Ambition is not always wrong—but when ambition becomes more important than obedience, it can quickly become an idol.

https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/18/when-ambition-becomes-idolatry-the-rise-of-abimelech/

In Judges 9:1–6, Abimelech wanted power, and he was willing to manipulate relationships, compromise spiritually, surround himself with the wrong people, and ultimately destroy anyone standing between him and the position he desired.

He got the crown.

But getting what we want does not necessarily mean we have God’s approval.

Abimelech’s story is a powerful warning about selfish ambition, pride, leadership, and the danger of trying to build a throne God never gave us.

Godly leadership asks a very different question. Instead of asking, “How high can I rise?” we should be asking, “How faithfully can I serve?”

Read the newest Bible study on Judges 9:1–6: “When Ambition Becomes Idolatry: The Rise of Abimelech.”

Our responsibility is not to build our own throne. Our responsibility is to remain faithful to the King who already sits on His.

#Judges9 #Abimelech #BibleStudy #BiblicalLeadership #ChristianLeadership #SelfishAmbition #Humility #ServantLeadership #ChristianLiving #WordOfGod

Daily Devotion — August 19 | Acts 19:20 (NKJV)

God's Truth Always Prevails

Acts 19 describes the powerful work of God in the city of Ephesus. As the gospel spread, many people turned away from sinful practices and publicly demonstrated their repentance by destroying items connected with their former way of life. Their transformed lives became evidence of God's power at work.

Luke concludes this section with a simple but powerful statement: "The word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." Despite opposition, spiritual darkness, and resistance, nothing could stop God's truth from accomplishing His purpose.

This verse reminds us that God's Word continues to transform lives today. Cultures may change, opposition may arise, and circumstances may seem difficult, but the message of Jesus Christ remains powerful. As believers faithfully live and proclaim the gospel, God continues to accomplish His work.

Reflection Questions

1. Am I allowing God's Word to shape my daily life?

2. What old habits or influences should I leave behind?

3. How can I help others experience the transforming power of God's Word?

Prayer

Lord God, thank You that Your Word is living, powerful, and unchanging. Continue to transform my heart through the Scriptures and help me faithfully share the gospel with others. May Your truth always prevail in my life. In Jesus name Amen.

Practical Application

● Spend time reading God's Word every day.

● Remove influences that hinder your spiritual growth.

● Share God's truth with someone this week.

Takeaway Thought

Nothing can stop the life-changing power of God's Word.

#LordsbookDailys #DailyDevotion #August19 #Acts1920 #WordOfTheLord #FaithThatPrevails #GrowingInChrist #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

Yesterday, I was accused of contempt for God, because I demonstrate contempt for his law. Like the Apostle Paul wrote, and I concur that, "we uphold the law," for the purpose in which the law was given. We use the law to show unbelievers their guilt and need for Jesus, but once the person has come to Faith in Christ for their salvation, the purpose of the law has been fulfilled for them in Jesus.

Saved people no longer need the law. We are not led by the law. We are led by the Holy Spirit, the writer and giver of the law. Since we believers have the giver of the law in our hearts, what further need could we possibly have for the law? Trust that the Holy Spirit actually does what Jesus said he would do in the believer's life.

Contempt for the Lord? The worst kind of contempt for the Lord is diminishing the power and sufficiency of the blood of his son, Jesus. Don't think that your obedience to the commandments given to Israel, just like the legalistic Pharisees back then, buys you brownie points with God. Without faith, the Bible says, it is impossible to please God.

Here's the truth... we believers, those who have placed our faith in Christ alone for our salvation, we believe that our redemption, our sanctification, our justification and our continued right standing with God are all gifts by the grace of God through faith in Jesus as our only source and our only hope of that salvation and righteousness.

Don't misplace your faith in the incorrect object of faith. Don't place your faith in yourself. That's putting your faith in your own obedience. It's in your own holiness. It's in your own performance. If that's what you think, repent of your unbelief! Place your faith in the correct object of faith. What is the correct object of faith? Christ and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 KJV
"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; [24] But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."

To those that have fallen for false gospels, like the SDA, LDS, the Church of Christ, JWs, etc..., it is still foolishness.

