Need to know. The Bible says that death itself will be destroyed. “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:26 Revelation shows us when this happens: “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14 Death is cast into the lake of fire because the lake of fire is where death reaches its final end. The wicked are judged, they suffer the penalty of sin, and they die the second death. Once the last sinner has perished, there is no one left to die. That is why the next chapter can say: “There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain.” Revelation 21:4 This is the sequence Scripture gives: the wicked are cast into the lake of fire → they die the second death → death itself is abolished → there is no more death. Eternal conscious torment reverses that logic. It requires the lost to continue forever in a condition Scripture calls “the second death.” But if death continues forever, how has the last enemy ever been destroyed? Romans 6:23 gives the same contrast plainly: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life…” The lost are not given eternal life in suffering. Eternal life is the gift of the saved. The wages of sin is death. The lake of fire does not preserve death forever. It is where death comes to an end.

TUESDAY MORNING FAMILY PRAYER! “Lord, Cover Our Family, Heal Our Bodies, Save Our Souls, and Supply Our Needs!” Heavenly Father, On this Tuesday morning, we come before Your throne with grateful hearts. Before we ask You for anything, we thank You for everything. Thank You for waking us up this morning. Thank You for life, strength, grace, mercy, and another opportunity to call upon Your holy name. Your Word declares: “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 (KJV) Father, this morning we place our entire family into Your hands. Every mother, father, husband, wife, son, daughter, grandchild, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, and extended family member—we cover them in prayer. Lord, go where we cannot go. Touch those we cannot reach. Speak to hearts when our words are not enough. Protect our families from dangers seen and unseen, and let Your presence rest upon every household represented in our family. Your Word says: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” — Proverbs 18:10 (KJV) Father, be our strong tower! LORD, HEAL OUR FAMILY! Father, we lift before You every family member who is struggling physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Some are dealing with sickness in their bodies. Some are carrying pain that others cannot see. Some are fighting battles in their minds. Some are exhausted, discouraged, overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally drained. But God, You know exactly where they are and exactly what they need! You declared: “For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD.” — Jeremiah 30:17 (KJV) So, Father, we ask You to restore health! Touch minds that are troubled. Touch bodies that are hurting. Touch hearts that are broken. Strengthen those who are weak. Comfort those who are grieving. Encourage those who feel discouraged. Give rest to those who are weary. Lord Jesus, heal, deliver, restore, and set free! Your Word declares: “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” — Psalm 107:20 (KJV) Father, send Your Word into every situation! Where there is sickness, send healing. Where there is bondage, send deliverance. Where there is confusion, send clarity. Where there is fear, send peace. Where there is despair, send hope. Where there is weakness, send strength. We stand upon Your Word and believe that nothing is too hard for You! LORD, SAVE OUR FAMILY! Father, our prayer is not only for physical healing—we are crying out for souls to be saved! We lift every family member who does not yet know Jesus Christ personally. Lord, draw them to You. Remove spiritual blindness. Break down hardened hearts. Remove every distraction, excuse, false teaching, and influence that keeps them from surrendering completely to Christ. Jesus said: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” — John 6:44 (KJV) Father, draw our family! Let somebody become hungry for Your Word. Let somebody become tired of living without You. Let somebody realize that possessions, accomplishments, relationships, and money cannot fill the place that belongs to Jesus. Let the question rise within their hearts: “What must I do to be saved?” And just as Paul and Silas answered: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” — Acts 16:30–31 (KJV) Father, let salvation come into our households! Your Word declares: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” — Romans 10:13 (KJV) Let our family members call upon Jesus! Let them repent. Let them believe. Let them surrender. Let them be transformed. We are praying not merely that they will know about Jesus, but that they will know Jesus and develop a genuine relationship with Him. Lord, save our sons and daughters. Save our grandchildren. Save our siblings. Save our extended family. Let there be a spiritual awakening throughout our bloodline. LORD, OPEN DOORS OF EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL PROVISION! Father, we lift every family member searching for employment. Some have submitted applications and are waiting. Some are looking for better opportunities. Some need promotions. Some need pay increases. Some are working but still struggling to make ends meet. Some are carrying financial burdens that nobody else knows about. Father, open doors that no man can shut! Your Word says: “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” — Revelation 3:8 (KJV) Lord, send the right opportunities. Give favor during interviews. Give wisdom when making career decisions. Give courage to walk through new doors. Let résumés reach the right people. Let applications receive favorable responses. Let promotions come. Let increases come. Let opportunities come that exceed expectations. And Father, for every family member struggling financially, remind us that You are our Source. Your Word declares: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 (KJV) We stand on that promise! Provide food. Provide shelter. Provide transportation. Provide employment. Provide resources. Provide wisdom to manage what You place into our hands. And Father, teach us not only to pray for provision but to walk in wisdom concerning our finances. Your Word says: “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” — Proverbs 10:22 (KJV) We declare that lack will not destroy our faith! We trust You as our Provider. LORD, BRING LOVE AND UNITY INTO OUR FAMILY! Father, strengthen our marriages. Strengthen relationships between parents and children. Restore broken relationships between brothers and sisters. Heal old wounds, misunderstandings, disappointments, and offenses. Where pride has entered, bring humility. Where anger has entered, bring forgiveness. Where communication has broken down, bring understanding. Where distance has developed, bring reconciliation according to Your will. Your Word declares: “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” — Colossians 3:14 (KJV) Teach us to love one another with the love of Christ. But Father, above everything else, teach our family to love YOU FIRST! Jesus said: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” — Mark 12:30 (KJV) May our homes be places where You are honored. May prayer live in our homes. May Your Word live in our homes. May forgiveness live in our homes. May peace live in our homes. May love live in our homes. And may Jesus Christ always remain at the center of our families. Father, as we go throughout this Tuesday, order our steps. Protect us traveling to work, school, appointments, and wherever this day may take us. Keep Your hand upon our children and grandchildren. Watch over our elderly family members. Strengthen our caregivers. Comfort those who are grieving. Encourage those who are discouraged. Restore those who have fallen. Save those who are lost. Heal those who are sick. Provide for those who are struggling. And unite our families through the love of Jesus Christ. We declare the words of Psalm 133:1 (KJV): “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” TUESDAY FAMILY DECLARATION... Today, we declare that our family belongs to God! We declare healing over the sick, peace over troubled minds, deliverance over those in bondage, salvation over the lost, employment for those seeking work, increase for those needing provision, and restoration over our relationships. We declare that Jesus Christ will be lifted up in our homes. We will love God first and love one another. We declare that God is our Healer, our Deliverer, our Savior, our Provider, our Protector, and our Keeper! And we believe that the God who began a good work in our family is faithful to complete it! In the mighty, matchless, healing, saving, delivering, and providing name of JESUS CHRIST, we pray. AMEN, AMEN, AND AMEN!

**Psalm 23:5 (NIV)** > **"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."** This verse reminds believers that God is not only our Shepherd but also our gracious Host. Even in difficult times, He provides, protects, honors, and blesses those who trust in Him. ### 1. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." A prepared table represents God's provision, peace, and care. David did not say God removed his enemies first. Instead, God gave him peace and blessing while they were still present. **Encouragement:** You may be surrounded by problems, criticism, or people who oppose you, but God is able to provide for you right in the middle of your circumstances. Your situation does not limit His faithfulness. **Supporting verses:** * **Romans 8:31 (NIV)** > "If God is for us, who can be against us?" * **Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)** > "No weapon forged against you will prevail..." * **John 16:33 (NIV)** > "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." These verses remind us that God's presence is greater than any opposition we face. --- ### 2. "You anoint my head with oil." In biblical times, oil symbolized blessing, honor, healing, refreshment, and God's favor. Shepherds also used oil to protect their sheep from insects and wounds, illustrating God's loving care. **Encouragement:** God knows your hurts, your fears, and your struggles. He refreshes weary hearts, heals broken spirits, and gives strength to continue. **Supporting verses:** * **Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)** > "...