📖 TODAY'S BIBLE READING Thursday, August 20 📜 OLD TESTAMENT JUDGES 21 — The Restoration of Benjamin 🎉 Congratulations on completing the book of Judges! Tomorrow we begin Ruth. ✝️ NEW TESTAMENT 1 JOHN 2 — Christ Our Advocate & Walking in the Light 🌿 MAJOR PROPHETS ISAIAH 31 — Trust in God, Not Egypt 🌿 Today's Reflection 📜 Judges 21 The book of Judges closes with Israel seeking a way to restore the tribe of Benjamin after the devastating conflict. The ending highlights the consequences of Israel's spiritual disorder and the need for godly leadership. ✝️ 1 John 2 John encourages believers to walk in obedience, love one another, and avoid loving the world above God. Christ is our Advocate, and those who claim to know Him are called to live according to His ways. 🌿 Isaiah 31 Isaiah warns Judah against depending on Egypt and its horses for protection. True security comes from the Lord, who is able to defend and deliver His people. ✨ KEY VERSE “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” — 1 John 2:15 🙏 PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us through another book of Your Word. Help us to walk in obedience, love You above everything else, and place our complete confidence in You rather than human strength. As we begin the book of Ruth tomorrow, prepare our hearts to receive everything You want to teach us. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. WE STUDY. WE PRAY. WE OBEY. WE GROW. UNTIL WE ARE TOTALLY TRANSFORMED. 📖✨🙏 🌿 TODAY'S CHALLENGE Choose God over the attractions of the world today. Walk in obedience, love others sincerely, and trust God completely with every situation.

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🌹🎀🎁💝🌺 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2O26. "FREEDOM FROM SEXUAL ADDICTION" ‘…Help us for the glory of your name…’ Psalms 79:9 NLT FOR FIFTEEN years, Mike Cleveland, airline pilot and founder of ‘Setting Captives Free,’ seemed powerless as his addiction to online pornography devastated his life, his marriage and his family. The spiral of lust enslaved him ‘until there wasn’t a moment of his days free from its tortured domination.’ The cycle of prayers for deliverance, followed by repeated indulgence in porn, XXX DVDs, and sex chat-rooms, plunged him deeper into the darkness of despair and He longed to escape the slimy, secluded underworld of secret soul-destroying sin, but every pathetic attempt left him unchanged, unhinged, and uncertain that freedom was possible for him. Mike turned to self-help books, counsellors and friends without success. His repeated disappointment, when every effort failed, led to increasing guilt and self-incrimination. When his wife insisted on a last-ditch visit to see her pastor (all other remedies had been exhausted), the lights in their bleak prison cell suddenly came on. Mike learned that ‘…deliverance belong(s) to the Lord’ (Jonah 2:9 AMP), and its rules are all dictated by Him. Mike’s old motivations for getting clean—‘saving my marriage for my kids’ sake; I’m a Christian, a seminary graduate and preacher’—were full of ‘loopholes and escape clauses’ and produced one botched disaster after another. His pastor taught him that the only viable motivation for getting clean and staying clean was a commitment to glorifying God in all of his decisions, because God delivers the powerless, ‘For the glory of [His] name.’ When Mike learned, ‘…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God’ (1Corinthians 10:31 NIV), the doors to freedom from years of sexual addiction began to open. Yours can too. Bible In A Year: Lam 1:1 – 3:39, Matt 19:15-30, Ps 119:121-128, Pro 18:13-20. 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.ii. [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* THURSDAY, 20TH AUGUST, 2026. *FROM FAME TO SHAME* *TEXT:* JOSHUA 7:1-6. 7 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. 2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. 4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. 6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. *Timeless Truth:*_"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump"_ (1 Corinthians 5:9). *INTRODUCTION* Israel had just experienced a remarkable victory at Jericho. The intimidating walls had fallen, the people had rejoiced, and Joshua’s leadership had received great honour. *"So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noise throughout all the country"* (Joshua 6:27). Yet, within a short time, that fame turned into shame. It is noteworthy that Israel never lost any battle either under Moses or under Joshua. It was natural for them to think that experience is the best teacher. The text shows clearly the danger of leaning only on experience when it comes to spiritual battles. God must continue to lead and the Word of God must remain final. The text teaches us that yesterday’s victory does not guarantee today’s success when there is hidden disobedience. Sin in the camp can turn triumph into tragedy. God desires not only victorious people, but also holy people. *1. Stealing Cursed Properties* a. *"For the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing"*. A glorious and happy journey suddenly turned sour and sorrowful because of sin. Many great men have also fallen from glory to grass just because of a single sin that became public.One man sinned and the whole nation suffered for it. The army that the whole Canaanites dreaded and could not conquer was conquered by the sin of a single rebel. Obviously, the tempter and demons had a field day. Achan was guilty of stealing what did not belong to him. That was disobedience to one of the ten commandments, *"thou shalt not steal"*. He did not just steal what belonged to his neighbours, which was equally sin, he stole classified materials that God called accursed and those that were to be reserved for God in His sanctuary. He did not feign ignorance when caught, he knew it was forbidden. He went deeper in his sin by hiding it from people until the knock of death became real. God had expressly commanded Israel concerning the devoted things of Jericho. *"And ye shall in any wise keep yourself from accursed thing, lest ye make yourself accursed..."* (Joshua 6:1). Achan secretly took what God had forbidden. He thought since nobody saw it, God could not have seen it either. His private sin produced public consequences: *“the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.”