Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:9

I think God, in His awesome ways, trains us in the dark. He allows things to happen, and we can’t see what’s in front of us. But we keep swimming from one side to the other because we trust Him and love Him. We know He has our backs because He was faithful to train and prepare us for unpredictable moments on our unpredictable journeys, even in the dark. Sometimes our vision gets blurry and we can’t see the next step, but that’s when we remember the training in faith that God has given us, and we know we will reach the finish line even though we don’t see what’s in front of us. Every stroke we take is a stroke of faith, knowing that the Master is leading the way. - JOHN RAMIREZ

Across the miles, the serpent king sat straight up, alarm going through him. But as it was information heavily guarded by heaven, all he knew was, someone, somewhere, had made a kingdom decision, and it meant people would be freed. His anger burned within him. It was time to up the game… The Serpent King wasn’t about to let that happen. Even as the bible study was wrapping up, he instructed his army to utilize every human wound, fear, and need, to find the tiniest crack in any of their armor. He’d long known the weak points in men and women, and those who served the creator were no exception. They never changed. Every man needed to feed his appetites, and with the right persuasion, or situation, he could reach them all. He knew too, that if you toppled the leaders, it took out the army. When men lost faith in the ones they followed, they almost always came straight to him. He laughed in glee, as he began to stoke the fan of Jake’s pain, desire, and long suppressed needs. He now had a chance to reach Maggie and several others, as years of determination to live for the one every fallen one hated, were wiped away by the devastation she’d endured the last few days. Her love for Jake, and his for her—within the confines of their pain—while given by the creator, was his area of attack. It gave him utmost pleasure to use the gifts of the Most-High to damage and turn His sons and daughters against Him. The battle had begun as the serpent king declared war on the children of the book… but the children were filled with His spirit… and His love… The guardians watched, concerned. Father had shown them what must be done… and Jake was about to be put in the crucible in a way he never had been. It would start tonight, when he’d have to face something he’d long repressed. They already knew the enemy would use it to the fullest, but Father had decreed the time was now, and his guardian had been given strict orders to see that it happened—while the rest of them had been instructed to make sure the enemy couldn’t stop it. They knew it was only the start of stripping him, and several others, down to the bone, so they could be strengthened and honed for the coming battle… a battle that wouldn’t stop until the end… Prepare For The End A saga of human resilience, and determination to fulfill their God-given tasks, and push back the powers of darkness to the very end. And the darkness’ desire to destroy them all. Find out what it’s all about today:

St. Monica St. Monica was born in the year 331 A.D. and she was married to one pagan official in North Africa. She had three children named Augustine, Navigius and Perpetua. Her husband was a short tempered person and St. Monica lived with patience with him. By her continuous prayer and patience she could convert her husband and her mother-in-law to Christian faith in the year 370. But her husband died after one year from his conversion. Her daughters Navigius and Perpetua entered the religious life. But her son Augustine was not leading a religious life but was living a life that can be called as a wicked life. St. Monica has prayed continuously for more than 17 years for the conversion of her son Augustine to Christian faith. Others used to console her that the tears of a good mother would not go waste but would give positive results. At last her son Augustine accepted Christian faith and got baptized by St. Ambrose in the year 387. Later her son Augustine became a great Christian thinker and theologian and a great saint. St. Monica died in the same year 387 A.D., after the conversion of her son to Christian faith, as if her duty was over. She is venerated as the patron of wives and abuse victims. #catholic #custom #tradition #faith #Augustine #prayer #power #legacy #prayerworks #motherslove #continuity

THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST 2026 IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL Topic: Don't Spend Money Just to Look Rich Bible Reference One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbour. Proverbs 17:18 (NIV) A Short Story Michael had recently started working, and for the first time in his life, he had a regular income. He was excited because he could finally afford some things he had wanted for a long time. However, he soon became more interested in looking successful than in becoming financially stable. Whenever he saw his friends buying expensive phones, clothes, shoes, and watches, he felt uncomfortable using the things he already had. He wanted people to see that he was also doing well. One weekend, he spent almost half of his salary on a new phone because he wanted to take better pictures and appear more successful on social media. A few weeks later, his friends invited him to an expensive outing. Michael did not have enough money, but he did not want to admit it. He borrowed money from someone and joined them. After that, he borrowed again to buy clothes for another event. Before long, a large part of his monthly income was going into things he did not really need. One evening, Michael needed money for an important personal expense, but his account was almost empty. He looked around his room and realised that he had many expensive things but very little savings. His phone was new, his clothes were impressive, and his pictures looked good online, but financially, he was struggling. That experience made him realise something important. He had been spending money to convince other people that he was doing well instead of actually building a stable life. Michael decided to change. He began budgeting his income, reducing unnecessary spending, saving regularly, and buying things because he needed them rather than because he wanted people to notice him. It took time, but he eventually became more financially responsible. Today's Message Money is an important part of life. Whether you are a student, employee, business owner, apprentice, minister, or young professional, you will have to make decisions about money. How you handle money today can affect your future. One of the biggest financial mistakes young people make is spending money to impress other people. You buy clothes you cannot afford because you want people to notice you. You buy an expensive phone because you do not want anyone to think you are struggling. You spend heavily at parties because you want your friends to see you as generous. You take loans for things you do not need simply because you want to maintain a certain lifestyle. There is nothing wrong with looking good or enjoying the good things you can genuinely afford. The problem begins when appearance becomes more important than wisdom. You do not have to look rich to be successful. Some people have expensive phones but no savings. Some drive good cars but are deeply in debt. Some wear expensive clothes but cannot handle an unexpected financial problem. Social media can make people feel pressured to look successful even when they are struggling privately. Do not build your life around people's opinions. Proverbs 21:20 says, The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. Wisdom includes knowing how to keep some of what you earn instead of spending everything immediately. If you earn money, learn to budget. Know what comes in and what goes out. Separate your needs from your wants. Save something, even if it is small. Learn a skill that can increase your income. Avoid unnecessary debt. Be careful about borrowing money simply to maintain an appearance. You also need to understand that your value does not come from what you own. Your phone does not determine your worth. Your clothes do not determine your importance. The car you drive does not determine your future. The number of people who like your pictures does not determine your success. You are valuable because God created you and gave your life purpose. There is nothing shameful about starting small. If you cannot afford something, you do not need to pretend that you can. If you are still building your career, be honest about your season. If your business is still growing, do not spend all your profit trying to look successful. Build quietly. Learn. Save. Invest in yourself. Grow your income. Support your family wisely. Give to God faithfully. Prepare for the future. One day, you may be able to afford the things you desire without destroying your financial stability to get them. Remember that financial maturity is not simply about earning more money. It is also about knowing what to do with the money you already have. Do not let pressure from friends, social media, relationships, or society push you into financial decisions you will regret later. It is better to live within your means today and build a stronger future than to impress people today and struggle tomorrow. What To Do Today 1. Look at your spending from the past week and identify one unnecessary expense you can reduce. 2. Create a simple budget for the money you currently receive. 3. Start saving something regularly, even if the amount is small. 4. Before buying something expensive, ask yourself whether you need it, can afford it, and whether it will help your future. Prayer Lord, give me wisdom to handle money responsibly. Deliver me from the desire to impress people with things I cannot afford. Teach me discipline, contentment, patience, and good financial habits. Help me to use the resources You give me wisely, to prepare for the future, to help others, and to honour You with my finances. Give me the wisdom to build a stable life instead of living for appearances. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Before spending money today, ask yourself three questions: Do I need it? Can I afford it? Will this decision help or hurt my future? Do not spend to impress people. Build a life that is genuinely strong, not merely one that looks successful. ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist

There is a difference between being saved and living as a disciple of Jesus—and understanding that difference can completely change how we approach the Christian life. https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/25/saved-by-grace-called-to-follow-the-difference-between-salvation-and-discipleship/ Salvation is a gift. We are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not because we have worked hard enough, behaved well enough, or earned God's acceptance. But salvation is not the end of the journey. Jesus calls those He saves to follow Him. “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23 MEV Discipleship is the daily decision to surrender our plans, habits, relationships, priorities, attitudes, and desires to Jesus. We don't obey Christ to earn salvation. We obey because we belong to the One who saved us. Salvation changes our standing before God. Discipleship changes the way we live. Salvation rests on what Christ has done. Discipleship responds to what Christ has said. The question isn't only, “Am I saved?” We should also be asking: “Am I actually following Jesus?” Read the new blog: Saved by Grace, Called to Follow: The Difference Between Salvation and Discipleship #Salvation #Discipleship #FollowingJesus #SavedByGrace #ChristianLiving #Faith #JesusChrist #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianFaith #BibleTeaching #FollowJesus #GraceThroughFaith