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning..." * **James 1:17 (NIV)** > "Every good and perfect gift is from above..." * **2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (NIV)** > "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us..." God's anointing points to His sustaining grace and His work in the lives of His people. --- ### 3. "My cup overflows." An overflowing cup symbolizes abundant blessing. God's care is not merely enough to survive—it is abundant. His grace, mercy, and love exceed our deepest needs. **Encouragement:** Even when life feels empty, God can fill your heart with hope, peace, and joy. His blessings are not always material; they include His presence, forgiveness, strength, and eternal promises. **Supporting verses:** * **Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)** > "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." * **Philippians 4:19 (NIV)** > "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." * **John 10:10 (NIV)** > "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." God delights in giving His children what they truly need according to His wisdom. --- ## A Message of Encouragement No matter what you're facing today, remember that God has not forgotten you. He can provide for you in the middle of your trials, strengthen you when you are weak, and fill your life with His peace and grace. Your enemies, difficulties, or fears do not have the final word—God does. Trust the Good Shepherd. Stay faithful, keep praying, and continue walking with Christ. His presence is your greatest blessing, and His promises never fail. > **"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."** — **Psalm 23:1 (NIV)** May your heart rest in the assurance that the Shepherd who prepared David's table is the same God who faithfully cares for His people today. #WordOfGod #encouragement Christian Worship #christianworship

**Psalm 23:5 (NIV)** > **"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."** This verse reminds believers that God is not only our Shepherd but also our gracious Host. Even in difficult times, He provides, protects, honors, and blesses those who trust in Him. ### 1. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." A prepared table represents God's provision, peace, and care. David did not say God removed his enemies first. Instead, God gave him peace and blessing while they were still present. **Encouragement:** You may be surrounded by problems, criticism, or people who oppose you, but God is able to provide for you right in the middle of your circumstances. Your situation does not limit His faithfulness. **Supporting verses:** * **Romans 8:31 (NIV)** > "If God is for us, who can be against us?" * **Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)** > "No weapon forged against you will prevail..." * **John 16:33 (NIV)** > "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." These verses remind us that God's presence is greater than any opposition we face. --- ### 2. "You anoint my head with oil." In biblical times, oil symbolized blessing, honor, healing, refreshment, and God's favor. Shepherds also used oil to protect their sheep from insects and wounds, illustrating God's loving care. **Encouragement:** God knows your hurts, your fears, and your struggles. He refreshes weary hearts, heals broken spirits, and gives strength to continue. **Supporting verses:** * **Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)** > "...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning..." * **James 1:17 (NIV)** > "Every good and perfect gift is from above..." * **2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (NIV)** > "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us..." God's anointing points to His sustaining grace and His work in the lives of His people. --- ### 3. "My cup overflows." An overflowing cup symbolizes abundant blessing. God's care is not merely enough to survive—it is abundant. His grace, mercy, and love exceed our deepest needs. **Encouragement:** Even when life feels empty, God can fill your heart with hope, peace, and joy. His blessings are not always material; they include His presence, forgiveness, strength, and eternal promises. **Supporting verses:** * **Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)** > "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." * **Philippians 4:19 (NIV)** > "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." * **John 10:10 (NIV)** > "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." God delights in giving His children what they truly need according to His wisdom. --- ## A Message of Encouragement No matter what you're facing today, remember that God has not forgotten you. He can provide for you in the middle of your trials, strengthen you when you are weak, and fill your life with His peace and grace. Your enemies, difficulties, or fears do not have the final word—God does. Trust the Good Shepherd. Stay faithful, keep praying, and continue walking with Christ. His presence is your greatest blessing, and His promises never fail. > **"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."** — **Psalm 23:1 (NIV)** May your heart rest in the assurance that the Shepherd who prepared David's table is the same God who faithfully cares for His people today. #WordOfGod #encouragement Christian Worship #christianworship

THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT ETERNITY “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19–20  A Christian father who was terminally ill called his three sons to his bedside. To his two sons who were believers, he said, “Goodbye, my sons. I will see you in the morning.” Turning to his third son, he simply and sadly said, “Goodbye, my son.”  The young man was deeply disturbed. He said, “Father, why is it you said to my brothers, ‘I will see you in the morning,’ and you only said to me, ‘Goodbye, my son’? Why didn’t you say you would see me in the morning, too?”  His father replied, “Son, you have never asked Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Savior and Lord. And that is what breaks my heart the most. I will never see you again.” That son began to ask his father how he could be saved, how he could see his father again. His father told him how. The son prayed and received Christ into his life. Then his father said, “Now our family will be together in eternity.”  