“If we will do God's work in God's way at God's time with God's power, we shall have God's blessing.”

Leonard Ravenhill | Why Revival Tarries

God — A Widow’s Trust and Defense

A widow’s smile is not always like every other smile. Behind that smile may be a wound, an untold story, and a depth of grief that human words cannot fully express. There are battles a widow carries within that only God knows.

This is why every widow who is a widow indeed should remember the words of the Lord:

“Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.”
— Jeremiah 49:11

God sees the widow’s hidden tears, hears her cries, and knows the pain she cannot explain to anyone. Scripture says:

“Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry.”
— Exodus 22:22–23

And again:

“A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.”
— Psalm 68:5

Therefore, beware of oppressing, mocking, accusing, or taking advantage of a widow in her grief. Never mistake her silence for weakness or her tears for helplessness. She may appear to stand alone, but she is not alone.

The God who sees her pain is her Defender. The God who hears her cry is her Judge. And when she commits her cause into His hands, heaven is not deaf to her prayers.

Let the widow trust in the Lord. He sees. He hears. He remembers. And He will surely judge righteously.

God's Loving Heart.

Good evening, brethren.
1. Evening devotion for today.

ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
(COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

*DATE:*
SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST, 2026.

*SUB-THEME:*
YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE.

*TOPIC:*
REQUIRES OBEDIENCE.

*TEXT:*
GENESIS 22:2, 16-18.
2 God said, “Please take your son, your unique son whom you love—Isaac—and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him as a burnt offering there on one of the mountains that I will point out to you.” Heb 11:17.
16 and said, “I have taken an oath to swear by Myself,” declares the LORD, “that since you have carried this out and have not withheld your only unique son,
Luk 1:73 Heb 6:13 [Eze 16:8] [Heb 6:14]
17 I will certainly bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in heaven and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the gates of their enemies. Gen 24:60 [Gen 46:3] [Neh 9:23] [Heb 11:12]
18 Furthermore, through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed my command.”
Gen 12:3 Gen 18:18 Gen 26:4 Act 3:25 Gal 3:8 [Gen 28:14] [Jer 4:2] [Luk 1:55] [Luk 24:27] [Joh 1:45] [Joh 4:22] [Joh 5:46] [Act 10:43] [Act 13:32] [Act 26:6] [Act 28:23] [Rom 1:2].

*TOPIC:*
REQUIRES OBEDIENCE.

*THE MESSAGE:*
In Christianity, being obedient means listening attentively to divine instruction and responding positively out of reverence for our Creator. When anything else occupies your heart, obeying God becomes difficult. Faithful obedience, as seen in Abraham's prompt response to God's command, requires trust and surrender, not rationalisation. Abraham obeyed God and was willing to sacrifice his only Son, the promised child. Like Jesus, our ultimate example, we must obey even when it is complex and costly. You must give up something of worth. Are you obeying God's instructions, or hesitating? Can you let go of a relationship that you hold so dearly to safeguard your faith? If you struggle, ask God for a heart that responds promptly and faithfully.

*REFLECTION:*
Obedience comes with blessings.

*PRAYER:*
Father, give me the grace to obey You promptly. Amen.

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:*
2 TIMOTHY 2:21.
"If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work."

*TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
EZEKIEL 24-28.

ED.ii. WHEN WE COME TOGETHER

"What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up." - 1 Corinthians 14:26

When we come together, we call it a church meeting or service. In a meeting there should be room for the ministry of God's servant, so the church is educated and grows. But it is also important that the entire congregation participates. If you are a member of a church, then you are not a visitor nor a guest, but a member of the Body of Christ. The intention is that every member participates in the meeting. As the congregation consists of several people, it could become hyperactive. When everyone participates at the same time, it then becomes chaotic.

Order in church

Paul gives us insights about these things in his letters to the Corinthian church. Corinth was a young church with many activities. That is why they needed help with the order during the church service. They had to learn how such a meeting should be because they had recently been born again. There were gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church, but they did not know which gift to give priority to.

They also did not have much experience in dealing with new church members. They did not know how to resolve certain disagreements, etc. Paul wanted to help them. We have gained knowledge about these matters because Paul wrote and explained how everything should work. Paul says that 'the church may be built up' (1 Corinthians 14:26) and in 1 Corinthians 14:40 he says: 'but everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.'

