God has placed you where you are for a purpose.

Share this with someone who needs courage to step into God's calling.

#Esther414 #ForSuchATimeAsThis #GodsPurpose #GodsTiming #BeCourageous #WalkInFaith #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #PurposeInChrist #Lordsbook

THAT WAS THEN. THIS IS NOW. BUT WHAT HAPPENED THEN CAN HAPPEN AGAIN.

When we read the book of Acts, we see a church marked by boldness, prayer, sacrifice, biblical conviction, community, mission, and an unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.

https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/23/that-was-then-this-is-now-but-it-can-happen-again/

The early church wasn't perfect. Scripture openly records its struggles, disagreements, and failures. But there was something unmistakable about those believers:

Christ had the preeminence.
 They feared God more than people.
 They prayed believing God could move.
 They were willing to sacrifice for the gospel.
 They lived with eternity in view.
 They confronted sin while extending grace.
 They cared deeply about reaching people with Jesus.

The question isn't whether we can somehow recreate the first century.
The question is whether we are willing to recover those same spiritual priorities in the twenty-first century.
Before pointing at everything wrong with the church today, we should ask:

Lord, what needs to change in me?

Am I more concerned with God's approval or people's approval?
Am I willing to stand for truth when it costs me something?
Is Jesus truly first in my life?
Do I pray expecting God to work?
Am I more passionate about the gospel than my preferences?
Do I live like eternity is real?

We don't simply need better programs, bigger churches, or newer strategies.

We need Christ-centered churches filled with surrendered people who believe the gospel is true, Jesus is alive, eternity is real, and the mission is worth our lives.

Maybe our prayer needs to become very simple:

Lord, do it again.

Read the full blog and consider what it would look like for the church—and for each of us individually—to recover the passion, courage, holiness, prayer, and mission we see in the book of Acts.

#ChurchRevival #BookOfActs #JesusChrist #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #Faith #Prayer #Repentance #GreatCommission #Gospel #FollowJesus #ChristianChurch #SpiritualRenewal

Monday Encouragement — Now Let Us Live What We Believe

Blessings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

Yesterday we had the wonderful privilege of gathering with God’s people on the Lord’s Day. We worshiped our sovereign God, heard His precious Word proclaimed, prayed together, and were reminded once again of the saving grace that is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ.

But now Monday has arrived.

The worship service has ended, but our worship has not.

Today we return to our homes, workplaces, ministries, communities, responsibilities, and challenges. And this is where the truth we heard yesterday must become visible in the way we live today.

It is easy to proclaim our trust in God while surrounded by fellow believers on Sunday. The greater challenge comes on Monday when difficulties return, unexpected problems arise, and the noise of this world begins competing for our attention.

Yet the God we worshiped yesterday is the same God who walks with us today.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” — Hebrews 13:8

Whatever this week brings, let us resist the temptation to immediately depend upon our own understanding and strength. Before making decisions, pray. When difficulties arise, pray. When opportunities appear, pray. When someone needs encouragement, ask God to give you the words to speak.

And wherever the Lord places us this week, let us remember that we carry something this world desperately needs—the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are not called merely to observe the darkness around us. We have been commanded to carry the Light into it.

There may be someone God places before you this week who needs to hear that there is hope. Someone may need to experience Christian compassion. Someone may simply need to see through your life that Jesus Christ truly makes a difference.

Let us therefore begin this week asking one simple question:

“Lord, how can You use me today for Your glory?”

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” — Colossians 3:23

May the Lord guide our steps, guard our hearts, strengthen our faith, and give us courage to faithfully proclaim Christ wherever He sends us.

Yesterday we gathered to worship.

Today we go forth to serve.

Serving Christ Together for His Glory Alone.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Conflict and Courage.
Habakkuk
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4.
At the time Josiah began to rule, and for many years before, the truehearted in Judah were questioning whether God's promises to ancient Israel could ever be fulfilled....