* b. Achan’s action reminds us that what is obtained through disobedience cannot produce lasting blessings. Hidden sin may remain concealed from people, but nothing is hidden from God. The desire for material gain can lead a person from honour to disgrace, from victory to defeat and from fame to shame. Sin will turn fame to shame overnight no matter how long it can be hidden. There are some shame that can never be taken away. Some people's sins are revealed after death and they bring a lot of shame on themselves and their families. The sin of a single person can bring a whole family, church and nation into unlimited ridicule and defeat. *"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump"*. There must be care and watchfulness against all forms of sins so as to avoid community, church or societal judgment. Partnership and marriage with accursed and demonized people have deadly consequences and should be avoided. *Question* Is there anything in my life that I have acquired or retained contrary to God’s command? *2. Self-Confidence and Pride* a. Israel had so far won all their battles. Jericho had a population of between 1,200 and 3,000 and yet they had to allow God to guide and lead them. As few as they were, the whole army of Israel was involved. The population of Ai was about 12,000. Shouldn't they ask for guidance as usual? They resorted to recommendations of experience without checking up from God. Unconsciously, pride of past successes results in self confidence. The spies returned with confidence, suggesting that only a small force was needed for such a large city. They thought it was their wisdom and might that had earned them a former victory. Their assessment overlooked the most important factor—the presence and favour of God. They trusted their own strength rather than seeking God's direction. Consequently, about three thousand men went to battle and were defeated. b. Success can sometimes produce overconfidence, making us forget that every victory comes from God. *"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will trust the name of the LORD"*. Pride as a result of past victory or success are natural reactions that must be deliberately avoided. Human strength, experience, position, wealth and reputation cannot substitute for dependence upon the Lord. *Question* Am I depending more on my past achievements and personal ability than on God? *3. Supplication with Crying after Defeat* a. The shame and defeat brought Joshua to his knees to do what he should have done before sending 3000 for the battle. If he had prayed, remained spiritually sensitive and heard from God, God would have told him not to proceed on the battle, but to settle the issue on ground first. On the other hand, we must commend Joshua for not being touchy. He could have blamed the spies for underestimating the population of Ai. He could have blamed the defeated soldiers for being careless and not smart enough. Joshua did not do that. He could see abnormality and spiritual implications in the unusual and unexpected defeat. When strange things happen to us contrary to the Word and promise of God, we should learn to see the face of God and hear His Word on the matter. b. Israel’s defeat brought fear, discouragement and deep sorrow. Joshua tore his clothes and fell before the Ark of the LORD with the elders, putting dust upon their heads. His response shows that when God's people experience defeat, they must turn to God in humility and supplication. Prayer should not merely be our response after failure; it should be our posture before every major undertaking. Nevertheless, even in defeat, God can reveal the cause of the problem and lead His people back to restoration. The place of brokenness can become the beginning of renewed obedience. *Question* When I experience failure or defeat, do I genuinely seek God for correction and restoration? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, give me grace to reject every form of disobedience and to flee from every forbidden thing. Keep me from falling into shame and ridicule 🙏. 2.Father, deliver me from pride, self-confidence and dependence on human strength 🙏. 3.Lord, give me a humble and prayerful heart that seeks Your direction before every decision 🙏. 4.Father, wherever Your children have suffered defeat because of disobedience, expose the root cause, forgive, restore and lead them back to victory 🙏. *HYMN:* Yield Not To Temptation *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOB 38-42. [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *UNDERESTIMATING SIN'S DEADLINESS* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🖤⚠️‼️🛑❌⚖️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:JOSHUA 7:1-6```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads" (JOSHUA 7:6).*_ *When COVID-19 ran rampant early in 2020, no one could imagine that it would, under twenty-four months, send more than 7.5 million souls to an unprepared eternity while casualties from related causes would be close to 15 million. In its trail were socioeconomic disasters, unemployment, poverty, depression and pervasive suicide. The root cause of the high mortality was the earlier attempts to cover its tracks. An even more dangerous disease - sin - is on the sprawl in our world. It, too, is impossible to keep under wraps because many people do not recognise its deadliness.* *Our text unfolds the folly and tragic story of Achan, his sin and the consequences. Against God's command, he had taken some of the spoils from Jericho. And worse was his attempt to cover up the sin by hiding the stolen spoil under the earth in his tent. The consequence of this was the humiliating, ignominious defeat of Israel at Ai, the death of thirty-six valiant men, and the sombre, ominous shadow of failure cast over the camp of God's chosen people. This disaster in battle, on the path of Joshua, led to humiliation, self-examination, prayer and faith, and finally to victory.* *Joshua embarked on an awfully painful search and recovery. This is the gist of our text. The magnified leader is now mortified, but he refrained from maligning God. Self-emptied, self-humiliated and broken, Joshua's primary concerns were twofold: loss of innocent Israelites and the tender regard for the honour of God's name. He wailed: "O Lord, what will thou do unto thy great name?" He conceded both justice and wisdom to God. Neither did he blame the spies he sent out for furnishing the nation with supposedly inaccurate security reports. Nor did he castigate the soldiers who were defeated in battle for cowardice. Joshua did not underestimate the deadliness of sin. He wisely resorted to the only window left, namely, mercy, as a solution to the present crisis.* *The only option you have when ensnared in sin is a broken and contrite heart. Confession of sins, self-examination, and genuine repentance void of any excuse or alibi, coupled with a commitment to do restitution wherever it is needful, are the indispensable steps to be saved or restored to fellowship and favour with the Lord.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Confessing sin is good, but forsaking sin is much better.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *DANIEL 1-2*📜📜 Underestimating Sin's Deadliness https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 6: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION; GHS 246: O BROTHER, LIFE'S JOURNEY BEGINNING; AND GHS 133: OUT OF MY BONDAGE* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *CHRISTIAN CLEANSING* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🖤🩸🤍🥼🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:ISAIAH 52:1-3```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean" (ISAIAH 52:1).