Grace shows us our Savior and reveals His incredible mercy.

#HeartForGod #FaithOverRoutine #SpiritualRenewal #JesusFirst #BackToGod #FaithJourney #LordsbookApp

Daily Verse — August 19

Acts 19:20 (NKJV)
“So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”

#LordsbookDailys #DailyVerse #August19 #Acts1920 #WordOfTheLord #GrowingFaith #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

Matthew 20:17-34

Jesus was always clear that He demands it all from us if we are to follow Him. And during this journey of miracles, feedings and teaching Jesus again warns them of the fact that when they arrive in Jerusalem that He would be handed over to be killed.

Now what the disciples were thinking I can't tell you. Maybe they thought that if they ignored it long enough it just won't happen. Maybe they thought this was another parable they didn't understand fully, yet. But they were too scared to ask.

He told them He would be raised on the third day but that good news didn't really get through their heads. Because to accept the good part they had to mentally accept the bad part. A ‘raising from the dead’ can't be done before the death part comes.

And it is in this context I believe that James and John’s mothers’ prayer for her sons was answered. Her prayer? That it would be her sons seated at Jesus’ left and right hands in the Kingdom. No doubt being the Jewish mother of all mothers she wanted her boys on the leadership council when He takes his Kingdom. She wanted them to be preeminent amongst all the disciples and Jesus is horrified at the request because he knows what it will mean for them and her.

She was thinking they would be powerful, Jesus knew it would cost their lives. Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink? He asked, are you able and willing to die for this position? And they affirmed it. And that is the point that God made these two men the effective book ends for the Martyrdom that would claim the lives of all apostles.

James was the first Apostle to die.

Acts 12:1-2
[1] Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm. [2] And he had James the brother of John executed with a sword.

Herod was insane, but he was a people pleaser and when the church began making inroads into Jewish life and James’ death marks the beginning of the effort that led to the continued persecution of the church and the death of the apostles.

After James’ death, the enemy used the one tactic that would continually fail throughout history, persecution. Yes, some solid Christian leaders fell to the violence, but persecution always spurred on mighty works of the Spirit which grew the church. The one strategy the enemy believed would discourage the church became the catalyst for rapid expansion of Christianity worldwide.

And it was encompassed by these Bookends of Martyrdom, James and John. A position their mother believed would be an honor to them not realizing that honor would claim their lives as James became the first and John the last to give their lives for Him.

Think of the reception in Heaven when these young men arrived. Their arrival is a victory celebration in eternity while those who believed they were in the right for killing them celebrated here, temporarily. And now they suffer eternally.

Be careful mothers about what you pray for. You may end up getting it. The passage ends with healing blind men on their way. And amongst his warning of His impending death, His followers' fates and a prayer for a blessing she didn't fully comprehend Jesus has compassion and heals them.




[17] As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the road He said to them, [18] “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, [19] and they will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and flog and crucify, and on the third day He will be raised up.” [20] Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. [21] And He said to her, “What do you desire?” She *said to Him, “Say that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine shall sit, one at Your right, and one at Your left.” [22] But Jesus replied, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They *said to Him, “We are able.” [23] He *said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit at My right and at My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” [24] And after hearing this, the other ten disciples became indignant with the two brothers. [25] But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. [26] It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, [27] and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” [29] As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. [30] And two people who were blind, sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” [31] But the crowd sternly warned them to be quiet; yet they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” [32] And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [33] They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” [34] Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

JEHOVAH NISSI — THE LORD IS MY BANNER.

Some battles leave us weary, but victory has never depended on our strength alone. The God who went before Israel still goes before His people today. He fights for us, leads us when there seems to be no way, and covers us with His protection and promises.

When fear says retreat, faith raises the banner. When the enemy says defeated, God says redeemed. When the road looks impossible, the Lord reminds us that the battle belongs to Him.

You are not standing alone. Lift your eyes, hold your ground, and trust the One who goes before you. We rise under His banner and walk in victory—not because every battle is easy, but because our God is always faithful.

