WHEN GOD WRITES ON THE WALL A Call to Examine Your Heart Before God KEY SCRIPTURE “TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” — Daniel 5:27 (KJV) Thought Of The Day... There are times when God whispers to our hearts. There are times when He sends warnings through His Word, through circumstances, and through people. And then there are moments when God makes His message so unmistakably clear that it can no longer be ignored. Daniel 5 gives us one of the most powerful and sobering examples in all of Scripture. King Belshazzar was surrounded by celebration. The palace was filled with people, food, wine, wealth, music, power, and prestige. To everyone looking from the outside, it appeared that the king had everything under control. But while Belshazzar was celebrating on earth, Heaven was examining his heart. While people were honoring the king, God was weighing the king. While Belshazzar was looking at what he possessed, God was looking at what he had become. Suddenly everything changed. “In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.” — Daniel 5:5 (KJV) The celebration stopped. The king's confidence disappeared. The man who commanded others suddenly had no control over himself. Scripture says: “Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him... and his knees smote one against another.” — Daniel 5:6 (KJV) Belshazzar discovered something that we must never forget: when God speaks, earthly power cannot silence Him. When God exposes something, money cannot cover it. When God pronounces judgment, human influence cannot reverse it. Belshazzar called for the astrologers, Chaldeans, soothsayers, and wise men of Babylon, but none of them could interpret the writing. All the intelligence of Babylon was powerless before a message that came from God. Eventually Daniel was summoned. Daniel had lived faithfully before God for years. Kings had changed. Governments had changed. Circumstances had changed. Daniel had grown older, but his commitment to God had remained. What a testimony! The queen said concerning Daniel: “...there is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods... light and understanding and wisdom... was found in him.” — Daniel 5:11 (KJV) Daniel had developed a reputation that when everybody else was confused, Daniel knew how to seek God. May that become our testimony. When people around us are confused, may they know that we know God. When families experience trouble, may they know there is somebody who knows how to pray. When darkness enters a situation, may our lives carry the light of Christ. Jesus declared: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” — Matthew 5:14 (KJV) Belshazzar offered Daniel wealth, clothing, jewelry, and political promotion if he could interpret the message. But Daniel answered: “Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another...” — Daniel 5:17 (KJV) Daniel's integrity was not for sale. He didn't need the king's money to tell the king God's truth. He wasn't seeking popularity. He wasn't chasing another title. Daniel understood that pleasing God was greater than pleasing people. That same conviction must live within us. There will be times when standing upon God's Word will not make us popular. There will be times when truth will challenge people. There will be times when obedience may cost us opportunities, relationships, applause, or acceptance. But we must be able to say: “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men?...” — Galatians 1:10 (KJV) Daniel reminded Belshazzar about Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had once become lifted up in pride, and God humbled him until he understood: “...that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.” — Daniel 5:21 (KJV) Then Daniel spoke words that should cause every believer to examine his or her heart: “And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this.” — Daniel 5:22 (KJV) Though thou knewest all this. Belshazzar had been given an example. He knew what pride had done before him, but he refused to learn from it. There is a dangerous difference between not knowing God's will and knowing God's will but refusing to obey it. The Bible says: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” — James 4:17 (KJV) God's patience should never be mistaken for God's approval. Just because judgment has not come does not mean God approves of what we are doing. Sometimes God's delay is actually God's mercy giving us time to repent. “The Lord is... longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) Belshazzar had also taken the sacred vessels from God's temple and used them during his celebration. He treated what belonged to God as though it were common. Daniel told him: “...thou hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven...” — Daniel 5:23 (KJV) This should cause us to ask ourselves: Have we become too casual with the things of God? Have we become casual about prayer? Casual about worship? Casual about God's Word? Casual about holiness? Casual about our calling? Casual about the gifts God placed inside us? Casual about gathering with other believers? God is loving, gracious, merciful, and compassionate, but He is still holy. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” — 1 Peter 1:15 (KJV) Belshazzar praised gods made from silver, gold, brass, iron, wood, and stone. Yet when trouble entered the palace, none of those gods could answer him. How often do people still place their confidence in things that cannot save them? Money cannot save the soul. A career cannot save the soul. A title cannot save the soul. Popularity cannot save the soul. Possessions cannot save the soul. Human relationships cannot take God's place. Jesus asked: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36 (KJV) Then Daniel revealed the handwriting: “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” — Daniel 5:25 (KJV) MENE meant: “God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.” — Daniel 5:26 (KJV) Belshazzar thought he had more time. God said his time had been numbered. That should remind us that every day is a gift from God. Every morning is mercy. Every breath is grace. Every opportunity to pray is precious. Every opportunity to forgive matters. Every opportunity to tell someone about Jesus matters. Every opportunity to obey God matters. David prayed: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12 (KJV) Then came TEKEL: “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” — Daniel 5:27 (KJV) What a frightening statement. Belshazzar had been weighed—not by public opinion, not by his friends, not by his servants, and not by the standards of Babylon. He had been weighed by God. People may celebrate what God is correcting. People may applaud what God is examining. People may be impressed by our gifts while God is concerned about our character. People may see our appearance while God sees our hearts. Scripture declares: “...for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) That brings us to a serious question: If God examined my heart today, what would He find? Would He find humility or pride? Would He find obedience or rebellion? Would He find forgiveness or bitterness? Would He find love or hatred? Would He find integrity when nobody is watching? Would He find genuine faith? Would He find someone seeking His glory—or someone seeking his or her own? This is not about earning salvation. We cannot save ourselves through our works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works...” — Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV) Our hope is Jesus Christ. But when Christ truly transforms our hearts, our lives should produce evidence of that transformation. Finally came PERES: “Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” — Daniel 5:28 (KJV) Then Scripture delivers the sobering conclusion: “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.” — Daniel 5:30 (KJV) That night. Belshazzar started the evening sitting on a throne and ended it having lost everything. He thought he had tomorrow. He didn't. This is why Scripture says: “...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV) Don't wait for tomorrow to surrender what God is asking for today. Don't wait until tomorrow to forgive. Don't wait until tomorrow to repent. Don't wait until tomorrow to pray. Don't wait until tomorrow to make things right. Don't wait until tomorrow to answer God's call. And above all, don't wait until tomorrow to come to Jesus. Daniel 5 is not merely about handwriting appearing on a wall. It is about a God who sees beyond appearances and examines the heart. Belshazzar's kingdom is gone. Babylon's glory faded. Its wealth could not last. Its power could not last. Its king could not last. But our God remains. “For I am the LORD, I change not...” — Malachi 3:6 (KJV) Before God ever has to write something on the wall, allow Him to write His Word upon your heart. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” — Psalm 119:11 (KJV) Let His Word correct you. Let His Word convict you. Let His Word humble you. Let His Word guide you. Let His Word transform you. And when God reveals something in your heart that needs to change, don't run from Him. Run to Him. Because through Jesus Christ there is forgiveness, mercy, restoration, and new life. