know why he cares, but it gives him something to do when there is no work; it was a Monday; that's when he goes to church for bible study and a family prayer meeting.

Being a Coptic Orthodox Christian is different; he loves the church, but he is always uneasy and confused and does not know where he stands about his faith; he believes in the creed.

He was born on 9/9/1986; now he is 39 years old, has a lot more wisdom and knowledge about life and work, and he tries to follow Christ, but he always feels like he is not doing enough; being with mental illness determines what he can and cannot do, although he may pass as totally normal.

It goes into his head: what is normal, who defines it, or how being normal can be defined; he is like 60% analytical, and the rest is just total and utterly unrealistic “he is out of his mind in the remaining 40%.”

He comes back from church, takes his medication, and goes to sleep. He dreams of his father; they are having a conversation. Before he gets up, he tells his father I will talk to you when I get up, that is weird.
:
His father passed away like 10 years ago, and before that he had progressive supranuclear palsy and became paralyzed for the last 10 years of his life.

This is the way with dreams, unrealistic and never complete, but sometimes his thinking is more unrealistic than his dreams.
But if you ask him what his dreams are, he will not be able to answer; this is a question that he never had an answer to.

Others dream of fame and fortune, but he thinks being unknown is amazing. Money for what? All lives start the same and end the same; money can buy luxuries that are unessential, and the most expensive foods, which go down the same.


The world is fascinated with Alion Musk, President Trump and Mohamed Slah, without noticing the sacrifices they had to make, to live for their work and it only, they may look happy, they do what they love so they are happy, so do the work that makes you happy, but life and work is not that simple, young adults get married and within after 9 months their first born, they are not ready, but it is dictated by the community they live in, and it is a disaster not to have kids after 2 years of marriage, that is if the relationship happens in the context of marriage.

This is thought that passed through his head, he realizes that he does not conform with his community and church, he grew up in a mix of ideas and beliefs, adding to that the tragedies that happened in his life, these morphed the person he is now, he believes in Christ, he loves others as he loves himself, but he knows that not one denomination has a monopoly on Christianity and that only God knows the hearts of his creation.

But when he enters his church, he feels that God is truly present with him. When he listens to Christian songs that praise and glorify God, his spirit rejoices, and he feels a deep sense of peace and closeness to Him. He is also inspired by the way Catholics serve their communities, helping those in need and putting their faith into action through love, compassion, and service.

But all these thoughts just hit a wall when he tries to articulate them to someone, specially to Orthodox and Catholics, he sees great understanding in Evangelicals.

He realizes that those thoughts pop up because he has not gotten a project in a long time, but that is freelancing for you, he was unable to hold a steady paying job for more than 5 days, most of those was call center jobs, others were busboy jobs, he did not understand life as he does now.

He works from home, but like all freelance jobs there is no steady salary, that is a problem for when and if the miracle happens and he finds a wife, it is not only the age and work it is also the medication he must take.

May be deep down he think he does not deserve love; he cannot imagine his life with a wife and kids, how can he have children to face this life in this world, how can he repeat the cycle, and of course his feelings of impending doom and end, he is fascinated with Bible prophesy and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today he has a confession, he goes in and tries his best, he confesses his hesitation in the Orthodox faith, and that he cannot fast and be ready for communion, with his condition and all.

He is sure of one thing that gods answer his prayers all of them, something happens and he remembers he prayed for that a long time ago, some answers are in the way.

The medication timing can make or break the patient’s life, taking a sedating medication in the morning is very counterproductive, and if psychiatrists have their way all patients will be walking zombies, he sees this happens.

Talking about the hospital, anyone how goes there may see it as a horrible place, he sees it as therapeutic, when you see people who can’t walk or unable to take care of their basic needs you really thank God for everything you can do and have.

He sometimes thinks of his father and the cross he caried, to be totally paralyzed for 9 years, unable to speak, unable to move, unable to eat sold food, his father was a good man, he has his downfalls, but he had a good heart.

Our hero remembers his first day in university, he was young and outright weird, with his father in this condition, he was unable to adapt, this is when his illness started, he tried his best to study but after his father passed away, he left this university in his third year.

At the beginning of his healing journey his psychologist and mother were trying to push him to have a social life, like going to church meetings and university and other social events, she is a virtuous woman but narrowminded.