Nobody is to have a hidden agenda. Let us live like the first church did. 'They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer' (Acts 2:42).


https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

2. Evening Prayer for today.

EP.i. Evening Prayer

And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ⏤ Colossians 3:23

God does nothing except in response to believing prayer. ⏤ John Wesley

O God, by the teaching and example of Your dear Son, You have warned us to work Your works while it is day, before the night comes. Give us the spirit of earnestness and diligence so that we may faithfully do the work You’ve given us. Save us from laziness and sloth. Help us to understand the true meaning of life. Enable us by Your grace to do everything with all our might, whatever tasks come our way.

We ask Your forgiveness tonight for where we’ve failed to fulfill our duties. Give us grace and wisdom to use every talent You’ve entrusted to us, so that it may bring blessings and good into the world, and honor and glory to Your name. May we be faithful in every relationship in life. In our home, help us to fulfill our duties so that no part of our home life suffers. Help us to be faithful in all our business, social, church, state, and worldly responsibilities.

We also ask that You teach us how to make all our work Christian work—business for Jesus. Teach us how to do everything for Your glory. Let not our worldly activities steal our hearts away from our heavenly Master. Don’t let us become worldly while we are busy with the things we must do to provide for our bodies. Make all our work a means of grace to us. May we learn to do everything for Jesus. Then we will find a blessing in every task and duty. Grant that in all things we may honor and glorify You, forgetting ourselves. We ask this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/48/evening

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.

Thanks to those of you who are using our small group curriculum!!!

Have you ever wondered why we need four different gospel accounts? Join us for a Bible study based on Cold-Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace, a former homicide detective. This entry-level apologetics class will examine the New Testament through the lens of eyewitness testimony, explore evidence from archaeology and extrabiblical historians, and consider classic theological arguments.

https://www.swiftcreekbaptist.org/event/cold-case-christianity/2026-09-23/

God, why do you seem so distant?

MESSAGE TO THE LIVING ONES IN THIS LAST AGE: ABOUT THE SEALED ONE 144,000 - TRUE ISRAEL ALIVE TODAY

Hear this, living ones. This is for you.

Job 33:14-17 — For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night... then he opens the ears of men.

l got a dream with a voice Saying you& your peace are in 144,000.a no which was in a vision & I did not perceive it well & l woke up. Job 33:14-17, Then on Bukasa Island, a great storm happened, I prayed as sealed one in Revelation 14:1-5 — to Lord, calm down the storm . & The lord confirm me that am among the sealed one. By wind get ceased. Psalm 107:29 — He made the storm be still. James 5:16 — The prayer of a righteous person has great power. That stillness was my seal.

And this is what God unveils when confirm you Among 144000.:

1. YOU ARE TRUE SPIRITUAL ISRAEL, NOT BY FLESH., BUT BY SPIRIT--MADE

Romans 9:6 — Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel.
Romans 2:28-29 — A Jew is one inwardly, circumcision of heart by Spirit.
Galatians 6:16 — The Israel of God.
Galatians 3:29 — If you are Christ's, you are Abraham's offspring.

Though you are Gentile by flesh from Kampala, Uganda — by Spirit-made birth you are grafted in. Ephesians 2:13,19 — Once far off, now brought near by blood, fellow citizens with saints.

2. AM AMONG 12 SPIRITUAL TRIBES, NOT BY FLESH CENSUS.. BUT BY SPIRIT CENSUS.

Revelation 7:4-8 — 12,000 from each tribe sealed.
Notice: Dan is missing, Joseph and Manasseh both listed, Levi included though had no inheritance. It proves it is not flesh census, but Spirit.

Romans 9:8 — It is not children of flesh who are children of God, but children of promise.
Revelation 21:12 — New Jerusalem has 12 gates named for 12 tribes — all who enter come through a tribe.

Thus 12 x 12,000 = Fullness of true Israel. James 1:18 — We should be a kind of firstfruits.

Whether former Muslim like Sheikh Uthman, former Pharisee like Paul, or from Kampala — if born again, you are numbered in one of those tribes. Revelation 14:4 — Redeemed from mankind as firstfruits.

3. YOU WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN — SPECIAL 144000, FIRSTFRUITS.

You are not dead saints. You are among 1 Thessalonians 4:17 — who are alive, who are left, will be caught up.