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9 (KJV) PRAYER... Most Holy and Eternal God, our Father, We come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, humbled by Your Word and grateful for Your mercy. Father, search us today. Your Word declares: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.” — Psalm 139:23 (KJV) Lord, shine Your light into every area of our lives. Reveal anything within us that does not please You. If pride has entered our hearts, humble us. If bitterness has entered our hearts, cleanse us. If unforgiveness has taken root, help us forgive. If compromise has entered our lives, give us courage to turn away from it. If we have become casual concerning holy things, restore our reverence for You. If anything has taken Your rightful place in our hearts, tear down every idol and draw us back to You. Father, never allow us to become so comfortable with Your blessings that we forget the One who blessed us. Help us remember that every breath comes from You, every opportunity comes from You, every gift comes from You, and every good thing comes from You. Your Word says: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...” — James 1:17 (KJV) Give us the spirit of Daniel. Give us wisdom when others are confused. Give us courage when others compromise. Give us integrity when temptation comes. Give us faith when circumstances become difficult. Give us boldness to speak Your truth with love. May we never sell our convictions for acceptance, promotion, popularity, money, or position. Father, teach us to number our days. Help us understand that tomorrow is not promised and today is an opportunity to glorify You. May our lives bring honor to Jesus Christ. May our homes glorify You. May our marriages and families glorify You. May our ministries glorify You. May our workplaces glorify You. May our words glorify You. May our decisions glorify You. And when You examine our hearts, may You find people who sincerely love You, trust You, obey You, and desire to walk according to Your Word. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You that where we have fallen short, the blood of Jesus still cleanses. Thank You that repentance is still available. Thank You that grace is still available. Thank You that mercy is still available. Thank You that restoration is still available. Create within us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10 (KJV) We surrender ourselves completely to You. In the mighty, matchless, wonderful name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen and Amen! DECLARATION... I DECLARE IN THE NAME OF JESUS: My heart belongs to God! My life belongs to God! My family belongs to God! My gifts belong to God! My future belongs to God! My worship belongs to God! I will not allow pride to rule my heart. I will not allow the things of this world to become idols in my life. I will not compromise God's Word for popularity, acceptance, position, possessions, or applause. Like Daniel, I will walk with an excellent spirit. I will stand when others compromise. I will pray when others panic. I will trust God when others doubt. I will speak truth with love. I will honor God publicly and privately. MENE! I understand that my days are numbered, therefore I will make my days count for the glory of God. TEKEL! I understand that God examines the heart, therefore I will walk humbly and sincerely before Him. PERES! I understand that earthly kingdoms, possessions, titles, and accomplishments will pass away, but the Kingdom of God will stand forever. I declare that God's Word will be written upon my heart. I will not wait for the handwriting on the wall before I obey God. TODAY I CHOOSE JESUS! TODAY I CHOOSE HUMILITY! TODAY I CHOOSE OBEDIENCE! TODAY I CHOOSE HOLINESS! TODAY I CHOOSE FAITH! TODAY I CHOOSE TO LIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD! “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 (KJV) This is my declaration, this is my commitment, and this is my prayer—in Jesus' mighty name. Amen and Amen!

Friday, 21st August, 2026 TITLE: "A HEART AFTER GOD: LIVING WITH A CLEAN HEART" ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S) Acts 13:22 (KJV) "And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." Psalm 51:10 (KJV) "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." QUOTE TO REFLECT ON "God is more interested in the condition of your heart than the appearance of your life." DAY'S REFLECTION God looks beyond outward appearance and examines the heart. Acts 13:22 records God's testimony concerning David: "a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." David was not a perfect man. He made serious mistakes and experienced painful failures. Yet he repeatedly turned back to God with humility, repentance, and a desire to obey Him. To be "after God's own heart" does not mean being sinless. It means having a heart that genuinely desires God, responds to His correction, loves His ways, and seeks to fulfil His will. David's life teaches us that God can use imperfect people who are willing to surrender themselves to Him. Psalm 51:10 reveals David's prayer after his failure: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." The word "create" is significant. David understood that he needed more than outward correction. He needed God to work deeply within him. A clean heart speaks of inner purity—our motives, desires, attitudes, thoughts, and intentions. A right spirit speaks of an inner disposition that is steadfast, faithful, and aligned with God. We can sometimes correct our outward behaviour while leaving the heart unchanged, but genuine transformation begins inside. Life experience teaches us that people can appear successful, religious, or respectable outwardly while struggling with hidden attitudes such as pride, bitterness, jealousy, unforgiveness, dishonesty, or selfishness. God, however, sees what others cannot see. Therefore, we should regularly invite God to examine and transform our hearts. When He reveals something wrong, we should not defend it; we should repent and ask Him for cleansing and renewal. A heart after God is not a heart that never fails—it is a heart that returns to God when it fails. It is willing to learn, change, forgive, obey, and pursue God's purpose. Today, do not focus only on how others see you. Ask God to examine who you are on the inside. Let your private life agree with your public testimony. Lord, create in me a clean heart and give me a spirit that desires to fulfil Your will. MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S) 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth ; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS) 1. God looks at the heart, not merely outward appearance. 2. A heart after God desires to know, love, and obey Him. 3. Failure does not have to be the end when genuine repentance follows. 4. Inner transformation is more important than outward appearance. 5. We must continually guard our hearts against attitudes that separate us from God's will. 6. God can use imperfect people who sincerely surrender themselves to Him. EVERYDAY ACTION Examine your heart today, quickly repent of anything displeasing to God, and choose one action that reflects His character. PRAYER Heavenly Father, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Remove everything that displeases You and help me live wholeheartedly according to Your will. In Jesus' name, Amen. DECLARATION I have a heart that seeks after God. My thoughts, motives, words, and actions will honour Him. I will walk in repentance, obedience, purity, and humility, and my life will fulfil God's purpose. Amen. Devotion by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo 📞 +233 544 295 158 Follow us on WhatsApp 👇👇👇 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P

YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR Key Scriptures: Romans 8:37; 1 John 5:4; Philippians 4:13 Life can throw some tough battles, challenges, and opposition your way, but as a believer in Christ, remember this: you’re not fighting for victory—you’re fighting from a place of victory. Your identity isn’t that of a victim; you’re a victor because Jesus Christ has already triumphed over sin, death, and the forces of darkness. The Bible confidently states, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). No matter what you’re up against today, the power of God within you is far greater than any obstacle in your path. Throughout the Scriptures, we see how God granted ordinary people extraordinary victories simply because they placed their trust in Him. Take David, for instance—he took down Goliath with unwavering confidence in the name of the Lord (1 Samuel 17:45–50). Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land because God was right there with him (Joshua 1:5–9). And then there’s Paul, who faced persecution, imprisonment, and all sorts of hardships, yet he remained steadfast because Christ was his strength (2 Corinthians 11:23–28; Philippians 4:13). Their victories weren’t about their own skills; they were all about God’s faithfulness and power working through them. Whatever battle you’re facing today, don’t give in to fear or discouragement. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" (1 John 5:4). The same God who granted victories to His servants in the past is fighting for you right now. Stand firm in your faith, keep trusting in His promises, and move forward with confidence. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). You are more than a conqueror—not because of your own strength, but because Christ lives in you. Your victory is assured, your future is bright, and your greatest triumph is still on the horizon. REV. ISHMAEL ASARE BAKAE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: BREAKING COVENANTS, PART 1 MEMORIZE: "But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?" Ezekiel 17:15 (KJV) BIBLE READING: 1 SAMUEL 2:27-31 27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? 28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? 29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? 