LOST IN THE CHURCH: [BEING LOST IN CHURCH] Part Five Measuring Holiness There has been a great deception among many people who assume that holiness is measured by comparing a person’s good deeds with their bad deeds. When the scale of good deeds appears to outweigh the bad, they conclude that the person is holy. In this way, many have continued to measure Christianity by looking at what they have done and what they have not done. This kind of holiness focuses heavily on measuring sin according to the “Don’ts” found in Scripture. And this has become the interpretation of religion throughout history. It has continued to damage the Church and has contributed to leading many people to hell. Holiness or sin is not merely an action—not simply what a person does or does not do—but a condition of the heart. God is deeply concerned with the condition of our hearts. Actions are only the results of what is already inside the heart. Many have measured holiness by good deeds, yet the Lord does not look at things in that way. He looks at the spirit or intention behind every action, examining the manner and motive with which it was done. Therefore, the Lord is not simply looking for people who perform good deeds on earth, but for people who do what is right! There is a great difference between doing a good thing and doing the right thing. Sometimes the right thing may appear to be evil in the eyes of people. When the Lord commanded Israel to destroy the nations of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, as stated in Deuteronomy 20:17, could the world have called Him good? Yet we know without doubt that the Lord was doing what was right, because He does not make mistakes, and His works are always without error. Understand that sin is a condition of the heart, and there is One who examines the deepest intentions of the heart. A person can perform good deeds with an evil motive, while another can perform something that appears bad with a good intention. Therefore, it is very easy for a person to be deceived if they place their confidence in goodness or in their works. Indeed, evil kills; however, goodness can be responsible for deceiving and destroying even more people in the world than evil itself. One of Satan’s most powerful weapons for bringing destruction into the world comes through what appears to be good. There is hardly a greater deception Satan can use than coming to us dressed as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 Because sin is a condition of the heart, a person can be a murderer even if they have never physically killed anyone. Likewise, someone can be an adulterer before God even if they have never slept with a woman. For example, even if a lemon tree refuses to produce fruit, perhaps in an attempt to hide its nature, it cannot change and become a mango tree. We cannot remove sin from within ourselves by keeping the Law or by trying to be good. We must be transformed in our hearts as we hold firmly to the Cross. Otherwise, even if a person never commits an outward act of sin, that does not necessarily mean they are without guilt. Remember: even if a lemon tree does not produce fruit, that does not mean it will be counted as an orange tree. Circumcision of the Heart Essentially, there is no action a person can perform that can change their inner nature. Things such as religion and the Law can change the outward appearance, but they cannot transform the inner person. Christianity does not begin from the outside and move inward; rather, it begins from within and moves outward. Therefore, through religion, the Law, happiness, habits, the desire for praise, and so forth, it is entirely possible for a person to do good outwardly while not actually being good in their heart. That is why the Lord used circumcision as an illustration of removing the outward covering of hypocrisy, so that what is inside would correspond with what is outside. This was the foundation of the circumcision commanded by the Lord in the house of Israel, when He instructed them to circumcise the foreskin of their bodies. And was this not a prophecy concerning the circumcision of the heart in our present age, when we look to Christ, as it is written in Philippians 3:3: > “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.” If you are in church and have not been born again, understand that your nature has not been transformed. Therefore, even if you pretend to do good, fast extensively, keep all the Laws, observe all the ancient festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths, understand that hell awaits you! And these are words of truth. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Amen! #ToBeContinued... Mwl. Ernest Nyalula #LostInTheChurch #CircumcisionOfTheHeart #TrueHoliness #BornAgain #HeartTransformation #ChristAlone #GraceAndTruth #Christianity #FaithInChrist #TheGospel #JesusChrist #KingdomOfGod #LordBook #SpiritualGrowth #TruthOfTheGospel🙏

GLORIOUS SUNDAY SERMON OF 16TH AUGUST 2026 Beloved of God, welcome to this amazing gathering of God's children. As we are about to hear from the throne of mercy, I declared that you will not come in vain, and you will not go empty handed. But before we share the word of God, let us pray 🙏 ENJOY THE FULL VIDEO HERE 👇👇👇 https://youtu.be/IHnZa2BylFo?si=rBUkpriqf33nSXLM PLEASE WATCH, LIKE, COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE TO HELP MY CHANNEL GROW. THANKS 🙏 LESSON: Matthew 7:16-20 As a matter of fact, today's message is a self reflection, that's why it's topic is: TOPIC: WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN AM I? TEXT: You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Matthew 7:16–20 (NKJV) INTRODUCTION: It is easy to ask, “What kind of church do I attend?” or “What kind of Christians are around me?” But today, God is asking a more personal question: What kind of Christian am I? Christianity is more than attending church, carrying a Bible, singing worship songs, or being known as a believer. Jesus wants our faith to be visible in the way we live, speak, love, forgive, serve and represent Him. The real test of Christianity is not simply what we profess with our lips, but what our lives produce. Be immensely blessed by the word in Jesus name. EXPOSITION: With a sincere mind, let's examine and consider these 3 basic important points. 1. WHAT KIND OF FRUIT IS MY LIFE PRODUCING? Matthew 7:16–20; Galatians 5:22–23; John 15:4–5 Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits.” Notice that Jesus did not say people would be known merely by their appearance, religious vocabulary, church position or spiritual title. He said they would be known by their fruit. Fruit is evidence of what is happening inside a tree. In the same way, our daily conduct reveals what is happening in our hearts. A Christian may speak about love, but how do I treat people who offend me? I may talk about forgiveness, but can I forgive those who hurt me? I may preach holiness, but what happens when nobody is watching? I may say that I trust God, but what happens when I face disappointment? These are the moments when our fruit becomes visible. Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This gives us something practical to examine. Is there love in me? Is there patience in me? Is there self-control in me? Can people see Christ in the way I respond under pressure? Because sometimes, the greatest testimony we preach is not from the pulpit. It is through our behaviour when life does not go according to our expectations. Jesus also said in John 15:5, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.” Fruitfulness is therefore connected to our relationship with Christ. We cannot consistently produce Christlike character while living far from Christ. The question is not whether we once produced good fruit. The question is: What is my life producing now? EXPOSITION: 2. AM I A LIGHT THAT LEADS PEOPLE TO CHRIST OR A STUMBLING BLOCK? Matthew 5:14–16; Romans 14:13; 1 Peter 2:12 Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” That means our Christianity is not supposed to remain inside the church building. People are watching us. Our neighbours are watching. Our colleagues are watching. Our family members are watching. Young people are watching. Even people who disagree with Christianity are watching. Sometimes, before they read the Bible, they read our lives. This is why we must ask ourselves a difficult question: Does my lifestyle make people desire to know Jesus, or does it give them another reason to reject Him? A Christian can become a stumbling block through bitterness, dishonesty, hypocrisy, arrogance, unforgiveness, gossip, immoral behaviour or an abusive attitude. Imagine telling someone that Jesus changes lives, while that person consistently sees anger, hatred and dishonesty in our own life. What message are we communicating? Romans 14:13 tells believers not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in another believer’s way. This does not mean that we live our lives based on people's opinions. It means we recognize that Christian freedom carries Christian responsibility. Our lives should make the Gospel attractive, not contradictory. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The purpose of our light is not to make people admire us. It is to make them glorify God. So, when people encounter me, what do they encounter? Christ or character problems? Grace or hostility? Truth or hypocrisy? Love or bitterness? We cannot preach the Gospel effectively with our mouths while preaching a different gospel with our lifestyle. EXPOSITION: 3. AM I OBEYING CHRIST OR AM I ONLY PRACTISING RELIGION? John 14:15; James 1:22–25; Matthew 28:19–20 Jesus said plainly: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” That means genuine Christianity must eventually produce obedience. It is possible to become very familiar with church activities while becoming unfamiliar with obedience to Christ. We can attend services, participate in programmes, sing loudly, pray publicly and even hold positions in church, yet still ignore the simple commands of Jesus. Jesus commanded us to love one another. He commanded us to forgive. He commanded us to serve. He commanded us to make disciples. He commanded us to preach the Gospel. He commanded us to live as lights in a dark world. The question therefore becomes: Am I doing what Jesus asked me to do? James 1:22 warns us not to be merely hearers of the Word, but doers. Hearing God's Word without obeying it can create the illusion of spiritual maturity. Knowledge is not the same as obedience. Knowing that we should forgive is not forgiveness. Knowing that we should evangelize is not evangelism. Knowing that we should love is not love. Knowing that we should live holy is not holiness. At some point, the Word we hear must become the life we live. And this includes the Great Commission. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19–20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” Every Christian may not stand behind a pulpit, but every Christian has a responsibility to represent Christ. There is somebody around us who needs encouragement. Somebody needs to hear the Gospel. Somebody needs to see forgiveness. Somebody needs to see genuine Christian love. Somebody may be watching our life and wondering whether Jesus is truly real. So the question is not merely: “Am I a Christian?” The deeper question is: “What kind of Christian am I?” Am I a Christian by name, or by transformation? Am I only a church member, or am I a disciple of Jesus? Am I carrying the name of Christ while refusing to carry His character? This brings us to the conclusion of the message. CONCLUSION: Today, the mirror is before us. Not before our neighbour. Not before another church member. Not before society. Before me. What kind of Christian am I? May our Christianity be more than words, titles and religious activities. May our lives produce good fruit, shine as lights, and demonstrate obedience to Christ. Let people encounter us and see something that points them back to Jesus. CLOSING PRAYER: Let us pray! Lord Jesus, make us genuine representatives of Your kingdom. Let our lives produce good fruit, let our character reflect You, and let our actions never become a stumbling block to others. Help us to love, forgive, serve and obey You faithfully. May our lives point people to Christ. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen. GOODWILL MESSAGE: This is my goodwill message for you this week: May your life become a living testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. May your words carry grace, your character reveal Christ, and your actions draw others closer to God. May your faith remain fruitful, your light continue to shine, and your life bring glory to your Father in heaven. Amen. HAPPY WONDERFUL SUNDAY, HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK. LIKE IT OR NOT! JESUS IS COMING BACK AGAIN SOON!! REPENT AND BE READY FOR HIM!!! 🙋This wonderful message is brought to you With Love from Pastor M O Glorious, CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH , Palace of Mercy, Royal District, Restoration Zone. Damolapa, Laketu, Lucky Fibre, Ikorodu Lagos Nigeria. For prayer or counseling, pls contact us@ 08055646358: 09018952081 or peganmire[gmail].com #WhatKindOfChristianAmI #ChristianCharacter #ChristLikeLiving #FruitOfTheSpirit #BeTheLight #ChristianFaith #WalkWithChrist #ObeyChrist #LiveForJesus l#LetYourLightShine #KingdomLiving #JesusChrist

August 16 - The Danger of Wrongly-Based Rituals #LifeOfChrist “Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they?’” (Matthew 9:14–15). Religious ritual and routine, if not handled appropriately, will always threaten true godliness. Some practices, such as praying to saints or lighting candles for the dead, are heretical. But even biblical practices, when their forms become the center of attention, can become barriers to true righteousness. Church attendance, Bible reading, saying grace before meals, and singing hymns can become lifeless habits that exclude true worship and praise. When we apply good things such as these the wrong way, they can keep us from faithful obedience . . . and keep unbelievers from trusting in God. Alms, prescribed prayer, and fasting were the three major expressions of piety the Jews performed in Jesus’ time. The leaders took these matters quite seriously and were meticulous to practice them publicly so as to impress others with their piety (cf. Matt. 6:2, 5, 16). Thus these practices became badges of pride and hypocrisy rather than marks of humble and genuine religion before God. Jesus’ point in mentioning the bridegroom and his attendants is to show how out of place it is for His followers (attendants) to mourn and fast while He (the Bridegroom) is with them in person. Pharisaical manners and rituals are always wrong for Christians, but even good practices (such as sincere fasting), if not done properly, can hinder what the Lord wants to accomplish in our midst. Ask Yourself Should our answer to this kind of hypocrisy be the removal of all forms, disciplines, and ritual practices from our worship? Or is there value in these kinds of expressions? What would go missing from our worship if it was all spur-of-the-moment, with no cherished repetitions?

