LOST IN THE CHURCH:

[BEING LOST IN CHURCH]

Part Six

Idolatry in the House of God

Many have interpreted the word idol from the perspective of the Old Covenant, an era in which the main emphasis was on the physical. But now, the Lord is seeking people who will worship Him in spirit. Therefore, the most dangerous and difficult idol—not one made of iron, stone, or wood—is the one that can be carved within a person’s heart or spirit.

An IDOL can be anything that takes the place of God within a person. The first commandment the Lord gave us is to love Him above everything else. Therefore, whatever you can love more than you love God becomes an idol to you.

Furthermore, the Lord has warned us not to fear anything more than Him (Matthew 10:28), and not to place our faith, hope, or dependence on anything except Him. By this reasoning, whatever you give those places in your life becomes an idol that you have carved within your own heart.

Scripture is clear that those who worship idols will have their part in the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).

In these last days, many people have become lost in Church by worshipping things that are close to the Lord, or things that have been called by His name, thinking that by doing so they are worshipping the Lord Himself!

Some of the things people have come to worship—and many of you may be surprised when I mention them—include worship services, the Church, the mother of Jesus, servants of God, angels, the Word of God, prayer, the name of a church, and so on.

But the Lord will never allow anything to take His glory!

Nevertheless, many people who worship idols in the house of God do so out of ignorance and lack of knowledge. And this is where our enemy gains his strength.

Therefore, this message is given by the great grace of God to those who are willing to love the Lord above everything else.

Worshipping the Word of God

The Word of God can become an idol if it takes the place of God Himself. And this is astonishing!

I know that by making this statement, I have probably disturbed the theology of many people. Let me repeat it, so that you understand that I am not speaking carelessly:

“The word of God can become a very dangerous idol, and it can bring death if it is worshipped or allowed to take the place of God.”

There is nothing as valuable as the Word of God. Nevertheless, everyone must understand that the “word of God” is not God Himself!

It is extremely dangerous for any person, Church, or institution to build upon the word of God instead of building upon God Himself.

Today, there are many Churches that have fallen into this kind of deception. You can recognize them by observing their people: they have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5).

The Church develops certain forms of worship that contradict the presence of God!

The Word of God vs. “the word of God”

I know that when I say “the word of God is not God,” many people become surprised, especially when they remember John 1:1, which says:

> “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”



It is absolutely true that this Scripture says the Word was God. However, it is important to understand that this passage is speaking about “the Word” and not merely “the word of God.”

There is a significant difference between these two expressions: “the Word of God” and “the word of God.”

When you say “the Word of God,” you are referring, in essence, to a Person—which is why Word begins with a capital letter. However, when you say “the word of God,” you are not necessarily referring to a person, but rather to the ordinary word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Throughout the Bible, there are places where the word “Word” is used with a capital letter. When Scripture uses it in that way, it refers to a Person—Christ!

The Bible is filled with the word of God that needs to be made alive. When a person reads it, they should seek the Spirit through whom that word was written.

Therefore, the word of God needs the Spirit behind it so that it can be transformed into the living Word of God, who is a Person.

And that is what saves, blesses, and heals.

Thus:

The word of God + the Holy Spirit = The Word of God Gábor Muzslai

Without the Holy Spirit, there is no life in anything. Therefore, do not be surprised that even the Bible can be used by witches or traditional healers in their practices.

This helps us understand the meaning of the Scripture:

> “For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:6



Essentially, without the Holy Spirit, the Bible becomes nothing more than a book of history, literature, philosophy, stories, politics, or any other ordinary book.

And many people have treated Scripture in exactly that way. They have never encountered the Living Word of God within their hearts. As a result, they have built their lives upon a “word of God” that has never become flesh within them.

Because of their lack of understanding, many people consider such individuals to be servants of God. Yet this condition has ultimately turned them into philosophers, motivational speakers, politicians, and extreme businessmen operating within the house of God.

This is extremely dangerous!

