COMMUNISTS EXECUTED THEM FOR THEIR FAITH. THEIR HIDDEN BABY SURVIVED IN A RICE BASKET. John and Betty Stam met at Moody Bible Institute, both individually feeling called to serve as missionaries in China, and married there in 1933 through the China Inland Mission. In September 1934, their daughter Helen Priscilla was born, and just two months later, the young family settled into a new post in Anhui Province, in the small town of Jingde. Two weeks after arriving, Communist soldiers unexpectedly overran the town and took the entire family prisoner. John wrote a letter to mission headquarters that night, informing them of the Communists' $20,000 ransom demand, knowing full well the mission's strict policy against ever paying ransoms. He closed the letter with the words, "The Lord bless and guide you, and as for us, may God be glorified whether by life or by death." The next morning, the couple was marched to a hill outside the nearby town of Miaoshou to be executed, a Chinese medicine seller who pleaded on his knees for their release, and who was later found to own a Bible and hymnbook, executed alongside them for his own faith. Before the couple was led away, Betty found a way to hide their three month old daughter, tucking her into a sleeping bag with a change of clothes and money pinned inside her diaper. Two days later, a Chinese evangelist named Dr. Lo found baby Helen alive, concealed her in a rice basket, and carried her to safety, eventually delivering her to Betty's parents, who were still serving as missionaries elsewhere in China. Helen grew up, became a teacher, and raised her own family in the eastern United States. News of the Stams' deaths spread around the world and, in the decades since, has continued to inspire generations of believers to serve overseas despite the risk. Do you think you could have found the peace John wrote about, in that same letter, facing what he faced? #JohnAndBettyStam #MissionaryMartyrs #FaithUnderFire