Revelation 14:4 — These are firstfruits for God and the Lamb.
Revelation 12:17 — Dragon makes war on them — persecuted.
Revelation 12:14 — But woman given wings of eagle to fly into wilderness — protected.
Revelation 7:3 — Do not harm until we have sealed servants of God.

Bible never says 144,000 are killed. They are sealed, protected, alive on heavenly Zion. Hebrews 12:22 — You have come to Mount Zion, city of living God, heavenly Jerusalem. Revelation 14:1 — On Mount Zion stood the Lamb and with Him 144,000.

4. PAUL VS 144,000 — DEAD IN CHRIST VS LIVING FIRSTFRUITS
Paul was martyred. Revelation 6:9 — Souls under altar slain for word of God. He awaits first resurrection. Revelation 20:6 — Blessed and holy is one who shares in first resurrection.

144,000 are living ones on Zion with Lamb, singing new song before throne Revelation 14:3 — only living can sing there.
Order: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 — Dead in Christ rise first. Then we who are alive and remain are caught up together with them.

5. WHO IS IN CHRIST AND QUALIFIED? THE ONE BORN OF GOD WHO DOES NOT PRACTICE SIN.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 — Dead IN CHRIST will rise first. Who is in Christ?
1 John 3:9 — No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him.
1 John 5:18 — Everyone born of God does not keep on sinning, but born of God protects him, evil one does not touch him.
1 John 3:6 — No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning.
Not sinless perfect by flesh, but seed abides, walks in Spirit, not practice of sin.
If born again, practicing righteousness, not practicing sin — even if you died, you rise first. Revelation 20:6
If practicing sin as lifestyle — 1 John 3:8 — Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil. He is not in Christ., not part of the first resurrection.
This is why Rev14:5 , in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. Same nature.

HOW ARE YOU BLAMELESS? NOT BY EFFORT, BUT BY BLOOD.
Rev14:4-5, not defiled, virgins, no lie, blameless.
HOW? not by fasting. By blood as grace.
Eph1:7-- in Him we have redemption through his blood.
1john1:7-- blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
Rev1:5-- freed us from our sins by his blood.
Jude1:24-- Able to present you blameless before presence of his glory.

FINAL CALL TO LIVING ONES TODAY: God is already in this last age today gathering His elect sealing them redeeming them. Matt24:31

If you want to be confirmed among the 144000.
1). Be born of God -- stop practicing sin as lifestyle. 1john3:9
2). Live pure & uncompromised to this world. Rev14:4, James4:4, rom12:2,
3). Be obedient to the lamb wherever he goes. Rev14:4, john10:27

This is the message for this last age. The sealed ones are alive today. Be among them.

Did you know?
Joseph runs Potiphar's entire household, trusted with everything except one thing, his master's wife. And she wants him. Not once, the text says she propositioned him day by day. This wasn't a moment of weakness. It was sustained pressure, day after day, that Joseph resisted every single time. When she confronts him directly, Joseph doesn't just refuse. He explains why. How could he do this great evil, and sin against God? Not fear of Potiphar. Not fear of punishment. A line he wouldn't cross, because of who he answered to. Then one day, alone in the house, she grabs his garment. Joseph doesn't argue. He runs, leaving the garment behind in her hands. That garment becomes the evidence used to falsely accuse him. Joseph loses his position, his reputation, and his freedom, for doing the right thing. Scripture doesn't rush to rescue him. He sits in prison, for the crime of running from sin. Sometimes integrity costs you everything, before it costs you nothing.

Let's talk about it.
Deceiver Unmasked

Why was Sin Permitted? Why did God not destroy the first evildoer, satan, even though He knew how he would harm countless innocent angels and humans?

Revelation 12:7-9, 12
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

God permitted satan to carry forward his work until the spirit of disaffection ripened into active revolt. It was necessary for his plans to be fully developed, that their true nature and tendency might be seen by all. Lucifer, as the anointed cherub, had been highly exalted; he was greatly loved by the heavenly beings, and his influence over them was strong. God's government included not only the inhabitants of heaven, but of all the worlds that He had created; and Lucifer had concluded that if he could carry the angels of heaven with him in rebellion, he could carry also all the worlds. He had artfully presented his side of the question, employing sophistry and fraud to secure his objects. His power to deceive was very great. By disguising himself in a cloak of falsehood, he had gained an advantage. All his acts were so clothed with mystery that it was difficult to disclose to the angels the true nature of his work. Until fully developed, it could not be made to appear the evil thing it was; his disaffection would not be seen to be rebellion. Even the loyal angels could not fully discern his character or see to what his work was leading.