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: IS YOUR LIFE A STAGE OR AN ALTAR? Main Text: Romans 12:1 «“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”» WHAT ARE YOU BUILDING WITH YOUR LIFE? Every day, we stand before an audience. People watch what we do. People listen to what we say. People observe our success, relationships, appearance, ministry and lifestyle. But there is an audience greater than humanity: God. The question is not simply, “What do people think about me?” The deeper question is: “What does God see when He looks at my life?” A stage is where people perform to be seen. An altar is where a person surrenders to God. On a stage, the question is: «“How do I look?”» At an altar, the question is: «“Lord, what do You want from me?”» Many people are living on a stage while believing they are standing at an altar. They pray publicly but disobey privately. They appear spiritual before people but live differently when nobody is watching. They want the applause of men but have lost the approval of God. Today, God is calling us from performance to surrender, from appearance to authenticity, and from the stage to the altar. 1. THE STAGE SEEKS APPLAUSE; THE ALTAR SEEKS GOD'S APPROVAL Jesus warned about religious performance. Matthew 6:1 «“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them.”» Jesus was not condemning good works. He was exposing the wrong motive. You can do the right thing for the wrong reason. You can preach because you want recognition. You can sing because you want applause. You can give because you want people to celebrate you. You can post Scripture because you want people to praise your spirituality. But God looks beyond the action and examines the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 «“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”» The stage asks: “Who is watching?” The altar asks: “Is God pleased?” A person living at the altar does not need human applause to remain faithful. Spiritual insight: If your Christianity only works when people are watching, you may be performing rather than worshipping. 2. THE STAGE DISPLAYS TALENT; THE ALTAR REVEALS CHARACTER Talent can put you on a platform. Character determines whether you can remain there without destroying yourself. David had musical ability. David had courage. David had leadership ability. But before David stood before kings, he learned to stand before God in the wilderness. The altar develops what the stage cannot produce. The stage can reveal your gift. The altar reveals your heart. A person can be gifted and still lack character. A person can preach powerfully and live carelessly. A person can sing beautifully and still have an uncontrolled heart. A person can be celebrated publicly and be broken privately. That is why God is more interested in who you are becoming than merely what you are doing. Galatians 5:22–23 The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Notice that Scripture calls these fruit, not performance. Fruit grows from a life connected to God. Ask yourself: What happens to my character when nobody is watching? That question can reveal whether your life is a stage or an altar. 3. THE STAGE WANTS TO RECEIVE; THE ALTAR IS WILLING TO SURRENDER An altar is a place of sacrifice. Romans 12:1 says: «“Present your bodies a living sacrifice…”» God does not merely want your Sunday. He wants your Monday. He does not only want your voice in church. He wants your conversations at home. He does not only want your offering. He wants your heart. He does not only want your public ministry. He wants your private obedience. The stage says: “God, bless what I want to do.” The altar says: “God, I surrender what I want to do to Your will.” That is the difference. Jesus demonstrated this in Gethsemane. Luke 22:42 «“Not my will, but thine, be done.”» That is altar language. Sometimes the greatest worship you can give God is not a song. It is surrender. 4. THE STAGE CAN BE MAINTAINED BY APPEARANCE; THE ALTAR REQUIRES TRUTH A stage can be decorated. An altar cannot hide the condition of the sacrifice. God is calling His people back to authenticity. Psalm 51:6 «“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts…”» God wants truth in the hidden places. Who are you when the phone is off? Who are you when nobody is applauding? Who are you when you are angry? Who are you when you have money? Who are you when you have power? Who are you when temptation comes? Who are you when nobody can reward you? That is where character is tested. Christianity is not merely about looking holy. It is about becoming holy. 5. GOD DOES NOT WANT A PERFORMANCE; HE WANTS A LIVING SACRIFICE Romans 12:1 gives us the picture clearly: «“Present your bodies a living sacrifice…”» Notice the word living. The Christian life is not a one-time emotional experience. It is daily surrender. Every morning, we should be able to say: “Lord, my life belongs to You.” My plans belong to You. My career belongs to You. My relationships belong to You. My finances belong to You. My gifts belong to You. My body belongs to You. My future belongs to You. That is life on the altar. BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: SAUL AND DAVID Two men were anointed by God. Two men were given opportunities. But their responses to God were different. Saul became increasingly concerned about how he appeared before people. 1 Samuel 15:24 Saul admitted that he feared the people and obeyed their voice. David, despite his failures, repeatedly returned to God with a repentant heart. Psalm 51:10 «“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”» Saul was concerned about his image. David was concerned about his heart. One was more concerned about the stage. The other understood the altar. This does not mean David was perfect. He was not. It means that when confronted by God, David learned to return to Him. STAGE VS ALTAR THE STAGE| THE ALTAR Seeks applause| Seeks God's approval Focuses on appearance| Focuses on character Wants recognition| Wants obedience Performs before people| Surrenders before God Protects image| Pursues holiness Says “Look at me”| Says “Lord, use me” Lives for public approval| Lives for divine purpose PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS 1. Examine your motives Ask: “Why am I doing what I am doing?” 2. Build a private life with God Do not allow your public ministry to become larger than your private relationship with God. 3. Stop living for human applause People can praise you today and criticize you tomorrow. God's approval must become your anchor. 4. Repent where necessary If there are hidden areas of compromise, bring them before God. Do not protect what God is asking you to surrender. 5. Practice obedience when nobody is watching The secret place is where genuine Christianity is developed. 6. Make your whole life worship Your workplace can become worship. Your family life can become worship. Your business can become worship. Your ministry can become worship. Your private decisions can become worship. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. God is more interested in your heart than your platform. A bigger platform without a deeper heart can become dangerous. 2. Public success cannot compensate for private failure. You can impress thousands and still grieve God. 3. The altar comes before the platform. Before God uses a person publicly, He often works on that person privately. 4. Your greatest audience is God. People see moments. God sees the entire life. 5. The altar is where ambition dies and purpose is born. Sometimes God must remove our desire to be seen before He can trust us to be used. QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION 1. Am I living to please God or to impress people? 2. Who am I when nobody is watching? 3. Is my private life consistent with my public confession? 4. Am I more interested in being celebrated or being transformed? 5. What have I refused to surrender to God? 6. Have I allowed social media to become my stage? 7. Is my ministry flowing from intimacy with God or the desire for recognition? 8. If God removed the applause, would I still serve Him? 9. What area of my life needs to return to the altar? 10. Can God trust me with a greater platform? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Prayer for a pure heart Father, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Let my private life please You. 2. Prayer against hypocrisy Lord, deliver me from every form of hypocrisy and spiritual performance. Let my public life agree with my private life. 3. Prayer for genuine surrender Father, I surrender my plans, ambitions, gifts, relationships and future to You. Have Your way in my life. 4. Prayer against the desire for human applause Lord, free me from the bondage of seeking human approval. Teach me to live for Your approval alone. 