“The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.” — 2 Peter 3:9–10 (CSB)

God’s apparent delay is not forgetfulness or weakness—it is an expression of His patience and mercy, giving people opportunity to repent and turn to Him. Yet His patience should never be mistaken for the absence of coming judgment; Peter warns that the day of the Lord will arrive unexpectedly. These verses hold grace and judgment together: God patiently offers salvation today, but we are not promised tomorrow. They remind us to live ready, share the gospel faithfully, and never take God’s mercy for granted.

THIS IS BAPHOMET


This lesson will be a little different as we will address the urgency of this topic. Baphomet was one of the early child sacrificing gods of the Bible days. But here is the issue. The worship of Baphomet continues to this day. It is Satanism pure and simple.

Worship entailed having sexual intercourse with temple priests and prostitutes. Baphomet is a creature with both male and female genitalia. Female breasts with male arms and legs. Baphomet worship is a fulfillment of base sexual desires and deviance. It is foundational homosexuality from the source that inspires homosexuality, Satan.

It is necessary as a follower of Baphomet to sacrifice your children to him. In Bible days, that meant placing your infant to one year old child into the white-hot metal arms of a Baphomet idol and worshipping as your child writhes in excruciating pain before dying. Yes, to this day there are Captains of industry, government leaders and Hollywood elites who gather to offer the life of their children to Baphomet.

Today's worship of Baphomet still accepts the human sacrifices, but an additional provision was added. “Sacrificing your child” could mean doing so and devoting their continued life in service as a priest of Baphomet. What did that entail? It required the forced removal of a male's sexual organs. The new “priest” would live out his remaining days as a neutered sex object accepting the offerings of others.

Do you understand that the push for accepting homosexuality in this country was always headed here? That it wasn't tolerance they wanted, or acceptance. Do you understand now why so many on the left have transgendered children? How the transgendered lunacy has resulted in government leaders too afraid to even define the word, “woman”.

Within the past decade there has been another shift in culture to demonize Biblical stances and adults nowadays refuse to define the word, ‘woman’ because to do so would go counter to their agenda. So the madness that it is allowing men into locker rooms or women's bathrooms, and insisting against all science that they are a different kind of woman is not a mental deficiency, it is part and parcel of their Satanic agenda.

Does it begin to make more sense that liberal women now stand supporting a mentally ill woman who strangled her 3 children? Anything to support victimizing the innocent is front and center in todays world as a great thing.

Statistically speaking transgendered individuals make up 1% of a population of 3 to 5% of homosexuals but celebrities have 4 children, all of whom are transgendered now. This is a combination of mental illness and a demonic intent. They cannot be reasoned with, they will not apply the simplest of logic or understand reality because they can't. Why? They told us.

Earlier last year a parade of homosexuals marched through the streets chanting, “We're here. We're queer. And we're coming for your children. “ But to share the video or comment on it was somehow “phobic”. So they can openly admit to wanting to rape your children, but for us to point it out becomes problematic.

And we look around now and what used to be considered common sense is now considered bigotry. The absolute hatred that is displayed against anyone calling into question allowing a male to compete unfairly against women in sports isn't about acceptance, or equality it is rooted in the worship of Satan.

Look at the rage on the videos of the mentally ill men online screaming “It's she, I'm a she.” Or, “It's ma'am.” That is not rational. It is not natural, it is demonic. This is not political, the leftist devotion to all things anti-god has been an issue for decades. But when adults in a school charged with keeping our kids safe covers up a trans student raping a girl in the bathroom, transferring him to another school where it happens again, you know there's an evil behind it. They would rather girls get raped than to possibly offend a homosexual and will go to great lengths not only to cover it up, but to allow it to happen again.

No, what we see with Britney Griner and Lea Thompson is lackluster mediocre male athletes who aren't capable of competing against men now “declaring themselves female” so they can steal scholarships and positions from females. These men are doing this out of greed and indifference but the people defending them have a clear Satanic agenda.

Even though the individuals themselves may not be aware, this is not a rights issue, it started as and continues as pagan worship. It is a demonic stance that God has made clear He hates.

When you realize that the whole effort to deny the most basic biological fact that there are only 2 genders is not about rights, not about acceptance, it is clear that any organization or church supporting this is of a Satanic origin. They've said as much.

So when you see celebrities with multiple children who they've adopted and then altered to become transgendered ministers of Baphomet, now you understand. They've surrendered the future to Satan creating a generation of infertile devotees to a blood cult.

They must be removed from power and influence but they won't be because this is where we were always headed with the issue of homosexuality. To a culture that is either too afraid to speak up when children are being cut from the womb to be eaten by Baphomet fanatics, or they will follow cultural norms and will do nothing to stop it.