“And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner.” — Exodus 17:15

#JehovahNissi #TheLordIsMyBanner #VictoryInJesus #FaithOverFear #RiseInGrace

𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟐-𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬, and I’m excited to share the conversation with my friends here on Lordsbook.

In the interview with 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 , I shared aspects of my journey in ministry, my experience serving in a remote island community, and some of the lessons God has taught me about 𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧—𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝.

We also talked about my writing journey and the message behind one of my published books, No Place Is Bad If God Sends You—a reminder that when God sends us, we can trust Him for the grace to thrive wherever He places us.

I would love for you to listen to the interview and let me know what part of the conversation speaks to you most.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰.

For friends who would like to get a copy of No Place Is Bad If God Sends You, I’ll also drop the 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Thank you for always being part of the journey.

#12MinuteConvos #NoPlaceIsBadIfGodSendsYou #ChristianAuthor #Ministry #Faith #Purpose #Obedience #GodsCalling

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1963EbHNmi/

GOOD MORNING!

Today is a brand new canvas, and we need to be grateful for His faithful mercies that are new every single morning.

The place of prayer is the only platform where man builds with God and where God builds with man.

Blessed and Praised be Our Lord Jesus Christ!

THE BODY OF THE WORD IS A LIBRARY.

What if the most valuable library you could enter is not filled with books—but with revelation?

The Kitchen’s Digital Library is a growing treasury of teachings on The Body of the Word—where Scripture is not merely studied, but understood as a living architecture for life, wealth, work, leadership, economics, creativity and enterprise.

This is not religious information.

It is the Word made intelligible for living.

Hundreds of conversations, teachings and discoveries are waiting for you.

Listen on:
Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music • Audible • Deezer

Enter The Kitchen.
Explore the Digital Library.
Discover the Body of the Word.

shows.acast.com/the-kitchen

The Kitchen by Omodolapo Ogunye
Celebrating The Body of the Word.

The Fleshy Word (The Image of the Invisible God)

The Kitchen by Omodolapo Ogunye

How can we see the invisible God?

In this episode of The Kitchen, the exploration of The Body of the Word moves into another profound dimension: the Body of the Word is the image, form and detailed revelation of the invisible God.

Building on the revelation that Jesus Christ is the living Word of God, the episode explores what His body reveals about the Father. The head, eyes, face, hands, voice and other members of the Body are presented as revelations of the Person of God.

The episode draws together Revelation, Colossians, Hebrews, John, Ezekiel and Daniel to develop a central proposition: if the Father is invisible, then the Body of the Word gives us the visible revelation of who He is. To study the Body of the Word, therefore, is to pursue a deeper understanding of the Father.

One of the most striking ideas in the episode is that the various members of the Body are “working pictures” of God—different revelations of the same Person in different expressions, positions and functions.

This makes The Fleshy Word (The Image of the Invisible God) an important episode in the unfolding journey of The Body of the Word. It moves the conversation from simply asking Who is the Word? to asking What does the Body of the Word reveal about the Father?

I recommend this episode to anyone who wants to explore the knowledge of God through the revelation of Jesus Christ. Listen slowly and follow the progression: the Word, His Body, and the revelation of the invisible Father.

Listen to “The Fleshy Word (The Image of the Invisible God)” on The Kitchen

Available on:
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Amazon Music
• Audible
• Deezer

Listen to The Kitchen on Acast

The Kitchen by Omodolapo Ogunye
Celebrating The Body of the Word.

✟
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
1 John 3:16

In some Bible translations, John 19:2 reads
"And the soldiers TWISTED together a crown of thorns and placed it on His head..."

JESUS is The One King whom the Old Testament book of laws and of prophets all longed for.
HE is also the same LORD that the New Testament disciples all looked back on.

Today, we see a list of thousands of religious groups that were established even before we were born.

Some religions led families to charity, humility, and blessings of heaven, and we should be happy about that.

On the other hand, there are still existing congregations that when left unchecked, crush souls, control people, and create even more divisions while protecting and elevating a few, canceling others instead of celebrating shared prosperity together and of keeping alive our hope for eternity through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. This is devastating but not unusual. Sadly, it happens to both the humblest local sects and cathedrals of megachurches.

