GLORIOUS SUNDAY SERMON OF
16TH AUGUST 2026

Beloved of God, welcome to this amazing gathering of God's children. As we are about to hear from the throne of mercy, I declared that you will not come in vain, and you will not go empty handed.
But before we share the word of God, let us pray

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LESSON:
Matthew 7:16-20

As a matter of fact, today's message is a self reflection, that's why it's topic is:

TOPIC:
WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN AM I?

TEXT:
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
Matthew 7:16–20 (NKJV)

INTRODUCTION:
It is easy to ask, “What kind of church do I attend?” or “What kind of Christians are around me?” But today, God is asking a more personal question:
What kind of Christian am I?
Christianity is more than attending church, carrying a Bible, singing worship songs, or being known as a believer. Jesus wants our faith to be visible in the way we live, speak, love, forgive, serve and represent Him.
The real test of Christianity is not simply what we profess with our lips, but what our lives produce.
Be immensely blessed by the word in Jesus name.

EXPOSITION:
With a sincere mind, let's examine and consider these 3 basic important points.

1. WHAT KIND OF FRUIT IS MY LIFE PRODUCING?
Matthew 7:16–20; Galatians 5:22–23; John 15:4–5
Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits.”
Notice that Jesus did not say people would be known merely by their appearance, religious vocabulary, church position or spiritual title. He said they would be known by their fruit. Fruit is evidence of what is happening inside a tree. In the same way, our daily conduct reveals what is happening in our hearts.

A Christian may speak about love, but how do I treat people who offend me? I may talk about forgiveness, but can I forgive those who hurt me? I may preach holiness, but what happens when nobody is watching? I may say that I trust God, but what happens when I face disappointment? These are the moments when our fruit becomes visible.
Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

This gives us something practical to examine.
Is there love in me? Is there patience in me?
Is there self-control in me? Can people see Christ in the way I respond under pressure?
Because sometimes, the greatest testimony we preach is not from the pulpit. It is through our behaviour when life does not go according to our expectations. Jesus also said in John 15:5, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.”

Fruitfulness is therefore connected to our relationship with Christ. We cannot consistently produce Christlike character while living far from Christ. The question is not whether we once produced good fruit. The question is: What is my life producing now?

EXPOSITION:
2. AM I A LIGHT THAT LEADS PEOPLE TO CHRIST OR A STUMBLING BLOCK?
Matthew 5:14–16; Romans 14:13; 1 Peter 2:12
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”
That means our Christianity is not supposed to remain inside the church building. People are watching us.
Our neighbours are watching. Our colleagues are watching. Our family members are watching. Young people are watching. Even people who disagree with Christianity are watching.

Sometimes, before they read the Bible, they read our lives. This is why we must ask ourselves a difficult question: Does my lifestyle make people desire to know Jesus, or does it give them another reason to reject Him? A Christian can become a stumbling block through bitterness, dishonesty, hypocrisy, arrogance, unforgiveness, gossip, immoral behaviour or an abusive attitude. Imagine telling someone that Jesus changes lives, while that person consistently sees anger, hatred and dishonesty in our own life.
What message are we communicating?

Romans 14:13 tells believers not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in another believer’s way.
This does not mean that we live our lives based on people's opinions. It means we recognize that Christian freedom carries Christian responsibility.
Our lives should make the Gospel attractive, not contradictory. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The purpose of our light is not to make people admire us. It is to make them glorify God. So, when people encounter me, what do they encounter? Christ or character problems? Grace or hostility? Truth or hypocrisy? Love or bitterness? We cannot preach the Gospel effectively with our mouths while preaching a different gospel with our lifestyle.

EXPOSITION:
3. AM I OBEYING CHRIST OR AM I ONLY PRACTISING RELIGION?
John 14:15; James 1:22–25; Matthew 28:19–20
Jesus said plainly: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” That means genuine Christianity must eventually produce obedience. It is possible to become very familiar with church activities while becoming unfamiliar with obedience to Christ.
We can attend services, participate in programmes, sing loudly, pray publicly and even hold positions in church, yet still ignore the simple commands of Jesus.

Jesus commanded us to love one another.
He commanded us to forgive.
He commanded us to serve.
He commanded us to make disciples.
He commanded us to preach the Gospel.
He commanded us to live as lights in a dark world.
The question therefore becomes:
Am I doing what Jesus asked me to do?

James 1:22 warns us not to be merely hearers of the Word, but doers. Hearing God's Word without obeying it can create the illusion of spiritual maturity.
Knowledge is not the same as obedience.
Knowing that we should forgive is not forgiveness.
Knowing that we should evangelize is not evangelism.
Knowing that we should love is not love.
Knowing that we should live holy is not holiness.
At some point, the Word we hear must become the life we live. And this includes the Great Commission.

Jesus said in Matthew 28:19–20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” Every Christian may not stand behind a pulpit, but every Christian has a responsibility to represent Christ. There is somebody around us who needs encouragement.
Somebody needs to hear the Gospel.
Somebody needs to see forgiveness.
Somebody needs to see genuine Christian love.
Somebody may be watching our life and wondering whether Jesus is truly real.