Pray, brothers and sisters in Christ. Because Jesus is coming to His own and these unbelievers will be tossed unceremoniously into the pit of eternal fire to suffer eternally. Along with every lukewarm Christian who didn't want to make a stand out of fear of consequences. Now is the time to make a stand.

A brotherhood that tested every piece of my soul in combat never prepared me for the pain of having my family stuck in limbo.

My name is Jesse Preston. I spent 14 years on Active Duty in the U.S. Army, Airborne and Air Assault qualified. I served three combat tours in Iraq between 2003 and 2010, and a tour in South Korea in 2007. I bled, sacrificed, and gave over a decade of my life in service to the United States because I believed in honor, loyalty, and standing up for what is right.

Now, I am fighting the hardest battle of my life—and it isn’t on a battlefield. It’s for my own family.

Since November 2023, I have been living abroad because I refuse to abandon my wife, Miheret Beksissa, and our baby daughter, Jessica. Imagine if I had listened to the system and waited back home in America alone, staring at an empty nursery, thousands of miles away from my infant child and the woman God gave me to protect. A combat veteran doesn’t leave his family behind.

We did everything right. We followed every single law. We poured our hard-earned money—over $4,000 just to begin the I-130 and DS-260 with our lawyer, paid every required government fee, and paid another $1,500 for our daughter’s CRBA and U.S. passport. Jessica is a U.S. citizen. Miheret was approved for her immigrant visa through our marriage.

Our journey started in January 2024, and we were so close to coming home. But because immigrant visas for Ethiopians were paused under the current administration policy, our life is on hold. The process is dragging out indefinitely, leaving us stranded in uncertainty.

We are devout, faithful Christians who just want to raise our daughter in the country I wore the uniform to defend. Every day, I look at my daughter and my wife, and my heart breaks knowing that the very system I served is keeping us from starting our life together on American soil.

Please, brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray that the doors are opened, that red tape is cut, and that our family can finally go home to America together. If this touches your heart, please share our story.

Pray for us!

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

I told you about our trying out a new translation ap so that my friend and I can communicate without someone to translate for us. She is my husband’s age and then there is my catawampus brain. I told you about how we laughed so hard and loud that I got into trouble … haha. Let me give you another giggle from that wonderful ap.

Yesterday while I was cooking dinner, my oldest little came and asked for help with her new baby doll that needed batteries. I told her to go see Opa because he had the screwdrivers. She did. Then she came back to ask for batteries. I looked all over my house and found batteries in every size but the one I needed. As I was trying to explain that we would go to the store after dinner, my German disappeared. So I asked, “Kanst du liesen?” which in my version of German is “Can you read?” She said yes. I was like Yes, I can use the app. I typed that we would go to the Dollar Store after dinner and turned the phone for her to read. I asked if she understood. She shook her head. I looked at the phone and the words looked wrong. (All languages have a vibe and this was not right.) The app had reset itself to Spanish. So, no, my German little could not read the Spanish translation. We giggled. I fixed it. She understood.

Later, my daughter-in-law had a great conversation, in English, about how we each have the same fear. When we attempt the other’s language, we are afraid of saying the wrong word. This brought up some memories of when I tried to ask her in front of her house if s he remembered the keys … however, the word for keys is similar to shoes and castles. So I actually asked if she had her shoes, castles and then keys, trying to make my brain and mouth work together.

There is a language barrier between us, but it is only a barrier if we allow the enemy to hold it between us. The barrier is only as strong as we allow it to be. Fear is a powerful tool and can keep you from trying new things. Such as … having a conversation with someone who speaks a different language. Last year, when they came, I purchased translating ear buds; they were slow on the translation and sometimes did not translate. This year we are trying the app and if I make sure it is set to German and English, I have even attempted to pronounce what it tells me. The attempt is there. The love is there. The barrier is coming down one word, one attempt, one text at a time. As we endeavor to be able to speak to each other, play goofy nugget games and faces with each other, breaking through the barrier one brick at a time … we take away the enemy’s fortress.

The enemy would have us all cowering in our little corners, afraid and resistant to step out in faith. But … I was not made to live in fear. I was not made to cower. I was made to step out in the power of Jesus Christ and share his Peace and Love while planting seeds of hope.

Today I encourage you to seek His face. Lay at His feet the barriers that you are facing, the fear that has you stationary, the battles that seem to be holding you back in your mind. I urge you step out in the faith and power of the Father and watch the fear barriers crumble. I am not completely confident in speaking German, but when it does start coming out … even if it is wrong…I tried. Trying is half the battle.