30 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house. MESSAGE: God is faithful; He never breaks His promises, nor does He go back on His word. James 1:17 says that there is no variableness nor shadow of turning with Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and He never breaks His covenants. However, if a fellow breaks a covenant he or she has made with God, then God is under no obligation to keep His part of the covenant. In Numbers 25:6-13, God made a covenant of eternal priesthood with Phinehas, Eleazar's son, because, in his zeal for the Lord, he struck a man and his concubine dead. However, in today's Bible reading, God told Eli, "I entered into a covenant that you and your father's house will stand before Me forever, but since you have broken the covenant, I am saying, let it be far from Me." Eli's carelessness annulled the covenant God made with his ancestor, Phinehas. As a result of the broken covenant, God's hedge of protection departed from Eli's household, and his two sons died on the same day. When Eli heard the news of their death, he also died that same day, along with the wife of one of his sons. This illustrates the importance of a covenant and that the consequence of breaking one is usually death. The death of a person who is a party to a covenant typically releases such a person from fulfilling his or her part in the covenant; however, God remains faithful to His covenants, even after a person He is in covenant with dies. Deuteronomy 7:9 says that He keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments to the thousandth generation. Exodus 34:7 tells us that He keeps mercy for thousands. When you keep your covenant with God, it will extend to your descendants. When God promised Abraham that through his seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 22:18), that promise found its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, who came 42 generations after Abraham, approximately 2,000 years later. When God promised David that he would always have a seed to sit on the throne (Psalm 89:3-4,29), He never broke His side of the covenant. That covenant was also fulfilled in Jesus. Beloved, remain faithful to your covenant with God, for in doing so, you will release immeasurable blessings upon yourself and your descendants for generations to come. KEY POINT: God is faithful; He never breaks His covenants. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 51 - 52 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMNAL 11 - STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST OUR KING 1. Standing on the promises of Christ our King, Thro' eternal ages ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY, 21ST AUGUST, 2026 *BREAKING COVENANTS I* ‎ 1.Father, You are the faithful God; the same yesterday, and today, and for ever, the covenant keeping God. 2.Father, thank You for Your faithfulness from generation to generation; You never break Your covenant because You are not a man that will lie or repent of his words. 3.Father, please help me not to break Your covenant or fail to fulfill my own part of Your covenant with me. Help me not to be careless in my walk with You, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me never to break Your covenant so that Your hedge of protection will not depart from my household, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please help me not to ignore the correction and discipline on the children You have given me so they won't miss Your covenant for their lives, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to be faithful to Your covenant throughout my living, and never to compromise at any point in time, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please let my love for You be on the increase daily and help me to keep Your commandments for an extension of the blessings of Your covenant to my descendants, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please let the promises in Your covenant find fulfillment in my life and in the lives of my children's children, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me to remain faithful in your covenant; please release Your immense blessings upon my life and on my descendants, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please show me Your mercy, and help me to repent in any area I have broken Your covenant, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him never to break Your covenant, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ #GodBlessOurNation *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2O26. "THREE LEVELS OF ATTACK (1)" ‘…command that these stones become bread.’ Matthew 4:3 NKJV THE BIBLE says, ‘…Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil’ (Matthew 4:1 NKJV). This seems to be God’s standard operating procedure. Why? Because He’s a good general; before He puts you into battle He puts you into boot camp. Imagine it: you’re up at dawn, running for miles with a heavy backpack, crawling under barbed wire barriers with bullets whizzing over your head, taking orders from authority figures you don’t know and probably don’t like. But if you pass the test; you get to wear the uniform. On the threshold of His ministry, God led His Son into a situation where He would face three levels of attack. You will face them also. Let’s look at the first one: The attack over the bread. Did Jesus need bread? Yes, He’d been without food for forty days. But He knew that His greatest need was not for natural food but spiritual food. So He told satan, ‘…“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’’ (Matthew 4:4 NKJV). Only when you’re convinced God will take care of all your material needs, will you start putting spiritual things first in your life. Until that happens, you’ll think you have to take care of yourself. As a result, you will walk in fear and not faith. That’s not how God wants you to live. ‘…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). When you worry, you don’t trust God. When you trust God, you don’t have to worry. The choice is yours. Bible In A Year: Lam 3:40-5:22; Matt 20:1-16; Ps 119:129-136; Pro 18:21. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation 🌹🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🌷🎀💝 🌹. MD.iì. [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* FRIDAY, 21ST AUGUST, 2026. *WISDOM IN HANDLING THE VAIN TALKERS* *TEXT:* MATTHEW 22:18-22. 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. *Timeless Truth:*_"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's"_ (1 Corinthians 6:20). *INTRODUCTION* In human relationships, there are vain talkers who do not hide their intention to disgrace, humiliate, embarrass and insult us. However, most vain talkers are friendly foes with evil intentions, but with a friendly approach. If they are not handled with wisdom, they will mess up, disgrace and embarass the saints and the preachers, thus, making their messages of non effect or impact. Paul the apostle himself with Apostolic anointing encountered such people like Jesus encountered them in the text. *"For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, Whose mouths must be stopped"* (Titus 1:10,11). Jesus was confronted by people who did not genuinely seek the truth, but wanted to trap Him with their questions. Their outward appearance suggested sincerity, but their hearts were deceptive. Jesus, however, perceived their wicked intentions and responded with divine wisdom. Believers will also encounter vain talkers—people whose words are deceptive, provocative, argumentative or designed to lead others away from truth. We must, therefore, learn from Christ how to respond with spiritual perception, scriptural wisdom and personal conviction. *1. Spiritual and Scriptural Perception* a. Topical Encyclopedia rightly defines spiritual perception as the ability to discern and understand spiritual truths and realities that are not accessible through natural senses or human reasoning alone. It involves a heightened awareness and insight into the spiritual realm, often granted by the Holy Spirit to believers. Spiritual perception by the Holy Spirit, can read into the mind and at times (not in all cases) decipher the motivations and intentions of the heart. It is a lower form of the gift of discernment. They brought the coin with the inscription of Caesar and questioned Jesus on whether it was right to pay taxes to the government. Jesus knew they wanted to rope Him into public controversy that will put Him into trouble with the government of the day. If Jesus said it was right to pay tributes to Caesar, they would use that to paint Jesus as anti-Jewish. If Jesus said it is not right, they would end up putting him at a collision course with the government of the day. Either controversy can be avoided without necessarily doing violence to the truth. He was not a pro-controversy minister on avoidable spiritual or vain conflicts. Many ministers always enjoy being entangled in controversy on things that are non-essentials in the things of the kingdom. Jesus knew their wickedness and said, *“Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?”