Daily Devotion. .. Tuesday August 25, 2026 John 13:34-35 "'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.'" The Mark of a Disciple Love is often spoken of as a feeling, but in the upper room, Jesus redefined it as an action. In John 13:34-35, He gives His followers a new command to love one another just as He has loved them. This standard changes everything. Jesus did not love conditionally or conveniently; He loved sacrificially, washing the feet of the very disciples who would soon scatter and deny Him. When we look at our daily lives, applying this kind of love can feel daunting. It is easy to care for those who agree with us, treat us well, or share our interests. Yet, Christ calls us higher. He invites us to love the difficult coworker, the impatient neighbor, and the family member who tests our patience. This love requires laying down our pride, extending quick forgiveness, and choosing kindness over being right. Notice the purpose behind this radical love. Jesus says that it serves as the ultimate witness: "By this all people will know that you are My disciples." Our theological knowledge, church attendance, and spoken words matter, but without genuine love, they ring hollow. To a watching world skeptical of faith, authentic love is undeniable proof of a transformed heart. Today, look for one intentional opportunity to step past your comfort zone, serve someone practically, and let Christ's love flow through you. What is one practical way you can show this kind of intentional love to someone today? Here are 3 spiritual truths gleaned from John 13:34-35: 1. Love is a deliberate command, not just an emotion: Jesus calls this a new commandment, framing love as an intentional choice of obedience and sacrificial action rather than a passive feeling. 2. Christ’s love is the ultimate measure: We are not told to love others based on human standards or reciprocity, but as He has loved us—unconditionally, humbly, and sacrificially. 3. Love is the primary signature of a true believer: Acts of service and genuine love for one another serve as the most powerful, unmistakable public witness to a watching world that we belong to Christ. "We are all dealt a set of circumstances. Some are good, some are bad, some are downright ugly. But what defines us is not what happens to us, but how we respond to what happens—and the greatest response is always love, grace, and forgiveness." — Charles R. Swindoll Pastor, Teacher, Author

𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐬𝐨 ✍️ “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺; 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘥’𝘴 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘺.” We live in a generation flooded with information but starving for truth. Thousands of voices are accessible in seconds, yet trust is hard to find. Even believers may settle for hearing sermons without helping others grow. Whether new or seasoned in faith, the question isn't just if we are learning—but if we are helping others learn to follow Christ. Jesus ends the Great Commission in 🕮 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟐𝟖:𝟐𝟎: "𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘰𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶..." It doesn't end when someone believes. Christ called disciples to teach others to obey all He commanded. The work of the Gospel is not merely making converts—it is making disciples. We don't just bring lost people to Christ; we help them grow in Christ. Picture a relay race where the runner crosses the finish line still clutching the baton, refusing to pass it on. The race stops with him—no matter how fast he ran. Faith works the same way. Truth received but never taught dies with the one who held it. Christ calls us to pass the baton, generation after generation, until He returns. Scripture commands us to pass truth on: “𝘎𝘰 𝘺𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴” (𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟐𝟖:𝟏𝟗). Paul told Timothy, “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥...𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘯, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴” (𝟐 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝟐:𝟐). We are urged to “𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥” (𝟐 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑:𝟏𝟖), as Scripture is “𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘧, 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯” (𝟐 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝟑:𝟏𝟔). God’s Word transforms lives. Teaching isn't just for pastors. Parents teach children, mature believers encourage younger ones, Sunday school teachers disciple classes, and one believer opens Scripture with another. Don't be a spiritual reservoir that only receives but never releases. What God teaches us through His Word must become truth we share. We aren't called to collect sermons alone—we are called to multiply disciples. Before Christ commanded us to teach others, He first taught us the truth that leads to salvation. He declared, "𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦" (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟒:𝟔). He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures (𝟏 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟑–𝟒). The risen Christ is not merely the subject of our teaching—He is the Saviour at the center of it. We teach His Word because we have first been transformed by His grace. Who is spiritually starving while you feast on the Word? You have been hoarding the Bread of life (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟔:𝟑𝟓) instead of breaking it for others. You don't need Christ merely to give you something to teach—you need Him because He is the Truth you are called to know, live, and proclaim. Learn His Word. Live His Word. Teach His Word. What God has faithfully taught us was never meant to end with us. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your truth through Your Word. Forgive us for receiving biblical instruction without faithfully passing it on. Help us grow in wisdom and grace, and give us opportunities to teach others faithfully, patiently, and clearly. May every disciple we influence become more like Christ. In Jesus' Name. Amen. Remember, a dose of God’s Word a day will keep you going all day! 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝... _____________________________________________________ All scripture references were taken from the KJV Bible. Thank you for allowing this ministry to be a part of your day… If my posts speak to your heart, you may be blessed by the full devotional series created for deeper reflection and journaling: 👉 FREE FlipBook Previews: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/ae17998766.html 📚 Also available now on Amazon (Kindle & Paperback) ✨ Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! https://www.amazon.com/author/dennislastimoso Also, just in case you need a reliable, dedicated online Bible Study Tool, I created one for you. 👉 Try it here for FREE, anytime at your hand: https://www.baptistry.app Your support helps us continue this ministry, edifying the believers around the world. May God bless you more abundantly…