So the question is not merely:
“Am I a Christian?” The deeper question is:
“What kind of Christian am I?”
Am I a Christian by name, or by transformation?
Am I only a church member, or am I a disciple of Jesus? Am I carrying the name of Christ while refusing to carry His character?
This brings us to the conclusion of the message.

CONCLUSION:
Today, the mirror is before us.
Not before our neighbour.
Not before another church member.
Not before society. Before me.
What kind of Christian am I?
May our Christianity be more than words, titles and religious activities. May our lives produce good fruit, shine as lights, and demonstrate obedience to Christ.
Let people encounter us and see something that points them back to Jesus.

CLOSING PRAYER:
Let us pray!
Lord Jesus, make us genuine representatives of Your kingdom. Let our lives produce good fruit, let our character reflect You, and let our actions never become a stumbling block to others. Help us to love, forgive, serve and obey You faithfully. May our lives point people to Christ. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

GOODWILL MESSAGE:
This is my goodwill message for you this week:
May your life become a living testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. May your words carry grace, your character reveal Christ, and your actions draw others closer to God. May your faith remain fruitful, your light continue to shine, and your life bring glory to your Father in heaven. Amen.

HAPPY WONDERFUL SUNDAY,
HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK.

LIKE IT OR NOT!
JESUS IS COMING BACK AGAIN SOON!!
REPENT AND BE READY FOR HIM!!!

This wonderful message is brought to you
With Love from Pastor M O Glorious,
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH ,
Palace of Mercy, Royal District, Restoration Zone. Damolapa, Laketu, Lucky Fibre, Ikorodu Lagos Nigeria. For prayer or counseling, pls contact us@
08055646358: 09018952081
or
peganmireAnderson Mwila.com

#WhatKindOfChristianAmI #ChristianCharacter
#ChristLikeLiving #FruitOfTheSpirit
#BeTheLight #ChristianFaith
#WalkWithChrist #ObeyChrist
#LiveForJesus l#LetYourLightShine
#KingdomLiving #JesusChrist

*1 Kings 1:8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.* From the "God is an Artist " Project: Support the agenda of the Lord for leadership and ministry/office. If you have discarded the Prophets for arrogance, antitrumpism, spite and covetousness repent. Awake:
”https://youtu.be/al09H0IH2bE?si=vKZgS1hvMMGdewiZ
Website: https://site-53szv43it.godaddysites.com/ https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BVTDeqZhR/ Jehu: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1B4PDsdXNc/ Confirmation: https://youtu.be/s0qGt0dspCY?si=5yOdr0bCGgAyjGgl Iran Prophecy: https://youtu.be/3eont1dBolU?si=w0JBBXeD-AgNcH-d Trump Prophecies: https://youtu.be/EhXwbcGSKJ8?si=NWKa0pS7UNLXfljY
Media: https://share.google/LXCeKfdMW4JZp2iaA
Related Links: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEsxcI2kNFoEp8VAq3n https://www.facebook.com/share/17mff8ymQK/ https://www.tiktok.com/[shanehanley75]?_r=1&_t=ZS-94g4mk1bA7G*

*Be Strong and Courageous*

When Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthian church, he was writing to believers experiencing intense division.

Power and politics within the church community were causing Christians to stray from Jesus’ teachings and compete with each other. Because of this, the poor were suffering, people were confused about theology, and immorality was being tolerated.

After calling out their mistakes and showing them how to live Spirit-filled lives, Paul summarized his desire for the Corinthians with these words… 

*Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14*

Be on guard…
Paul uses this phrase to remind his friends to keep watch over their lives, their community, and their choices. He knew that if they didn’t stay aware and awake, they wouldn’t notice the lies, tricks, or deceptions the devil was using to infiltrate their community.

Stand firm…
Immorality was a major issue in the Corinthian church. But instead of addressing this problem, Corinthian Christians were tolerating it. So Paul reminded them that they are one body. If one person was allowed to disrespect God, then they were all part of the problem. They needed to learn how to stand firm in their faith so that their ultimate desire would be to please God, not people.

*Be courageous. Be strong…*
In order to resist spiritual attacks, the Corinthians needed to stand strong together. They needed to courageously use their gifts and talents to strengthen their church community and help it grow—even when it seemed counter-cultural and uncomfortable.  

And do everything with love...
In *1 Corinthians 13,* Paul writes that if he could be perfect, do everything right, never sin, and always keep God’s commands—but he didn’t have love, it would mean nothing. Strength, courage, and commitment—none of it matters if God’s love isn’t at the center of everything we think and do.  

If God’s love doesn’t define us, standing firm can become self-righteousness, strength can turn into stubbornness, and courage can become arrogance.  

So, what steps can we take to stand firm in what we believe with strength and courage? As we determine what choices we need to make, let's remember that God fights for us, and His Spirit is with us. He can empower us to boldly share His love.