*_ *Spiritual check-up should be a routine practice for Christians to maintain sanctity. It is your responsibility to cleanse yourself from all the filthiness that is flying all over your community. It starts by watching physically over what you allow into your life, beginning from the books you read, the movies you watch, the friends you keep, and so on.* *Unclean instruments will make you dirty and unacceptable in the sight of God. God wants His children to cleanse themselves and remain pure because He does not want to lose any of them to the devil and to hell, a place of eternal perdition.* *Beloved, you are the holy city of God and "henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean" (Isaiah 52:1). Consciously pray to God for heart cleansing or sanctification experience where your adamic nature would be uprooted.* *Remember that heaven is for only those who are holy. Trust in God because He "is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24).* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*It starts by watching.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Be clean in an unclean generation.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to live a clean life.*_ Christian Cleansing https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *REASONABLE SERVICE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```ROMANS 12:1-3```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 A child who desires to serve God acceptably must offer unto Him a service that is reasonable. This means something that is of highest quality and standard. A reasonable service involves: *(i) Offering your body as a living sacrifice, free of blemish or stain of sin.* *(ii) Living a holy life.* During the Olympic Games, a lot of athletes represented their countries and won various medals. However, some of them were disqualified for various reasons, such as doping (the unlawful use of drugs to enhance performance). They failed because they did not present their bodies for the competition in the natural form. Our Bible passage encouraged believers to present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, and be not conformed to this world in their way of life. Just like the athletes who were disqualified for falling short of the standard expected of them, any child who falls short of God's expectation will surely be disqualified from entering the kingdom of God. *For your service to become reasonable and acceptable to God, you need to genuinely repent of your sins and promise Jesus never to go back to sin anymore. Then you can be assured of eternal life. A service becomes reasonable when it is offered with clean hands and a pure heart.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, make my service acceptable in your sight.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Romans 12:4-8* Reasonable Service https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up. ⏤ Psalm 5:3 The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer. ⏤ F.B. Meyer O God, we come to You with nothing but our needs and a meager return of gratitude from our flawed hearts. But we are glad to know that You welcome us even with our needs and sins. Reveal Your love to us so clearly that it kindles our love for You, teaching us to love You more. This morning calls us to praise and thanksgiving. We’ve slept and awakened, preserved and refreshed by Your care. Our lives have been renewed through sleep, and now the sun shines on us again, bringing us joy. Give us a Father’s morning blessing as we step into the duties of this new day. Purify our hearts so that our thoughts and feelings may be pure. Grant us diligence, honesty, truthfulness, and a spirit of service so that we may carry out our tasks in a way that honors Your name. May we learn more and more how to walk with Jesus in the ordinary days, the week-days, so that they too may be brightened by Your grace. Preserve us from foolishness, idle words, and anything that would profane our lives or damage the impression we leave on others. May our daily walk be a living gospel. May we be a blessing to everyone we meet. Keep us from discouraging others. Help us to live in such a way that everyone who knows us will find it easier to be true, holy, and happy. Grant us now a Father’s morning blessing. Then we will be stronger throughout the day, safe amid temptation, and able to live sweetly and for You, through Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/46/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Being secure in Christ means your salvation is ultimately held by Him, not by your own strength. Losing your salvation means a genuine believer can commit apostasy and be eternally cut off from God. What Secure in Christ Means Scripture repeatedly anchors the believer’s confidence in the person and work of Jesus, not in our performance. Because Christ is preeminent over all things—including your salvation—He is both the author and the perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). Key realities of this security: Christ’s finished work on the cross fully paid for all your sins—past, present, and future. The Holy Spirit is given as a guarantee and seal (Ephesians 1:13-14). Jesus promises that no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand or the Father’s hand (John 10:28-29). The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work to keep those who are truly His (Romans 8:38-39; Jude 24). True security does not mean “I can live however I want.” It means that if you belong to Christ, He will complete the work He began in you (Philippians 1:6). Genuine faith perseveres. What Losing One’s Salvation Means This view teaches that a person can be genuinely saved, indwelt by the Spirit, and later fall away through unbelief, persistent rebellion, or returning to a life of unrepentant sin, thereby forfeiting salvation. Passages like Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-31, and Galatians 5:4 are often cited as warnings that real believers can make shipwreck of their faith. How These Fit Together Biblically The Bible holds both truths in tension without contradiction: Christ is supremely sufficient. If you are in Him, your security rests on His preeminence, not your consistency. At the same time, the New Testament gives strong, sober warnings against falling away. These warnings are not empty threats. God uses them as one of the very means by which He keeps His people. Those who ultimately abandon Christ and return to a life of unbelief show that they were never truly united to Him in the first place (1 John 2:19). The warnings serve to drive true believers to cling harder to Christ, repent quickly, and examine themselves. Bottom line: Your security is not a license to sin. It is a call to rest in the supremacy of Christ while fighting sin with all your might. If you are in Christ, He will keep you. The evidence that you are in Christ is that you continue trusting Him, repenting, and persevering to the end. Examine yourself. Are you resting in Christ’s finished work while walking in obedience? That is the path of biblical assurance. Cling to the preeminent Christ who holds you. He is able to keep you from stumbling and present you blameless before the Father.