That can happen for everyone who has put their faith in Christ. It will be a great reunion one day in the future. But what does the unbeliever have to look forward to? Judgment after death and a miserable, empty life on earth. There might be some fun in sin—for a while. But payday comes. The hard truth about eternal life is found in the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death” (NLT).  That’s why believers are called to share the gospel far and wide, as the Christian father in the story did with his son. In what’s known as the Great Commission, Jesus gave His followers these instructions: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20 NLT).  Eternal life is the hope believers cling to when the things of this life start to overwhelm us. There’s a reason that John 3:16 is perhaps the best-known passage in all of Scripture. Jesus’ words to Nicodemus still resonate powerfully today: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (NLT).  If you do not commit your life to Christ, ultimately you will look back on your life and realize that you wasted it. But don’t wait until the end of your life to figure that out. Figure it out now.  God bless you

THEME: GETHSEMANE HOUR/ALONE WITH GOD TOPIC: O LORD, ARISE AND AVENGE ME FROM EVERY INJUSTICE Bible Reading: Psalm 72:12-14, Luke 18:1-8, Psalm 35:1-10, Romans 12:19 Recommended Time of Prayer: Between 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Between 12:00 midnight to 3:00 am. Pray twice daily. 1. Father, let Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries be defended from every injustice, oppression, false accusation, and unjust treatment directed against this commission, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 54:17) 2. O Lord, arise and defend every member of Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries who is weak, vulnerable, or facing injustice. Let Your mercy and favour speak for them, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 72:12-14) 3. Let God avenge every injustice I have suffered because I lacked the strength, resources, connections, or influence to defend myself, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 72:14) 4. O Lord, arise and plead my cause against everyone who has oppressed me because they considered me helpless, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 35:1) 5. Every advantage taken against me because of my weakness or lack of human support, let divine justice answer for me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 82:3-4) 6. Father, remember every situation where I was treated unjustly and could not defend myself. Let Your mercy speak and let righteous judgment prevail, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 9:9) 7. Every person who has exploited my vulnerability, abused my trust, or taken what rightfully belongs to me, let God arise and settle the matter according to His righteousness, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 10:14) 8. O Lord, arise and restore whatever I lost through unjust treatment, oppression, deception, or exploitation, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Joel 2:25) 9. Every evil verdict, false accusation, or unjust judgment raised against me, be overturned by the righteous judgment of God, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 54:17) 10. Father, let Your favour speak for me where my voice was ignored and let Your power defend me where human strength failed me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 5:12) 11. Every wicked counsel formed against me because my adversaries believed I had no one to defend me, be scattered by the power of God, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 8:10) 12. O Lord, arise as my Advocate and Defender. Fight the battles I could not fight and answer the accusations I could not answer, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Exodus 14:14) 13. Every cycle of being exploited because of my vulnerability, be broken from my life, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 72:12) 14. Father, raise righteous helpers for me and connect me with people who will support Your purpose for my life, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 68:6) 15. Every evil expectation that I will remain helpless and suffer without justice, be disappointed by the intervention of God, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 27:2) 16. O Lord, let those who have wronged me encounter Your conviction and give them no peace until they turn away from injustice, in the name of Jesus Christ. (John 16:8) 17. I refuse to repay evil with evil. I commit every unresolved injustice into the hands of God and trust Him to avenge me according to His righteousness, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Romans 12:19) 18. Father, turn every injustice I have suffered into a testimony of Your faithfulness. Let my shame become honour, my loss become restoration, and my weakness become a testimony of Your strength, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Joel 2:25) 19. O Lord, preserve and prosper every current supporter and partner of Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries. Defend them from injustice, oppression, exploitation, and every attack against their legitimate interests, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 20:1-4) 20. Father, let Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries never lack the resources needed to preach the gospel, win souls, and advance Your kingdom. Defend this work from injustice and every opposition against its divine assignment, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:19) 21. O Lord, arise and avenge every injustice I have suffered because I lacked strength, resources, connections, or influence to defend myself. Let every oppressor be restrained, every wrong be addressed by Your righteous judgment, and every loss that can be restored be restored. Let Your mercy, favour, and justice speak for me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 72:12-14; Luke 18:7-8) TAKE NOTE OF YOUR DREAMS AND HIDE YOUR FEEDBACK For more information/counselling: Email: dragnetgospel[gmail].com WhatsApp: +2348062343560 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb8Bf3wLikgIIimGNy2j SHALOM ✋

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am reaching out to your ministry because I desperately need prayer. I have been going through a very deep spiritual struggle, and I feel lost, frightened, and spiritually exhausted. I love Jesus Christ and I sincerely want to follow Him, but I have become deeply afraid about my eternal salvation. Matthew 7:21–23 has been weighing extremely heavily upon me. When I read Jesus' warning about people saying, “Lord, Lord,” but being told that He never knew them, I become terrified that somehow I could be one of those people. I am deeply afraid of hell and of being separated from God forever. I examine my life and see so many weaknesses, failures, sins, inconsistencies, and areas where I struggle. I keep thinking that I am not doing enough, that I am not good enough, or that perhaps God does not truly accept me. Sometimes I struggle to believe that God is truly merciful and gracious toward me. His judgment and holiness can seem so overwhelming that I forget how enormous His love and grace are. I know intellectually that salvation is by grace through faith and not by my own works, but my heart struggles to rest in that truth. I feel as though I am constantly trying to make myself right with God, yet I know I cannot save myself. I need Jesus. I need His mercy. I need His grace. I need His forgiveness. I need the Holy Spirit to transform me. I need to know that I am truly loved and accepted by God through Christ. Please pray that God would take away this overwhelming condemnation and replace it with genuine biblical assurance. Please pray that I would understand Matthew 7:21–23 correctly and not allow fear to destroy my relationship with Jesus. Please pray that I would truly know Jesus—not merely know about Him. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would search my heart, reveal anything that needs to change, lead me into genuine repentance, and give me a deeper love for God. Please pray that I would stop trying to save myself through my own efforts and learn to completely trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Please pray that Romans 8:1 would become deeply rooted in my heart: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Please also pray that I would truly believe the words of Jesus: “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” — John 6:37 I don't want to run away from God because I am afraid of Him. I want to run toward Him. I want my relationship with Jesus to become real, deep, genuine, and unshakable. Please pray for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, renewed faith, spiritual discernment, freedom from condemnation, freedom from fear, genuine repentance, and a restored joy in my salvation. Please pray that God would help me surrender everything to Him and trust His character even when my emotions tell me otherwise. I am asking you to please stand with me in prayer. Please pray for my mind, heart, soul, faith, salvation, relationship with Jesus, and my entire life. I especially ask that you pray that I would come to understand the difference between Holy Spirit conviction that draws me toward Christ and condemnation that makes me believe I am hopeless and rejected. I don't want to be a fake Christian. I don't want to merely have religious words. I want to know Jesus Christ personally and sincerely. I want to love Him. I want to follow Him. I want to surrender my life to Him. And I want to spend eternity with Him. Please pray that God would meet me exactly where I am and lead me into a deep assurance that rests not in my ability to be perfect, but in the mercy, grace, righteousness, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to pray for me. May the Lord bless you and everyone in your ministry abundantly for standing in the gap for people who are struggling. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen. With heartfelt gratitude and Christian love, Markus Klinger from London Ontario Canada

Romans 5 teaches because of Gods love, we are completely faultless and can live in perfect peace. Even through hard days we can smile, because our troubles are just building up our patience, strong character, and hope . Jesus didn't wait for us to become blameless before He died for us—He gave His life for us while we were still broken and making mistakes, teaching us that God’s love is bigger than our biggest failures. If God loved us so deeply when we were at our absolute worst, how much more will He hold us, guide us, and flood our lives with grace today now that we belong to Him? Let this word fill us with courage : we do not have to earn God's love today, because an overflow of His grace is already running after us turning every struggle into a victory!