* Their question was not an innocent request for guidance; it was a trap. Christ could see beyond their words into their motives. Spiritual perception enables believers to distinguish between genuine questions and deceptive arguments. We must not be carried away by eloquent speech, clever reasoning or religious appearance. The Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit give us discernment to recognize what is behind seemingly innocent conversations. b. Nehemiah, for example, was given a seemingly innocent and reconciliatory invitation by his adversaries. He knew that it was not of God. *"And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him"*. Believers, especially spiritual leaders, must have enough of scriptural understanding and insight of the truth that will generate spiritual perception by the Holy Spirit. However, there are unscriptural perceptions or incorrect insights in the form of a suspicious spirit that always read negative meanings into the actions of the innocent. This is satanic and ungodly. *Question* Do I have sufficient spiritual discernment to recognize deception and vain arguments when I encounter them? *2. Saints as the Saviour’s Possession* a. Jesus revealed deep spiritual truth to them while answering their question. It is one thing to receive an answer to a genuine question and another thing to be patient enough to get the message in the answer. Jesus asked them to show Him the tribute money and then asked whose image and inscription were upon it. When they answered, *"Caesar’s"* . Jesus declared unto them that though He is the Creator of all, He will not take what belongs to others or even what he has bequeathed to others except He was given voluntarily. The metal used for the coin belongs to God, but it has been given to the king and the use is delegated to powers that be. Jesus would not take the gift back except if the gifted decided to endow it back to the Owner or the Creator. He will not forcefully, stylishly or trickishly take back what He has given to others. This is a deep spiritual message that we can learn from God. Jesus declared, *“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”* b. What is the implication of this answer? The coin carried Caesar’s image and therefore must be given to the owner. Also, human beings, including his body, soul and spirit bear the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27), therefore, man must surrender his soul, spirit and body to God to be used at His pleasure being the Owner. Reluctance to give oneself to God, the Owner, is daylight robbery which God the Creator will not even do to those He gave something to. We are owned by God as His possession by Creation and Redemption. Without redemption by Jesus Christ, we are all marked for eternal destruction. *"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's"*. So, our appearance, body, heart and soul must be consciously and deliberately given to the glory of God, joyfully. The language of the responsible creature to his Creator is like what a king said: *"And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have"*. Our spirit, soul, time, possessions and all that we have belong to God and none should be denied Him at any time He needs them. Like Thomas, our response to God whenever He demands sacrifice or anything from us, no matter how precious is *"My Lord and my God"*. It is a language of acknowledgement of His being the Creator. It is a language of appreciation of being the Redeemer. *Question* Since I belong to Christ, am I allowing His image and ownership to determine the way I live? Am I always readily giving Him what His Word demands without hesitation or reluctance? *3. Satisfied without Scripture Personalization* When Jesus answered their question, *“they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”* They were amazed by His wisdom, but there is no indication that they surrendered their hearts to His truth. They did not bother to apply the truth to their lives and personalized it. It is possible to admire Scripture, appreciate a powerful message and even marvel at divine wisdom without personally applying it. The danger of vain talk is that we may become satisfied with intellectual discussion rather than spiritual transformation. God’s Word must move from our ears to our hearts and from our hearts to our daily conduct. The messages of Christ are so deep that they require constant and continuous reflection and self application in order to get the best from them. It is not how great a message is, but how transforming. *Question* Am I merely impressed by biblical truth or am I personally applying and obeying it? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, grant me spiritual discernment to recognize deception, hypocrisy and vain arguments 🙏. 2.Father, help me to remember that I belong completely to Christ and to live according to His will 🙏. 3 Lord, deliver me from empty religious knowledge and help me to personalize and practice Your Word 🙏. 4.Father, give us the wisdom of Christ to answer difficult questions with truth, grace, humility and courage. Help us to be doers of your Word and not hearers only 🙏. *HYMN:* Lord speak to me *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* DANIEL 3-5. [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST, 2026``` *RESPONSIBILITIES OF DUAL CITIZENS* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:MATTHEW 22:18-22```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (MATTHEW 22:20, 21).*_ *Kofi Annan, the Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 - 2006, is a figure whose life was shaped by the responsibilities of dual citizenship. While Annan was a Ghanaian citizen by birth, his role in international diplomacy required him to balance his connection to his homeland with his responsibility to the global community. In his role in Ghana, he worked to advance the nation's standing on the world stage, often advocating for African issues and the continent's development in the international arena. On the other hand, in his global duty as UN Secretary-General, his role involved diplomacy with countries in conflict, addressing human rights abuses, and working toward humanitarian aid and general global peace.* *In the passage, the Pharisees, who were trying to trap Jesus, posed a question about paying taxes to Caesar. The dilemma they presented seemed unsolvable: if Jesus said it was lawful to pay tax, He could alienate the people, who hated Roman rule. But if He said it was unlawful, He could be accused of stirring insurrection. But Jesus, with His wisdom, cut through the manipulation and answered in a way that transcended their trap. He asked for a coin, a denarius, and asked whose image was on it. "Caesar's," they replied. Then, He gave a profound answer that has echoed through history: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."* *Jesus' words highlight that we are citizens of two realms - an earthly kingdom, with earthly responsibilities, and God's kingdom, with eternal responsibilities. While on earth, we are to honour the systems of authority set before us, paying taxes, respecting laws, and fulfilling our civic duties, which are part of our witness to the world. On the other hand, we must always remember that we are made in the likeness of God and, as such, our lives, our hearts, our very being, are His. In all, while our lives may be marked by the needs of the world - job, family, relationships - our ultimate allegiance should lie with God.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*A coin has two sides, so do our duties to God and man.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *DANIEL 3-5*📜📜 Responsibilities Of Dual Citizens https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 89: O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED; GHS 223: I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE; AND GHS 233: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna21stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST, 2026``` *A CHILD WITH A DIFFERENCE* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️👶🏽👦🏽👨🏽🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:1 SAMUEL 2:22-26```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men" (1 SAMUEL 2:26).*_ *Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash, a 26-year-old Indian is referred to as the "world's fastest human calculator." According to the _Limca Book of Records,_ India's equivalent to _Guinness World Records,_ Bhanu's brain processes numbers about 10 times faster than regular brains. He is an exceptional individual with unusual gifts and talents.* *The Biblical young Samuel was one of such children with a difference. He was raised in the house of Prophet Eli with his wayward and corrupt children. Samuel grew up like a lily in the mire without any taint of environmental corruption.* *Samuel did not join the bandwagon of the ruffians, Hophni and Phinehas (Eli's children) among whom he grew up. God called them sons of Belial who knew not the Lord. Because Samuel kept himself from evils around him, he became a priest, prophet and leader for the whole nation of Israel.* *To fulfill God's purpose for your life and make impact in your world, you must be holy and righteous. You are exceptional. You can make a difference in your world.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*You can make a difference.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Make definite impact in your world.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Help me Lord, to fulfill Your purpose in life.*_ A Child With A Difference https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday21stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [20/08, 9:54 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST, 2026``` *PROFITABLE SERVICE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```EXODUS 23:25-26```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee" (Exodus 23:25).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Kingdom work involves the use of our God-given resources, like time, strength, talents and finances, in promoting the kingdom of God. It is a profitable service that attracts rewards on earth and in Heaven. Some of the benefits are outlined below: *(i) Divine Blessings - Provision of food and other needs (Exodus 23:25).* *(ii) Divine Health - Healing and sound health (Exodus 23:25).* *(iii) Long Life - Live long and healthy till old age (Exodus 23:26).