One failing of the American church today - there are surely others as well, but I'm going to focus on this one - is the lack of connection. The book of Acts tells us that the church met daily. House to house. Breaking bread. Of course with fellowship, and that would mean mutual support.

Now that does not mean we have to meet together every day. Nor does it mean that we must go from house to house. Our modern culture and society is different. And that's ok. We don't have to copy, to the detail, the methods of that time.

But the spirit of the idea should remain the same. But when the normal for us is to show up three minuets before the beginning of the Sunday morning service, and be in our cars driving away three minutes after the final benediction, we're never going to have connection with our fellow believers. You can't offer a quick handshake and a "how are you doing?" and a "good to see you," as we pass on down the aisle toward our own seat, and call that "being friendly."

You could do that every Sunday morning for years and never actually know the other person. Some of us remember when after Sunday morning church, we'd either invite someone to come have dinner at our house, or have someone invite us to theirs. It is over a meal that you get to know the person. What is that person, or that family going through right now? What might be the struggles they're dealing with?

But we seem to live in a time when nobody wants to know anything about our neighbor. That person, or that family who sits in the pew in front of us, or behind us. And we don't want anyone else to know about us either. Certainly not know our business. But that's not the accurate definition of a "body of Believers."

So what are we going to do to change that? Or would we rather keep it as it is. It's more tidy that way, we believe, and that's the way we seem to like it. But that is not the way of the church.

Today’s Walk in the Word is a brief devotional by Joe Barnett that appears Monday through Friday.



Aug 23, 2026 11:00 pm

Be Holy

Be holy, for I am holy.
—1 Peter 1:16

Justin Martyr’s First Apology (his defense of Christianity) was addressed to Emperor Antoninus Pius, challenging the emperor to examine the exemplary purity of Christians.

“As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Pt 1:15–16).

The primary meaning of holy is different. The secondary meaning of holy is pure. God is different from any other and pure like no other. Peter enjoins Christians to be different from others, with pure conduct shaped by God’s standards, rather than by prevailing culture.

In the next verse, Peter entreats Christians to “conduct yourselves throughout the times of your stay here in fear” (1 Pt 1:17)—not a cringing fear of punishment, but a respectful fear of misrepresenting your Savior and disappointing your Father.

Father,
I don’t want to disappoint you.
Amen

The post Be Holy appeared first on Pathway Evangelism, Inc..



share on Twitter Like Be Holy on Facebook

forward to a friend
Copyright © 2026 Pathway, All rights reserved.
We send this daily devotional to those who have signed up for it on our Web site.
Our mailing address is:
15500 Cutten Road #2101, Houston, TX 77070

Daily Devotion — August 24 | Acts 20:28 (NKJV)

Caring for What Belongs to Christ

As Paul met with the elders from the church at Ephesus, he gave them heartfelt instructions before departing. Knowing that challenges and false teachers would arise, he urged these spiritual leaders to first watch over their own lives and then faithfully shepherd God's people. Paul reminded them that the church does not belong to any individual—it belongs to God, having been purchased through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

This powerful verse highlights the incredible value God places on His church. Every believer is treasured because Christ willingly gave His life to redeem us. Those entrusted with spiritual leadership have the sacred responsibility of teaching God's Word faithfully, protecting the flock, and leading by godly example.

For believers today, this passage reminds us that whether we lead in a church, serve our family, or encourage fellow Christians, we are called to care for others with humility, love, and faithfulness. Because Christ gave everything for His people, we should also serve one another with grateful hearts.

Reflection Questions

1. Am I caring for my own spiritual life before trying to help others?

2. How can I encourage and support fellow believers?

3. Do I remember the great value Christ places on His church?

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for purchasing Your church through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Help me to faithfully care for my own walk with You and to lovingly encourage those around me. Give me a servant's heart that reflects the love of Christ in every relationship. In Jesus name Amen.

Practical Application

● Spend time strengthening your own relationship with God.

● Encourage and pray for your church leaders.

● Look for opportunities to care for and support another believer.

Takeaway Thought

The church is precious because it belongs to Christ, who gave His life for it.

#LordsbookDailys #DailyDevotion #August24 #Acts2028 #ShepherdTheFlock #ChurchOfGod #PurchasedByHisBlood #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

A life without Christ is full of crisis — but a life surrendered to Him is full of victory.