When the Lord made a whip and overturned the tables of the merchants in His Father’s house, was that not also a prophecy of what is going to take place in the house of God today?

May God bless you greatly!

#ToBeContinued...

Mwl. Ernest Nyalula
+255 616 609 885
#LostInTheChurch #CircumcisionOfTheHeart #TrueHoliness #BornAgain #GraceAndTruth #ChristJesus #Christianity #TheCross #SpiritualGrowth #GodsWord

proverbs,3:5, says,Trust in the Lord with all your heart,not lean on your own understanding,how is yo you, whom do you trust, money, jobs,husbands or wives all those ends and disappoints, so in all situations trust God Him,He can!

Daily Devotion — August 18 | Acts 19:6 (NKJV)

Living in the Power of God's Spirit

In Acts 19, Paul arrived in Ephesus and met a group of disciples who had not yet fully understood the work of the Holy Spirit. After teaching them about Jesus Christ and baptizing them in His name, Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. This event demonstrated God's presence and confirmed His work among these believers as the gospel continued to spread.

The central truth of this passage is not the outward signs themselves but the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God's people. From the beginning of the church, the Holy Spirit empowered believers to live boldly, faithfully, and effectively for Christ.

For believers today, every follower of Jesus is called to live in daily dependence on the Holy Spirit. He gives wisdom, strength, comfort, and power to obey God's Word and to be faithful witnesses for Christ. Rather than relying on our own abilities, we can trust the Spirit to guide and equip us each day.

Reflection Questions

1. Am I depending on the Holy Spirit in my daily walk with God?

2. In what areas do I need God's strength instead of my own?

3. How can I be more sensitive to the Spirit's leading?

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for giving Your Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen Your people. Help me to depend on You each day instead of my own understanding. Fill my life with Your wisdom, power, and love so that I may faithfully serve You and glorify Your name. In Jesus name Amen.

Practical Application

● Begin each day by asking the Holy Spirit to guide you.

● Trust God's strength when facing difficult situations.

● Look for opportunities to serve others through the Spirit's leading.

Takeaway Thought

A life surrendered to the Holy Spirit is a life empowered to glorify Christ.

#LordsbookDailys #DailyDevotion #August18 #Acts196 #HolySpirit #SpiritEmpowered #PowerOfGod #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 18)

1. A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment.

2. A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.

3. When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach.

4. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

5. It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6. A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.

7. A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.

8. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.

9. He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

10. The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.

11. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.

12. Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.

13. He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.

14. The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?

15. The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16. A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.

17. The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

18. Casting lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.

19. A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20. A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

22. He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the LORD.

23. The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers roughly.

24. A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Amazing Facts
Daily Devotionals

A Taste for Something Good.

August 18th, 2026

Humans have about 10,000 taste buds on their tongues, yet insects have the most highly developed sense of taste—using their feet and antennae. Have you ever taken a bite of some food and suddenly tasted something bitter? (At one potluck, I put some peanut butter on my desert only to discover it was actually vegan cheese spread. Not pretty!)

Your first response is to spit it out. Of the five senses of the tongue, bitterness is the most sensitive at picking up something that tastes disagreeable. Perhaps that was God’s intention, as many toxic plants have naturally bitter compounds.

The taste threshold of bitterness is measured in relationship to quinine, which is given a reference index of 1. In 1958, scientists discovered a chemical called denatonium, the bitterest substance ever found. It has a threshold of 1,000! This aversive agent is added to poisonous matter to prevent people from accidentally swallowing something that might harm them.

Researchers have also discovered a couple of substances that are extremely bitter to some people but are virtually tasteless to others. Evidently, the genes of some people make them “supertasters” when it comes to identifying certain bitter compounds.

Solomon gives strong medicine to his son in Proverbs 5, urging him to shun immorality at all costs. He speaks from personal experience. It’s odd that the wisest man who ever lived made some of the most foolish choices in the area of lust. To all men he warns that what might seem sweet in the beginning ends up being bitter in the end.