* *(iv) Prosperity - God will prosper you in every area of life: academics, career, and material blessings (Job 36:11).* *(v) Honour - Undeserved favour and honour from God. At last, the faithful servant will make it to heaven and live with Jesus forever (John 12:26).* *(vi) Distinction - You will be the head and not the tail. Also, you will have excellent results, and become ten times better (Deuteronomy 28:13).* *(vii) Fulfillment in Life - You will never lack anything that is good. All that you desire shall come to pass (Matthew 6:33).* *It is time to wake up and get involved in kingdom service so that you can get the reward from God.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*May my sacrifice be acceptable unto You oh Lord!*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *1 Corinthians 4:1-4* Profitable Service https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk21stAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. ⏤ John 8:12 Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. ⏤ John Bunyan O God, the source of all truth and grace, You’ve called us out of darkness into Your marvelous light—grant us Your blessing as this new day begins. We ask for Your grace to walk worthy of our high calling, with humility, faith, and hope. May we let our light shine before others so they may see our good works and glorify You. We ask for grace to perform our tasks diligently, to manage our affairs wisely, to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, and to acknowledge You in all our ways. Order our steps in Your word and don’t let sin have any power over us. Give us our daily bread. Provide what we need for this day. Grant us health of body and soundness of mind so that we’re prepared for the duties ahead. Prosper our efforts as long as they align with Your will. If any of our plans don’t fit into Your plan for our lives, we ask that You set them aside, for we don’t want to go against You or do anything that You won’t approve or bless. Restrain us from all excesses, from unwise words, from foolish vanity, and from uncontrolled emotions. Make us thoughtful, serious, and prayerful. O God, You allowed Your only Son to be tempted by the Evil One so that He could support those who are tempted. We ask You to deliver us from the snares and temptations that constantly surround us, and to strengthen us by Your Spirit so that in all things, we may be more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/47/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: YOUNG PEOPLE, DON'T WASTE YOUR YOUTH. Theme: Your Youth Is a Gift, Not a Season to Throw Away. «“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…” — Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJV)» 🔥DON'T WASTE WHAT YOU CANNOT REPLACE Young person, you can recover lost money. You can replace a broken phone. You can rebuild a failed business. But you cannot recover yesterday. Youth is one of the greatest gifts God gives a person—and one of the easiest gifts to waste. You have energy today. You have time today. You have opportunities today. You have the ability to learn, build, serve, dream, pray, create and make a difference. But the enemy wants you to believe: «“You are still young. There is plenty of time. Enjoy yourself now. You will become serious with God later.”» That is a dangerous lie. The devil does not always destroy young people through terrible sins. Sometimes he destroys them through distraction. He keeps them busy but unproductive. Connected to everyone but disconnected from God. Entertained but empty. Informed but not transformed. Chasing popularity while losing purpose. Young people, don't waste your youth! Your youth is not merely for having fun. It is preparation for purpose. 1. REMEMBER YOUR CREATOR BEFORE YOU WASTE YOURYEARS Ecclesiastes 12:1 «“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…”» Solomon did not say, “Remember your Creator when you become old.” He said “now.” God deserves your youthful years—not merely the leftovers of your life. Many people say: «“When I get older, I will serve God.”» But what if God wants to use you now? David was young when he confronted Goliath. Samuel was young when God called him. Josiah was young when he became king and began reforming Israel. Timothy was young when Paul recognized his spiritual potential. Your age does not disqualify you from God's purpose. Deep Insight Youth is not an excuse for spiritual laziness. The earlier you surrender your life to God, the more years you can spend fulfilling His purpose. Don't give God your retirement. Give Him your strength. Don't give God your leftovers. Give Him your first fruits. 2. DON'T ALLOW PLEASURE TO STEAL YOUR PURPOSE 1 John 2:15–17 «“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…”» There is nothing wrong with enjoying life. But there is a difference between enjoying God's blessings and becoming enslaved to worldly pleasures. Social media can become a distraction. Entertainment can become an addiction. Relationships can become an idol. Money can become a master. Sexual temptation can destroy destiny. And the desire to be accepted can cause a young person to compromise convictions. Ask yourself: What is consuming most of my time? Because what controls your time will eventually influence your life. You cannot spend five hours every day feeding your flesh and expect your spirit to remain strong. You cannot constantly consume content that weakens your values and expect your character to remain strong. Be careful what you repeatedly watch, listen to, follow, admire and imitate. 3. USE YOUR YOUTH TO BUILD, NOT JUST TO CONSUME 1 Timothy 4:12 «“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers…”» Paul did not tell Timothy: «“Because you are young, wait until you become older.”» He said: «“Be an example.”» Young people should not only be consumers. Build something. Learn a skill. Study the Word. Develop your character. Serve in church. Help people. Create something useful. Learn technology. Develop your gifts. Start preparing for your future. Don't spend your entire youth watching other people build their dreams. Remember this: Entertainment gives you moments. Development gives you capacity. Your future will demand skills you must begin developing today. Your character must grow alongside your career. Your spiritual life must grow alongside your education. Your wisdom must grow alongside your influence. 4. CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS CAREFULLY Proverbs 13:20 «“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”» Not everybody who laughs with you is helping you. Not everybody who calls you “brother” or “sister” is taking you toward your destiny. Some relationships are assignments from God. Others are distractions from your purpose. Look at the people closest to you. Do they encourage you to become better—or pressure you to become worse? Do they respect your faith? Do they challenge you to grow? Can you say “no” around them without losing the friendship? Can you discuss your dreams with them? Can they correct you? Your environment matters. If you constantly surround yourself with people who celebrate foolishness, eventually foolishness will become normal to you. Choose friends who can pray with you, grow with you, correct you and walk with you toward God's purpose. 5. DON'T WAIT FOR TOMORROW TO OBEY GOD Ephesians 5:15–16 «“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”» Notice the phrase: “Redeeming the time.” Time is a currency you cannot save forever. Every day you receive 24 hours. You can waste them. You can invest them. But you cannot reverse them. There are young people who are praying for opportunities while wasting the opportunities already in their hands. Some are waiting for a miracle while refusing to develop discipline. Some are asking God for greatness while neglecting the small responsibilities He has already given them. Faith does not cancel responsibility. Pray—but prepare. Believe—but build. Trust God—but discipline yourself. Ask for opportunities—but develop the capacity to handle them. 📖 BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: JOSEPH — A YOUNG MAN WHO DID NOT WASTE HIS SEASON Joseph was young when his life suddenly changed. He was betrayed by his brothers. He was sold into slavery. He was falsely accused. He was imprisoned. Yet Joseph did not allow his circumstances to determine his character. Genesis 39:9 When tempted by Potiphar's wife, Joseph said: «“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”» Joseph understood something powerful: His future was more valuable than his temporary pleasure. He could have said: «“Nobody will know.”» But Joseph knew that God was watching. He could have compromised. He could have become bitter. He could have wasted his youth in anger. Instead, he remained faithful. And eventually, God lifted him from the prison to the palace. The lesson: Don't destroy tomorrow because of today's temptation. That relationship may be temporary. That pleasure may be temporary. That opportunity may be temporary. But the consequences of some decisions can follow you for years. Young person, protect your future. 🔥 DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. Your youth is a seed season. What you plant now will influence what you harvest later. Plant prayer. Plant discipline. Plant knowledge. Plant integrity. Plant service. Plant righteousness. 2. Your habits are building your future before you see it. You may not see the harvest today, but your daily decisions are constructing tomorrow. 3. God is more interested in your character than your popularity. You may impress thousands of people online and still disappoint God privately. Character is who you are when nobody is watching. 