God could employ Only such means as were consistent with Truth and Righteousness. Satan could use what God could not— flattery and deceit. He had sought to falsify the word of God and had misrepresented His plan of government, claiming that God was not just in imposing laws upon the angels; that in requiring submission and obedience from His creatures, He was seeking merely the exaltation of Himself. It was therefore necessary to demonstrate before the inhabitants of heaven, and of all the worlds, that God's government is just, His law perfect. satan had made it appear that he himself was seeking to promote the good of the universe. The true character of the usurper and his real object must be understood by all. He must have time to manifest himself by his wicked works.

The discord which his own course had caused in heaven, Satan charged upon the government of God. All evil he declared to be the result of the divine administration. He claimed that it was his own object to improve upon the statutes of Jehovah. Therefore God permitted him to demonstrate the nature of his claims, to show the working out of his proposed changes in the divine law. His own work must condemn him. Satan had claimed from the first that he was not in rebellion. The whole universe must see the deceiver unmasked.

Even when he was cast out of heaven, Infinite Wisdom did not destroy Satan. Since only the service of love can be acceptable to God, the allegiance of His creatures must rest upon a conviction of His justice and benevolence. The inhabitants of heaven and of the worlds, being unprepared to comprehend the nature or consequences of sin, could not then have seen the justice of God in the destruction of Satan. Had he been immediately blotted out of existence, some would have served God from fear rather than from love. The influence of the deceiver would not have been fully destroyed, nor would the spirit of rebellion have been utterly eradicated. For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages, he must more fully develop his principles, that his charges against the divine government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, and that the justice and mercy of God and the immutability of His law might be forever placed beyond all question.

Satan's rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages—a perpetual testimony to the nature of sin and its [p. 43] terrible results. The working out of Satan's rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify that with the existence of God's government is bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy beings, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin, and suffering its penalty.

He that ruleth in the heavens is the one who sees the end from the beginning—the one before whom the mysteries of the past and the future are alike outspread, and who, beyond the woe and darkness and ruin that sin has wrought, beholds the accomplishment of His own purposes of love and blessing. Though "clouds and darkness are round about Him: righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne." Psalm 97:2, R.V. And this the inhabitants of the universe, both loyal and disloyal, will one day understand. "His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He." Deuteronomy 32:4.

Daily Bible Lesson.
WE ASK GOD FOR MORE LIGHT—THEN MAKE EXCUSES WHEN HIS LIGHT REQUIRES CHANGE

“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22

We pray:

“Lord, show me Your will.”

Then His light touches something we love—

our time, appetite, appearance, character, location, or tongue—

and suddenly:

“My situation is different.”
“Everyone does it.”
“I'm not convicted.”

Perhaps our greatest problem is not always lack of light.

IT IS THE HUMAN HEART'S AMAZING ABILITY TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE LIGHT IT DOES NOT WANT TO OBEY.

Jesus asks:

“Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” — Luke 6:46

So here is the question beneath every reform:

ARE WE SEEKING GOD'S WILL—OR ASKING GOD TO APPROVE OURS?

---

① SABBATH REFORM—WHO OWNS YOUR TIME?

THE EXCUSES:

“I have to work.”
“Most Christians worship Sunday.”
“God knows my heart.”

Yes—God knows the heart.

And Jesus says:

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” — John 14:15

God's command still reads:

“The seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God.” — Exodus 20:10

Obedience may cost convenience, approval, opportunity—even income.

But faith asks something deeper:

WHAT IS JESUS WORTH?

“We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:29

Do not merely argue for the Sabbath.

KNOW THE LORD OF THE SABBATH—and ask Him for faith to walk in His footsteps.

---

② HEALTH REFORM—HAS APPETITE RENAMED ITSELF “NECESSITY”?

THE EXCUSES:

“My body needs it.”
“I've always eaten this way.”
“We're all going to die anyway.”

But this body is not ours to abuse.

“Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:20

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink… do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31

Health reform is not salvation by menu.

It is stewardship of a body purchased by Christ.

Inspiration warns of those who “frame excuses and make necessities which have no existence” while resisting health light. — Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 399

What a warning:

APPETITE IS A TERRIBLE COUNSELOR WHEN ASKED TO JUDGE ITS OWN HABITS.