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: THE MOST DANGEROUS BELIEVERS ARE NOT THOSE WHO LEAVE THE CHURCH. Theme: Examining the danger of remaining around the things of God while the heart is far from God Scripture: Matthew 7:21–23; Revelation 3:1–3; Luke 18:9–14 Church, let me begin with a statement that may shock you: The most dangerous believer is not always the one who leaves the church. Sometimes, it is the one who remains in the church but leaves Christ in the heart. Some people leave the church physically, and everybody notices. But there are others who remain in the congregation, sing the songs, carry the Bible, attend services, shout “Amen,” give offerings, quote Scriptures—and yet their hearts have slowly moved away from God. They have not left the building, but they have left the Presence. Jesus warned us that there would be people who would say, “Lord, Lord,” and yet He would say, “I never knew you.” — Matthew 7:23. This means church attendance is not the same thing as spiritual transformation. You can sit in church and still be far from God. You can know Christian language and not know Christ. You can serve in a department and secretly serve your flesh. You can have a title without having a testimony. The question is not merely: “Am I in church?” The deeper question is: “Is Christ truly ruling my life?” KEY BIBLE VERSES. 1. Matthew 7:21–23 — “Lord, Lord” Jesus said: «“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…”» Notice something frightening: these people called Jesus “Lord.” They knew the language of faith. They even claimed to have done mighty works. Yet Jesus said, “I never knew you.” Spiritual lesson: It is possible to be familiar with the things of God without having a genuine relationship with God. Church activity cannot replace spiritual intimacy. 2. Revelation 3:1 — “You have a name that you are alive” Jesus told the church at Sardis: «“Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”» What a frightening diagnosis! The church had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus saw something different. People saw activity. Jesus saw the heart. People saw the appearance. Jesus saw the condition. Spiritual lesson: God is more interested in who you are privately than who you appear to be publicly. 3. Isaiah 29:13 «“This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me; but have removed their heart far from me.”» Their lips were close. Their hearts were far away. This is the danger of religious appearance without genuine surrender. 5 TYPES OF DANGEROUS BELIEVERS 1. THE BELIEVER WHO KNOWS SCRIPTURE BUT REFUSES TO OBEY IT There is a difference between knowing God's Word and living God's Word. James 1:22 says: «“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…”» Some believers can explain forgiveness but refuse to forgive. They can preach holiness but live carelessly. They can quote Scripture but manipulate people. They know what God says, but they have decided to obey themselves. Deep insight: Information without transformation can produce religious pride. The devil does not necessarily fear a Christian who knows many Bible verses. He fears the Christian who believes, obeys, and lives the Word. 2. THE BELIEVER WHO HAS A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT NO POWER 2 Timothy 3:5 speaks about people: «“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”» A form is an outward appearance. It looks right. It sounds right. But something is missing inside. You can dress like a Christian. Talk like a Christian. Post Christian messages. Attend Christian programs. And still refuse to surrender your character to Christ. Ask yourself: What happens to my Christianity when nobody is watching? That is where genuine Christianity is tested. Your secret life is a better measurement of your spiritual condition than your public reputation. 3. THE BELIEVER WHO HAS BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH SIN One of the most dangerous conditions is not falling into sin accidentally. It is becoming comfortable with sin deliberately. The believer begins by saying: «“It is only once.”» Then: «“Everybody is doing it.”» Then: «“God understands.”» Eventually, the conscience becomes quiet. Romans 6:1–2 warns against continuing in sin because grace abounds. Deep spiritual truth: Grace is not permission to remain in sin. Grace is God's power to bring us out of sin. If something is destroying your relationship with God, don't defend it. Repent from it. 4. THE BELIEVER WHO LOVES THE CHURCH BUT DOES NOT LOVE CHRIST This may sound strange, but it happens. Someone can love: - The choir - The pastor - The church building - Christian conferences - Christian music - Christian social media - Christian friendships …but fail to love Jesus with all their heart. Jesus told the church at Ephesus: «“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” — Revelation 2:4» They were working. They were enduring. They were doctrinally discerning. But they had lost their first love. Important lesson: You can be busy doing things for Jesus while becoming distant from Jesus. Don't allow ministry to replace relationship. Don't allow your assignment to replace intimacy. Don't allow the work of God to become more important than the God of the work. 5. THE BELIEVER WHO REFUSES CORRECTION A dangerous believer is one who cannot be corrected. When the pastor preaches against something they are doing, they become angry. When a mature Christian warns them, they say: «“Don't judge me.”» When Scripture confronts their lifestyle, they look for another interpretation. Proverbs 12:1 says: «“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”» Spiritual maturity means: I am willing to be corrected because I want to become more like Christ. A person who cannot receive correction will eventually become a prisoner of their own