4. Not every open door is a God-given opportunity. Some doors are traps disguised as opportunities. Learn to ask: «“Lord, is this good for me—or merely attractive to me?”» 5. Your greatest battle may not be against people; it may be against distraction. A distracted generation can have enormous potential and accomplish very little. Protect your attention. What captures your attention repeatedly can eventually shape your direction. ✅ PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Starting today: 1. Give God the first part of your day. Pray. Read Scripture. Listen for God's direction. 2. Set goals for your life. Spiritual goals, educational goals, financial goals, relational goals and career goals. 3. Learn valuable skills. Don't depend only on certificates. Develop practical competence. 4. Control your phone; don't let your phone control you. 5. Choose your friends intentionally. 6. Avoid sexual and moral compromises. 7. Find a mature Christian mentor. 8. Serve somewhere. Don't just attend church—be useful in God's house. 9. Stop comparing your journey with other people's journeys. 10. Start now. Don't wait until everything is perfect. 🤔 QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION Take a moment and answer these honestly: - If I continue living exactly as I am today, where will I be five years from now? - What am I doing with my time? - What habit is secretly destroying my potential? - Who are the people influencing my decisions? - Am I becoming closer to God or farther from Him? - What gift has God placed inside me? - What am I doing to develop that gift? - What temptation am I repeatedly entertaining? - What should I stop doing? - What should I start doing? - If Jesus returned today, would I be satisfied with how I used my youth? 🙏 POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Prayer for Purpose Father, open my eyes to understand Your purpose for my life. Help me not to wander through life without direction. 2. Prayer for Wisdom Lord, give me wisdom to make decisions that will preserve my future and honor You. 3. Prayer Against Distraction Every distraction assigned to waste my time, weaken my faith and derail my destiny, I reject it in Jesus' name. 4. Prayer for Discipline Holy Spirit, give me the discipline to do what is right even when nobody is watching. 5. Prayer for Purity Lord, keep my heart, mind and body pure. Give me strength to overcome every temptation that seeks to destroy my future. 6. Prayer for Good Relationships Father, connect me with people who will strengthen my faith, sharpen my character and help me fulfill my purpose. 7. Prayer for Courage Lord, give me courage to stand for truth even when my generation is going in the opposite direction. 8. Prayer for Impact Father, let my life become a blessing to my generation. May I not pass through this world without making a positive difference. 🔥 STRONG CLOSING: DON'T WASTE YOUR YOUTH Young person, you are not too young for God to use you. You are not too young to pray. You are not too young to preach. You are not too young to serve. You are not too young to lead. You are not too young to build. You are not too young to make a difference. David had a sling. Joseph had a dream. Samuel had a listening ear. Timothy had youthful strength. And God used them. What is in your hands? What gift is inside you? What dream has God placed in your heart? What are you doing with the years God has given you? Don't wait until you are old before you become serious with God. Don't spend your best years chasing things that cannot satisfy your soul. Don't exchange your destiny for temporary pleasure. Don't allow social media to consume the years that should be building your future. Don't let fear paralyze you. Don't let failure define you. Don't let your past imprison you. Rise. Pray. Learn. Build. Serve. Grow. Your youth is not a waiting room. Your youth is a training ground for destiny. And when you stand before God one day, may you be able to say: «“Lord, I did not waste what You gave me.”» FINAL CHARGE Young people, don't waste your youth. Give God your strength. Give God your gifts. Give God your dreams. Give God your time. Give God your future. And watch what He can do with a life that is completely surrendered to Him. Your youth is passing. Your purpose is waiting. Start today. If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do you by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks https://afrikdp.com/book/d3f4fa1c7e CONTACT - Whatsapp +2349024173027, +2449055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com

MEANING OF SACKCLOTH AND ASHES. Sackcloth and ashes originates from biblical texts and is used to symbolize: MOURNING,(*Deep sorrow and grief) REPENTANCE, (*Desire to change) AND HUMILITY.(*Humbled to Father in shame) Wearing sackcloth, is uncomfortable and course fabric. Usually made from goats hair. Sitting in ashes were traditional practices during times of great spiritual and physical distress or showing their penance for sins. In the Bible, figures such as Job and the people of Israel used sackcloth and ashes to express their sorrow and seek forgiveness from Father. This showed a deep sense of remorse and the desire to turn away from their iniquity. These biblical stories of mourning, repentance, and humility show someone who is experiencing regret for transgressions by taking responsibility for their actions, and bowing down to the heavenly Father. Demonstrating the act of being nothing but dirty ashes. Burnt up and consumed with the trials and tribulation of this life. 👉REPENTANCE OF NINEVEH (Jonah 3:5-6) When Jonah prophesies the destruction of Nineveh, the king and the people respond by donning sackcloth and sitting in ashes as a sign of repentance. 📖THE PEOPLE OF NINEVEH BELIEVE Jonah 3:5-10 KJV 1 SO THE PEOPLE OF NINEVEH Believed God, And proclaimed a fast, And put on SACKCLOTH, From the greatest of them Even to the least of them. 6 FOR WORD CAME UNTO THE KING OF NINEVEH, And he arose from his throne, And he laid his robe from him, And covered him with SACKCLOTH, And sat in ASHES. 7 AND HE CAUSED IT TO BE PROCLAIMED And published through Nineveh By the decree of the king and his nobles, Saying, Let neither man nor beast, Herd nor flock, taste any thing: Let them not feed, nor drink water: 8 BUT LET MAN AND BEAST Be covered with SACKCLOTH, And cry mightily unto God: Yea, let them turn every one From his evil way, and from the violence That is in their hands. 9 WHO CAN TELL IF GOD WILL TURN AND REPENT, And turn away from his fierce anger, That we perish not? 10 AND GOD SAW THEIR WORKS, That they turned from their evil way; And God repented of the evil, That he had said That he would Do unto them; And he did it not. 👉KING DAVID MOURNS (2 Samuel 12:16-17) After the death of his child, with Besthsheba, David fasts and mourns, emphasizing humility and sorrow. The child was born through adultery and murder. God did not let it live. THE DEATH OF DAVID’S SON 2 Samuel 12:15-23 KJV 15 AND NATHAN DEPARTED Unto his house. And the Lord struck the child That Uriah's wife bare unto David, And it was very sick. 16 DAVID THEREFORE BESOUGHT GOD For the child; And David fasted, And went in, And lay all night upon the earth. 17 AND THE ELDERS OF HIS HOUSE AROSE, And went to him, To raise him up from the earth: But he would not, Neither did he eat bread with them. 18 AND IT CAME TO PASS On the seventh day, That the child died. And the servants of David Feared to tell him that the child was dead: For they said, Behold, While the child was yet alive, We spake unto him, And he would not hearken unto our voice: How will he then vex himself, If we tell him that the child is dead? 19 BUT WHEN DAVID SAW That his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: Therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20 THEN DAVID AROSE FROM THE EARTH, And washed, and anointed himself, And changed his apparel, And came into the house of the Lord, And worshipped: Then he came to his own house; And when he required, They set bread before him, And he did eat. 21 THEN SAID HIS SERVANTS UNTO HIM, What thing is this that thou hast done? Thou didst fast and weep for the child, While it was alive; But when the child was dead, Thou didst rise and eat bread. 22 AND HE SAID, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: For I said, Who can tell whether God Will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 BUT NOW HE IS DEAD, Wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, But he shall not return to me. 👉QUEEN ESTHER'S PLEA (Esther 4) Esther asks the Jews to fast and wear sackcloth as they seek deliverance from impending doom. ESTHER AGREES TO HELP THE JEWS Esther 4 KJV 1 WHEN MORDECAI PERCEIVED All that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, And put on sackcloth with ashes, And went out into the midst of the city, And cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2 AND CAME EVEN BEFORE THE KING'S GATE: For none might enter into the king's gate Clothed with sackcloth. 3 AND IN EVERY PROVINCE, Whithersoever the king's commandment And his decree came, There was great mourning Among the Jews, And fasting, And weeping, And wailing; And many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 SO ESTHER'S MAIDS And her chamberlains Came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; And she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, And to take away his sackcloth from him: But he received it not. 5 THEN CALLED ESTHER FOR HATACH, One of the king's chamberlains, Whom he had appointed To attend upon her, And gave him a commandment To Mordecai, To know what it was, And why it was. 6 SO HATACH WENT FORTH TO MORDECAI Unto the street of the city, Which was before the king's gate. 7 AND MORDECAI TOLD HIM OF ALL That had happened unto him, And of the sum of the money That Haman had promised To pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, To destroy them. 8 ALSO HE GAVE HIM THE COPY Of the writing of the decree That was given at Shushan To destroy them, To shew it unto Esther, And to declare it unto her, And to charge her that she should go In unto the king, To make supplication unto him, And to make request before him For her people.