#jesuschrist #faith #gospel #grace #believe

Brenda Walsh Ministries
For God’s Eyes Only.

"Ministry" is all about serving others. In fact, the name itself comes from the Greek word diakoneo, meaning "to serve," and is not meant to be a position of glory or prestige. This isn’t a job for someone wanting to be noticed and held in high esteem, but rather a life of humility, quietly serving–not to impress others, but for the approval of God’s eyes only! However, there are some who think that “ministry” is only for the work of pastors or traveling evangelists. But God has called us all to be “ministers.” The Bible says in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” But to heed God’s command, you must be fueled by Holy Spirit power! In 1 Peter 4:11, we’re told, “If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” The keywords are “the ability which GOD supplies!” Make no mistake, God is calling YOU to minister for Him! But first, you must come before His throne with a humble heart, and pray for an anointing of His Holy Spirit so that God can use you in a mighty way! And don’t forget to ask Him to strip away all pride and pretentiousness–giving you a servant’s heart so that you won’t be tempted to work for the applause of others–but to truly glorify your Lord and Savior! Text: James 4:10, Psalm 25:9, Romans 12:6-7, Psalm 51:17

Ellen G. White
It is the lying wonders of the devil that will take the world captive, and he will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men. He is to work miracles, and this wonderful, miracle-working power is to sweep in the whole world.—Selected Messages 2:51 (1890). – {LDE 167.3}

Satan will come in to deceive if possible the very elect. He claims to be Christ, and he is coming in, pretending to be the great medical missionary. He will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men to prove that he is God.—Medical Ministry, 87, 88 (1903). – {LDE 167.4}

It is stated in the Word that the enemy will work through his agents who have departed from the faith, and they will seemingly work miracles, even to the bringing down of fire out of heaven in the sight of men.—Selected Messages 2:54 (1907). – {LDE 167.5}

Daily Bible Lesson.
THE DANGER OF A HALF GOSPEL

"For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." — Acts 20:27 (KJV)

There is a burden on my heart that I cannot remain silent about.

The greatest deception in Christianity is not always an outright denial of Christ—it is the preaching of another gospel that leaves out the whole counsel of God. A gospel that emphasizes only what people want to hear while neglecting what God has commanded is not the gospel entrusted to the apostles.

Many today preach messages such as:

- "Any day is your Sabbath."
- "Christ is our Sabbath, so the seventh-day Sabbath no longer matters."
- "We are no longer under the law."
- "The Ten Commandments are no longer binding."
- "The Ten Commandments were only for the Jews."
- "Since we are under the New Covenant, God's law no longer matters."
- "Grace means obedience is optional."

These teachings often comfort people in their sins instead of calling them to repentance, faith, and obedience. They present a Christ who saves from the penalty of sin while ignoring that He also saves from the power of sin.

Jesus Himself said:

«"If ye love me, keep my commandments." — John 14:15»

The apostle Paul declared:

«"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." — Romans 3:31»

Grace is never a license to continue in disobedience.

«"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation... teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." — Titus 2:11–12»

The true gospel is far more than prosperity, miracles, healing, or motivational speeches. Those things may have their place, but they are not the sum of the gospel.

The gospel proclaims Christ crucified, risen, and ministering for His people. It calls sinners to repentance, faith, holiness, obedience, and complete surrender to God.

Scripture plainly says:

«"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." — Hebrews 12:14»

When churches preach only pleasant messages and avoid the parts of God's Word that call for repentance and obedience, they leave people spiritually unprepared. A message that never confronts sin cannot produce genuine holiness.

The Bible repeatedly warns believers to test every doctrine.

«"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." — 1 John 4:1»

«"Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you... let him be accursed." — Galatians 1:8–9»

Do not build your hope of salvation on popular opinions, human traditions, or teachings that set aside the clear commandments of God. Build your faith upon the whole Word of God.

The gospel is not merely about feeling better—it is about becoming new in Christ.

The call of Scripture is not comfort in sin, but victory over sin through Jesus Christ.

Study the Bible for yourself. Test every doctrine by Scripture. Hold fast to the truth, and follow Christ wherever He leads.

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." — John 17:17

Be warned. Eternity is too important to entrust to a half gospel.