5. Prayer for character Holy Spirit, develop Christlike character in me. Let my character be greater than my platform. 6. Prayer for usefulness Lord, make my life an instrument in Your hands. Let everything You have placed in me bring glory to Your name. COME DOWN FROM THE STAGE. Perhaps the greatest question today is not: “How many people know me?” It is: “Does God know me?” Not: “How impressive is my life?” But: “How surrendered is my life?” The world says: “Build your platform.” God says: “Build your altar.” The world says: “Make people notice you.” God says: “Let your light shine so that people may glorify your Father.” The stage is temporary. The applause is temporary. Popularity is temporary. Titles are temporary. But what you do for God and who you become in Christ have eternal significance. So today, come down from the stage. Lay down the need to impress. Lay down the need to be celebrated. Lay down the hidden compromise. Lay down the pride. Lay down the fear of people's opinions. Lay down your plans. And say: «“Lord, here I am. My life is Yours.”» FINAL DECLARATION My life will not be a stage for human applause. My life will be an altar for God's glory. My gifts will serve His purpose. My character will reflect Christ. My private life will honor Him. My public life will glorify Him. And everything I am and everything I have will belong to Jesus. Amen. If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com

Ezekiel Chapter 14 — Simple Explanation Chapter 14 goes deeper than false prophets. Now God deals with the root problem inside the people: idolatry in their hearts. 1. Idols in the heart (verses 1–5) Some elders come to Ezekiel to ask God for guidance. Alright—here’s a clear, straight explanation of Ezekiel 12 without the picture. What’s going on in this chapter? God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to warn the people of Israel (especially those in Jerusalem). The main message: judgment is coming, and exile is certain. 1. Ezekiel acts out a message (verses 1–7) God tells Ezekiel to act like someone going into exile: * Pack his belongings * Leave in the daytime where people can see * Dig through a wall and carry his stuff out This wasn’t random—it was a sign. It showed that the people of Jerusalem would soon be forced to leave their land as captives. 2. The people are spiritually blind (verses 2–3) God says: * They have eyes but don’t see * They have ears but don’t hear Meaning: they are ignoring God on purpose. They’ve become stubborn and rebellious. 3. The king will try to escape—but fail (verses 8–13) This part is about the king of Jerusalem (Zedekiah): * He will try to escape secretly * But he will be captured * He will be taken to Babylon Even leaders won’t escape God’s judgment. 4. Fear and suffering are coming (verses 17–20) God tells Ezekiel to: * Eat food while trembling * Drink water with fear This represents how the people will live—in anxiety, scarcity, and fear when disaster comes. 5. No more delays (verses 21–28) People were saying: “These prophecies won’t happen anytime soon.” God responds: * No more delay * What He said will happen soon God is basically saying: “Stop thinking you have forever—this is real and it’s coming.” Key message of Ezekiel 12 * God warns before He judges * Ignoring God doesn’t stop consequences * Judgment may seem delayed—but it will come * Even in judgment, God still speaks to give people a chance to wake up Simple takeaway for you This chapter is a serious reminder: Don’t ignore truth when you hear it. Because the danger isn’t not knowing—it’s knowing and refusing to respond. But God says: * These men have set up idols in their hearts * Yet they still come pretending to seek Him This is serious hypocrisy. Meaning: * You can look religious on the outside * But inside, something else is controlling you (money, power, lust, pride, etc.) God’s response: “I will answer them according to their idols.” In other words: If you choose idols, expect consequences from that choice. 2. A call to repent (verses 6–11) God gives a clear command: * Turn away from your idols * Stop all detestable practices He warns: * Anyone (even foreigners) who turns to idols and then asks God for guidance will face judgment God wants sincerity, not divided loyalty. 3. Even great righteousness won’t save a nation (verses 12–20) God gives a strong example: Even if these three righteous men were there: * Noah * Daniel * Job They would only save themselves, not the whole land. Meaning: * A nation’s sin has consequences * You can’t rely on someone else’s righteousness 4. Judgment is unavoidable—but not without purpose (verses 21–23) God lists four severe judgments: * Sword (war) * Famine * Wild beasts * Plague Yet He says: * A remnant will survive * And their story will show that God’s judgment was just Even in judgment, God leaves a witness. Key message of Ezekiel 14 * The biggest idols are often internal, not physical * God sees beyond outward religion * Personal responsibility matters—you can’t depend on others spiritually * Judgment comes, but God still leaves room for understanding and repentance Simple takeaway What controls your heart matters more than what you say with your mouth. Because God isn’t just listening to prayers— He’s looking at what you truly serve. 🙏[everyone]

Ezekiel Chapter 14 — Simple Explanation Chapter 14 goes deeper than false prophets. Now God deals with the root problem inside the people: idolatry in their hearts. 1. Idols in the heart (verses 1–5) Some elders come to Ezekiel to ask God for guidance. Alright—here’s a clear, straight explanation of Ezekiel 12 without the picture. What’s going on in this chapter? God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to warn the people of Israel (especially those in Jerusalem). The main message: judgment is coming, and exile is certain. 1. Ezekiel acts out a message (verses 1–7) God tells Ezekiel to act like someone going into exile: * Pack his belongings * Leave in the daytime where people can see * Dig through a wall and carry his stuff out This wasn’t random—it was a sign. It showed that the people of Jerusalem would soon be forced to leave their land as captives. 2. The people are spiritually blind (verses 2–3) God says: * They have eyes but don’t see * They have ears but don’t hear Meaning: they are ignoring God on purpose. They’ve become stubborn and rebellious. 3. The king will try to escape—but fail (verses 8–13) This part is about the king of Jerusalem (Zedekiah): * He will try to escape secretly * But he will be captured * He will be taken to Babylon Even leaders won’t escape God’s judgment. 4. Fear and suffering are coming (verses 17–20) God tells Ezekiel to: * Eat food while trembling * Drink water with fear This represents how the people will live—in anxiety, scarcity, and fear when disaster comes. 5. No more delays (verses 21–28) People were saying: “These prophecies won’t happen anytime soon.” God responds: * No more delay * What He said will happen soon God is basically saying: “Stop thinking you have forever—this is real and it’s coming.” Key message of Ezekiel 12 * God warns before He judges * Ignoring God doesn’t stop consequences * Judgment may seem delayed—but it will come * Even in judgment, God still speaks to give people a chance to wake up Simple takeaway for you This chapter is a serious reminder: Don’t ignore truth when you hear it. Because the danger isn’t not knowing—it’s knowing and refusing to respond. But God says: * These men have set up idols in their hearts * Yet they still come pretending to seek Him This is serious hypocrisy. Meaning: * You can look religious on the outside * But inside, something else is controlling you (money, power, lust, pride, etc.) God’s response: “I will answer them according to their idols.” In other words: If you choose idols, expect consequences from that choice. 2. A call to repent (verses 6–11) God gives a clear command: * Turn away from your idols * Stop all detestable practices He warns: * Anyone (even foreigners) who turns to idols and then asks God for guidance will face judgment God wants sincerity, not divided loyalty. 3. Even great righteousness won’t save a nation (verses 12–20) God gives a strong example: Even if these three righteous men were there: * Noah * Daniel * Job They would only save themselves, not the whole land. Meaning: * A nation’s sin has consequences * You can’t rely on someone else’s righteousness 4. Judgment is unavoidable—but not without purpose (verses 21–23) God lists four severe judgments: * Sword (war) * Famine * Wild beasts * Plague Yet He says: * A remnant will survive * And their story will show that God’s judgment was just Even in judgment, God leaves a witness. Key message of Ezekiel 14 * The biggest idols are often internal, not physical * God sees beyond outward religion * Personal responsibility matters—you can’t depend on others spiritually * Judgment comes, but God still leaves room for understanding and repentance Simple takeaway What controls your heart matters more than what you say with your mouth. Because God isn’t just listening to prayers— He’s looking at what you truly serve. 🙏