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

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* WEDNESDAY 26TH AUGUST, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE. *TOPIC:* PRIORITISE MISSION. *TEXTS:* MATTHEW 24:14; MARK 13:10. *MATTHEW 24:14.* 14. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. *MARK 13:10.* 10. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. *TOPIC:* PRIORITISE MISSION. *THE MESSAGE:* Jesus made it clear that the gospel of the kingdom must be proclaimed to all nations before His return. The ultimate goal of missions is to establish the Lordship of Christ across the earth, not through force, but through the willing submission of hearts to His saving grace. Only through faith in Christ and His redemptive work can humanity be delivered from the bondage of sin, self, and Satan to serve God truly. As recipients of God's mercy and grace, we cannot remain silent about it. The good news is too powerful to be kept to ourselves. Like the young Karl Kumm of blessed memory, mission must be our priority. Be actively engaged through proclamation, prayers, and giving. Take the gospel to the dark corners of your world - home, neighbourhood, school, and workplace. *REFLECTION:* This gospel of the kingdom must be preached. *PRAYER:* Lord, revive my passion for lost souls. 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 37-39. ED.ii. DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah." - Revelation 11:15 When Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, was told to come to king David's palace, he must have trembled all over his body. He must have thought David wanted revenge on him for what his grandfather Saul had done to him. When Mephibosheth entered the palace, he fell before king David's feet and exclaimed: 'What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?' We will also have a heavenly palace where the living God is. There are many people, including Christians, who tremble in fear of the King, the living God, they fear to stand before His throne. They are afraid of what God will do to them. Will He be angry because of the sins they have committed? This is how they think, because they believe that God is an angry and stern God. Do not be afraid for God Today I want to tell you that God is a God of love and grace. He does not want anyone to perish. He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. You do not have to be afraid if you know that you are a child of God. When the time comes and the Lord calls you to come to His palace, do not be afraid to let go of the earth and courageously enter your King's palace. When you enter as Mephibosheth did, Jesus Christ will be standing there. Throw yourself at His feet, this is all you have to do and He will do the rest! He is a good God. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening Prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. ⏤ Philippians 4:11 Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude—an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God. ⏤ Arthur Pink Almighty God, who has ordered our lives and appointed the place where we live—grant us the grace to accept cheerfully and to occupy contentedly the station in life that You, in Your providence, have assigned to us. Help us to see its sacredness because it is Your fatherly choice for us and Your gift to us. Surely, the place You have prepared for us, and where You have set us, must be the best place for us—the place where we can best grow as Christians, where the atmosphere is most healthy for us, and where the experiences are best suited to develop our character. It must also be the place where we can do the best service for You. Help us to accept it with confidence and to live in it without discontent. Sometimes we are tempted to complain. We think others are more favored, have easier lives, less care and toil, and more ease and comfort. We imagine that if we could trade places with others, we could live more sweetly and make more of our lives. Forgive us for this sin of discontentment with our place in life. You know what is best for us. You know where we can be of the most use to You and others, where the work is that You have for us to do. So, we earnestly pray, our Father, for the spirit of cheerful acceptance of Your plan and Your way for us. Help us to accept Your guidance and to do the things that come to us day by day from Your hand. Then, at the end, we can rejoice in the blessing of those who have done Your will and served our generation. We ask all this through Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/52/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* WEDNESDAY 26TH AUGUST, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE. *TOPIC:* PRIORITISE MISSION. *TEXTS:* MATTHEW 24:14; MARK 13:10. *MATTHEW 24:14.* 14. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. *MARK 13:10.* 10. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. *TOPIC:* PRIORITISE MISSION. *THE MESSAGE:* Jesus made it clear that the gospel of the kingdom must be proclaimed to all nations before His return. The ultimate goal of missions is to establish the Lordship of Christ across the earth, not through force, but through the willing submission of hearts to His saving grace. Only through faith in Christ and His redemptive work can humanity be delivered from the bondage of sin, self, and Satan to serve God truly. As recipients of God's mercy and grace, we cannot remain silent about it. The good news is too powerful to be kept to ourselves. Like the young Karl Kumm of blessed memory, mission must be our priority. Be actively engaged through proclamation, prayers, and giving. Take the gospel to the dark corners of your world - home, neighbourhood, school, and workplace. *REFLECTION:* This gospel of the kingdom must be preached. *PRAYER:* Lord, revive my passion for lost souls. 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 37-39. ED.ii. DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah." - Revelation 11:15 When Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, was told to come to king David's palace, he must have trembled all over his body. He must have thought David wanted revenge on him for what his grandfather Saul had done to him. When Mephibosheth entered the palace, he fell before king David's feet and exclaimed: 'What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?' We will also have a heavenly palace where the living God is. There are many people, including Christians, who tremble in fear of the King, the living God, they fear to stand before His throne. They are afraid of what God will do to them. Will He be angry because of the sins they have committed? This is how they think, because they believe that God is an angry and stern God. Do not be afraid for God Today I want to tell you that God is a God of love and grace. He does not want anyone to perish. He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. You do not have to be afraid if you know that you are a child of God. When the time comes and the Lord calls you to come to His palace, do not be afraid to let go of the earth and courageously enter your King's palace. When you enter as Mephibosheth did, Jesus Christ will be standing there. Throw yourself at His feet, this is all you have to do and He will do the rest! He is a good God. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening Prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. ⏤ Philippians 4:11 Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude—an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God. ⏤ Arthur Pink Almighty God, who has ordered our lives and appointed the place where we live—grant us the grace to accept cheerfully and to occupy contentedly the station in life that You, in Your providence, have assigned to us. Help us to see its sacredness because it is Your fatherly choice for us and Your gift to us. Surely, the place You have prepared for us, and where You have set us, must be the best place for us—the place where we can best grow as Christians, where the atmosphere is most healthy for us, and where the experiences are best suited to develop our character. It must also be the place where we can do the best service for You. Help us to accept it with confidence and to live in it without discontent. Sometimes we are tempted to complain. We think others are more favored, have easier lives, less care and toil, and more ease and comfort. We imagine that if we could trade places with others, we could live more sweetly and make more of our lives. Forgive us for this sin of discontentment with our place in life. You know what is best for us. You know where we can be of the most use to You and others, where the work is that You have for us to do. So, we earnestly pray, our Father, for the spirit of cheerful acceptance of Your plan and Your way for us. Help us to accept Your guidance and to do the things that come to us day by day from Your hand. Then, at the end, we can rejoice in the blessing of those who have done Your will and served our generation. We ask all this through Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/52/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Photos: Avalanche floods kill eight, hundreds missing in Nepal’s Himalayas | Weather News | Al Jazeera https://share.google/3xYh3CmZoIAILMGuF. Greetings from Nepal to Christian families around the world. Today, a very bad flood disaster has hit 3 districts in our country. There has been a lot of damage to property and lives.Therefore, we expect your prayers and support. Thank you.