deception. BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: JUDAS ISCARIOT Judas is one of the most sobering examples in Scripture. Judas walked with Jesus. He heard Jesus teach. He witnessed miracles. He traveled with the disciples. He was part of the ministry. He was close enough to Jesus to call Him Master. Yet Judas eventually betrayed Him. This teaches us something frightening: Being close to spiritual things does not automatically mean your heart belongs to God. You can be around anointed people and remain unchanged. You can witness miracles and still struggle with unbelief. You can carry a Bible and still carry bitterness. You can occupy a position and lose your spiritual condition. But there is hope. Peter also failed Jesus. The difference was that Peter returned in repentance. Judas allowed his failure to lead him into destruction. Failure does not have to be the end of your story. Repentance can become the beginning of restoration. PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS 1. EXAMINE YOUR HEART Psalm 139:23–24: «“Search me, O God, and know my heart…”» Don't only ask, “What is wrong with others?” Ask: “Lord, what needs to change in me?” 2. RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE If prayer has become a duty, return. If Bible reading has become routine, return. If worship has become performance, return. If your passion for Christ has disappeared, return. 3. STOP JUSTIFYING WHAT GOD IS ASKING YOU TO REPENT OF Don't rename sin. Don't call disobedience “weakness.” Don't call compromise “wisdom.” Don't call rebellion “freedom.” When God reveals something, respond with repentance. 4. PRACTICE PRIVATE CHRISTIANITY Pray when nobody is watching. Read the Word when nobody is applauding. Give when nobody knows. Forgive when nobody forces you. Serve when nobody celebrates you. What you do privately reveals what you truly value. 5. STAY TEACHABLE Allow God's Word to correct you. Allow mature believers to challenge you. Allow the Holy Spirit to convict you. A heart that can still be corrected is a heart that can still be transformed. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. PROXIMITY TO HOLY THINGS DOES NOT GUARANTEE HOLINESS. Judas was close to Jesus physically, but his heart was not surrendered. 2. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY CAN HIDE SPIRITUAL DECLINE. A person can become busier in church while becoming colder toward God. 3. GOD LOOKS BEYOND THE PLATFORM. People may see your preaching. God sees your private life. People hear your words. God knows your motives. 4. THE GREATEST DANGER IS SELF-DECEPTION. A sinner who knows he is lost may seek help. But someone who is lost and believes he is spiritually healthy may never seek rescue. 5. JESUS DOES NOT ONLY WANT YOUR CHURCH ATTENDANCE. He wants your heart. He wants your character. He wants your obedience. He wants your entire life. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. Am I following Jesus or merely following Christian activities? 2. Does my private life agree with my public confession? 3. Is there any sin I have become comfortable with? 4. Can I receive correction without becoming offended? 5. Have I lost my first love for Christ? 6. Am I more concerned about what people think about me than what God thinks about me? 7. If Jesus examined my heart today, what would He find? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Father, search my heart and expose everything in me that is not pleasing to You, in Jesus' name. 2. Lord Jesus, deliver me from religious appearance without spiritual reality. 3. Father, restore my first love for You. Let my passion for Christ become stronger again. 4. Lord, give me grace to obey Your Word, not merely hear it. 5. Every spirit of hypocrisy and self-deception, be broken over my life, in Jesus' name. 6. Father, give me a heart that receives correction and grows in wisdom. 7. Lord, let my private life and public testimony agree. 8. Holy Spirit, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. 9. Father, keep me faithful to Christ until the end of my journey. CALL TO ACTION Beloved, don't leave this message thinking about another believer. Think about yourself. Don't ask: «“Who in my church needs to hear this?”» Ask: «“Lord, what are You saying to me?”» The goal of Christianity is not simply to remain in church. The goal is to remain in Christ. Jesus said in John 15:4: «“Abide in me, and I in you.”» Don't just carry the name Christian. Carry Christ in your heart. Don't just attend church. Become the church wherever you go. Don't just quote the Word. Live the Word. Don't just raise your hands in worship. Surrender your heart in obedience. And don't wait until you stand before Jesus to discover that you were close to church but far from Christ. TODAY, RETURN TO JESUS. Return to your first love. Return to prayer. Return to the Word. Return to holiness. Return to obedience. Return to genuine fellowship with Christ. The greatest question is not, “Did I attend church?” It is: “DOES JESUS TRULY KNOW ME?” May we never be believers who merely look alive. May we be believers who are truly alive in Christ. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen. FINAL DECLARATION I will not merely look like a Christian; I will live for Christ. I will not only hear God's Word; I will obey it. I will not hide behind religious activity; I will pursue genuine relationship with Jesus. My heart belongs to Christ, my life belongs to Christ, and my future belongs to Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen. Give your life to Jesus by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my sela/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks https://afrikdp.com/author/umohedem-9128 CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com

Romans 4: "1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."