A Person After God's Own Heart: Integrity When No One Is Watching! Key Scripture... "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart."- Psalm 15:1–2 Thought Of The Day... In a world that often celebrates appearances over authenticity, God is not searching for people who merely look righteous in public—He is seeking men and women whose hearts remain faithful when no one else is watching. Integrity is not measured by the applause of people but by the approval of God. It is who you are in private that reveals who you truly are. David was called "a man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22), not because he was perfect, but because he genuinely desired to please God. When David sinned, he repented. When he failed, he humbled himself. His greatest desire was never to protect his reputation but to restore his relationship with God. Psalm 15 begins with a profound question: "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" In other words, "Who can live in close fellowship with You?" God's answer is not based on wealth, popularity, education, or religious activity. Instead, He points to character. 1. Walk Uprightly Walking uprightly means living consistently according to God's Word. It means your character remains the same whether you're standing in church, sitting in the office, or alone behind closed doors. Integrity means: • Keeping your promises even when they cost you. • Refusing dishonest gain. • Remaining faithful to your spouse. • Working honestly when your supervisor isn't watching. • Honoring God even when compromise would be easier. True integrity is doing the right thing because it honors God—not because someone might find out. Proverbs 10:9 (KJV) "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known." God blesses the life that chooses righteousness over convenience. 2. Work Righteousness Integrity is not passive—it produces righteous actions. Our faith should be visible in the way we: • Treat people. • Speak to our families. • Conduct business. • Handle money. • Respond to temptation. • Serve others with humility. James reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). A heart devoted to God naturally produces a life that reflects Him. The world needs believers whose actions match their profession of faith. 3. Speak the Truth in the Heart Notice that Psalm 15 doesn't merely say to speak truth with your mouth—it says to speak truth "in thy heart." God is concerned with what happens inside before words ever leave our lips. A truthful heart is: • Free from deception. • Honest before God. • Willing to confess sin. • Humble enough to admit mistakes. • Sincere in worship. • Genuine in love. People may fool others with outward appearances, but no one deceives God. 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) "...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." Integrity Is Proven in Private Joseph demonstrated integrity when tempted by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39). No one else was in the room. He could have sinned without immediate consequences, but Joseph understood something greater: "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9) His concern wasn't getting caught. His concern was grieving God. Likewise, Daniel remained faithful in Babylon even when obedience placed his life in danger. His private prayer life sustained his public testimony. God is still looking for people whose private lives match their public witness. The Reward of Integrity Integrity may not always bring immediate recognition, but it always earns God's favor. Those who walk uprightly experience: • A clear conscience. • Peace that the world cannot give. • Confidence before God. • A trustworthy reputation. • Spiritual authority. • Lasting influence on future generations. Most importantly, they enjoy close fellowship with the Lord. Psalm 84:11 declares: "For the Lord God is a sun and shield... no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." God honors those who honor Him. Something to Think About... Ask yourself: • Am I the same person in private that people see in public? • Would God be pleased with my thoughts when no one else knows them? • Is my integrity dependent on who is watching? • Do my words, actions, and motives reflect Christ? • Am I pursuing God's approval more than man's applause? Remember, character is built one obedient decision at a time. Every unseen act of faithfulness is noticed by the God who sees all things. Prayer... Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding me that You are more concerned with my heart than my outward appearance. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Help me to walk uprightly, practice righteousness, and speak truth from the depths of my heart. Lord, make me a person of integrity—even when no one is watching. Guard me from compromise, hypocrisy, and hidden sin. Give me the courage to choose obedience over convenience, holiness over popularity, and faithfulness over personal gain. May my private life bring You as much glory as my public testimony. Let my words, thoughts, motives, and actions reflect the character of Jesus Christ. Help me to be trustworthy in every area of my life, knowing that You see every decision and reward every act of faithful obedience. Like David, give me a heart that longs after You. Like Joseph, help me flee temptation. Like Daniel, strengthen me to stand firm regardless of the cost. May my life be a living testimony that honors Your holy name. I surrender every hidden place of my heart to You. Search me, cleanse me, and shape me into the person You have called me to be. Let my greatest desire always be to hear You say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

good morning God 3 August 2026 This week, as I was meditating on the Sermon on the Mount, I was deeply encouraged by the kingdom principles that Jesus taught. These chapters present what many call the Constitution of the Kingdom of God. Jesus begins with the Beatitudes, describing the character of those who are truly blessed in His kingdom, and He concludes by teaching that those who hear and obey His words are like the wise man who built his house on the rock, while those who hear but do not obey are like the foolish man whose house collapsed (Matthew 7:24–27). Among all these teachings, two verses especially captured my heart and led me into deeper study. The first is Matthew 5:48: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The second is Matthew 5:20: “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” These words challenged me to ask, What did Jesus really mean? Why did He warn His followers not to be like the scribes and Pharisees? As I continued studying, I found the answer in Matthew 6:1, where Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them.” Their religion was centered on outward appearances and the praise of people rather than a sincere relationship with God. In Matthew 23, Jesus openly exposed their hypocrisy. Throughout Matthew 6, He also taught His disciples how to give, pray, and fast with the right motives—not for public recognition but for the glory of the Father. Again and again, Jesus warned, “Do not be like the hypocrites.” The Pharisees focused on external religion, but Jesus called His followers to inward transformation. True righteousness is not produced by human effort or religious performance. It is the result of God’s grace working in our hearts through faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out, shaping us into the likeness of Christ day by day. We cannot become perfect by our own works or self-righteousness. Only by knowing Jesus more deeply, walking in obedience to His Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth can we grow in holiness and spiritual maturity. As we continue to meditate on Scripture and surrender our lives to God each day, He faithfully changes us from the inside out. This study has been a great blessing and encouragement to me, and I sincerely hope it blesses you as well. May we seek a righteousness that comes from Christ alone and live lives that honor Him in both heart and action. God bless you. Love God, and love people.