Be blessed.

**For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Amazing Facts
Daily Devotionals

If the righteous dead do not go directly to heaven, then how was it that Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration?
August 21, 2026
Read Time: 2 min

It’s interesting that the very last thing the Old Testament says is, “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant,” and, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet” (Malachi 4:4, 5). Then in Matthew 17:3, we find these two Bible heroes appearing with Jesus and three of His disciples on a mountaintop. This is an important story!

First, the Bible teaches that Elijah never died and was taken in a fiery chariot to heaven (2 Kings 2:11). There are a few instances in the Bible when God takes people directly to Himself (see Genesis 5:24). But that is obviously not the case for the majority of Earth’s inhabitants. The Scriptures teach that even David did not ascend to heaven at death but is in the grave (Acts 2:34).

So, if Moses died, as is stated in Deuteronomy 34:5, then how could he appear on the Mount of Transfiguration with Elijah and Jesus? There is a reference in Jude 9 that gives us a window into what happened to Moses after his death. “Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’ ” (Jude 9).

Michael, which is one of the names for Christ (see Daniel 10:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; and Revelation 12:7), was a ruler over the angels and resurrected Moses. (See page 109.) Even Jewish tradition states that three days after Moses died, the Lord came and raised him up.

There is another example of a “special” resurrection; it occurred after Jesus died on the cross. “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:52, 53). This was an unusual occurrence, obviously. Most of us will be raised when the Lord comes the second time.

Key Bible Texts
And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. (Mark 9:4 KJV)

DAILY LEADERSHIP BOOST (DLB)

FRIDAY, 21 AUGUST 2026

THE HERESY OF JESUS NOT COMING

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?” 2 Peter 3:3-4 KJV

Leaders, we are living in the days Peter warned about.
There is a heresy rising in our time. It is the quiet, subtle teaching that “Jesus is not really coming.” It sounds like wisdom. It sounds like patience. But it is unbelief dressed in theology.

Scoffers are saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” - 2 Peter 3:4. That is the voice of the last days. It tells you to settle down. To get comfortable. To build for 50 years and forget eternity. It makes the second coming sound distant, symbolic, or unnecessary.

But this heresy is dangerous because it produces sleepy Christians and careless leaders. When people stop believing Jesus is coming soon, they stop living holy. They stop preaching the gospel with urgency. They start storing up for themselves and not for God. Luke 12:45-46 “But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming... The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him.”

The truth is clear. Jesus Himself promised, “Surely I come quickly.”_ Revelation 22:20. The apostles lived and died with this hope. Titus 2:13 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” The early church greeted each other with “Maranatha” — Our Lord, come. 1 Corinthians 16:22.

So how do we deal with this heresy?

First, anchor yourself in the Word, not in opinions: God is not slack concerning His promise. 2 Peter 3:9. The delay is mercy, so that more may repent. Don’t let mockers shake your faith. The same Bible that predicted His first coming with accuracy will be fulfilled in His second.

Second, reject the spirit of the age: The world wants you to believe that everything will continue as normal. But Peter says the heavens will pass away and the elements will melt. 2 Peter 3:10. This world is not our home. We are pilgrims. Hebrews 11:13-14. Live like it.

Third, preach and model the blessed hope: People follow what leaders believe. If you believe He is coming, you will live ready. You will disciple with eternity in view. You will correct sin in love because you know judgment is real. Jude 1:21 _“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Leaders, don’t let this generation be robbed of hope. Don’t let the pulpit go silent on the second coming because it is “unpopular.” The gospel without the return of Christ is half a gospel.

Jesus is coming. Not as a baby in a manger, but as King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 19:11-16. Let us not be found among the scoffers. Let us be found among the watchers.

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VafVatb11ulKTDXcjL3X

Prayer For Today
Father, forgive me for every time I have lived like Your coming is far away. Wash my mind from every heresy and every distraction. Set my heart on fire again for Your appearing. Keep me from scoffers and from spiritual slumber. Help me to live holy, preach boldly, and watch faithfully. I declare that Jesus is coming, and I will be ready. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today's Declaration
I reject the heresy that Jesus is not coming. I believe the Word. I live with the blessed hope. I am watching, I am working, and I am ready for my King.