Romans 6: "1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

*Looking Up* It’s normal, as well as understandable, to spend our time, energy, and attention focusing on the here and now. We’re busy, after all. Sometimes we're preoccupied. And when we stop to really think about it, it’s difficult to perceive something beyond our five senses. But in his letter to the *Colossians* , Paul encourages his fellow believers to look up: *“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬* As we think about Paul’s words and the realities of heaven, here are four things to consider: - First, heaven isn’t some vague, dream-like state. It’s a real place, with real people, where God is the true King. - Second, there will come a day when we will all meet God face to face. We will no longer need faith or hope, because that which we’ve hoped for will finally be revealed. - Third, our troubles and our heartbreaks (and even death itself) are temporary! Scripture tells us that, eventually, God will do away with pain and death and sickness and suffering—forever. - Lastly (and most importantly), God is still on His Throne, with Jesus beside Him in the place of honor. No matter how crazy, senseless, or heartbreaking the world can seem, we can have confidence knowing that nothing is outside of God’s Sovereign plan. So when we’re tempted to look around at others or look inward at ourselves, let's look up instead. Heaven is wherever God is, and that’s the truest reality of all. *A Prayer of Thanks for Eternal Life* Father God, we realize that eternal life began the moment we accepted Your free gifts of Grace and Salvation. As we follow You, help us to always remember to look up—to have an eternal mindset. Give us the wisdom to be mindful of heaven as we are living here on earth. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

Gideon threshed wheat … And the Lᴏʀᴅ said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.” Then he said to Him … “Do not depart from here, I pray, until I come to You and bring out my offering and set it before You.” And He said, “I will wait until you come back.” So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour. Judges 6:11, 16–19 ɴᴋᴊᴠ As we consider the story of Gideon we marvel again and again at the patience of God! The Angel of the Lord comes and sits under a tree on the property of Joash the Abiezrite of the tribe of Manasseh. He watches Gideon threshing wheat in the winepress—a difficult task, for this task was ordinarily and most easily done openly on a hilltop. He proceeds to greet Gideon, saying, “The Lᴏʀᴅ is with you, you mighty man of valor!” He takes time to talk with Gideon, answering his objections and questions. Gideon wants a sign—we see this repeatedly in his history—that this is the Angel of the Lord. He asks his Visitor to wait until he will come back with an offering to set before Him. Amazing! His Visitor agrees to wait. How long? Until Gideon has butchered and stewed a young goat and has made unleavened bread of more than half a bushel (22 liters) of flour! How long does this take? Several hours at least! The Angel of the Lord patiently waits. When Gideon finally brings out his offering, he brings the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot. This was absolutely contrary to God’s commands. Offerings were not to be boiled. The broth was clear evidence that the meat had been boiled. The Angel of the Lord tells Gideon to put the bread and the meat on a rock and pour out the broth. He then touches the meat and bread with His staff and fire rises out of the rock and consumes them! How patient our God is! He often waits for us for many years! Eugene P. Vedder, Jr. https://gbv-online.org/calendar/773/date/2026-08-27

Hello, I would like to share with you the message from 27 August 2026 from “The Good Seed” daily calendar. Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. (Genesis 27:2) No one knows when he will die For over 30 years I went to the same dentist. But he grew older and began to plan his retirement. A successor started working in the practice, and for two years they planned to share the workload. I had another appointment with the older dentist for the annual check-up. Then suddenly, the practice assistant called me and informed me that the dentist had unexpectedly died of a heart failure two weeks before.  This news troubled me and once again reminded me that no one can know the day of his death. Therefore, it isn’t enough just to plan for retirement. We should also be prepared for death.  The most important thing is not to die unreconciled with God. Therefore, reconcile yourself with Him now! He knows everything we have done in our lives – the good and the bad deeds. When you confess your sins to God, they are covered by the blood of the Lord Jesus. As a result, you will die with the certainty that your future is with Christ in heaven!  It is also important to settle personal matters before death comes. Many things are easier for those who survive you if you leave everything in good order. Abraham did this, as we can read in Genesis 25:5-10.  “There is but a step between me and death.” (1 Samuel 20:3) Today’s reading: Judges 1:1-15 – 2 Corinthians 1:1-7