These anxious questionings were voiced by the prophet Habakkuk. Viewing the situation of the faithful in his day, he expressed the burden of his heart in the inquiry: “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!” ... And then, his faith reaching out beyond the forbidding prospect of the immediate future, and laying fast hold on the precious promises that reveal God's love for His trusting children, the prophet added, “We shall not die.” With this declaration of faith he rested his case, and that of every believing Israelite, in the hands of a compassionate God....

The faith that strengthened Habakkuk and all the holy and the just in those days of deep trial was the same faith that sustains God's people today. In the darkest hours, under circumstances the most forbidding, the Christian believer may keep his soul stayed upon the source of all light and power. Day by day, through faith in God, his hope and courage may be renewed. “The just shall live by his faith.” ...

We must cherish and cultivate the faith of which prophets and apostles have testified—the faith that lays hold on the promises of God and waits for deliverance in His appointed time and way. The sure word of prophecy will meet its final fulfillment in the glorious advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as King of kings and Lord of lords.... With the prophet who endeavored to encourage Judah in a time of unparalleled apostasy, let us confidently declare, “The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.” Let us ever hold in remembrance the cheering message, “The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come.” 36Prophets and Kings, 384-388.

Thank You, Lord, for Your Presence
Scripture: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5

Reflection: God’s presence is the steady anchor in every storm. You may not always feel Him, but He is always there — guiding, comforting, protecting, and whispering peace into your spirit. His presence turns fear into courage, loneliness into companionship, and uncertainty into trust. You are never walking alone, not for one moment, not in one valley, not in one struggle. His presence is your constant, your comfort, and your quiet strength.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being near to me in every moment. Let Your presence fill my heart with peace and confidence today. Amen.

MONDAY MORNING PRAYER
“THAT SETTLES IT!”
Scripture: Isaiah 55:1–11 (KJV)
Key Scripture:
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please...”
— Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)

Heavenly Father, in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, we come before You on this Monday morning giving You glory, honor, and praise!
Thank You, Lord, for waking us up to see another day and allowing us to enter another week. Before we look at our schedules, our responsibilities, our problems, or our circumstances, we look to You. You are still God. You are still faithful. Your promises are still true, and Your Word still stands!
Your Word declares:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”
— Isaiah 55:8
Father, when we don't understand what You are doing, help us to trust what You have said. When Your way doesn't look like our way, remind us that Your wisdom is higher than ours. When we cannot trace Your hand, give us faith to trust Your heart.
If You said it, THAT SETTLES IT!
When fear says, “It won't work,” Your Word says:
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.”
— Isaiah 54:17
THAT SETTLES IT!
When worry says, “How are you going to make it?” Your Word says:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:19
THAT SETTLES IT!
When sickness, weakness, and pain try to discourage us, Your Word says:
“For I am the LORD that healeth thee.”
— Exodus 15:26
THAT SETTLES IT!
When the enemy tries to remind us of our past, Your Word says:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 8:1
THAT SETTLES IT!
When circumstances tell us there is no way, Jesus declares:
“With God all things are possible.”
— Matthew 19:26
THAT SETTLES IT!
Father, Isaiah 55:10–11 reminds us that just as the rain and snow come down from heaven and accomplish their purpose, Your Word will accomplish what You sent it to do.
Your Word will not return void!
So this Monday morning, we choose to stop arguing with what You have already spoken. We will not allow fear to have the final word. We will not allow people to have the final word. We will not allow circumstances to have the final word. We will not allow the doctor's report, the bank account, the workplace, the opposition, or yesterday's failures to have the final word.
GOD, YOU HAVE THE FINAL WORD!
Go before us this week, Lord. Order our steps. Guard our families. Cover our homes. Protect our children and grandchildren. Strengthen marriages. Restore relationships. Open doors that no man can shut. Provide for every need. Give wisdom for every decision. Bring peace into troubled minds and strength to weary hearts.
Where there is confusion, speak peace.
Where there is sickness, release healing.
Where there is lack, release provision.
Where there is discouragement, restore hope.
Where there are closed doors, direct us to the doors You have ordained.
And where the enemy has spoken lies, give us the courage to answer him with THE WORD OF GOD!
For You declared:
“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace...”
— Isaiah 55:12 (KJV)
Therefore, we will enter this week with JOY!
We will walk through this week with PEACE!
We will face this week with FAITH!
We don't have to know every detail because You already know the outcome.
We don't have to understand everything because Your ways are higher than our ways.
We don't have to fear tomorrow because Your Word has already gone before us.
And according to Isaiah 55:11, what You have spoken shall accomplish Your purpose!
So we put a period where the enemy keeps trying to put a question mark.
GOD SAID IT.
WE BELIEVE IT.
HIS WORD WILL ACCOMPLISH IT.
AND THAT SETTLES IT!
In the mighty, powerful, undefeated name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
AMEN, AMEN, AND AMEN!