Stop asking only:

“Do I enjoy it?”

Ask:

“WILL THIS KEEP MY BODY AND MIND FIT FOR CHRIST'S SERVICE?”

---

③ DRESS REFORM—WHO ARE WE TRYING TO PLEASE?

THE EXCUSES:

“It's only fashion.”
“God only looks at the heart.”
“I don't want to look different.”

Yes:

“The LORD looketh on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7

And Scripture also calls for:

“Modest apparel.” — 1 Timothy 2:9

The issue is not ugliness.

Not neglect.

Not a religious uniform.

The question is:

WHO IS SHAPING MY APPEARANCE—CHRIST OR THE WORLD?

Christian dress should reflect modesty, simplicity, health, dignity, and good taste without making self the attraction.

CLOTHING CANNOT SAVE THE HEART—BUT THE MASTER OF THE HEART WILL INFLUENCE THE CLOTHING.

Let your appearance quietly testify:

“I BELONG TO CHRIST.”

---

④ CHARACTER REFORM—“THAT'S JUST HOW I AM.”

Perhaps no excuse protects cherished defects more effectively.

Anger becomes “my personality.”
Pride becomes “confidence.”
Bitterness becomes “what they deserve.”

Then comes the universal shield:

“Nobody is perfect.”

True.

But Jesus never made imperfection an excuse for refusing transformation.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:5

Christ does not merely forgive us in the old life.

HE BEGINS MAKING US NEW.

“When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 69

Stop defending your defect with:

“THAT'S WHO I AM.”

Bring it to Jesus:

“LORD, MAKE ME LIKE YOU.”

---

⑤ LOCATION REFORM—WHY DID INSPIRATION CRY, “OUT OF THE CITIES”?

Here excuses become painfully practical:

“My job is here.”
“My children's opportunities are here.”
“I'll move when everything becomes convenient.”

Yet Inspiration repeatedly urged:

“Out of the cities, out of the cities! This is the message the Lord has been giving me.” — Country Living, p. 29

Why?

Not because soil saves souls.

But country surroundings can favor health, simplicity, useful labor, children learning from nature, greater separation from corrupting influences, and preparation for difficult times.

God's first home for humanity was not a congested metropolis.

“The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden.” — Genesis 2:8

Abraham lived as a pilgrim.

Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” — Genesis 13:12

Their stories remind us:

LOCATION CANNOT CONVERT THE HEART—BUT ENVIRONMENT CAN POWERFULLY INFLUENCE IT.

Yet Inspiration also counseled:

“Out of the cities; but not a moment before God would have us go.” — Country Living, p. 26

So the message is not:

PANIC AND RUN.

It is:

PRAY.
PREPARE.
SIMPLIFY.
LEARN.
WATCH PROVIDENCE.
AND WHEN GOD OPENS THE WAY—OBEY.

And remember:

YOU CAN LEAVE BABYLON GEOGRAPHICALLY WHILE BABYLON STILL LIVES IN YOUR HEART.

Christ's first relocation project is:

SELF OFF THE THRONE—CHRIST ON IT.

---

⑥ SPEECH REFORM—CAN A CONVERTED HEART KEEP AN UNCONVERTED TONGUE?

Here the excuses sound innocent:

“I'm only joking.”
“But it's true!”
“I just needed to release my feelings.”

Scripture answers:

“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting… but rather giving of thanks.” — Ephesians 5:4

“Speak evil of no man.” — Titus 3:2

And instead:

“That which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” — Ephesians 4:29

Imagine that standard:

WORDS THAT MINISTER GRACE.

No gossip.

No slander.

No degrading jesting.

No cutting sarcasm.

No dishonest flattery.

No spreading bitterness from heart to heart.

“Bless, and curse not.” — Romans 12:14

This does not mean hiding wrongdoing.

Jesus rebuked sin.

Nathan confronted David.

Paul corrected churches.

Truth sometimes must hurt before it heals.

But Scripture says:

“Speaking the truth in love.” — Ephesians 4:15

Before speaking, ask:

IS IT TRUE?
IS IT NECESSARY?
IS IT LOVING?
WILL IT BUILD RATHER THAN POISON?
WOULD I SAY IT THIS WAY IN THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF JESUS?