Wednesday Encouragement — Keep Your Eyes Upon Christ Blessings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. We have reached the midpoint of another week. On Monday, we reminded ourselves that after gathering to worship on the Lord’s Day, we were sent back into the world to live what we profess and faithfully serve our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, halfway through the week, perhaps the pressures of life have already begun to distract us. Responsibilities accumulate. Problems arise unexpectedly. News from around the world troubles our hearts. Financial concerns, family responsibilities, health concerns, and the countless demands of everyday life can slowly pull our attention away from the One upon whom our eyes must remain fixed. That is why today we need to remind ourselves again: Keep your eyes upon Christ. Peter walked upon the water while his attention remained upon Jesus. But when he looked at the wind and the waves surrounding him, fear replaced faith and he began to sink. How often do we do the same? We look at the storms instead of the Savior. We concentrate upon our problems rather than His promises. We become overwhelmed by circumstances while forgetting that the sovereign Lord who controls the wind and the waves is walking with us through the storm. “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” — Matthew 14:30 And immediately, Jesus reached out His hand. What a beautiful reminder for us today. When our strength begins to fail, we do not need complicated words. Sometimes the most powerful prayer is simply: “Lord, save me. Lord, strengthen me. Lord, guide me.” Whatever you are facing today, bring it before Him. Our sovereign God has not lost control of one single detail of our lives. And while we carry our own burdens, let us remain sensitive to those around us. Someone you encounter today may also be struggling silently. God may use your prayer, your encouragement, your compassion, or your testimony of Christ to strengthen them. So let us continue through the remainder of this week faithfully doing what God has called us to do. Do not watch the storm. Watch the Savior. Do not surrender to fear. Walk by faith. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” — Hebrews 12:2 May our Lord strengthen us, guide us, and keep our hearts firmly fixed upon Him as we continue serving together. Serving Christ Together for His Glory Alone. Soli Deo Gloria.

Luke’s gospel includes snapshots of Jesus’ prayer life. As the news of His ministry spread, He “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (5:16). Prior to the selection of the twelve apostles, He “went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (6:12). And as was the case with Daniel, prayer was a prelude to a severe trial (Daniel 6:6-10). Before Christ faced the cross, He agonized in prayer in Gethsemane (see Luke 22:39-46). Being faithful in prayer cultivates our relationship with God, strengthens our soul, and helps us to be at peace during trials.

The Lord has anointed us to preach The Good News to the ends of the world (Lk 4:18) *The Lord instructs us to stay away from people who say they are believers but live idle lives without laboring for His Kingdom.* W̲e̲ ̲a̲r̲e̲ ̲c̲a̲l̲l̲e̲d̲ ̲t̲o̲ ̲w̲o̲r̲k̲ ̲d̲a̲y̲ ̲a̲n̲d̲ ̲n̲i̲g̲h̲t̲ ̲i̲n̲ ̲G̲o̲d̲'̲s̲ ̲K̲i̲n̲g̲d̲o̲m̲,̲ not to be a burden to anyone, *but to become an example for everyone to follow Amen (2 Thes 3:6-9)* ✝️

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c0ry0yzxeyxt Dolly has left us - for now !

Sad News - Dolly Parton has died age 80