28 Beleifs # 19
THE LAW OF GOD

The great principles of God’s law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts are the basis of God’s covenant with His people and the standard in God’s judgment. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is all of grace and not of works, and its fruit is obedience to the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian character and results in a sense of well-being. It is evidence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow human beings. The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness.

Amazing Facts.
Daily Devotionals

Is it possible for the devil to repent?

August 19th, 2026

There’s no record of Christ offering to die for the fallen angels. But God is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6)—it’s just His nature—and I think He bore long with them. There was some kind of probation and mercy extended to Lucifer when he was first entering into his rebellion.

The Scripture says, “He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16). There’s a reason for the difference. Satan and his angels were created perfect. They were not deceived in the way that humans were deceived. Lucifer entered a high-handed rebellion into deception. He was made perfect but chose to be proud and to worship himself; whereas Adam and Eve were made in innocence and they were caught off guard by this rebellious fiend. So the devil was more culpable than humanity was. That’s why the Lord had mercy on humans and became one of us in order to save us.

We know from the biblical account that before he sinned, Satan was known as Lucifer and stood in the very presence of God (see Isaiah 14:12). He was closest to the throne of God, and there wasn’t anything more that God could do to reveal His character to him. On the other hand, Adam and Eve were not in that same position. I believe that God gave Lucifer and the angels who believed his lies plenty of opportunity to realize the errors of their way. After all, God is a God of justice, and He’s not willing that any of His creatures should perish.

Key Bible Texts
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14 KJV)

Where you see dryness, God can bring life. Speak His Word and trust His power.

Share this with someone who needs hope in a difficult season.

#Ezekiel3745 #DryBones #GodBringsLife #Restoration #NewLife #HopeInGod #GodsPower #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

In Colossians 1, Paul uses two closely related but distinct concepts to describe the unmatched status of Christ. To understand the distinction, we have to look at the flow of Paul's argument and the specific Greek words he uses.

The Distinction in the Text

Preeminence (πρωτεύων - *prōteuōn*)
In verse 18, Paul writes that Christ might be preeminent (or "hold the first place") in everything. The Greek word prōteuōn is a present participle meaning "to be first in rank, influence, or position."

Preeminence speaks to rank, dignity, and rightful position. It answers the question: Where does Christ stand in relation to all other things? The answer is that He stands at the absolute top. He holds the chief place. In the immediate context of verse 18, this preeminence is specifically tied to the new creation—He is the head of the body, the church, and the firstborn from the dead. Because He conquered the grave, He rightfully holds the highest rank in the renewed creation.

Supremacy (πρωτότοκος - *prōtotokos*)
While English translations sometimes use "preeminence" and "supremacy" interchangeably, the concept of supremacy in this passage is anchored in the word prōtotokos ("firstborn"), used in verses 15 and 18.

Supremacy speaks to authority, power, and sovereign right. In the ancient Near East, the firstborn was not just the oldest child; he was the heir who held the highest authority over the household and received the double portion of the inheritance. When Paul says Christ is the "firstborn of all creation" (v. 15) and "firstborn from the dead" (v. 18), he is not saying Christ was created. He is declaring Christ's supreme authority over creation and over the new creation. Supremacy answers the question: Who has the power and the right to rule? Christ does, because all things were created through Him and for Him (v. 16).

How They Work Together

Think of it this way:
Supremacy is the basis of His authority. He is the sovereign heir and creator. He has the absolute right to rule because He is the agent of creation and the victor over death.
Preeminence is the result of that authority. Because He is supreme, it is only fitting that He holds the first place in rank, honor, and affection in all things.

Paul builds this argument to counter the early heresies creeping into Colossae, which suggested you needed Jesus plus something else—angelic worship, secret knowledge, or ascetic practices (Colossians 2). Paul's response is that Christ's supremacy and preeminence mean He is entirely sufficient. The fullness of deity dwells in Him bodily (1:19). There is no higher rank to reach, no hidden knowledge to acquire, and no spiritual power to supplement. He holds the first place in everything.

When you read this passage, you are looking at a deliberate, poetic structure where Paul establishes Christ's supremacy over the original creation (vv. 15-17) and then His supremacy over the new creation through redemption (vv. 18-20), culminating in the conclusion that He alone is preeminent in all things.