"Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.

You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.

"Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’

"Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;

now fill up what your ancestors measured out!” (Matthew 23: 27 - 32).

IS FORNICATION A SIN?

Fornication isn't designed to destroy people. The desire for sexual intimacy is a real part of human nature, created by God and designed for a purpose. Sexual attraction is natural. Sexual desire is natural. The longing to be loved, wanted, touched, and intimately connected with another person is not, by itself, a strange or evil thing.

When a young man and a young woman fall in love, their attraction toward each other can feel powerful. They may genuinely care about each other. They may intend to marry someday. They may tell themselves that because they love each other, sleeping together is simply an expression of that love.

Sometimes they may even convince themselves that nothing is wrong because they are not hurting anyone, they are faithful to each other, and they have already promised themselves that they belong together.

You see how you now feel sympathy, understanding, and even justification for the two lovers?

You see how fornication now begins to look less like sin and more like love?

And the interesting thing is that many of the reasons people give are not completely false. The attraction is real. The feelings are real. The love may even be real. But something can feel real and still be outside the will of God.

This is where deception becomes dangerous.

One of the easiest ways to make sin acceptable is not to deny what God said, but to reframe the situation until disobedience begins to look reasonable.

Fornication can be presented as love.

Compromise can be presented as maturity.

Lust can be presented as affection.

Disobedience can be presented as personal freedom.

Temptation can be presented as something you deserve because you have been waiting for marriage for so long.

‍ My God, reframing is such a powerful tool. It can make sin feel like wisdom.

But the question is not simply whether you love the person.

The question is whether you are honouring God with that love.

The question is not whether the desire is natural.

The question is whether you are allowing that desire to rule you outside the boundaries God established for it.

God did not create sexual intimacy because He wanted to deprive you of pleasure. God created it with purpose, dignity, responsibility, and covenant. The problem is not that sex exists. The problem is taking something God designed for marriage and using it outside the covenant for which He designed it.

You must therefore be careful when your emotions begin to write your theology.

You can love someone and still need to say no.

You can be deeply attracted to someone and still walk away from the bed. ‍‍

You can intend to marry someone and still refuse to sleep with them before marriage.

You can be lonely without becoming sexually immoral.

You can be tempted without becoming a fornicator.

You can have sexual desires without allowing those desires to become your master.

The fact that you have a reason does not automatically make your decision right.

Everyone has a story that explains why they did what they did. But as a Christian, your standard cannot be your feelings, your circumstances, your friends, your relationship, or the way society defines normal.

Your standard is the Word of God.

Do not allow someone to manipulate you with the language of love when what they are asking you to do is disobedience.

Do not let anyone tell you that if you truly love them, you must prove it sexually.

Real love does not demand that you sin to prove your commitment.

Real love can wait.

Real love can respect boundaries.

Real love can honour God.

Real love can say, We will not destroy our future because of what we feel today.

Always be on your guard.

Fornication does not always arrive looking dirty and dangerous. Sometimes it arrives looking like romance. Sometimes it arrives through loneliness. Sometimes through emotional attachment. Sometimes through a person you genuinely love.

That is why you need more than feelings.

You need conviction.

You need boundaries.

You need self control.

And above all, you need the fear of God.

Do not allow your emotions to become the lawyer defending what your conscience already knows is wrong.

Choose obedience, even when disobedience feels easier.

Choose holiness, even when temptation feels powerful.

Choose God's purpose over temporary pleasure.

BE INTENTIONAL.

Anthony Ijere (Author & Revivalist)

Get books/novels
https://t.me/anthonyijere

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You’re Always on His Mind

Psalms 115:12 YHWH hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.

No one cares about your life more than YHWH does. In fact, he cares about your life more than you do.

There’s an old Willie Nelson song, “You Were Always on My Mind.” But the idea behind that song just isn’t true. No matter how much you love someone, they can’t be on your mind all the time.

But I want to tell you this: You are always on YHWH’s mind. He is never not thinking about you. He’s thinking about you right now.

The Scriptures teach this over and over.

Psalms 115:12 YHWH hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. And 1 Peter 5:7 says…

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Whatever concerns you concerns YHWH - all the things you’re worried about or afraid about. There is nothing in your life you’re concerned about that YHWH isn’t concerned about, because you are always on his mind.

Because you’re always on YHWH’s mind, he’s always looking out for you. And that means you can always trust his plan for your life.

Before Messiah was born, Mary accepted YHWH’s destiny for her life because she knew YHWH was always looking out for her. After the angel told her that YHWH had chosen her as the mother of his Son, she said the following…

Luke 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

What does “mindful” mean? That means YHWH is alert. He’s attentive. He’s aware. He’s focused. He’s paying attention. When nobody else is paying attention to you, YHWH’s paying attention to you. He notices everything. In fact, Messiah said this about your life…

Matthew 10:29-30 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

I like the cross reference for that scripture…

Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before YHWH? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

You don’t know the number of hairs on your head—but YHWH does. That’s how much attention he pays to your life!

YHWH’s mindfulness—his attention, his concern—made Mary trust YHWH with her destiny. Will you trust him with your destiny too?

He cared for the disciples when the where in the boat and it was about to sink…

Mark 4:38-39 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Rabbi, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Psalms 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Job 7:17 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

Psalms 144:3 YHWH, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

Psalms 115:12 YHWH hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.

Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet YHWH thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my Elohim.

Psalms 31:7-8 (7) I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; (8) And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

Think about this…

Psalms 139:7-16 (7) Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? (8) If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. (9) If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; (10) Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. (11) If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. (12) Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (13) For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. (14) I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (15) My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (16) Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Zephaniah speaks of a day that is coming, and he doesn't soften his words:

*"the mighty man shall cry there bitterly... a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of darkness and gloominess"* (Zephaniah 1:14-15). This isn't fear for fear's sake. It's a serious warning, from someone who loves you, but won't pretend that sin has no consequence.