He illustrates the remorse and disastrous consequences of breaking the seventh commandment with a perennial plant that grows in the temperate parts of Northern Africa called artemesia. The shrub was used as an ingredient in flavoring some alcoholic drinks and in some spices, but the strong bitter juice of the plant is unfit to eat in your typical lunch salad.

God wants us to be supertasters at sensing the poisonous temptations of Satan. Through Solomon’s example, the Lord calls to us to “pay attention!” We can learn from Solomon’s experiences and be saved from a taste of bitter grief.

Lord, I make a promise to keep my eyes on you today and to keep my thoughts pure. I choose to turn from every polluted pathway.

Additional reading: Proverbs 5:1–14

Key Bible Texts
My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: (Proverbs 5:1 KJV)

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY!

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

Heavenly Father, in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, we come before You on this Tuesday morning with grateful hearts. Thank You for waking us up and giving us another day that we did not earn but received because of Your grace and mercy.
Your Word declares, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24.
Father, before we ask You for anything, we thank You for everything. Thank You for life. Thank You for strength. Thank You for our families. Thank You for keeping us through dangers seen and unseen. Thank You for the doors You opened, the doors You closed, and even the things You protected us from that we never knew were coming.
Lord, as our families begin this Tuesday, go before us. Order our steps, direct our decisions, guard our hearts, protect our homes, and keep Your hand upon every member of our family.
Your Word says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6.
HEAL OUR FAMILY, LORD
Father, this morning we bring before You every family member who is battling sickness—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
You know every diagnosis.
You know every symptom.
You know every pain.
You know every sleepless night.
You know every private struggle.
You know every burden that has become too difficult to explain to others.
Father, touch them right now.
Your Word declares, “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved.” — Jeremiah 17:14.
Lord, stretch forth Your healing hand.
Where there is sickness, bring healing.
Where there is pain, bring relief.
Where there is weakness, bring strength.
Where there is fear, bring faith.
Where there is confusion, bring clarity.
Where there is discouragement, restore hope.
Where there are troubled minds, release Your supernatural peace.
You promised in Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
Father, guard the minds of our family members. Give peace to those overwhelmed by life's pressures. Strengthen those carrying emotional burdens in silence. Remind them that they are seen by You, loved by You, and never beyond the reach of Your hand.
Your Word says, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3.
So, Lord, heal, deliver, restore, and set free!
We stand upon Psalm 107:20:“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
Send Your Word into every hospital room, rehabilitation center, doctor's office, nursing facility, and every home where healing is needed.
Give physicians wisdom. Give nurses compassion. Give caregivers strength. Give families patience. And give those who are sick the courage to keep believing You one day at a time.
SAVE OUR FAMILY, LORD
Father, our greatest prayer is not simply that our family will be healthy, prosperous, or successful. Our greatest prayer is that our family will know Jesus Christ.
We lift before You every family member who has not surrendered their life to Christ.
Draw them by Your Spirit.
Let somebody who has been running from You begin running toward You.
Let somebody who has questioned You begin seeking You.
Let somebody who has never prayed begin calling upon Your name.
Let somebody ask the same question asked in Acts 16:30:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
And let the answer ring clearly:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” — Acts 16:31.
Father, let salvation come into our households!
Your Word declares, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” — Romans 10:13.
And Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” — John 14:6.
Lord, let our children know Jesus.
Let our grandchildren know Jesus.
Let husbands and wives know Jesus.
Let our brothers and sisters know Jesus.
Let our extended families know Jesus.
Break destructive generational patterns and establish a new spiritual legacy—a legacy of faith, prayer, worship, obedience, integrity, forgiveness, and love.
May generations after us be able to say, “Our family served the Lord!”
PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILY, LORD
Father, we lift every family member who is looking for employment.
You know every application submitted, every résumé sent, every interview completed, and every person waiting for someone to call them back.
Open the right doors.
Give them favor with hiring managers and decision-makers. Lead them to positions where their gifts, abilities, and experience will be appreciated.
For those already employed who need promotion, advancement, better opportunities, increased wages, raises, improved benefits, or greater financial stability, we ask You to make a way.
Your Word declares, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge.” — Psalm 75:6–7.
Bless the work of our hands, Lord.
Let integrity speak for us.
Let excellence distinguish us.
Let favor surround us.
And when You elevate us, keep us humble enough to remember Who opened the door.
PROVIDE FOR THOSE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY
Father, we especially pray for family members facing financial pressure.
Some are trying to stretch a paycheck.
Some are worried about rent or mortgage payments.
Some are facing medical bills.
Some are dealing with debt.
Some need groceries.
Some are facing unexpected expenses.
Some are working but still struggling to make ends meet.
But today we stand upon Philippians 4:19:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Father, You are our Source.
Provide what our families need.
Give us wisdom to manage what You provide. Teach us to be disciplined, generous, responsible, and faithful stewards.
Give our families creative ideas, opportunities, strategies, and open doors.
Where there has been lack, provide.
Where there has been financial confusion, give wisdom.
Where there has been debt, give us a plan and discipline.
Where there has been financial fear, replace it with faith and responsible action.
Lord, supply every need according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
PROTECT OUR FAMILY THIS TUESDAY
Father, as our family members leave their homes today, cover them.
Protect those driving to work.
Protect those traveling.
Protect our children and grandchildren.
Protect those working long hours.
Protect those caring for loved ones.
Protect those going to medical appointments.
Protect our homes while we are away.
Your Word declares, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” — Psalm 91:11.
Lord, keep us from accidents, danger, violence, and circumstances we cannot see coming.
Bring everyone safely home.
STRENGTHEN THE LOVE IN OUR FAMILY
Father, help us to remember that before careers, money, possessions, accomplishments, titles, and recognition, our greatest responsibility is to love You and love one another.
Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” — Matthew 22:37.
Lord, You come first.
Before our plans—You.
Before our ambitions—You.
Before our possessions—You.
Before everything else—You.
And because we love You, teach us how to love one another.
Your Word declares, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” — 1 John 4:11.
Heal broken relationships within our family.
Remove bitterness.
Destroy unforgiveness.
Break down walls caused by pride.
Help us apologize when we are wrong.
Help us forgive when we have been hurt.
Help us communicate with grace.
Help us stop allowing small disagreements to create permanent separation.
Let husbands and wives love one another.
Let parents and children understand one another.
Let brothers and sisters support one another.
Let generations respect and learn from one another.
Lord, make our families stronger, closer, healthier, and more Christ-centered.

