LOST IN THE CHURCH: [BEING LOST IN CHURCH] Part Six Idolatry in the House of God Many have interpreted the word idol from the perspective of the Old Covenant, an era in which the main emphasis was on the physical. But now, the Lord is seeking people who will worship Him in spirit. Therefore, the most dangerous and difficult idol—not one made of iron, stone, or wood—is the one that can be carved within a person’s heart or spirit. An IDOL can be anything that takes the place of God within a person. The first commandment the Lord gave us is to love Him above everything else. Therefore, whatever you can love more than you love God becomes an idol to you. Furthermore, the Lord has warned us not to fear anything more than Him (Matthew 10:28), and not to place our faith, hope, or dependence on anything except Him. By this reasoning, whatever you give those places in your life becomes an idol that you have carved within your own heart. Scripture is clear that those who worship idols will have their part in the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8). In these last days, many people have become lost in Church by worshipping things that are close to the Lord, or things that have been called by His name, thinking that by doing so they are worshipping the Lord Himself! Some of the things people have come to worship—and many of you may be surprised when I mention them—include worship services, the Church, the mother of Jesus, servants of God, angels, the Word of God, prayer, the name of a church, and so on. But the Lord will never allow anything to take His glory! Nevertheless, many people who worship idols in the house of God do so out of ignorance and lack of knowledge. And this is where our enemy gains his strength. Therefore, this message is given by the great grace of God to those who are willing to love the Lord above everything else. Worshipping the Word of God The Word of God can become an idol if it takes the place of God Himself. And this is astonishing! I know that by making this statement, I have probably disturbed the theology of many people. Let me repeat it, so that you understand that I am not speaking carelessly: “The word of God can become a very dangerous idol, and it can bring death if it is worshipped or allowed to take the place of God.” There is nothing as valuable as the Word of God. Nevertheless, everyone must understand that the “word of God” is not God Himself! It is extremely dangerous for any person, Church, or institution to build upon the word of God instead of building upon God Himself. Today, there are many Churches that have fallen into this kind of deception. You can recognize them by observing their people: they have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5). The Church develops certain forms of worship that contradict the presence of God! The Word of God vs. “the word of God” I know that when I say “the word of God is not God,” many people become surprised, especially when they remember John 1:1, which says: > “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” It is absolutely true that this Scripture says the Word was God. However, it is important to understand that this passage is speaking about “the Word” and not merely “the word of God.” There is a significant difference between these two expressions: “the Word of God” and “the word of God.” When you say “the Word of God,” you are referring, in essence, to a Person—which is why Word begins with a capital letter. However, when you say “the word of God,” you are not necessarily referring to a person, but rather to the ordinary word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Throughout the Bible, there are places where the word “Word” is used with a capital letter. When Scripture uses it in that way, it refers to a Person—Christ! The Bible is filled with the word of God that needs to be made alive. When a person reads it, they should seek the Spirit through whom that word was written. Therefore, the word of God needs the Spirit behind it so that it can be transformed into the living Word of God, who is a Person. And that is what saves, blesses, and heals. Thus: The word of God + the Holy Spirit = The Word of God [Jesus] Without the Holy Spirit, there is no life in anything. Therefore, do not be surprised that even the Bible can be used by witches or traditional healers in their practices. This helps us understand the meaning of the Scripture: > “For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” — 2 Corinthians 3:6 Essentially, without the Holy Spirit, the Bible becomes nothing more than a book of history, literature, philosophy, stories, politics, or any other ordinary book. And many people have treated Scripture in exactly that way. They have never encountered the Living Word of God within their hearts. As a result, they have built their lives upon a “word of God” that has never become flesh within them. Because of their lack of understanding, many people consider such individuals to be servants of God. Yet this condition has ultimately turned them into philosophers, motivational speakers, politicians, and extreme businessmen operating within the house of God. This is extremely dangerous! When the Lord made a whip and overturned the tables of the merchants in His Father’s house, was that not also a prophecy of what is going to take place in the house of God today? May God bless you greatly! #ToBeContinued... Mwl. Ernest Nyalula +255 616 609 885 #LostInTheChurch #CircumcisionOfTheHeart #TrueHoliness #BornAgain #GraceAndTruth #ChristJesus #Christianity #TheCross #SpiritualGrowth #GodsWord

“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.” — 2 Peter 1:3–4 (CSB) Peter reminds us that God has already provided everything we need to live a life that honors Him. Through knowing Christ, we receive His power, His promises, and the ability to grow beyond the sinful desires of this world. Spiritual growth is not accomplished through our strength alone; God supplies what we need as we trust Him and walk in obedience to His Word. His promises give us confidence that He is continually working within us, shaping us to become more like Christ.

PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 18) 1. A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. 2. A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. 3. When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. 4. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. 5. It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6. A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. 7. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. 8. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. 9. He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. 10. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. 11. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem. 12. Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. 13. He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. 14. The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? 15. The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16. A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. 17. The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. 18. Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart. 19. A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20. A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. 22. He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. 23. The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly. 24. A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

*TODAY'S PROPHETIC DECLARATION - TUESDAY, 18TH AUGUST, 2026.* 🌟*LORD, OPEN MY EYES TO YOUR WONDERFUL TRUTH*🌟 📖 Scripture: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” — Psalm 119:18 (KJV). 🔥*Reflection – Open My Eyes, Lord* Psalm 119:18 is a humble prayer for spiritual revelation. The Psalmist understood that reading God's Word is not merely an intellectual exercise; we need God's help to truly understand, receive, and apply His truth. There may be wonderful things God wants us to see—truths about His character, promises concerning our lives, instructions for our journey, and wisdom for our decisions. But we need spiritual eyes to recognize them. Today, let your prayer be: “Lord, open my eyes.” Open my eyes to understand Your Word. Open my eyes to recognize Your opportunities. Open my eyes to see what You are doing. Open my eyes to recognize people I should help and paths I should avoid. When God opens our spiritual eyes, confusion gives way to understanding, fear gives way to faith, and uncertainty gives way to divine direction. 🔊*Prophetic Declaration:* Today, I declare that my spiritual eyes are opened to the wonderful truths of God's Word. I receive divine understanding, wisdom, discernment, and revelation through the Holy Spirit. I declare that confusion shall not control my mind. The Lord shall illuminate my understanding and help me distinguish between what is right and what is wrong, what is beneficial and what is harmful, and what is God's will and what is not. Today, I receive grace to understand God's Word deeply and apply it faithfully. The Scriptures shall not merely be words that I read; they shall become living truth that transforms my thoughts, attitudes, decisions, and conduct. I declare that God shall open my eyes to opportunities that align with His purpose for my life. I shall recognize the doors He opens, the relationships He brings, and the assignments He places before me. I proclaim that my eyes shall be opened to see hidden dangers and avoid destructive paths. The Lord shall give me discernment concerning people, decisions, opportunities, and circumstances. I declare divine revelation over my family, ministry, work, business, studies, relationships, and destiny. May the Lord show me what I need to know and teach me what I need to learn for every season of my life. Today, I receive wisdom to make sound decisions. I shall not be governed by impulse, fear, pressure, or confusion. I shall seek God's counsel and allow His Word to guide my steps. I declare that every veil of spiritual blindness, ignorance, misunderstanding, and deception is removed by the light of God's truth. I shall walk in the light and grow continually in the knowledge of Christ. I proclaim that as my understanding increases, my life shall produce good fruit. I shall become wiser in my speech, more patient in my relationships, more faithful in my service, and more effective in fulfilling my God-given assignment. Today, I declare that I will not miss what God is showing me. I will not overlook divine opportunities because of fear. I will not reject God's instructions because of pride. I will have a teachable heart and a willing spirit. Lord, open my eyes. Open my understanding. Open my spiritual perception. Let me behold the wonders in Your Word. Let me see what You want me to see and understand what You want me to understand. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! 🙏🔥 ✅*Action Steps for today:* 1️⃣ Begin with prayer: Before reading the Bible today, pray: “Lord, open my eyes and give me understanding.” 2️⃣ Read Psalm 119: Spend time meditating on the importance and power of God's Word. 3️⃣ Declare: “My spiritual eyes are opened; I receive wisdom, revelation, and understanding from God's Word.” 4️⃣ Write down one truth: Record one thing God teaches you from today's Bible reading and consider how you can apply it. 5️⃣ Seek God's direction: Before making an important decision today, pause and ask God for wisdom. 6️⃣ Remain teachable: Be willing to receive correction, instruction, and godly counsel. 7️⃣ End with thanksgiving: Thank God for every truth He has revealed to you throughout the day. 