🤥✡️ 9 AND HATACH CAME And told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 AGAINST ESTHER SPAKE UNTO HATACH, And gave him commandment Unto Mordecai; 11 ALL THE KING'S SERVANTS, And the people of the king's provinces, Do know, that whosoever, Whether man or women, Shall come unto the king Into the inner court, Who is not called, There is one law of his to put him to death, Except such to whom the king Shall hold out the golden sceptre, That he may live: But I have not been called to come in Unto the king these thirty days. 12 AND THEY TOLD TO MORDECAI Esther's words. 13 THEN MORDECAI COMMANDED To answer Esther, Think not with thyself That thou shalt escape In the king's house, More than all the Jews. 14 FOR IF THOU ALTOGETHER Holdest thy peace at this time, Then shall there enlargement And deliverance Arise to the Jews from another place; But thou and thy father's house Shall be destroyed: And who knoweth whether thou art come To the kingdom for such a time as this? 15 THEN ESTHER BADE THEM Return Mordecai this answer, 16 GO, GATHER TOGETHER ALL THE JEWS That are present in Shushan, And fast ye for me, And neither eat nor drink three days, Night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; And so will I go in unto the king, Which is not according to the law: And if I perish, I perish. 17 SO MORDECAI WENT HIS WAY, And did according to all That Esther had commanded him. 👉PROPHET JEREMIAH (Jeremiah 6:26) Jeremiah calls for mourning in Israel, invoking sackcloth as a sign of sorrow for sin. IMPENDING DESTRUCTION FROM THE NORTH Jeremiah 6:16-30 KJV 16 THUS SAITH THE LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, And ask for the old paths, Where is the good way, and walk therein, And ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. 17 ALSO I SET WATCHMEN OVER YOU, Saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. 18 THEREFORE HEAR, Ye nations, and know, O congregation, What is among them. 19 HEARKEN, O EARTH: BEHOLD, I will bring evil upon this people, Even the fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not hearkened Unto my words, nor to my law, But rejected it. 20 TO WHAT PURPOSE COMETH THERE To me incense from Sheba, And the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices sweet unto me. 21 THEREFORE THUS SAITH THE LORD, BEHOLD, I will lay stumblingblocks Before this people, And the fathers and the sons together Shall fall upon them; The neighbour and his friend shall perish. 22 THUS SAITH THE LORD, BEHOLD, A people cometh from the north country, And a great nation shall be raised From the sides of the earth. 23 THEY SHALL LAY HOLD ON BOW AND SPEAR; They are cruel, and have no mercy; Their voice roareth like the sea; And they ride upon horses, Set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion. 24 WE HAVE HEARD THE FAME THEREOF: Our hands wax feeble: Anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, As of a woman in travail. 25 GO NOT FORTH INTO THE FIELD, Nor walk by the way; For the sword of the enemy And fear is on every side. 26 O DAUGHTER OF MY PEOPLE, Gird thee with sackcloth, And wallow thyself in ashes: Make thee mourning, as for an only son, Most bitter lamentation: For the spoiler shall suddenly Come upon us. 27 I HAVE SET THEE FOR A TOWER And a fortress among my people, That thou mayest know and try their way. 28 THEY ARE ALL GRIEVOUS REVOLTERS, Walking with slanders: They are brass and iron; They are all corrupters. 29 THE BELLOWS ARE BURNED, The lead is consumed of the fire; The founder melteth in vain: For the wicked are not plucked away. 30 REPROBATE SILVER Shall men call them, Because the Lord hath rejected them. 👉THE ISRAELITES (Isaiah 15:3, Micah 1:10) Throughout the books of the prophets, sackcloth is often mentioned as part of national mourning or individual repentance. JUDGMENT ON ISRAEL AND JUDAH Micah 1 KJV 1 THE WORD OF THE LORD That came to Micah The Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, Which he saw concerning Samaria And Jerusalem. 2 HEAR, ALL YE PEOPLE; Hearken, O earth, And all that therein is: And let the Lord God Be witness against you, The Lord from his holy temple. 3 FOR, BEHOLD The Lord cometh forth Out of His place, And will come down, And tread upon The high places of the earth. 4 AND THE MOUNTAINS Shall be molten Under him, And the valleys shall be cleft, As wax before the fire, And as the waters that are poured down A steep place. 5 FOR THE TRANSGRESSION Of Jacob is all this, And for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? And what are the high places of Judah? Are they not Jerusalem? 6 THEREFORE I WILL MAKE SAMARIA As an heap of the field, And as plantings of a vineyard: And I will pour down The stones thereof into the valley, And I will discover the foundations thereof. 7 AND ALL THE GRAVEN IMAGES THEREOF Shall be beaten to pieces, And all the hires thereof Shall be burned with the fire, And all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: For she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, And they shall return to THE HIRE OF AN HARLOT. 8 THEREFORE I WILL WAIL AND HOWL, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, And mourning as the owls. 9 FOR HER WOUND IS INCURABLE; For it is come unto Judah; He is come unto the gate of my people, Even to Jerusalem. 10 DECLARE YE IT NOT AT GATH, Weep ye not at all: In the house of Aphrah Roll thyself in the dust. 11 PASS YE AWAY, Thou inhabitant of Saphir, Having thy shame naked: The inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth In the mourning of Bethezel; He shall receive of you his standing. 12 FOR THE INHABITANT OF MAROTH Waited carefully for good: But evil came down from the Lord Unto the gate of Jerusalem. 13 O THOU INHABITANT OF LACHISH, Vind the chariot to the swift beast: She is the beginning of the sin To the daughter of Zion: For the transgressions of Israel Were found in thee. 14 THEREFORE SHALT THOU GIVE Presents to Moreshethgath: The houses of Achzib Shall be a lie to the kings of Israel. 15 YET WILL I BRING AN HEIR UNTO THEE, O inhabitant of Mareshah: He shall come unto Adullam THE GLORY OF ISRAEL. 16 MAKE THEE BALD, And poll thee for thy delicate children; Enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; For they are gone into captivity from thee. 🔥The significance of sackcloth and ashes in the Bible, demonstrates moments of deep emotional strive and the desire to reconcile with The Father. 👉The 2 witnesses come teaching sackcloth and ashes.They are described as prophetic figures who proclaim God's message during the end times. The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3-6) As having the power to prophesy for 1,260 days while clothed in sackcloth.(*shortened by Christ in Matthew 24:22-24/ Revelation 9 to 150 days. The 7 years given to Satan was deduced to those 5 months/140 days. The 2 Witnesses time was given in days and when shortened to days they are given about a week longer to prepare and warn the house of Isreal.) THE TWO WITNESSES Revelation 11 KJV 1 AND THERE WAS GIVEN ME A REED Like unto a rod: and the angel stood, Saying, Rise, and measure The temple of God, And the altar, And them that worship therein. 2 BUT THE COURT Which is without the temple leave out, And measure it not; For it is given unto the Gentiles: And the holy city shall they tread Under foot forty and two months. (*Shortened by Christ, Matthew24, to 5 months of Revelation 9, for the elections sake, so they could stand.) 3 AND I WILL GIVE POWER Unto my TWO witnesses, And they shall prophesy A thousand two hundred And threescore days, Clothed in sackcloth.(*Repentance) 4 THESE ARE THE TWO OLIVE TREES, And the two candlesticks Standing before the God of the earth. 5 AND IF ANY MAN WILL HURT THEM, Fire proceedeth out of their mouth, And devoureth their enemies: And if any man will hurt them, He must in this manner be killed. 6 THESE HAVE POWER TO SHUT HEAVEN, That it rain not In the days of their prophecy: And have power over waters To turn them to blood, And to smite the earth with all plagues, As often as they will. THE WITNESSES KILLED 7 AND WHEN THEY SHALL HAVE FINISHED Their testimony, The beast that ascendeth out Of the bottomless pit(*Abbadon, Appolyon) Shall make war against them, And shall overcome them, And kill them. 8 AND THEIR DEAD BODIES Shall lie in the street of the great city, Which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, Where also our Lord was crucified. 9 AND THEY OF THE PEOPLE And kindreds And tongues And nations shall see their dead bodies Three days and an half, And shall not suffer their dead bodies To be put in graves. 10 AND THEY THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH Shall rejoice over them, And make merry, And shall send gifts one to another; Because these TWO prophets Tormented them that dwelt on the earth. THE WITNESSES RESURRECTED 11 AND AFTER THREE DAYS AND AN HALF The spirit of life from God Entered into them, And they stood upon their feet; And great fear fell upon them Which saw them. 12 AND THEY HEARD A GREAT VOICE From heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; And their enemies beheld them. 13 AND THE SAME HOUR WAS THERE A great earthquake, And the tenth part of the city fell, And in the earthquake Were slain of men SEVEN THOUSAND: And the remnant Were affrighted, And gave glory to the God of heaven. (*The 7000 fallen angels that take over the government's of the world with their new world order will die forever.) 14 THE SECOND WOE IS PAST; And, behold, The third woe cometh quickly. 👉Sackcloth is a symbol of humility and sorrow, indicating their role as prophets of repentance in a time of great tribulation of the apostasy of God's people. The sackcloth worn by the Two Witnesses provokes their somber mission, calling for the repentance of the nations and pointing out their eminent demise. The 2 serve as messengers of God's judgment, calling people to repentance. They are granted the power to perform miraculous signs, such as shutting the sky to prevent rain and turning waters into blood, emphasizing their authority as God's representatives. After their testimony, they are killed, signifying the rejection of their message. Like that of Jesus message they will lay in the street 3 days and half. They are later resurrected and taken up to heaven, symbolizing the ultimate vindication of God's