YOUR DAILY DEVOTIONAL ✨TO DISCOVER ULTIMATE SECURITY, STOP VISITING GOD! 🏠 START DWELLING IN HIM! 📖 A DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR 19TH AUGUST 2026. HAPPY READING AND SHARING. 💖💖💖 BLESSINGS..! https://www.istandinthegap.com/dwelling-in-god-daily-devotional-psalm-91-1/

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 15–16 | Galatians 3 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 15 God’s Faithfulness Through Unstable Times 2 Kings 15 presents a rapid succession of kings in both Judah and Israel, revealing increasing political instability and spiritual decline. Although several rulers come to power, the repeated evaluation of their reigns remains remarkably consistent. Most continue walking in the sinful patterns established by those before them, refusing to lead the people back to wholehearted worship of the Lord. The chapter begins with Azariah (Uzziah) in Judah. He generally follows the Lord, and God grants him a long and prosperous reign. Yet even during his leadership, the high places remain, showing that incomplete reform often leaves room for continued spiritual compromise. Outward stability cannot replace complete devotion to God. The narrative then shifts repeatedly to the northern kingdom, where kings rise and fall through conspiracy, assassination, and violence. Political power changes hands rapidly, demonstrating that kingdoms built on rebellion and self-interest can never experience lasting peace. Human ambition repeatedly promises security but produces only greater instability. As the chapter progresses, the growing influence of Assyria becomes increasingly evident. God begins allowing foreign powers to discipline His people because of their persistent refusal to repent. The decline does not happen suddenly but develops gradually through years of compromise, idolatry, and disobedience. Despite the nation's instability, one truth remains unchanged: God continues preserving the Davidic line in Judah according to His covenant promise. Kings fail, governments collapse, and nations weaken, yet God's redemptive plan continues moving forward exactly as He intended. Theologically, 2 Kings 15 reveals that political stability cannot substitute for spiritual faithfulness. Nations and leaders rise and fall, but God's covenant promises remain secure. The chapter also demonstrates that small compromises, when left unaddressed, eventually produce larger consequences. This chapter points to Christ, whose kingdom stands in complete contrast to the unstable kingdoms of this world. Earthly rulers come and go, but Jesus reigns forever. His throne is established upon righteousness, justice, and truth, never threatened by conspiracy, corruption, or rebellion. For believers today, 2 Kings 15 reminds us not to place our ultimate confidence in human leadership or earthly systems. Our hope rests in Christ alone. While the world around us may experience uncertainty and instability, God's kingdom remains unshakable. We are called to remain faithful to Him, trusting that His purposes continue unfolding even during difficult and uncertain times. 2 Kings 16 The Cost of Compromise 2 Kings 16 focuses on the reign of Ahaz, one of Judah's most ungodly kings. Unlike many of his predecessors who mixed obedience with compromise, Ahaz openly rejects the ways of the Lord and embraces the practices of the surrounding pagan nations. His reign demonstrates how quickly spiritual compromise can deepen into outright rebellion against God. When Judah faces military threats, Ahaz refuses to trust the Lord for deliverance. Instead, he turns to Assyria for protection. Humanly speaking, the alliance appears practical and successful, but spiritually it reveals a heart that places greater confidence in political power than in God's covenant promises. The compromise does not end with foreign alliances. During a visit to Damascus, Ahaz becomes impressed by a pagan altar and orders one like it to be constructed in Jerusalem. He replaces God's ordained pattern of worship with one borrowed from a pagan culture. His actions reveal a dangerous desire to reshape worship according to human preference rather than divine instruction. As Ahaz continues altering the temple and its furnishings, the chapter illustrates that spiritual compromise often begins subtly but eventually affects every area of worship. When God's Word is no longer the standard, human opinion gradually replaces divine authority. Although Ahaz achieves temporary political security, his spiritual decisions leave lasting damage. His reign becomes another step in Judah's gradual decline, demonstrating that worldly success achieved apart from God always carries a high spiritual cost. Yet even amid Judah's unfaithfulness, God's covenant remains secure. The Lord does not abandon His redemptive plan. His promises continue moving toward their fulfillment through the preserved line of David, despite the failures of individual kings. Theologically, 2 Kings 16 teaches that compromise often begins by seeking human solutions instead of trusting God. It also reveals the danger of reshaping worship and truth according to cultural influences rather than God's revealed Word. This chapter points to Christ, who remained perfectly faithful to the Father's will. Jesus never compromised truth for acceptance or convenience. He fulfilled God's purposes completely and now calls His followers to worship the Father in spirit and truth rather than according to the changing standards of the world. For believers today, 2 Kings 16 serves as a warning against allowing culture, fear, or convenience to shape our relationship with God. We are called to trust the Lord rather than worldly solutions and to remain faithful to His Word regardless of the pressures around us. In Christ, we have a perfect King who never compromised and who gives us the grace to stand faithfully in a world that constantly invites us to lower God's standards. Galatians 3 — Justified by Faith and United in the Christ Galatians chapter 3 stands at the heart of Paul's defense of the gospel, explaining that God's redemptive plan has always been based on faith rather than human effort. After confronting the danger of adding works to salvation, Paul now demonstrates from Scripture that the Christ, the Son of God, fulfills God's promises and that righteousness has always been received through faith. This chapter calls believers to rest completely in the finished work of the Christ and to reject every attempt to earn what God freely gives by grace. The chapter begins with Paul's astonishment that the Galatian believers had begun relying on human effort after receiving the gospel by faith. He reminds them that their Christian life began through the work of the Holy Spirit, not through keeping religious requirements. Christian living follows the same pattern. The Son of God not only saves by grace but also sustains believers by grace. The redemptive plan cannot be completed through human strength because it was never begun that way. Paul then points to Abraham as the great example of faith. Long before the Law was given, Abraham was counted righteous because he believed God's promise. This demonstrates that faith has always been the foundation of God's relationship with His people. The redemptive plan did not begin with the Law but with God's promise, which ultimately found its fulfillment in the Christ. Those who place their faith in the Son of God become children of Abraham through faith, sharing in the blessing God promised from the beginning. The chapter explains that relying upon the Law for righteousness places people under its condemnation because no one is able to keep it perfectly. The Law reveals God's holiness and exposes humanity's sinfulness, but it cannot save. This reveals humanity's desperate need for the Christ. The Son of God entered the world to accomplish what the Law could never accomplish—complete redemption from the curse of sin. Paul then presents one of the chapter's most beautiful truths: the Christ willingly took upon Himself the curse that belonged to humanity. Through His sacrificial death, He