“Let the law of kindness be upon your lips and the oil of grace in your heart.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 337

What a standard:

**TRUTH ON THE LIPS.

GRACE IN THE HEART.**

---

⑦ PERHAPS THE MOST DANGEROUS EXCUSE—“I'M NOT CONVICTED.”

Sometimes that is sincere.

Conscience must never be forced.

But sometimes:

“I'M NOT CONVICTED”

really means:

“I DON'T WANT TO INVESTIGATE THIS DEEPLY ENOUGH TO BECOME CONVICTED.”

Jesus reveals a searching principle:

“If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” — John 7:17

Notice the order:

WILLINGNESS → UNDERSTANDING → OBEDIENCE.

Before asking,

“Is this really required?”

ask:

“LORD, IF YOUR WORD SHOWS ME THAT I AM WRONG—AM I WILLING TO CHANGE?”

That question exposes whether we want truth—

or merely reassurance.

---

⑧ BUT HERE IS THE DANGER ON THE OTHER SIDE—REFORM WITHOUT CHRIST

Inspiration defines genuine reformation:

“Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 128

Truth must reach:

the calendar,
the kitchen,
the wardrobe,
the temper,
the address,
the tongue,
and the choices nobody sees.

“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” — James 1:22

But never miss this:

REFORMATION WITHOUT CHRIST CAN PRODUCE A PHARISEE.

You can keep Sabbath—

and hate your brother.

Eat perfectly—

and feed on pride.

Dress modestly—

and advertise self-righteousness.

Move to the country—

and take worldliness with you.

Guard your tongue publicly—

while bitterness rules privately.

Jesus did not come merely to rearrange our habits.

HE CAME TO RECREATE OUR HEARTS.

“Without Me ye can do nothing.” — John 15:5

---

THE QUESTION BENEATH EVERY REFORM

When Christ touches your—

TIME—will He be Lord?

APPETITE—will He be Lord?

APPEARANCE—will He be Lord?

CHARACTER—will He be Lord?

LOCATION—will He be Lord?

TONGUE—will He be Lord?

There it is.

DOES JESUS HAVE PERMISSION TO CHANGE EVERYTHING?

“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23

Perhaps we do not need another argument.

Perhaps we need another surrender.

Instead of continually praying:

“LORD, GIVE ME MORE LIGHT,”

perhaps we need to pray:

“LORD, FORGIVE ME FOR RESISTING THE LIGHT I ALREADY HAVE.”

Take my appetite.

Take my pride.

Take my temper.

Take my tongue.

Take my plans.

Take my home.

TAKE MY WHOLE HEART.

“Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” — Acts 9:6

NO MORE EXCUSES.
NO MORE BARGAINING WITH LIGHT.
NO MORE TRYING TO OUTREASON GOD.

CHRIST BEFORE CONVENIENCE.
FAITH BEFORE FEAR.
TRUTH BEFORE TRADITION.
SURRENDER BEFORE SELF.

Because when Jesus truly becomes Lord—

REFORMATION IS NO LONGER SOMETHING GOD MUST FORCE FROM US.

IT BECOMES SOMETHING LOVE IS WILLING TO SURRENDER TO HIM.

Amazing Facts
Daily Devotionals

Is it necessary to pray “In Jesus’ name” at the end of every prayer?

August 22nd, 2026

Jesus actually commands us to pray in His name. He says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you” (John 16:23). This doesn’t mean, however, that just saying His name has some kind of magical power.

Suppose I go to a complete stranger asking for a favor. They’re not likely to listen to my request. But if I bring them a letter from their best friend, someone they love, and it’s signed by their best friend—well, that could make a big difference. I say to them, “Look, I’ve come in the name of Henry, and here’s a letter from Henry, signed by him. Can you help me with this problem?” If they love Henry, and I’m coming in Henry’s name, they will listen to me.

Jesus told us, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). When we come to the Father, we come in the name of the Lord Jesus and say, “Please, hear my prayer. Not because I deserve it. I’ve been alienated from you by sin. But because of your love for your Son, please honor my request for His sake.” That’s really what it means to pray in Jesus’ name. It can also mean to pray with the mind and the spirit of Christ and with the same attitude that Jesus had.

Of course, the Father loves us too; He wants us to come to Him. That’s why He sent Jesus to bridge the gap. Jesus said, “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God” (John 16:26, 27).

Key Bible Texts
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13 KJV)