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🌺🌹🎁🎀💝 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY MONDAY AUGUST 3, 2O26. " WHAT IS A PARENT TO DO?" 'But his sons did not walk in his ways...’ 1 Samuel 8:3 NIV AT TIMES every parent despairs over their child’s decisions and actions. ‘I did my best to bring them up correctly; did I fail as a parent?’ Failure is a fact of life—and of parenting—and nobody does it perfectly! Parents assume a heavier load of guilt than they deserve. Consider some Bible examples of real-world parenting: Isaac had, at best, a 50 percent success rate with his sons, Jacob and Esau. Aaron struck out completely with Nadab and Abihu. Manoah’s boy Samson didn’t win the ‘son-of-the-year award’! And Samuel, a recognised moral and spiritual giant, watched his sons reject his example and teaching and pursue lives of bribery and shame. Since Adam, children ‘doing their own thing’ have broken their parents’ hearts! So what is a parent to do? 1) Realise you’re not responsible for their decisions. They make their own choices. Condemning yourself just discourages you, and it undermines your ability to be the parent they need. The Bible says, ‘…Salvation is of the Lord’ (Jonah 2:9 NJKV). He saves and delivers—not you. 2) Pray for them and give them to God. Anxiety and frustration will only make you the kind of parent they don’t enjoy being around, and who can’t enjoy them. You’re not built to carry such a load; your heavenly Father is, and He wants to carry it for you! (1 Peter 5:7). 3) Remember that God loves them more than you do! He gave His only child to save yours. He knows their heart, and how to reach it and turn it toward Him. So give your child to Him! Bible In A Year: Deut 30:1 – 32:28, Matt 14:1-12, Ps 119:9-16, Pro 17:4-6. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation 🌹🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*💝🌹🌷🎀. MD.ii. [02/08, 8:31 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) MONDAY 3RD AUGUST, 2026``` *JESUS: THE LORD OVER ALL* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️✝️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:LUKE 4:33-44```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them" (LUKE 4:40).*_ *The Greek word for "Lord" translates to _Adonai_ in Hebrew. In modern parlance, it means "supreme Lord", an incommunicable name of God, and the substitute for Jehovah, a name the Jews would not pronounce. It is in this sense that Christ is 'the Lord, the Lord of lords, the Lord God'. Lord, in the sense in which God alone can be Lord speaks of His dominion over all things. Christ validates this in Capernaum.* *Stepping out of Nazareth with defiance, Christ came into Capernaum with singleness of mind to pursue his tripartite ministry of teaching, healing and preaching. In the synagogue, on the Sabbath day, Christ stood tall as the Conqueror of sin, sickness and Satan; the Controller of demons and fallen angels and of course a compassionate consummate Saviour who speaks peace and hope to humanity.* *In His towering yet meek posture, power meets with pity and that resulted in a stream of miracles, which confirmed His divinity. He stood as the Lord over all. The tone of authority and sternness rested fully in Him. He has pity on the convicted who sincerely seeks redemption and with the same breath turns to unclean, defiling spirits with a poignantly severe countenance. Even the acknowledgement of His divinity as "The Holy One of God", or "Jesus of Nazareth", or "Christ the Son of God" were not dignified with any form of approval. He will not have His name soiled by such lips.* *Significantly, for you as a Christian pilgrim today, Christ's ministry in Capernaum is a model on which authentic ministries and ministrations must be built. First, since Jesus placed an uncommon emphasis on the preaching of the word, so must you do today and so walk in His steps. It is the word that converts sinners, edifies saints and wings the power that heals, delivers and liberates from satanic yokes. Secondly, since Jesus unswervingly devoted Himself to His mission to preach the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43, 44), so must every Christian who is a beneficiary of the atonement at Calvary. Thirdly, just as Jesus resisted every distraction from His central calling, so must you also remain undistracted by the miracles, signs and wonders of the day. The Great Commission coupled with holiness of life must tower over and above every other concern, legitimate or otherwise. Finally, the agency of miracles then and now remains the same. It is always the spoken word, NOT water, oil, candle or garments, gymnastics or any hocus-pocus. Cling to Christ's model and He will be Lord over all in your life, family and ministry.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Jesus Christ is valued above all and He is Lord over all.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *JOHN 6-7*📜📜 Jesus: The Lord Over All https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 214: ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS' NAME!; GHS 73: JESUS ONLY IS OUR MESSAGE; GHS 211: CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS; AND GHS 115: LIFT HIM UP* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna3rdAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [02/08, 8:31 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```MONDAY 3RD AUGUST, 2026``` *PRAYER PATTERN* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🗣️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:MATTHEW 6:5-15```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (MATTHEW 6:6).*_ *A spiritual legend, John Wesley says: "God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." God, our Creator has given us all things that relate to our lives and godliness. However, our prayer must follow a godly pattern for it to be acceptable and potent. Those who engage in prayer and fasting for show like the Pharisees cannot please God, and their prayers are worthless before Him.* *The state of your heart is very important when you pray. You should never make prayer a thing of competition as the Lord will reject such. Praying to God in secret indicates a practice of privacy and intimacy with God. It goes with total surrendering of your life, actions and dealings to God. Prayers with anger and malice are abominable before God.* *Remember, the Lord is interested in a prayer from a broken and contrite heart. It is important to note that God does not answer the prayer of a sinner, except if it is a prayer of repentance. Do you have a relationship with God? Repent of your sins for your prayers to be effective.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Follow a godly pattern.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Build a consistent relationship with God.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Father, help my prayer to be devoid of hypocrisy.*_ Prayer Pattern https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday3rdAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [02/08, 8:31 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```MONDAY 3RD AUGUST, 2026``` *"STUDY TO BE QUIET"* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🗣️❌📚👨🏽‍💻🤫🤐🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```1 THESSALONIANS 4:11,12```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you" (1 Thessalonians 4:11).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 One of the reasons for going to school is to study; to learn what you do not know and what will be beneficial to you in future. You will be very ignorant if you have not attended a school and studied. You study many subjects, but they all combine to make you one "learned" person. However, we do not study everything from school. There are some habits or virtues that you must teach yourself. Today, we learn on the need to be quiet, do your own business (assignments), work with your own hands, and not disturb others. Quietness is a good habit we must learn or study if we are to grow up and be responsible adults. It is not others that cause you to disturb; or not to keep quiet and pay attention. It is because you choose to show undue interest in what others do or say. It takes a great deal of self-control to be quiet and remain so. Some children keep quiet and concentrate on their work only for a moment. Of course, you must be quiet before you can work well with your own hands. You lose attention or concentration immediately you begin to talk about other things, except about what you are doing. That is why your teacher always insists that you keep quiet in the class. *You will run into many problems if you fail to obey the instruction of the Bible: "study to be quiet". You will end up being a busybody. You will not be able to gainfully use your time, work hard and succeed. From this moment, listen more, talk less!* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, bless me with quiet and hardworking hands.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *2 Thessalonians 3:11, 12* "Study To Be Quiet" https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk3rdAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [02/08, 8:31 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* MONDAY, 3RD AUGUST, 2026. *PROOFS OF THE ULTIMATE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF CHRIST* *TEXT:* LUKE 4:33-44. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, 34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. 35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. 36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. 37 And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about. 38 And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. 39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. 40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. 41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. 42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. 43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. 44 And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. *Timeless Truth:* _"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"_ (Philippians 2:10,11). *INTRODUCTION* Courts naturally assume a witness called by the defense is meant to help the accused. When that witness instead supports the accuser, the testimony is viewed as inherently honest because it goes against the witness's apparent allegiance. It completely destroys the specific line of defense the witness was brought to prove, leaving the accused’s story isolated or contradicted. The prosecution can heavily rely on this testimony during closing arguments to show that even the defendant’s own chosen witness knows the truth of the charges. The ministry of Jesus Christ was marked by undeniable demonstrations of His supreme power and divine authority. The fact that even demons, diseases and every force of darkness are all confessing to the power and authority of Jesus are strong and undeniable proofs that Jesus is truly Lord over all. *1. Honest Confession of the Demons* a. Right there *"in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean devil"*. This man was in the synagogue. As long as there was no fire of the Holy Spirit in the Synagogue, the man was comfortably "worshipping". In some denominations of today, there are such people who are talented and appear zealous for God, but have evil spirits inside them because the church is void of the fire of the Holy Spirit. Such people, in cooperation with demons, do a lot of undetected havoc in the House of God. As Jesus taught in the Synagogue, the demon inside him started making cowardly and honest confessions. He, like the damsel possessed by the spirit of divination in Acts 16:16-18, started manifesting. He confessed, *"I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God."* He *"cried with a loud voice"* like a person manifesting the gift of prophecy. His confession was a combination of truth and falsehood as expected of corrupting demons. Jesus is truly the Holy One of God. However, the accusation that Jesus came to destroy them before their time was meant to put Jesus in a wrong perspective. The fact that Jesus did not destroy, but only cast them out, showed that the demon was actually ignorant or was deliberately lying. Satan is an incurable pathological liar who will always mix lies with truth so as to deceive the gullible. *"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."* b. It should not be surprising then that Jesus rebuked him and said *"hold thy peace"* though it appeared the demon was saying something positive about Christ. They will always try to win one's confidence with known truth before sneaking in poisons of errors. It is therefore, dangerous to base our doctrines and beliefs on the confession of those possessed with demons. The Word of God is the ultimate truth given to man on earth. It is the Word of God and His work that have been divinely decreed to glorify God and not unclean demons. Are these not the same demons who confess to the Lordship of Christ, but later go and deceive many that Jesus is not Lord? Are these not the demons that deceived a whole Jewish nation that Jesus is not the Messiah they were looking for? Our faith should rest only on the sufficient Word of God. Sadly, while demons acknowledged Christ's authority, many human beings still reject Him. *Question* Do you have the practical and experiential knowledge of Christ as the Lord of all, including you? *2.The Humiliating Christ's Dominion* a. The text is showing the total and absolute dominion of Christ over demons. It was a humiliating demonstration that if those demons have their way they would have loved to avoid such a scenario. Jesus commanded him to shut up and *"come out of him"*. Don't deal gently with demons; speak to them with the authority of Jesus. The demon had to surrender and come out shamefully. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit with absolute authority. The demon obeyed immediately without resistance, proving that Satan's kingdom is completely subject to Christ's dominion. The people were astonished because His words carried divine authority unlike anything they had witnessed before. b. Christ's dominion is supreme over every demonic force, every stronghold and every work of darkness. No power can withstand His command. When believers use the name of Jesus to cast out demons, the demons must. *"At the name (or authority) of Jesus, every knee must bow"*, either in heaven, on earth or underneath the earth (Philippians 2:10, 11). All witchcraft, sorcery, evil works of darkness are all works of demons. Believers should learn to use the name of Jesus to deal with those forces of darkness with unwavering and persistent authority and faith. *Question* Am I living daily in the confidence of Christ's absolute authority over every power of darkness? *3. Healer and Conqueror over all Diseases* a. Modern medicine attributes all physical and mental illnesses to natural, biological, genetic and environmental causes. Medical causes of illness include pathogens, genetics and environmental factors. Also, psychosomatic effects such as high stress and emotional distress can manifest as physical symptoms. The fact that there are many medically incurable (or unknown cure) sickness and diseases, that are cured by simple prayer in the name of Jesus, is an indication that many sicknesses and diseases have spiritual undertones. Jesus rebuked Simon's mother-in-law's fever, just like He rebuked a demon and she was instantly healed and began serving others. Also, to Jesus were brought *all kinds of sick individuals to Him, and He healed them*. Though Jesus is not against medical healing, He never referred any sick to the hospitals of those days; He healed them all. No disease was beyond His power. b. His compassion matched His authority. Christ remains the Great Physician who heals physically according to His will, restores spiritually, and delivers completely from the bondage of sin. His power is sufficient for every need of His children. Has Jesus changed? (Hebrews 13:8). *Question* Have I brought every sickness, burden and impossible situation to the Great Healer in faith? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith to recognize and submit completely to Your supreme power and authority 🙏. 2.Father, give me spiritual fire that I will be a threat to demons and their works 🙏. 3.Great Physician, let Your healing and deliverance touch be more manifested in my ministry 🙏. 4.Let the power of the Holy Spirit manifest mightily in Your Church so that spiritually camouflaging people will not have a hiding place in the congregation 🙏. *HYMN:* Christ Jesus hath the power *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOHN 6-7. 