redeemed those who were under condemnation so that God's promised blessing could come to all who believe. This is the very heart of the redemptive plan. The Son of God bore our judgment so that we might receive His righteousness and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The chapter also explains the proper purpose of the Law. It was never intended to replace God's promise but to prepare people for the coming of the Christ. By revealing sin and humanity's inability to save itself, the Law pointed people toward their need for a Savior. Once the Christ came, the purpose of the Law as a guardian was fulfilled because salvation had arrived through Him. Paul emphasizes that through faith in the Christ, believers become sons and daughters of God. Their identity is no longer determined by ethnicity, social standing, gender, or religious background but by their relationship with the Son of God. The redemptive plan creates one family united in the Christ. Every believer shares equally in the promises of God because all stand on the same foundation of grace. The chapter concludes by declaring that those who belong to the Christ are heirs according to God's promise. Everything promised to Abraham ultimately belongs to those who are united with the Son of God through faith. Christian living is therefore lived from a position of acceptance rather than striving. Believers do not work to become heirs; they live because they already are heirs through the grace of the Christ. Throughout this chapter, the focus remains firmly upon the Son of God. He fulfills God's promises, bears humanity's curse, provides true righteousness, and unites all believers into one family. The redemptive plan is entirely centered upon His finished work and received through faith alone. For believers today, this chapter reminds us to rest completely in the grace of the Christ. Christian living is not sustained by religious performance but by continual dependence upon the Son of God. We are called to reject every form of legalism and rejoice in the freedom that comes through faith. As children of God and heirs of His promises, we walk confidently in His grace, knowing that the redemptive plan has been fully accomplished through the Christ and that our hope rests securely in Him alone. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

📖 TODAY'S BIBLE READING Wednesday, August 19 📜 OLD TESTAMENT JUDGES 20 — Israel Fights Against Benjamin ✝️ NEW TESTAMENT 1 JOHN 1 — The Word of Life 🎉 Congratulations on completing the book of 2 Peter! Today we begin the book of 1 John. 🌿 MAJOR PROPHETS ISAIAH 30 — Woe to the Rebellious Nation 🌿 Today's Reflection 📜 Judges 20 Israel gathers to confront the terrible evil committed in their midst. The chapter reminds us of the seriousness of sin, the importance of seeking God before acting, and the need for justice tempered with dependence on God. ✝️ 1 John 1 John declares that Jesus Christ is the Word of Life and calls believers to walk in the light. We are reminded that fellowship with God requires honesty about sin, while God's faithfulness provides forgiveness and cleansing when we confess. 🌿 Isaiah 30 God rebukes Judah for seeking security in Egypt instead of trusting Him. The chapter calls God's people back to quietness, repentance, and confidence in the Lord rather than dependence on human strength. ✨ KEY VERSE "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another." — 1 John 1:7 🙏 PRAYER Heavenly Father, help us to walk continually in Your light. Give us hearts that are honest before You, quick to confess our sins, and willing to trust You completely. Keep us from depending on human strength instead of Your power, and help us remain faithful to Your truth. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. WE STUDY. WE PRAY. WE OBEY. WE GROW. UNTIL WE ARE TOTALLY TRANSFORMED. 📖✨🙏 🌿 TODAY'S CHALLENGE Walk in the light today. Be honest with God, confess anything that needs to be surrendered, and choose to trust Him rather than relying solely on your own strength.

THE SPIRITUAL TRUTHS OF EACH BEATTITUDE… The Beatitudes, delivered by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12), are far more than a moral code or a list of pleasant virtues. They map out a radical spiritual inversion—a pathway where worldly weakness becomes divine strength and the values of the human ego are completely upended by the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The Spiritual Truth: Spiritual Bankruptcy is the Gate to Grace. Insight: To be "poor in spirit" means recognizing your utter inability to save, justify, or sustain yourself spiritually on your own terms. It strips away self-sufficiency and spiritual pride. The paradox is that you can only inherit divine richness when you admit your spiritual destitution. 2. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." The Spiritual Truth: Holy Sorrow Prepares the Heart for Divine Joy. Insight: This mourning refers not just to general grief or bereavement, but to deep contrition over personal sin and the brokenness of the world. In a culture that desperately pursues endless distraction and superficial happiness, this truth teaches that facing the weight of human suffering and our own shortcomings creates an empty space that only divine comfort can fill. 3. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." The Spiritual Truth: Surrendered Power is True Strength. Insight: Meekness (prautes) is often misunderstood as weakness or timidity, but in the ancient world, it described a wild stallion that had been broken and trained to respond to the slightest touch of its master's reins. It is power under control. The meek do not need to manipulate, dominate, or defend themselves because they trust God to vindicate them, ultimately inheriting the renewed creation. 4. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." The Spiritual Truth: Desire Determines Destiny. Insight: Most people hunger for comfort, approval, status, or security. This beatitude points to a relentless, visceral appetite—like a starving person craving food—for alignment with God's justice, character, and righteousness. Spiritual fullness is not given to the self-satisfied, but to those whose deepest craving is union with the divine good. 5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." The Spiritual Truth: Grace Given is Grace Received. Insight: Mercy is withholding judgment and extending active compassion where it is completely unearned. Spiritually, we cannot truly comprehend or hold onto the mercy we’ve received from God if we hoard it from others. Extending forgiveness and empathy is the mirror that reflects our own participation in God's forgiving nature. 6. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." The Spiritual Truth: Internal Singleness of Purpose Leads to Divine Vision. Insight: Purity here does not mean flawless perfection; it means integrous and undivided. A pure heart is one whose motives are transparent, unclouded by hypocrisy, double-mindedness, or hidden agendas. When the lens of the heart is wiped clean of ego-driven distortions, God stops being a theological concept and becomes a lived reality you can perceive everywhere. 7. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." The Spiritual Truth: Active Reconciliation Mirrors the Family Likeness. Insight: Peacemaking is vastly different from mere "peacekeeping" (which often just sweeps conflict under the rug to keep things quiet). Peacemakers actively step into hostility, brokenness, and division to bridge gaps, absorbing conflict to restore harmony. By doing this, they act like their Father, bearing the unmistakable family resemblance. 8. "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The Spiritual Truth: Friction is the Proof of Alignment. Insight: When a life completely aligns with transcendent truth and selfless love, it inevitably clashes with a world system built on self-preservation and compromise. This beatitude reframes suffering not as a sign of divine abandonment, but as the ultimate badge of honor—proof that your life is echoing a reality higher than this world.