But The Bible ends with "GRACE", not with chronic depression and hopelessness.

The consistent pattern throughout the Scriptures is that it redirects all our devotion and attention to GOD.

The book of Genesis starts with: "In the beginning, GOD created..."

While Revelation ends with:

"The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all. Amen."

The scene where the soldiers thought of twisting together a crown of thorns displays this fallen world and our tendency to join or create yet another religion that may only give us and others headaches instead of leading us to have a vision of our Savior: THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH —JESUS.

And just as JESUS bled and was painfully hurt by the soldiers' twisted crown of thorns they designed for His head, we can also expect to experience a similar sense of treatment from others against our mental headspace as we now pursue the glory of GOD through His Son, JESUS CHRIST.

Our LORD has done His part.
His sacrifice on the cross is finished.
THE WORD OF GOD is sufficient.
His Holy Spirit is given to our hearts.

Reflection questions:

Where is He leading you today?
What is He directing you to do?
When was the last time you had an honest talk with JESUS?

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,

You are The GOD of sound mind.
You give clarity where there is confusion and provide us with correction when needed.
You feed Your children with daily bread through Your incorruptible WORD that nourishes, strengthens, and teaches us to see yet another day of grace through the cross of CHRIST.

Despite the twisted crown of thorns You humbly received from fallen humanity, You still finished Your journey then with us in Your mind.

Forgive us LORD GOD, for the many times we dishonored Your precious words by how we responded to Your grace through our actions and imaginations. We ask that you also give a forgiving heart to those we have hurt in this earthly journey and comfort us through the pains we still do carry.

We ask You to lead us into a lasting and honest fellowship with Your Holy Spirit and keep us joyfully serving You and the people You surround us with as we await Your return.

In JESUS' Name, Amen.

Matthew 12:49
“And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said,
Behold my mother and my brethren!”

#perception
#notdeception 🫣
#religion
#LifeWithJESUS 🕊

FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD
Believe, Come, and Diligently Seek Him

Key Scripture:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

Thought Of The Day...
There are many things we desire from God—healing, provision, direction, protection, restoration, peace, deliverance, and breakthrough. But Hebrews 11:6 turns our attention from what we want God to do for us to what pleases God.
And Scripture gives us the answer:
FAITH PLEASES GOD.
Not perfect circumstances.
Not having every answer.
Not knowing how everything will work out.
Faith.
Faith says, “God, I may not understand what You are doing, but I still believe You.”

• WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD
The Scripture does not say it is difficult to please God without faith. It says:
“Without faith it is impossible to please him.”
Why is faith so important?
Because faith reveals where our confidence rests.
When everything is going well, it can be easy to say, “I trust God.” But genuine faith is revealed when the diagnosis is uncertain, the money is tight, the family is struggling, the door has not opened, the prayer has not yet been answered, and you cannot see what God is doing.
Faith says:
“Even here, I trust You.”
Job declared:
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” — Job 13:15 (KJV)
There will be seasons when you cannot trace God's hand. But you can still trust His heart.
Your circumstances may change, but God has not changed.

• YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT GOD IS!
Hebrews says:
“…he that cometh to God must believe that he is…”
Before believing God for something, we must believe God is.
He is God when you understand Him.
He is God when you don't.
He is God when the door opens.
He is still God when the door closes.
He is God when the answer comes immediately.
He is still God when He makes you wait.
Sometimes our faith becomes focused primarily on God's gifts: “Lord, give me this. Lord, change that. Lord, open this door.”
But mature faith says:
“Lord, even if You don't give me what I requested when I requested it, I still want You.”
Remember the three Hebrew men standing before the fiery furnace:
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…” — Daniel 3:17 (KJV)
But then they declared:
“But if not… we will not serve thy gods…” — Daniel 3:18 (KJV)
That's powerful faith.
God can.
God is able.
I believe God will.
But even if He chooses another way, HE IS STILL GOD!