2. Morning prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ⏤ Psalm 119:105 The Scriptures are God’s voice to us in our present hour. ⏤ A.W. Tozer Our Father, bless Your word to us, which we have read together this morning. We thank You that it brings us the very counsel of Your will. May it stay in our hearts all day. May it be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path as we go forth. May its truth shine within us, showing us Your will, what Your thoughts concerning us are, and what You would have us do. We thank You for this heavenly light You have given us. Without it, we could never find our way home through the tangled paths. Without it, we would not know that You love us or think of us. Help us to receive Your words always with meekness and humility. Help us to walk in the way You have made clear to us. We ask You to fill us with Your love this morning as we begin the day, so that wherever we go, our faces may shine with something of the light of Your face. We have no light of our own. Our lamps are empty unless You fill them. We ask You to give us Your grace, to fill our little lamps, that they may burn brightly. We do not want to be in darkness in this world—but desire to be lights, and we will shine if we have Your grace in us. Fill us with Your holy light. We yearn to be blessings today to each other and to everyone we meet. Give us something to carry to others—something of Your love and grace. Lay Your hand upon us and give us each a Father’s blessing, first for ourselves and then to share with our neighbors and friends. Keep us all from evil. Let us not sin willfully against You this day. Bring us all together in the evening when our work is done, if it be Your will. We ask all these favors in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/29/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS RAISING GODLY CHILDREN IN MODERN TIMES SERMON TEXT: Deuteronomy 6:6–7 «"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children..."» THE GREATEST LEGACY IS NOT WEALTH, BUT GODLINESS We live in a generation where children are surrounded by influences that compete for their hearts. Social media, entertainment, peer pressure, and worldly ideologies speak to them every day. Many parents work hard to provide food, education, and comfort, yet neglect the spiritual formation of their children. A child may know mathematics, science, and technology, yet remain ignorant of God. Such success is incomplete. The future of the Church, the family, and society depends largely on how we raise today's children. God has never called schools, governments, or social media to disciple our children first. He has entrusted that responsibility to parents and guardians. The question is not merely, "Are our children growing?" but "Are they growing in Christ?" KEY BIBLE VERSES 1. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 God instructed Israel to teach His Word diligently to their children at home, while traveling, before sleeping, and after waking. Godly parenting is not a Sunday activity—it is a daily lifestyle. Lesson: Faith is best transferred through consistent living, not occasional teaching. 2. Proverbs 22:6 «"Train up a child in the way he should go..."» Training requires patience, correction, instruction, and repetition. Children rarely become godly accidentally. 3. Ephesians 6:4 «"Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."» Parents are called not only to discipline but also to nurture with love, wisdom, and grace. 4. Psalm 127:3 «"Children are a heritage from the Lord."» Children are not burdens; they are God's precious gifts entrusted to our care. POINT ONE: BE THE EXAMPLE YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO FOLLOW Children learn more from what they see than from what they hear. If they see prayer, they will value prayer. If they see honesty, they will learn integrity. If they see forgiveness, they will understand mercy. If they see hypocrisy, they may reject the faith altogether. Our lives are the first Bible many children will ever read. POINT TWO: BUILD A GOD-CENTERED HOME A godly home does not happen by accident. Create an atmosphere where: - Prayer is normal. - The Bible is read together. - Worship is practiced. - God is discussed openly. - Love and forgiveness are evident. When Christ is the center of the home, children grow with spiritual stability. POINT THREE: DISCIPLINE WITH LOVE, NOT ANGER Biblical discipline is meant to restore, not to destroy. Correction without love produces fear. Love without correction produces rebellion. God disciplines those He loves, and parents should reflect His heart through patient and wise correction. POINT FOUR: GUARD THEIR HEARTS FROM UNGODLY INFLUENCES Modern technology is useful, but it must never replace parental guidance. Children today face constant exposure to harmful content through phones, television, gaming, and the internet. Parents must: - Know what their children watch. - Pray with them. - Discuss biblical truth regularly. - Teach discernment. - Encourage friendships that strengthen faith. A protected heart is more valuable than unlimited freedom. POINT FIVE: PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN WITHOUT CEASING Some battles cannot be won by rules alone. They require prayer. Pray for: - Salvation - Wisdom - Purity - Protection - Divine purpose - Good relationships - Love for God Never underestimate the power of a praying parent. BIBLICAL CASE STUDY Hannah and Samuel (1 Samuel 1–3) Hannah prayed earnestly for a child and dedicated Samuel to the Lord before he was born. She fulfilled her promise and continually nurtured his spiritual life. Samuel grew to become one of Israel's greatest prophets because his foundation was laid in God's presence. Lesson: Children dedicated to God and raised in His ways can become instruments of national transformation. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS - Every child carries a divine purpose that must be nurtured. - The enemy targets children because they represent the future. - Parenting is a sacred ministry, not merely a biological responsibility. - A godly generation is built through faithful discipleship at home. - Your greatest investment is not what you leave for your children, but what you leave in your children. PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS 1. Establish daily family prayer. 2. Read at least one Bible passage together each day. 3. Worship together regularly. 4. Limit harmful media influences. 5. Bless your children with words of encouragement 6. Lead by personal example. 7. Pray consistently for their spiritual growth. 8. Encourage them to serve God in the local church. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION - Am I modeling the Christian life before my children? - Does my home reflect the presence of Christ? - What values am I intentionally teaching my children? - Are my children growing spiritually or merely growing physically? - What changes must I make to help them follow Jesus faithfully? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Father, help me become a godly example to my children. 2. Lord, let my home become a place of prayer, peace, and Your presence. 3. Every evil influence assigned against my children, be destroyed in Jesus' name. 4. Lord, plant a deep love for Your Word in the hearts of my children. 5. Father, grant my children wisdom, holiness, and discernment. 6. Let every destiny assigned to my children by You be fulfilled. 7. Protect my children from ungodly friendships and destructive habits. 8. Raise my children to become faithful servants and shining lights for Christ. 9. Let the Holy Spirit guide them in every decision they make. 10. May generations after us continue to serve the Lord faithfully. OUR CHILDREN ARE TOMORROW'S CHURCH The battle for the next generation is being fought today. If we fail to disciple our children, the world will gladly shape them according to its values. But when parents intentionally raise children in the fear of the Lord, they become men and women of integrity, compassion, courage, and unwavering faith. Let us choose today to build homes where Christ is honored, Scripture is loved, prayer is practiced, and children are nurtured to know, love, and serve God all the days of their lives. Call to Action: Parents, guardians, grandparents, teachers, and church leaders—commit yourselves afresh to raising children who will stand firm for Christ. Begin today. Pray with them, teach them God's Word, live as an example before them, and trust the Holy Spirit to shape their hearts. The seeds you plant now can produce a harvest of faithful disciples who will impact families, churches, communities, and nations for the glory of God. If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - WhatsApp https://wa.link/jwz4sa Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/share/1DgLHSZ4pk/ #UMOHEDEM