DECLARATION...
I DECLARE that I will begin this week standing firmly on the Word of God!
I will not be controlled by what I see, what I hear, or how I feel.
God's Word is my final authority!
His thoughts are higher than my thoughts.
His ways are higher than my ways.
His promises will not fail.
His Word will not return void.
What God has promised, He is able to perform!
I declare that I will walk in faith instead of fear, peace instead of anxiety, confidence instead of doubt, and victory instead of defeat.
GOD SAID IT!
I BELIEVE IT!
HIS WORD WILL ACCOMPLISH IT!
THAT SETTLES IT!
In Jesus' Name — AMEN!

August 24
“WHO GOD IS TO ME”
THE ONE WHO WALKS WITH ME
Isaiah 43:2 (LLV) —
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and the flame will not consume you.”
There are promises
we might wish
God had made.
“You will never
face deep water.”
“You will never
walk through fire.”
“You will never
experience anything
that frightens you.”
But God
does not say
those things.
He says,
“When you pass
through the waters…”
“When you pass
through the rivers…”
“When you walk
through the fire…”
Not if.
When.
Faith does not
exempt us
from difficult
places.
But neither
does difficulty
mean God
has abandoned us.
“I will
be with you.”
Perhaps those
are the words
we need most
when the water
begins to rise.
God does not
always stand
on the distant shore
and call,
“Keep going.
You'll make it.”
He enters
the water
with us.
When the river
is stronger
than we are,
He is there.
When circumstances
feel overwhelming,
He is there.
When we find
ourselves walking
through something
we never imagined
we would face,
He is there.
And notice
another important word:
“through.”
The water
is not
our destination.
The river
is not
our home.
The fire
is not
the end
of our story.
We pass
through them.
Sometimes
God delivers us
by removing
the difficulty.
Sometimes
He delivers us
by carrying us
through it.
And sometimes,
only after
we reach
the other side,
do we look back
and realize
how faithfully
He was with us
every step
of the way.
We may enter
the water
afraid.
We may enter
the fire
wondering
how we will
possibly endure.
But we never
enter
alone.
The God
who promised,
“I will
be with you,”
does not leave
when the road
becomes difficult.
That is precisely
when His presence
becomes
most precious.
A new beginning sometimes lies on the other side of deep water:
I do not need a life without difficult passages; I need the assurance that God will walk through them with me.
Reflection: Am I interpreting a difficult season as evidence that God has left me, or am I looking for His presence with me in the middle of it?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You never promise from a distance. When I pass through deep waters, You are with me. When circumstances threaten to overwhelm me, You remain beside me. When I must walk through the fire, help me trust Your presence more than I fear the flames. Give me courage for today's passage and faith to remember that I am only passing through. In Jesus' name, Amen.

You were placed where you are for such a time as this.

Share this with someone who needs courage to step into God's calling.

#Esther414 #SuchATimeAsThis #GodsPurpose #WalkInPurpose #BeCourageous #GodsTiming #FaithInAction #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

Have you accepted the Lord as your Saviour? Trusting the Lord and walking in His courage brings His salvation and strength to any situation we face. Thank you Lord for your salvation, when I put my trust in you.