• FAITH COMES TO GOD
Notice the wording:
“…he that cometh to God…”
Faith doesn't run away from God during trouble.
Faith runs toward God.
When you're hurting—come.
When you're confused—come.
When you're disappointed—come.
When you're weary—come.
When you've made mistakes—come.
When you don't know what tomorrow holds—COME TO GOD!
David said:
“When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” — Psalm 61:2 (KJV)
Your feelings may tell you to withdraw.
Your disappointment may tell you God has forgotten you.
Your circumstances may tell you prayer isn't working.
But faith says:
“I'm going back into His presence.”

• DILIGENT FAITH DOESN'T QUIT SEEKING!
The verse concludes:
“…he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
There is a difference between casually seeking God and diligently seeking God.
Diligence means persistence.
It means you keep praying.
You keep believing.
You keep worshiping.
You keep reading His Word.
You keep serving.
You keep showing up.
You keep trusting God even when nothing appears to be changing.
Jesus taught:
“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” — Luke 18:1 (KJV)
Some answers require faith that refuses to quit.
You prayed yesterday?
Pray again.
You worshiped yesterday?
Worship again.
You believed yesterday?
Believe again today.
Don't allow God's silence to convince you that God is absent.
Silence does not mean abandonment.
Waiting does not mean denial.
Delay does not mean God has forgotten you.

• GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM!
God promises that He is:
“…a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
But we must understand the greatest reward of seeking God.
The greatest reward is not merely receiving something from His hand—it is experiencing more of His presence.
Sometimes the reward is an open door.
Sometimes it is healing.
Sometimes it is provision.
Sometimes it is restoration.
But sometimes the reward is strength to endure what God has not yet removed.
Paul prayed three times for his thorn to be removed, but God's response was:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
Paul asked for removal.
God gave him sustaining grace.
Never limit God's reward to one particular answer.
Sometimes God changes the situation.
Sometimes God changes you while you're walking through the situation.
Either way, God remains faithful.
DON'T STOP BELIEVING!
Perhaps you have been praying about something for a long time.
You've asked.
You've waited.
You've cried.
You've prayed again.
And you're wondering:
“God, when will You answer me?”
Hebrews 11:6 speaks directly into that season:
KEEP BELIEVING.
KEEP COMING.
KEEP SEEKING.
KEEP TRUSTING.
Your faith is not wasted.
Your prayers are not wasted.
Your worship is not wasted.
Your obedience is not wasted.
God sees every moment you choose faith instead of fear.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
You don't need to see everything God is doing to believe God is still working.

PRAYER...
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today declaring that You are God, and besides You there is none other.
Lord, increase our faith.
When we cannot see the way, help us trust You.
When we don't understand what You're doing, help us trust You.
When our prayers seem unanswered, help us trust You.
When our bodies are hurting, our finances are strained, our families are struggling, our hearts are heavy, and our minds are weary—help us trust You!
Father, forgive us for the times we allowed fear to speak louder than faith.
Forgive us for the times we doubted Your goodness because we could not understand Your plan.
Today we declare:
YOU ARE STILL GOD!
We believe that You are.
We believe You are faithful.
We believe You are able.
We believe You are our Provider.
We believe You are our Healer.
We believe You are our Deliverer.
We believe You are our Keeper.
And we believe You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek You.
So we will seek You when life is good, and we will seek You when life is difficult.
We will seek You when doors open, and we will seek You when doors close.
We will seek You when we understand, and we will seek You when we don't.
Give us faith that refuses to quit.
Let our lives declare:
“I DON'T HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT, BECAUSE I KNOW THE GOD IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!”
We trust Your timing.
We trust Your wisdom.
We trust Your Word.
We trust Your plan.
And most importantly, we trust You.
In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen and Amen!

DECLARATION OF FAITH...
Today I declare:
I WILL WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT!
I believe God is.
I believe God can.
I believe God is able.
I believe God is faithful.
I will not allow what I see to cancel what God has spoken.
I will diligently seek Him.
I will keep praying.
I will keep worshiping.
I will keep trusting.
I will keep believing.
And even while I am waiting, MY FAITH WILL STILL PLEASE GOD!
BELIEVE. COME. SEEK. TRUST.
GOD IS STILL FAITHFUL!
“But without faith it is impossible to please him…” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)