In this powerful word for July, I share biblical keys to overcome sin, walk in victory, and let the Holy Spirit take full control of your life. If you've been struggling, this message will minister directly to your spirit.

In this video:
Why a life without Christ is a life in crisis
Biblical keys to overcome sin and temptation
How to let the Holy Spirit rule and influence your decisions
The power of studying and meditating on God's Word daily

If you've never given your life to Jesus, or you want to rededicate your life to Him, stay tuned — I'll be leading a simple prayer of faith in the next part of this series.

Scriptures referenced: 2 Corinthians 5:21
Psalm 107:20

Part of my "Prophetic Prayers and Declarations for July" series. Watch Part 1 here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/XlnhiXGT_SY?si=mBXL8zpnQemrzokl

Subscribe for daily prophetic prayers, declarations, and life-transforming words.
Share this with someone who needs to hear it today.

#GiveYourLifeToChrist #OvercomeSin #VictoriousLiving #HolySpirit #PropheticPrayer #JulyDeclarations #ChristianMotivation #BornAgain #WordOfGod #FaithOverFear #ChristianTikTok #GodsWord #DailyDevotion

https://youtube.com/shorts/4f8I7r6yPVw?si=Bjx9pBtVJjmy6clV

Check out ORTHODOX MORNING PRAYERS & READINGS for Monday, Aug. 24, 2026: https://robertdhosken.substack.com/p/check-out-orthodox-morning-prayers-855

And go to: https://Agape-Biblia.org/Morning-Prayers.htm to see how to JOIN US “LIVE” daily at 7 a.m. ET. We have room for more people in our “live” Morning Prayers, so check it out and JOIN US “LIVE”!

DBF-001-031 continues with John 2:10. The master of the feast recognizes that something unusual has happened: the best wine has been kept until now. We should keep the focus on Christ’s provision and avoid turning the verse into a promise of material abundance.

DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP

DBF-001-031

Today’s Scripture

John 2:10 (ESV)

“And said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.’”

Opening the Scriptures

The master of the feast had tasted the wine, but he did not know where it had come from.

He called the bridegroom and expressed his surprise.

Normally, the better wine was served first. Yet at this wedding, the master believed that the best had been kept until later.

What he did not know was that the bridegroom had not provided this wine.

Jesus had.

The master could recognize the quality of the gift, but he did not recognize its source.

The servants knew.

Behind what appeared to be an unexpected provision stood the power and authority of Jesus Christ.

John is steadily directing our attention away from the wedding itself and toward Jesus.

Living God’s Word Today

There is a danger in receiving God’s gifts while forgetting the Giver.

Every day we receive things we can easily take for granted.

Food.

Shelter.

Family.

Friendship.

Strength for another day.

Opportunities to serve.

Most importantly, for those who belong to Christ, forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

Scripture reminds us:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” — James 1:17

Yet we must also be careful about what this miracle does not teach.

Jesus turning water into wine does not promise Christians wealth, comfort, success, or an easy life. The apostles themselves would later suffer greatly for following Christ.

The greatest gift at Cana was not the wine.

The greatest gift was Christ Himself.

That remains true today.

God may give us much or little in this world. Our circumstances may change. Health can fail. Possessions can disappear. Human relationships can disappoint us.

But the Christian’s greatest treasure cannot be measured by earthly prosperity.

We have Christ.

In Him we have something infinitely greater than temporary comfort: reconciliation with God, forgiveness of sin, and the certain hope of eternal life.

The master of the feast enjoyed the gift without knowing its source.

Let us not make the same mistake.

Recognize God’s goodness.

Give thanks for His daily provision.

But never become so occupied with God’s gifts that you forget the God who gives them.

Treasure Christ above everything He gives.

Question for Today

Do you value God’s gifts more than you value God Himself?

Respond: “Christ is my greatest treasure.”

DAILY SPRING DEVOTIONAL. By Deborah Chinedu. Founder, Dominion Life In Christ Global Community. Monday, 24th August, 2026.
https://lnkd.in/p/etNPBydP

Daily Bible Lesson.
GOD DOES NOT BRING HIMSELF DOWN TO HUMAN STANDARD, HE CALLED US TO RISE TO HIS STANDARD

God does not bring Himself down to our human standard. He calls us to rise to His standard.