OUR TUESDAY FAMILY DECLARATION...
This Tuesday morning, we declare:
Our family belongs to God!
We declare healing over our sick.
We declare peace over troubled minds.
We declare deliverance for those who are bound.
We declare salvation for those who do not yet know Jesus.
We declare employment for those seeking jobs.
We declare favor and increase for those needing advancement.
We declare provision for those struggling financially.
We declare restoration over broken relationships.
We declare protection over our homes and families.
We declare love where there has been division.
And above everything else, we declare:
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15.

Father, we may not know everything this Tuesday will bring, but we know Who holds this Tuesday in His hands.
Therefore, we trust You.
Order our steps.
Guard our hearts.
Renew our minds.
Strengthen our bodies.
Provide for our needs.
Protect our families.
Save our loved ones.
Restore our relationships.
And let everything we say and do bring glory to Your name.
We seal this prayer with Ephesians 3:20:
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
We believe You can do it.
We believe You are working even when we cannot see it.
And we believe that the hand of God is upon our family!
In the mighty, healing, delivering, saving, providing, protecting, and matchless name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
AMEN, AMEN, AND AMEN!

I was led by the Holy Spirit to write this:

If you have decided to shift from your present place… whether it is your house, office, shop, business, or any other place.. just wait!

Ask yourself: Is this decision based on my own understanding, or is God the One leading me to shift?

If it is a decision made by your own understanding, it may end in confusion, financial loss, failure, loss of valuable things, and even disconnection from divine connections.