The Importance of NOT Knowing Yahwah Exodus 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. • One of the greatest hinderances of knowing Yahwah is knowing Yahwah! • Most believers will tell you that they know Yahwah o Job 36:26 Behold, YHWH is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. • Most religious people will tell you the same thing. Why? Because they think they know Yahwah and so they think they don’t have to know him anymore! (They already know all there is to know) o Ps 145:3 Great is YHWH, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. o Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of YHWH! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! • The first title used for Yahwah in the Scriptures is Elohim (God in the KJV version) • This is a mystery word be because it is both singular and plural • Singular because Yahwah is one Elohim • Plural because there is always more to Yahwah o Always more to Him o Always more of Him to know • Do you want to know why we will be in Heaven for eternity? Because that’s how long it will take for us to know Yahwah! • Make your aim to Know Yahwah more then you ever have before! o Phil 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; o Ps 42:1-2 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O YHWH.My soul thirsteth for YHWH, for the living Elohim: when shall I come and appear before YHWH? o Mark 10:14-15 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of YHWH. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of YHWH as a little child, he shall not enter therein. • Seek Him, learn of Him o Isa 55:6 Seek ye YHWH while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: • Go deeper and farther for the one who truly knows Yahwah is the one who knows they don’t even know the half of Him! o Job 5:8-11 I would seek unto YHWH, and unto YHWH would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. • Press on today into the joy and wonder of those who can say “That I might know Him”, that is Yahwah! o Eph 3:8-9 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Messiah; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in YHWH, who created all things by YHWHMessiah:

Romans 4: "1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

Saved by grace 🙌🏾

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Colossians 1:1-20 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints— 5 the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit. ...

The things the Lord have against us. Revelation 2 [KJV] [vs: 14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. These verse reveals to us that though the Lord is always glad of some good things we have done there may some areas in our life which he is not happy with, we should not be content in the areas we are doing well but should strive to be sound in all areas of our spiritual life. "What are the areas that Christ is not happy with the pergamos church? 1,torerance of false prophets and teachers. 2, permission of false doctrines .  3, accepting practices that became stumbbling blocks among them  4, eating things sacrificed to idols  5, prevailing acts of fornication. From all these we understand that when any church or individual begins to allow false prophets and teachers and their teachings the results will be backsliding and sins there is a strong connection between false doctrines and a lifestyle of sin. *Any doctrine that downplays sin, make sin less serious than it is, excuses sin, make people to fear  not God's judgement against sin, teaches that grace covers our sinful lifestyle is a false doctrine. False teachers being religious secret sinners can only lead the people that hears them to error,  sin and damnation.  Application: We should not hear , believes or follow those that teaches any doctrine that contradicts the biblical truths . 23 August 2026

Righteousness That Comes from God These days, we are meditating on the Gospel of Matthew, especially the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches His disciples the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. After teaching them to let their light shine before others so that people may see their good works and glorify their Father in heaven, Jesus explains the true meaning of righteousness and obedience to God’s Law. Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). He came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill its purpose and reveal its deepest meaning. The heart of God’s Law is love: love for God and love for others. Jesus confronted the religious leaders of His time because the scribes and Pharisees often emphasized outward religious practices while neglecting the condition of the heart. They had developed human traditions that sometimes replaced God’s commandments. Jesus asked, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3). The Law is holy because God is holy. The Ten Commandments reveal God’s character and help us understand what sin is. However, the Law cannot save us. Instead, it reveals our sin and shows us our need for a Savior. It leads us to recognize our need for God’s mercy, forgiveness, and salvation through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 says, “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” The scribes and Pharisees practiced righteousness outwardly, often seeking recognition and honor from people. Jesus warned, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them” (Matthew 6:1). Their righteousness was based on self-righteousness rather than a transformed heart. Therefore, Jesus declared, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). True righteousness is not merely outward behavior; it comes from a heart transformed by God through faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why Jesus calls us to be poor in spirit—to recognize our spiritual need and humbly come to Him. May our righteousness never be hypocritical or self-made, but may it be the righteousness God gives through Jesus Christ. Let us love God, love people, walk humbly, and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts. May God bless you.

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