THE SUNDAY BLOG…… Sunday August 16, 2026 HAVING THE RIGHT PRIORITIES WHEN WALKING WITH CHRIST Walking with Christ requires a deliberate reordering of our lives. In a world saturated with distractions, ambition, and endless demands, keeping our focus centered on God is the ultimate challenge of discipleship. True spiritual maturity is not merely about avoiding sin; it is about cultivating an undivided heart that places God above all else. The foundation of proper spiritual priority is explicitly commanded in Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Jesus addresses the universal human anxiety regarding sustenance, success, and security. By commanding us to seek His kingdom first, Christ establishes that God’s rule, His values, and His glory must govern every decision. Everything else—career, relationships, and material needs—must occupy a secondary, dependent place. To maintain this divine alignment, we must recognize the radical nature of following Jesus. In Luke 14:26, Christ uses striking language: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple." This hyperbole does not negate the commandment to honor our families; rather, it illustrates that our love for Christ must be so supreme that all other earthly attachments look like indifference by comparison. Walking with Him means He holds the absolute highest allegiance of our hearts. Furthermore, setting the right priorities demands that we consciously detach ourselves from the fleeting values of this age. The Apostle Paul underscores this eternal perspective in Colossians 3:2: "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." When our daily ambitions, time management, and emotional investments are anchored in eternity, temporal pressures lose their grip on us. We stop living for the applause of the world and begin living for the audience of One. Ultimately, having the right priorities when walking with Christ transforms our daily existence. It simplifies our choices, eradicates crippling anxiety, and infuses our ordinary routines with extraordinary, eternal purpose. When Jesus is truly our first love, everything else falls perfectly into its proper place. CLOSING PRAYER….. Lord, realign my heart today. Forgive me for the times I let worldly distractions and temporal pursuits take the place that belongs to You alone. Help me to seek Your kingdom first with unwavering devotion. May my love for Christ surpass every earthly attachment, anchoring my mind on things above. Grant me the grace to walk closely with You, trusting that as I put You first, You will faithfully provide for all my needs. Amen. NEXT SUNDAY’S BLOG… Confused Priorities Can Seriously Hinder Our Walk With Christ. Let’s all be Bible readers and not just Bible believers! Amen!!!👏

August 18 🌿 “WHO GOD IS TO ME” MY ROCK 📖 Psalm 18:2 (LLV) — “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I take refuge; my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold.” Life does not always give us steady ground. Circumstances change. Plans collapse. People disappoint us. Things we thought were certain suddenly are not. David knew that kind of life. He had known victory and danger. Friendship and betrayal. Celebration and fear. There were times when he literally hid among the rocks to escape those who wanted to destroy him. Perhaps that is why his words carry such confidence. “The LORD is my rock.” Not: The LORD might become my rock if trouble comes. Not: The LORD was my rock when things were difficult. The LORD is my rock. Right now. David's security was not found in the stability of his circumstances. It was found in the unchanging character of his God. Then David keeps going. “My fortress.” When danger surrounds me, God is my security. “My deliverer.” When there seems to be no way out, God is my rescuer. “My shield.” When the battle comes close, God stands between me and what would destroy me. “My stronghold.” When everything around me feels uncertain, there remains somewhere I can stand. Notice something beautiful in David's words. Again and again he says: “My.” My rock. My fortress. My deliverer. My God. My strength. My shield. My salvation. My stronghold. David was not describing a God he had merely heard about. He was describing the God he had learned to trust. There is a difference between knowing that God is a rock and being able to say, “He is my rock.” That kind of confidence is formed through walking with Him. Through storms. Through uncertainty. Through prayers answered in unexpected ways. Through discovering, again and again, that when everything else moves, God does not. The storm may still come. The ground around us may still shake. But our confidence does not rest upon the absence of trouble. It rests upon the presence of Someone who cannot be moved. A new beginning finds somewhere solid to stand: when everything around me changes, the Lord remains my rock. Reflection: What feels uncertain in my life today, and am I trying to find security in changing circumstances or in the unchanging character of God? Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my rock when everything around me feels uncertain. You are my fortress, my deliverer, my strength, and my refuge. Teach me not merely to know these things about You, but to trust them personally. When circumstances shift beneath my feet, remind me that You have not moved. Help me stand securely in You today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. 1. MD.i. 😀💝🌺🎁🌹🎀 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY TUESDAY AUGUST 18, 2O26. "DR. JAMES DOBSON ON PARENTING (3)" ‘…Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.’ Ephesians 6:4 NIV WHEN ASKED, ‘How do you suggest parents handle their children’s activities on web sites like Facebook and Twitter?’ Dr. Dobson gave this advice: ‘Parents have to know what technology their kids are using. Sexting is a terrible thing. (‘Sexting’ is the new term for children exposing themselves to one another online, thinking they are safe because they are in the sanctuary of their own home.) Pornography is pervasive, and parents need to keep up with changes in technology and protect their kids. That’s a tough assignment, because kids are ahead of them. Parents often have extremely demanding careers and when they come home they have nothing left to give, so the culture will often take your kids to hell.’ One night a father and his daughter were out on a lake when their small boat was caught in a storm. As he rowed, Dad kept saying to his daughter, ‘Can you see the shore? Can you see the shore?’ After a terrifying hour the little girl pointed over her dad’s shoulder and said, ‘Yes, I see the light. Mum said if we were out after dark she would hang a light in the window.’ When they finally got home a tearful mother hugged her husband and daughter, and thanked God for their safe return. Looking at her, the little girl said, ‘Mum, you never had to worry. We steered by your light!’ Parent, your children are being caught in life’s storms. They are rowing in the dark with no sense of direction. Live for God, and give them a light they can steer by! Bible In A Year: Gen 6:9 – 8:4, Matt 24:37-51. 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.ii. [17/08, 9:11 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* TUESDAY, 18TH AUGUST, 2026. *THIRSTING AFTER GOD* *TEXT:* PSALM 42:1-5. 