Bible Reading Plan
2 Peter 3:1-14, Matthew 24:45-51, Jude 1:17-21, Titus 2:11-14, 1 John 2:18-28, Revelation 22:12-21

Today’s Action
Leaders, identify one place in your teaching or leadership where you have gone silent on the second coming. Correct it this week. Preach it, teach it, and live it.https://https://https://https://https://https://https://https://https://

August 21
“WHO GOD IS TO ME”
MY REFUGE
Psalm 46:1 (LLV) —
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
When trouble comes,
our first instinct
is often
to look
for somewhere
to escape.
Somewhere safe.
Somewhere
the storm
cannot reach us.
The psalmist
points us
toward such
a place.
“God is
our refuge.”
A refuge
is more
than shelter.
It is
a place
we can enter
when what surrounds us
feels stronger
than we are.
But notice:
The psalmist
does not promise
that those
who trust God
will never
experience trouble.
Quite the opposite.
He assumes
trouble
will come.
The promise
is that trouble
will never come
without God
being there.
He is
“a very present
help.”
Not distant.
Not unaware.
Not arriving
after everything
has settled down.
Present.
Right here.
Right now.
Sometimes
God changes
the circumstances
around us.
Sometimes
He gives us
strength
to walk
through circumstances
that do not change.
Either way,
we are not
alone.
That is why
the verse joins
two words:
“refuge”
and
“strength.”
God is
the shelter
we run to.
And God is
the strength
we receive
when we must
step outside
the shelter
and continue.
Later
in this psalm,
the earth moves.
Mountains shake.
Waters roar.
Nations rage.
The world
seems to be
coming apart.
Yet above
all that noise
comes the quiet
command:
“Be still,
and know
that I am God.”
Our refuge
is not found
in a life
where nothing
ever goes wrong.
Our refuge
is found
in knowing
that nothing
can happen
outside
the presence
of God.
A new beginning finds shelter here:
When trouble surrounds me, I do not have to search for God. He is already present in the middle of it with me.
Reflection: When trouble comes, is my first response to focus on everything going wrong, or to remember the God who is already present with me?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my refuge and my strength. When trouble comes and circumstances feel larger than I can handle, remind me that I do not face them alone. Help me run to You rather than to fear. Give me shelter when I need to rest and strength when I need to continue. Above all, help me recognize that You are already here—my very present help. In Jesus' name, Amen.

THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT THANKFULNESS

“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” —Luke 14:33

In her remarkable book The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom relates an amazing story about the importance of being thankful.
Corrie and her sister Betsie were held in a concentration camp known as Ravensbrück, where they lived in barracks that were plagued by fleas. Fleas were everywhere—in their hair and on their bodies. One day Betsie told Corrie they needed to give thanks for the fleas.

Corrie thought Betsie had gone too far. She couldn’t imagine thanking God for fleas. But Betsie insisted, reminding her sister that 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances” (NLT). Still, Corrie didn’t want to thank God for the fleas. But as it turned out, Corrie and Betsie were trying to reach the other women in their barracks with the message of the gospel, and they had been holding Bible studies. They found out later that because of the fleas, the guards would not go into those barracks, and therefore, the women were able to have their Bible studies. As a result, they had the freedom to minister to numerous women. So, God can use even fleas.

If the Bible said, “Be thankful in some circumstances,” I would say, “No problem there!” But it says, “Be thankful in all circumstances.” And that’s not an easy thing to do. Yet it’s necessary because “this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” It’s also beneficial.

Our attitude does, in fact, impact our circumstances. Being thankful won’t change events that have occurred, and it won’t prevent trials and suffering from coming our way. But when we lead with a spirit of thankfulness and joy, we change our relationship to our circumstances. We see them in a different light. We see them in the context of the big picture of God’s faithfulness.

This isn’t simply a matter of choosing to be a “glass half full” person or to “always look on the bright side of life.” It’s a matter of choosing to see God at work in our lives, no matter how bad our circumstances get. It’s a matter of wrapping ourselves in His presence when life threatens to overwhelm us. It’s a matter of staying in constant contact with Him during trials and never losing sight of the awesome privilege of being able to do so.

Maintaining a spirit of thankfulness will not only impact our lives, but it will also impact the lives of others in our orbit.
Nothing speaks louder about the life-changing potential of the Christian faith than a believer who remains faithful and thankful when things go bad.

First Thessalonians 5:18 doesn’t say we should be thankful for all circumstances, but rather in all circumstances. There are many things that happen that I’m not glad about. But I am glad that, despite the tragedies, God is still on the throne, and He is still in control of all circumstances that surround my life.

God bless you!