3 WAYS TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN YOUR PROPHETIC CALLING The prophetic gift is not something we should treat casually. What God places within us must be cultivated through spiritual discipline, intimacy with Him, and the right spiritual environment. If you desire to mature in the prophetic, you must intentionally build a life capable of carrying what God entrusts to you. ## 1. Give Yourself to Prayer and Fasting Prayer develops our intimacy with God, while fasting helps bring our flesh under submission. The prophetic becomes clearer when our hearts are continually turned toward the Lord. A prophetic gift cannot be sustained by gifting alone. We need a life of prayer that keeps our hearts sensitive to the Holy Spirit and a life of consecration that teaches us to put God's desires above our own appetites. There are times when God calls us into deeper levels of prayer and fasting because He is preparing us to receive, discern, and carry greater spiritual responsibility. *If you want greater sensitivity to the voice of God, make room for deeper consecration.* ## 2. Establish Yourself in the Word of God The prophetic must always be anchored in Scripture. Revelation should never become an excuse to neglect the written Word of God. The Bible teaches us how to recognize God's character, test what we hear, and distinguish truth from our own emotions, desires, assumptions, or deception. Scripture gives us the foundation by which prophetic impressions and revelations can be examined. The more deeply the Word of God is established in you, the stronger your spiritual discernment becomes. > *“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”* > > — Psalm 119:11, KJV Don't seek revelation while neglecting the Book that teaches you how to recognize truth. ## 3. Surround Yourself With the Right Spiritual Atmosphere The environment around you can influence what develops within you. There are environments that can weaken your spiritual hunger, and there are environments that can awaken gifts and desires that God has placed inside you. We see an example of this in the life of Saul. When he encountered the company of prophets, Scripture tells us that the Spirit of God came upon him and he prophesied among them. *1 Samuel 10:10–11* This shows us the importance of spiritual atmosphere. What surrounds you matters. Make room in your life for prayer, worship, the Word, sound biblical teaching, genuine fellowship, and people who sincerely pursue the presence of God. The right environment does not replace your personal relationship with God, but it can encourage, strengthen, and help develop what He has already placed within you. ### BUILD A LIFE THAT CAN CARRY THE FIRE If you desire to grow in the prophetic, don't focus only on receiving prophetic experiences. *Build the character, discipline, prayer life, biblical foundation, and consecration necessary to carry what God gives you.* The greater the fire God entrusts to you, the greater the responsibility to maintain the altar. *Cultivate the presence. Guard the Word. Strengthen your prayer life. Choose your atmosphere wisely. And allow the Holy Spirit to mature what God has placed within you

The Bible’s Big Story The Bible is one unified book telling the story of God’s glory through creation, humanity’s rebellion, God’s covenant promises, and their complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Everything moves toward Christ’s preeminence. The Old Testament prepares the way; the New Testament reveals Him as the fulfillment. Together they form 66 inspired books—39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New. The Old Testament (39 Books): God’s Promises and Preparation The Old Testament shows God creating the world, choosing a people, giving them His law, and promising a coming King who would fix what sin broke. It repeatedly points forward to the Messiah. Law (Pentateuch – 5 books): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. These lay the foundation. Genesis shows creation, the fall, and God’s first promises. Exodus–Deuteronomy record God’s rescue of Israel from Egypt, the giving of the Torah at Sinai, and the covenant instructions for a holy people. Historical Books (12 books): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2 Samuel, 1–2 Kings, 1–2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. They trace Israel’s life in the Promised Land, their cycles of obedience and rebellion, the rise and fall of the monarchy, exile in Babylon, and return. They demonstrate that human kings fail, but God remains faithful to His promises. Wisdom and Poetry (5 books): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. These teach how to live wisely under God’s rule. They explore suffering, worship, daily righteousness, the emptiness of life without God, and the beauty of covenant love. Prophets (17 books): Major Prophets (5): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel. Minor Prophets (12): Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. The prophets confront idolatry, call for repentance, warn of judgment, and repeatedly promise a coming Deliverer, a new covenant, and a kingdom that will never end. The entire Old Testament builds expectation: a seed of the woman, a descendant of Abraham, a prophet like Moses, a son of David, a suffering servant, and a King who will reign forever. The New Testament (27 Books): Christ’s Arrival and the New Creation The New Testament announces that Jesus is the promised King. He is the preeminent One in whom all God’s promises find their “Yes” (2 Corinthians 1:20). It shows His life, death, resurrection, the birth of the church, and the final renewal of all things. Gospels (4 books): Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. These present Jesus from four angles: as King (Matthew), servant (Mark), perfect man (Luke), and eternal God (John). They record His teaching, miracles, crucifixion for sins, and resurrection. History (1 book): Acts. Luke’s second volume shows the Holy Spirit empowering the early church to take the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. It records the rapid spread of the message that Jesus is Lord. Letters (21 books): Paul’s Letters (13): Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1–2 Thessalonians, 1–2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. These explain the gospel, the meaning of Christ’s work, how the church should live, and how believers stand secure in Him. General Letters (8): Hebrews, James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John, Jude. These encourage perseverance, warn against false teaching, and call for holy living. Prophecy (1 book): Revelation. This apocalyptic letter reveals Christ as the victorious Lamb and coming King. It comforts suffering believers and shows the final defeat of evil and the making of a new heaven and new earth. How the Two Testaments Fit Together The Old Testament is not obsolete. Jesus said He came to fulfill it, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17). The New Testament constantly quotes and explains the Old, showing that Christ is the true temple, the better Moses, the perfect high priest, the faithful Israel, and the eternal King. Everything in the Bible centers on the supremacy and preeminence of Christ that we have been studying in Colossians 1. He is the goal of the Old Testament promises and the living reality of the New Testament gospel. The whole book calls you to trust Him, repent of sin, and live under His rule until He returns. If you want to go deeper into any section—especially how Colossians fits into the larger biblical theology of Christ’s preeminence—let me know which part to unpack next.

August 20, 2026 (day 232/365) THURSDAY GOD'S WORD FOR THE DAY “Standing Firm in Prayer” 1 Samuel 12:23 “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.” This is the Word of God. In 1 Samuel 12, Samuel reminds the people of Israel of God’s faithfulness and calls them to continue serving Him wholeheartedly. Even though the people had disappointed God by demanding a king, Samuel did not give up on them. Instead, he committed himself to praying for them and guiding them in the right way. This verse reminds us that prayer is not only something we do for ourselves. Praying for others is also a sacred responsibility. Sometimes people around us may fail, disappoint us, or make wrong choices, but instead of only criticizing them, we can bring them before God in prayer. May God give us faithful hearts that continue to pray for others, guide them in truth, and never give up on those He has placed in our lives. Amen. Have a blessed day with the Lord. -- Pastor Emmanuel Serto