1As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. *Timeless Truth:*_"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;"_ Psalm 63:1). *INTRODUCTION* When a man ceases to experience thirst, he is as good as dead. The same is true in the spiritual. In fact, one of the first experiences of a converted man is thirst for God and spiritual things. Spiritual thirst is a deep longing for God and His presence. Just as the body cannot survive without water, the soul cannot flourish without God. The psalmist expresses an intense desire for the living God despite the pain, tears, discouragement and difficult circumstances surrounding him. His experience teaches us that genuine faith does not mean the absence of trouble; rather, it means learning to seek God even in the midst of trouble. When everything else fails, God remains the only lasting satisfaction for the thirsty soul. *1. Thirsting After God Like a Hart* a. The psalmist declares, *“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”* A thirsty hart desperately seeks water because its survival depends upon it. Many are thirsty for wealth, pleasure, popularity, power and pride of life among others. The thirst makes them pay a heavy price to get what they are looking for. At times they pay the ultimate price. True thirst will always be demonstrated by desperate seeking for how to satisfy and quench the thirst. In the same vein, many commonly seek God's blessings without seeking for the God of the blessings. The psalmist case was different. *"So panteth my soul after thee"*. Who and what you are passionately and desperately seeking for is a reflection of the state of your heart. In the same manner, the believer should have an earnest and persistent longing for God. The psalmist does not merely desire God's gifts; he desires God Himself. b. His greatest hunger is to *“appear before God.”* He was thirsty to become closer to God. Jesus also echoed this when He said, *"seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness"*. Our ultimate purpose for seeking God was to see His glory, be conformed to His image and be always ready for the kingdom of God. Jesus further assured that *"all other things shall be added unto you"*. The psalmist demonstrated his thirst for God when he decided, *"early will I seek thee...to see thy power and thy glory as I have seen thee in the sanctuary"* (Psalm 63:1,2). Our spiritual lives become weak when our desire for God is replaced by the pursuit of worldly pleasures, possessions, recognition or human approval. Genuine revival begins when the soul cries out for God's presence, His Word, His holiness and fellowship with Him. *Question* Is my desire for God as deep and urgent as the thirst of a hart for water? *2. Tearful Afflictions Giving Loss of Hope* a. Incidentally, the psalmist did not prioritize seeking for heavenly blessings above seeking for God just because everything was going well with him. In fact, the psalmist's circumstances have become so painful that his tears have been his food day and night. He was not finding it rosy in life at that time. One would have expected him, as many worshippers do today, to concentrate on seeking God for release from pains and troubles as priority. Worse still, people around him mockingly asked, directly and indirectly, *“Where is thy God?”.* His memories of former worship and joyful fellowship with God's people intensify his present sorrow. Yet that did not distract his affections towards God. b. At times, affliction can attack not only our circumstances, but also our emotions and confidence. Yet the psalmist's tears reveal that God's children may experience seasons of deep discouragement without being abandoned by God. His pain was real, but it did not have the final word. Even when circumstances seem to contradict God's promises, faith must continue to look toward Him. Seeking God and His righteousness, above all else, should not be diminished as a result of our pains, problems, persecutions and poverty among others. Whatever be our situations, the promises of God that *"all other blessings shall be added"* still stand as long as we keep seeking the face and the glory of God to be reflected in our lives above all else. We must have grace to be tougher than our tough challenges. It is our attitude and the content of our prayers in the time of distress and difficulties that reflect the genuineness of our love for God. Jesus Christ, while on the cross and under intense pains, was still consecrated to soulwinning and intercessory prayers for the sinners and the lost. The will of God and the glory of God was His priority. He has given us examples to follow. *Question* Am I consecrated to seek God and His glory as priority when affliction and tears surround me? *3. Trust in Abiding Grace with a Life of Holiness* When passing through tough times, we must maintain trust in God's abundant grace and continue to live the life that God approves. There is no challenge we pass through that God has not allowed and if God allowed it, then He will see us through as children. The act of faith is in mocking those challenges and still continues seeking the glory of God and heavenly readiness. We must learn how to feed our frustrations and fruitlessness with the word of hope and promises given by God. The psalmist speaks directly to his troubled soul: *“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God.”* He refuses to surrender permanently to despair. Instead, he deliberately redirects his heart toward God. Trusting God's abiding grace means choosing hope when feelings say there is no hope. It also means continuing to live faithfully, before God while waiting for His intervention. A thirsty soul must not only seek God's presence, but also remain committed to a holy life. God's grace sustains us, restores our joy and enables us to praise Him even before our circumstances change. For a child of God, no bad situation is permanent, but temporary and for a moment. *"weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning"*. *Question* Am I deliberately trusting God's abiding grace and maintaining a holy life even when my circumstances are discouraging? *Prayer Points* 1.Father, create within me an unquenchable thirst for Your presence and Your Word 🙏. 2.Lord, strengthen me when tears, afflictions and discouragement threaten my faith 🙏. 3.Father, make me tougher than my challenges and keep me on being engaged in Your service 🙏. 4.Lord, visit and help those brethren who are carrying heavy loads and sustain them by Your grace 🙏. *HYMN:* More of Jesus would I know *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOB 35-38. [17/08, 9:11 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST, 2026``` *DOUSING DESPONDENCY* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️😩😢😭🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🗣️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:PSALM 42:1-5```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance" (PSALM 42:5).*_ *As German bombs fell on England during _World War II,_ the situation became desperate. Hearts were filled with discouragement and thoughts of defeat. Then Winston Churchill's voice echoed over the radio. It inspired the nation and boosted morale among a people on the verge of giving up. On a spiritual level, believers find hope in God too, as they hear the voice that resonates through the pages of His Word. In moments of discouragement, Christians serve as a testimony to those who have never met God or heard His voice.