🔥*Prayer:* Heavenly Father, I come before You today with a humble heart and ask: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Open my spiritual eyes. Open my understanding. Remove every veil of ignorance, confusion, deception, and spiritual blindness from my life. Give me grace to understand Your Word and apply it to my daily life. Let Your Word guide my thoughts, decisions, relationships, ministry, work, business, studies, and every area of my life. Lord, show me the opportunities You have prepared for me. Help me recognize the doors You want me to enter and the paths You want me to avoid. Give me discernment to recognize what is from You and wisdom to respond appropriately. Let me never be too proud to learn or too distracted to hear Your voice. Open my eyes to see Your goodness even in difficult seasons. Help me recognize Your hand at work when circumstances do not look the way I expected. May Your Word become a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Let my life continually reflect the wisdom and truth I receive from You. Open my eyes, Lord, and let me behold Your wonders! Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🕊️ 🌿*Blessing for today:* May the Lord open your spiritual eyes and fill you with divine wisdom and understanding. May His Word become clearer to you, His voice become more recognizable, and His direction become more evident. May God open your eyes to new opportunities, divine connections, hidden dangers, and the wonderful things He is doing in your life. May your family, ministry, work, business, studies, and destiny be guided by the light of God's Word. May you never walk in confusion when divine wisdom is available to you. May the Holy Spirit illuminate your path and lead you into God's perfect will. 📖 Your eyes are opened. 💡 Your understanding is enlightened. 🕊️ Your discernment is sharpened. 🔥 Your faith is strengthened. 🌟 You shall behold the wonders of God's Word. 🙏 “OPEN THOU MINE EYES, THAT I MAY BEHOLD WONDROUS THINGS OUT OF THY LAW.” — PSALM 119:18 Good morning beloved and do have a blessed, insightful, wisdom-filled, and revelation-filled day. Shalom!🙏 *Remember: Your confession is your possession.* *©️ Postulant C. O. Oyadosu.* _Please share with others, thank you and God bless you 🙏_ For counseling, prayers and partnership or you want to share your testimonies with us; please call or Whatsapp: +2348063128703 Or Email: clementoyadosu[gmail].com

PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 18) 1. A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. 2. A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. 3. When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. 4. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. 5. It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6. A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. 7. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. 8. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. 9. He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. 10. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. 11. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem. 12. Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. 13. He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. 14. The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? 15. The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16. A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. 17. The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. 18. Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart. 19. A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20. A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. 22. He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. 23. The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly. 24. A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

📖 TODAY'S BIBLE READING Tuesday, August 18 📜 OLD TESTAMENT JUDGES 19 — The Levite and His Concubine ✝️ NEW TESTAMENT 2 PETER 3 — The Day of the Lord 🎉 Congratulations on completing the book of 2 Peter! Tomorrow we begin 1 John. 🌿 MAJOR PROPHETS ISAIAH 29 — Ariel and Jerusalem 🌿 Today's Reflection 📜 Judges 19 This chapter reveals the terrible consequences of moral corruption and spiritual decline in Israel. It reminds us how seriously God views injustice, violence, and the abandonment of righteousness. ✝️ 2 Peter 3 Peter reminds believers that Christ will return and encourages us to live holy and godly lives while we wait. God's apparent delay is not forgetfulness; He is patient and desires people to turn to Him. 🌿 Isaiah 29 Isaiah warns Jerusalem about relying on outward religion while the heart remains far from God. True devotion must come from the heart, not merely from religious practice. ✨ KEY VERSE "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise... He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." — 2 Peter 3:9 🙏 PRAYER Heavenly Father, help us to live holy and faithful lives as we await the coming of Christ. Give us hearts that genuinely seek You, not merely outward religious appearances. Help us use every opportunity to grow in grace and knowledge and to lead others toward You. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. WE STUDY. WE PRAY. WE OBEY. WE GROW. UNTIL WE ARE TOTALLY TRANSFORMED. 📖✨🙏 🌿 TODAY'S CHALLENGE Live today with eternity in mind. Examine your heart, pursue holiness, and let your life reflect genuine devotion to God. I can also turn today's reading into the usual THE EKKLESIA picture flyer, with Judges 19, 2 Peter 3, Isaiah 29, the key verse, prayer, and today's challenge.