We live in a generation where people are increasingly comfortable redefining God’s Word to fit their preferences. Some say, “I will keep this commandment, but that one is no longer necessary.” But the question is not, “Which commandments do I prefer?” The question is, “What has God commanded?”

The Ten Commandments are not ten suggestions. They reveal the character, righteousness, and moral will of God. Scripture says, “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” — Romans 7:12.

Look carefully at the commandments:

1. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
Are we putting God first, or have we allowed something else to occupy His place?

2. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.”
Are we worshiping God according to His Word, or according to human tradition?

3. “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.”
Do our words and lives honor the name we claim to represent?

4. “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
Why do people readily accept nine commandments while arguing against the fourth? If God wrote all ten, who gave us permission to erase one?

5. “Honour thy father and thy mother.”
Do we respect the authority God has established in the family?

6. “Thou shalt not kill.”
God values human life.

7. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
God calls us to purity and faithfulness.

8. “Thou shalt not steal.”
God requires honesty and respect for what belongs to others.

9. “Thou shalt not bear false witness.”
God calls His people to truthfulness.

10. “Thou shalt not covet.”
God is not merely concerned with outward behavior; He searches the heart.

Notice something important: the commandments are connected. We cannot claim to honor the God who gave the law while deliberately rejecting the commandment we find inconvenient.

James 2:10–11 teaches that the One who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not kill.” The same God stands behind the whole law.

But let us be clear: we are not saved by keeping the law. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet grace does not give us permission to live in rebellion. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15.

The law does not replace Christ. Christ leads us to obedience.

So before we select which commandments we want to keep, let us humble ourselves and ask:

“Lord, what does Your Word say?”

God does not need to lower His standard to accommodate our disobedience. He calls us higher.

Let us stop choosing between commandments and start choosing obedience to God.

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” — Revelation 14:12

God’s standard remains God’s standard—even when society changes.

Amazing Love

My Daily Witness.
Jesus loves you so much that HE died for you, and Rose from the dead for you, and now desperately longs to have a personal relationship with you, will you accept Him into your heart and life today, as your Savior, and King? Repent of sin in your life, and live for HIM, and let Him live through you.

For God so loved the world, that HE gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

After accepting Jesus as your Savior, show your love for HIM by keeping His Commandments.

"If you love me keep my commandments". John 14:15.

ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, REPENT OF SIN IN YOUR LIFE, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, INCLUDING THE 4TH COMMANDMENT (THE SEVENTH DAY SABBATH).

FOR JESUS CHRIST IS SOON RETURNING, AND HIS REWARD IS WITH HIM, SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE, SOME TO EVERLASTING DEATH!!!!!
Revelation 12:14
Revelation 22:12
Daniel 12:2

Daily Devotional
Deal my bread to the hungry.

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? Isaiah 58:7

What is pure religion? Christ has told us that pure religion is the exercise of pity, sympathy, and love, in the home, in the church, and in the world....

We are to think and care for others who need our love, our tenderness, and care. We should ever remember that we are representatives of Christ, and that we are to share the blessings that He gives, not with those who can recompense us again, but with those who will appreciate the gifts that will supply their temporal and spiritual necessities. Those who give feasts for the purpose of helping those who have but little pleasure, for the purpose of bringing brightness into their dreary lives, for the purpose of relieving their poverty and distress, are acting unselfishly and in harmony with the instruction of Christ.

All around us we see want and suffering. Families are in need of food; little ones are crying for bread. The houses of the poor lack proper furniture and bedding. Many live in mere hovels which are almost destitute of conveniences. The cry of the poor reaches to heaven. God sees; God hears.

The work of gathering in the needy ... is the very work which every church that believes the truth for this time should long since have been doing. We are to show the tender sympathy of the Samaritan in supplying physical necessities, feeding the hungry, bringing the poor that are cast out to our homes, gathering from God every day grace and strength that will enable us to reach to the very depths of human misery and help those who cannot possibly help themselves. In doing this work we have a favorable opportunity to set forth Christ the crucified One. [241]