But if God is the One leading you there, it is going to be glorious! There will be abundance, an uninterrupted flow of provision, better opportunities, and even greater divine connections than before.

Most importantly, you will experience peace!

Don’t move merely because you think it is the right time to move. Move when God says, “Go.”

Bro. Samuel Joshua
SJ Ministry

THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT JESUS` SACRIFICE
He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’” —Mark 14:34
Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever felt as though your friends and family had abandoned you? Have you ever felt like you were misunderstood? Have you ever had a hard time understanding or submitting to the will of God for your life? If so, then you have an idea of what the Lord Jesus went through when He agonized at Gethsemane. 
book of Hebrews tells us, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (4:15–16 NLT). 
Book of Isaiah tells us that Jesus was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (53:3 NLT). But the sorrow He experienced in Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion seemed to be the culmination of all the sorrow He had ever known and would accelerate to a climax the following day.
The ultimate triumph that was to take place at Calvary was first accomplished beneath the gnarled, old olive trees of Gethsemane. Jesus shared His agony with His disciples. “He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me’” (Mark 14:34 NLT
It’s interesting that the very word Gethsemane means “olive press.” Olives were pressed there to make oil, and truly, Jesus was being pressed from all sides that He might bring life to us.
I don’t think we can even begin to fathom what He was going through. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (NLT).
That’s the hard truth of our salvation: Jesus had to suffer and die in our place. He had to endure the punishment that we deserved.
He was crushed and beaten for our sake. He could have walked away, but He submitted to His Father’s will so that the plan of salvation could be accomplished. 
His crushing and beating brought about your salvation and mine. Because of what Jesus went through at Gethsemane and ultimately at the cross, we can call on His name. Though His suffering and death were unfathomably excruciating, they were necessary for God’s ultimate goal. 
Maybe you’re at a crisis point in your life right now—a personal Gethsemane, if you will. You know what you want, yet you can sense that God’s will is different. Would you let the Lord choose for you? Would you be willing to say, “Lord, I am submitting my will to Yours. Not my will, but Yours be done”? You will never regret making that decision. 

God bless you!

18-08-2026

Nothing Is Impossible With God

Mark 10:27 (AMP):
“With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Mark 10:27 reminds us that our limitations are not God’s limitations.
There will be moments when you look at a situation and think, “There is absolutely no way this can happen.” Maybe the door seems completely closed, the circumstances seem too complicated, or something you have been praying for feels impossible.

But Jesus tells us something powerful: what is impossible with people is possible with God.
Sometimes we measure God’s ability by our own ability. We think, “I can't fix this, I don't have enough, I don't know how this will work out.” And perhaps you don't know how—and that's okay. God doesn't need you to know how. He simply asks you to trust Him.

Your responsibility is not to figure out every detail. Your responsibility is to keep believing, keep praying, keep walking in obedience, and keep your eyes on the One who can do what you cannot.

God can make a way where there appears to be no way. He can restore what seems broken beyond repair. He can provide when the resources seem insufficient. He can open doors you could never open yourself.

Your impossible situation is not an impossible situation for God.
Today, surrender the things you cannot control. Stop carrying the pressure of having to figure everything out. Give God room to work in His way and in His timing.

Prayer
Father,
Thank You that nothing is impossible for You. When I look at my circumstances and see limitations, help me to look at You and see possibility.
Forgive me for the times I've allowed fear, doubt, or my own understanding to become bigger than my faith. Teach me to trust You even when I cannot see the way forward.

I surrender my impossible situations to You. Where I see no way, make a way. Where I feel weak, give me strength. Where I feel uncertain, give me peace.
Help me remember that I don't have to understand everything to trust You.

I believe that You are able to do what I cannot do. I believe that You are working even when I cannot see it. And I choose to trust You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Today’s Reminder
“What is impossible for me is not impossible for God.”
Don't let the size of your problem determine the size of your faith. Look at the greatness of your God.