Don Francisco’s “He’s Alive” A Story of Fear, Forgiveness, and Resurrection There is something almost haunting about the beginning of Don Francisco’s “He’s Alive.” It doesn’t begin with celebration. It begins in the dark. Peter is hiding. The doors are shut. The windows are fastened. Outside is the world that has just killed Jesus, and inside is a frightened group of men who don’t know what will happen next. Peter cannot sleep. Every sound must seem dangerous. Every shadow beyond the door could mean soldiers. But Peter is carrying something heavier than fear. He is carrying shame. Only days before, he had stood beside Jesus and promised that he would never leave Him. Yet when the pressure came, Peter denied knowing Him. Not once. Three times. And now Jesus is dead. Peter has to live with the knowledge that the last thing he did while Jesus was alive was fail Him. Then, before sunrise, Mary comes. She brings news that sounds impossible. The stone has been moved. The tomb is empty. Jesus’ body is gone. Peter and John run. They reach the tomb and find the evidence for themselves, the stone rolled away, the burial cloths lying there, but no Jesus. John begins to understand. Peter doesn’t. And that is one of the most beautiful things about Francisco’s song. Peter doesn’t instantly become a man of triumphant faith. He is confused. He has seen Jesus die. He knows what death looks like. An empty tomb is astonishing, but Peter’s heart is still trying to catch up with what his eyes have seen. So he returns. And there, alone with his thoughts, the resurrection becomes something far more frightening. Because if Jesus really is alive… Peter is going to have to face Him. And what would Jesus say? Would He remind Peter of the promises he had made? Would He ask why Peter had denied Him? Would He turn away? Would He condemn him? Peter has every reason to believe that he deserves it. And then, in the beautiful dramatic imagination of Francisco’s song, something happens that Peter could never have expected. Jesus appears. Alive. Not as a memory. Not as a ghost. Not as someone Peter wishes he could see. Jesus is standing there. And Peter looks at Him. The man Peter thought he had lost forever is alive. But there is something even more astonishing. Jesus isn’t there to punish him. He doesn’t come with anger. He doesn’t come with a list of Peter’s failures. He comes with love. Peter falls before Him, overwhelmed by the impossible reality of it all. The Savior he denied is standing before him. And instead of condemnation, Peter finds forgiveness. Instead of judgment, he finds mercy. Instead of the end of his story, he discovers that God has written another chapter. And suddenly Peter understands. The empty tomb wasn’t simply proof that Jesus had conquered death. It was proof that Peter’s failure wasn’t the end either. Jesus is alive. And because He is alive, Peter can be forgiven. Peter can get up. Peter can breathe again. Peter can live again. And that is what makes Don Francisco’s “He’s Alive” so much more than an Easter song. It is a song about what the resurrection feels like to someone who knows they have failed. It is about the moment when shame tells you that you are finished… and Jesus tells you that you are not. Francisco originally tried to tell the resurrection story through Thomas, but the song came together when he began telling it through Peter. Francisco has explained that Peter’s guilt and shame were something he personally understood. That choice changed everything. Because Peter wasn’t a perfect disciple. He was impulsive. He was courageous one moment and frightened the next. He promised more than he could deliver. He failed Jesus at the very moment he thought he would be strongest. And yet Jesus came back for him. That’s the heart of “He’s Alive.” Not simply that the tomb was empty. Not simply that death had been defeated. But that the same Jesus Peter believed he had betrayed beyond repair was standing before him with forgiveness. The song takes the greatest event in Christianity and tells it through the eyes of a broken man. And perhaps that’s why it has endured. Because somewhere inside Peter, many of us recognize ourselves. We know what it is to make promises we couldn’t keep. We know what it is to look backward and wish we could change something. We know what guilt feels like. We know what it is to wonder whether we have gone too far. And then comes the message of the resurrection: You are not finished. The stone was rolled away. The grave was empty. Jesus was alive. And Peter, the man who thought he had failed beyond forgiveness was given another chance. That is why the final declaration carries so much weight. He’s alive. Not merely alive in history. Not merely alive in doctrine. But alive in such a way that Peter’s story can continue. And perhaps that is the quiet miracle at the center of Don Francisco’s song… Jesus didn’t erase Peter’s past. He redeemed it. And the man who once stood outside a fire denying that he knew Jesus could now stand in the light knowing that Jesus still knew him. He was alive. Peter was forgiven. And the story wasn’t over. #ChristianMusic #CCM #DonFrancisco #HesAlive #JesusMovement #ChristianMusicHistory #GospelMusic #Resurrection #JesusChrist #ChristianSongwriting

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* MONDAY 17TH AUGUST, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD'S GRACE. *TOPIC:* OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS. *TEXT:* GENESIS 39:11-14. 11. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. 13. When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14. she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. *TOPIC:* OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS. *THE MESSAGE:* Temptation is a common test that comes in various forms and from different sources. Joseph faced a powerful and subtle temptation from Potiphar's wife, yet he refused to yield, relying on God's help. Though his resistance was reciprocated with harsh punishment, he remained faithful. Many young people, though called by God, have fallen into temptation and lost their voices and vitality. Today, many innocent young men and ladies have fallen victims of rape, sexual harassment in places of work or sex for good grades. Some church workers are not exempted from this awful sin. Have you harass or have been harassed sexually? Do not give the enemy a foothold. God's grace is available to all who desire victory. You can overcome temptation and live in freedom through His grace and word. *REFLECTION:* No temptation will pass your ability to resist. *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to resist and flee temptation. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* EZEKIEL 4-6. ED.ii. GOD'S COVENANT WITH MAN "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man: You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." - Genesis 2:15-17 God's covenant or agreement with man was: 1) God said that man should cultivate the garden; 2) God said he had to take care of the garden. Adam's position as the ruler of the garden had to be preserved; 3) God said they could freely eat from all trees except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they ate from it, they would certainly die. The consequence of the fall But Adam and Eve broke this agreement. They believed the evil one and preferred to follow him, that creature who had disobeyed God, opposed God and was therefore thrown out of heaven. When this sin occurred, everything seemed lost. God made everything so beautiful and appointed Adam as ruler over this. However, when Adam and Eve sinned, Adam lost his position as ruler. They both became slaves to sin. God's rescue plan However, no one but God knew that He already had an escape route for man so man could regain his previous position. The Lamb of God, He was chosen before the creation of the world (see 1 Peter 1:20). This plan to save mankind was there before the world was created. The reason God allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross was because He wanted to give back to man the position he once had. Now man was able to rule over sin, over the evil one and over this earth. He could walk with God again and come into His presence. The human being is allowed to reign together with God as a Royal child. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening Prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. ⏤ Psalm 91:4 God does not want us to worry about the future. He wants us to trust Him today. ⏤ Corrie ten Boom Father, we are like little children in this vast world and cannot take care of ourselves. But we are so grateful that we are Your children and that You are our Father. We trust in Your eternal care. We know that You will never let us fall out of Your love and protection. As night falls again, we come close to You. We hide ourselves in the secret place of Your love and protection. We ask You to forgive all the sins we’ve committed against You today. Renew our hearts more deeply, so that we may keep Your commandments and live in harmony with Your will in both our thoughts and actions. Tonight, Father, we also remember Your other children around us. Some of them are happy; may they not forget You in their joy. Bless all pure happiness and let it lead to a closer relationship with You. Some of Your children are facing challenges. Some are struggling to find their daily bread. Some have sickness in their homes. Others have loved ones who are not living as they should, who do not love You or walk in Your ways, and their hearts are heavy with concern. Some have lost dear ones and are grieving deeply. For all these neighbors, we pray tonight. Bless them all. Give them the grace they need. Send relief and comfort in the way You know is best. And give us the grace to do our part in helping them in Your name, through Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/43/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

📘 Daily Devotion — August 17 | Acts 18:28 (NKJV) 💯 Pointing Others to Jesus Through Scripture Acts 18 introduces Apollos, a gifted speaker who loved God's Word. After receiving further instruction from Priscilla and Aquila, he boldly proclaimed the gospel with greater understanding. Using the Scriptures, Apollos demonstrated that Jesus is the promised Messiah, helping many people place their faith in Christ. Apollos did not depend merely on eloquence or personal opinions. His confidence rested in the truth of God's Word. By faithfully explaining the Scriptures, he showed that God's promises were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. His ministry reminds us that the Bible is our greatest tool for sharing the gospel and defending the truth. For believers today, this passage encourages us to know God's Word well so we can lovingly and confidently point others to Jesus. As we grow in biblical understanding, God equips us to answer questions, strengthen fellow believers, and share the hope of the gospel with those who are searching. Reflection Questions 1. Am I growing in my knowledge of God's Word? 2. How can I use Scripture to encourage someone this week? 3. Is Jesus the center of my conversations about faith? Prayer Lord God, thank You for giving me Your Word to guide my life and reveal Jesus Christ. Help me to study the Scriptures faithfully and give me wisdom and courage to share the truth with love. May my life always point others to my Savior. In Jesus name Amen. Practical Application ● Spend time studying Scripture with the goal of knowing Christ better. ● Share a Bible verse that has encouraged you with someone this week. ● Be prepared to explain the hope you have in Jesus with gentleness and respect. Takeaway Thought God's Word faithfully points every seeking heart to Jesus Christ. #LordsbookDailys #DailyDevotion #August17 #Acts1828 #JesusIsTheChrist #PowerOfScripture #BoldFaith #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 17) 1. Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. 2. A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers. 3. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts. 4. An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue. 5. He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. 6. Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. 7. Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. 8. A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers. 9. He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. 10. Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. 11. An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 12. Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. 13. Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. 14. The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. 15. He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. 16. Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it? 17. A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. 18. A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. 19. He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction. 20. He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil. 21. He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. 22. A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. 23. A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice. 24. Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 25. A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him. 26. Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness. 27. He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. 28. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.