* *David exemplifies this in our devotional text as he expresses acute hunger and "thirst for God, the living God". In his hopelessness, he recalled the exhilarating moments he had in God's house and presence. Reminiscences of the voice of joy and praise filled his soul. Awakened by the testimonies of God's faithfulness and the certainty of blessedness that flows from trust in God, he gladly addresses his soul and jerks back from the abyss of despondency.* *Are you troubled about any ugly situation or setback? Cheer up and look up! Here are gems and clues for you as a Christian pilgrim, who could, at times, be discouraged and cast down. Don't stay down. David didn't. He queried and counselled his soul. First is to know that neither discouragement nor despondency is a sign of weakness. Elijah is one biblical character who fits this description. After defeating the prophets of Baal, he received a death threat from Jezebel. His hope was shattered, and despondency set in. He wanted to die! The Lord did not rebuke him for his feelings but sent an angel to provide for his physical needs. In our times of discouragement, suicide is no option; it only leads to a more serious, endless and interminable suffering in hell. The present challenge or problem has not diminished God's love for us. He desires to lead us to a place of a renewed vision of His power!* *The time to exit the discouragement mode is now! Take the verifiable steps that effectively log you out, which include a deep, interminable longing for God. This is what Isaiah calls "waiting upon the Lord". Second, you will do well to consciously recall and delight in God's past acts of mercy, divine interventions, and faithfulness. Finally, you must deliberately seek the remedy of praise to uplift your downcast, crestfallen, and discouraged heart. Beloved, don't give in to despair! God will certainly lead you in paths of love, light and joy, where you will find new hope.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*God always opens the window of hope for His own in the darkest of times.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *JOB 35-38*📜📜 Dousing Despondency https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 1: ALL YOUR ANXIETY; GHS 3: IMPATIENT HEART, BE STILL; GHS 4: LEAVE IT THERE; GHS 5: NEVER GIVE UP; AND GHS 7: TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna18thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [17/08, 9:11 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST, 2026``` *STAND IN CHRIST'S LIBERTY* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:GALATIANS 5:1-13```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another" (GALATIANS 5:13).*_ *The Christian liberty is the freedom Christ has purchased for the children of God through His death on the Cross of Calvary. The devil fights this liberty in diverse ways. When young Christians fail to understand their liberty in Christ, the devil keeps reminding them about their past sins to create major stumbling blocks to their prayers.* *It is a common strategy of the devil to manipulate them and push them back into their shells. Once you are born again through genuine repentance, you have the liberty to serve God in truth and in Spirit because God does not give us the spirit of fear but He gives us the Spirit of power and of a sound mind.* *When God has forgiven you, you are justified by faith and no longer bound to the yoke of sin. However, this liberty is not a guarantee to continue in sins, believing the erroneous doctrine of eternal security. Apostle Paul warns: "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another" (Galatians 5:13).* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*You have the liberty.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Don't use the Christian liberty to sin.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to understand and enjoy my liberty in Christ.*_ Stand In Christ's Liberty https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday18thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [17/08, 9:11 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST, 2026``` *THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS - 3* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️👿❌🫷🏽🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```MATTHEW 4:8-11```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:10).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Jesus has power and authority over Satan, and He always uses them at the appropriate time. In this situation, Jesus did not hesitate to command Satan to get behind Him. Satan knew that Jesus is over and above him, yet he tempted Christ to bow down in worship to him. Can the master bow to worship his servant? No! Jesus cannot, will not, and did not bow to Satan. As a friend of Jesus, you must know who you are in Christ. You are a joint-heir with Christ. What Jesus has is what you have because of the privilege of sonship. Do not throw your costly apparels (Christian experiences) to the dogs. The things of this world as stated in 1 John 2:15-17 will pass away. Let the love of God and the things of eternal value be uppermost in your heart. Do not yield to the enticement and allurement that your friends are using to deceive you. The fashions of the world may look attractive, but they will soon pass away. Do not follow them. Do not seek to please the world. Strive to please only God. *Jesus has set the example of refusing to bow to Satan in order to show us that we can be victorious. You can do likewise. Become His friend if you are not, follow Him faithfully and consistently, and He will give you the grace to overcome Satan.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, please help me to obey You only and not yield to pressure to obey, worship or serve Satan.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Luke 4:1-13* The Temptation Of Jesus - 3 https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk18thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee. ⏤ Isaiah 26:3 Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love, and the future to God's providence. ⏤ St. Augustine Father, days come and go, bringing change and decay, but You remain the same forever. A thousand years in Your sight are like a single day. With You, there is no past or future; all time is present to You. Yet in our small lives, we need daily blessings. The memories of our past sorrows cast shadows on our present, and our fears for the future often cast shadows on our path. We are grateful that You see and know everything—past, present, and future—and that we can safely leave it all in Your hands. Help us to live faithfully in this little day that is ours, leaving the past and future with You, without worrying. So, we ask for Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, enabling us to be true and faithful in all our duties. We ask You, O Lord, to give us the strength and wisdom we need for today’s responsibilities and experiences. Let nothing surprise or dishearten us. Hold our hand through every situation. Give us wisdom to answer every question and make every decision in a way that pleases You. Strengthen us to resist temptation, no matter how subtly it approaches. Increase Your love within us so that we may be patient with everyone we meet, compassionate toward those who are sorrowful, cheerful with those who are discouraged, and helpful to those who are weak. Send us out to do Your work so that everything we do today is for You. Breathe upon us as we wait here in Your presence and give us Your blessing as our Father. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/44/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.