How many of us live as if we had all the time in the world? Putting off repentance, avoiding a conversation that only you and God know needs to happen. A lie that became a habit. Betrayal that became routine. Envy, pride, addiction, immorality — things we learn to live with, until we forget they're sin.

The Bible says: *"they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord"* (v. 17). A blind man doesn't know he's blind. You could be living far from God right now and not even realize it, because sin numbs the conscience before it destroys the life.

And when everything you've built — money, status, the appearance of a good life — is worth nothing? *"Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath"* (v. 18). It won't be your job, your house, your achievements that defend you before God. It will be just you, your soul, and the account still left open.

But listen to this: this warning exists because there's still time. God isn't condemning you right now — He's calling you. *"Seek the Lord... it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger"* (Zephaniah 2:3).

If something in this text touched you, don't ignore it. It's not a coincidence. Today could be the day to let go of whatever is pulling you away from God and truly return to Him. Repent. Don't wait for the day of wrath to do what you could have done today, in peace, on your knees, with a broken heart before Him.

It is a common plover (a type of bird ) about the size of a robin. It is easily recognized by its wailing noise and two black breast bands. They are usually found in the United States and Central America. They are called Killdeer because of the wailing noise they make that actually sounds like "kill-deer". The most interesting thing about this bird however is that,it is a master of distraction. When it lays eggs or has chicks and you go near the nest, it jumps away from the nest and pretends to have a broken wing 🪽. When you think it is vulnerable and decide to go after it, it will move a little further on. It will continue to do that until you are far away from the nest. The Killdeer will then suddenly have a healthy wing 🪽 and will fly away. Interestingly, that is how the enemy behaves. Anytime you go close to what God has for you,he finds a way to distract you. Suddenly, everything looks like it is going against you. Friends and family turn against you and finances are not forthcoming. The proverbial "all hell breaking loose". Successful people however know that this is rather an indication of being close to the breakthrough. It shows something good is about to happen for you. So when distraction comes, it is time to dig in your heels,stand firm and push 🫸 on. When Tobiah and Sanballat tried to distract Nehemiah he said "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down "(Nehemiah 6:3). Don't allow anyone or anything to distract you from your purpose. Have a lovely day .

Today’s Walk in the Word is a brief devotional by Joe Barnett that appears Monday through Friday.



Aug 25, 2026 11:00 pm

God Listens to Your Prayers

God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
—Psalm 66:19

It was a Saturday afternoon. I was chatting with a neighbor who was out for a walk with her daughter. She said something to the child, who put her hands over her ears. The lady said, “That’s what she does when she doesn’t want to hear what I’m saying.”

It was a Sunday morning. I saw a lady approach the teacher as he gathered his class notes. He leaned in toward her, turned his head slightly (favoring his good ear, I’m guessing), and listened intently. She had his full attention.

When you pray, God doesn’t cover his ears. He leans in and listens. He wants to hear what you have to say. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer” (1 Pt 3:12).

Talk to Him.

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“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭ESV‬‬

So thankful to know my peace is within Jesus. For so long I served the world partying, seeking escapes and freedom from the tribulations in my life. But I learned that God, and God only can give me true peace. because he came, he gave and he overcame the things of this world. if it wasn’t for him sacrificing himself, for a lowly sinner like me, I would have never known what real joy is. Glad to know I was on his mind when he was on the cross. He iss so so good

WHAT IF GOD’S DELAY IS PART OF THE PLAN? | Trust God’s Timing

Sometimes God's answer doesn't come when we expect it.

But waiting does not mean God has forgotten you.

There may be something happening behind the scenes that you cannot see yet. Like Abraham and Joseph, we can learn to trust God even when the journey takes longer than expected.

Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”

Whatever you are waiting for today, don't lose faith.

God is working. Trust His timing.

#TrustGod #GodsTiming #Faith #ChristianMotivation #Bible #Prayer #WaitingOnGod #GodsPlan #FaithOverFear #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianEncouragement #LifeLightTV #TrustGod #GodsTiming #FaithOverFear #WaitingOnGod #ChristianMotivation #GodsPlan #Faith #Prayer #SpiritualGrowth #LifeLightTV

I’m excited to share something very close to my heart.

I recently created a 34-page Christian premarital guide titled Before We Say “I Do” — Honest Questions About Sex, Intimacy & Marriage for Christian Couples.

It is not a full-length book in the traditional sense. It is more of a simple, practical guide created to help Christian couples have honest, faith-centered conversations before marriage.

The guide was born from a simple realization: many Christian couples are preparing for marriage but are still afraid or embarrassed to talk openly about sex and intimacy. Some speak about it in coded language, while others simply do not know what questions to ask.

It covers intimacy, expectations, affection, emotional safety, the wedding night, sexual health, family planning, boundaries, communication, and building healthy anticipation without compromising Christian convictions.

My desire is simple: that Christian couples learn to prepare without practising, communicate without shame, and invite God into every part of their marriage.

Marriage is too important for silence.

Before We Say “I Do”
By Marvelous Oluwamayokun Chidiebere

The guide will be available on Amazon soon. If you would like a copy immediately, you can contact me on 0701 540 395 25.

Dolly Parton has died at 80. Like many other performers, the country music icon got her start singing in church. Her grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher. Dolly’s birth was even aided by a missionary. Although the singer professed to be a Christian throughout her career, I disagreed with some of the causes she supported. Nevertheless, I trust Dolly is rejoicing in heaven with her husband Carl Dean who passed away last year. Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”