*Help Us Stay On Guard*
Father God, we need You. You've given us everything we need to live a godly life, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Help us to not waiver in faith. Help us to be on guard against any attacks or lies from the devil. Give us the courage to be strong and stand firm in belief in You, and to live for You daily. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

The Mice in the Piano

Pastor Joseph Clark
August 12, 2026

“He who denies the existence of God, has some reason for wishing that God did not exist.”

—Saint Augustine

“Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven.”

—Matthew 10:32–33

The Mice in the Piano

Once upon a time, there were two little mice. They were brothers, and they had lived their entire lives inside a piano. It was the only world they had ever known.

Their parents and siblings had died of old age, leaving the two brothers as the last members of their family. They spent their days exploring their strange little world and listening in wonder to the beautiful music that constantly filled the piano.

They could not see where the music came from.

Their parents had taught them that the music was produced by a great and mysterious being who lived beyond their understanding—the one who played the piano.

The two mice loved to think about this great player. They talked about him, wondered about him, and delighted in the beautiful music he produced.

Then, one day, one of the mice went exploring.

When he returned, he was thoughtful and unusually serious.

“There is no great player,” he told his brother. “It is all a myth. I have seen the inside of this piano. The music is produced by wires, hammers, strings, and mechanisms. I have seen them with my own eyes!”

The brothers abandoned their belief in the great player.

They were convinced that they had finally discovered the truth. They understood the mechanisms of the piano, and therefore they believed they had explained away the musician.

They examined the wires, hammers, strings, and mechanical workings repeatedly. The more they learned about how the piano worked, the more confident they became that there was no need to believe in a player.

But they had overlooked something very important.

Knowing how the piano works does not explain who is playing it.

And so, while the two mice congratulated themselves on their newfound wisdom, the great player continued to play.

The mice simply could not see him.

The Limits of Human Understanding

There is an important lesson in this little story.

Human beings are intelligent. We have learned extraordinary things about the universe. We have explored the depths of the oceans, walked on the moon, examined the microscopic world, mapped the human genome, and discovered astonishing laws governing the physical universe.

But our ability to understand something does not mean that we understand everything.

The Bible repeatedly reminds us that humility is essential when approaching God.

Jesus said:

“Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

—Matthew 18:3

He also said:

“Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

—Matthew 19:14

And again:

“Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

—Luke 18:17

Jesus is not telling us to abandon reason or become intellectually childish. Rather, He is calling us to humility, trust, and dependence upon God.

Scripture says:

“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

—Matthew 18:4

The Christian life begins with recognizing that God is God—and we are not.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

—Ephesians 2:8

And:

“The righteous shall live by faith.”

—Romans 1:17

Faith is not a rejection of reason. Faith recognizes that human reason has limits.

Living in a Skeptical Age

In 1897, Francis Pharcellus Church wrote his famous response to eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon concerning her question about Santa Claus. Church observed that people can become skeptical of anything they cannot see or fully comprehend.

Although Church was writing about Santa Claus—not God—the broader observation is worth considering.

We live in an age that often treats what can be measured as though it were the only thing that can be real.

But there are many things we accept as real without seeing them directly.

We cannot see gravity.

We cannot see thoughts.

We cannot see love.

We cannot see electricity itself.

Yet we observe their effects.

Likewise, Christians believe that although God cannot be placed under a microscope or reduced to a laboratory experiment, His existence can be considered through the evidence of creation, reason, morality, human consciousness, history, and ultimately the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The fact that we cannot see God with our physical eyes does not prove that God does not exist.

The mice could not see the piano player either.

That did not mean he wasn't there.

When People Mock Our Faith

A close friend of mine, an Archbishop, once told me a humorous story from his childhood.

He had been at a park with his mother when he ran over excitedly and told her that the sun was actually a star and that the stars in the sky were also suns.

His mother, apparently overwhelmed by the complexity of the information, responded with a blunt declaration that, in essence, the sun was the sun and the stars were the stars—and that was the end of the discussion!

Sometimes we can become uncomfortable when someone challenges what we believe.

That is particularly true when people we respect dismiss Christianity as foolishness.

Richard Dawkins, Woody Allen, Isaac Asimov, Mark Twain, Carl Sagan, and many others have expressed skepticism toward Christianity or belief in God.

But Christians should not respond with anger or hatred.

We should respond with grace.

Forgive them. Pray for them. Love them. And share the Gospel with them.

The Apostle Peter instructed Christians:

“Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

—1 Peter 3:15

That is an important distinction.

We are called to defend the faith, but we are not called to be quarrelsome.

Jesus said:

“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”

—Matthew 10:14

And He warned:

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls before swine.”

—Matthew 7:6

There comes a time when we must recognize that arguing louder will not make someone believe.

Our responsibility is to faithfully proclaim Christ.

The Holy Spirit is responsible for changing hearts.

What About Suffering?

One of the most common objections to belief in God is the existence of suffering.

People ask:

“How can I believe in a loving God when there is so much suffering in the world?”

This is a serious question, and Christians should never dismiss it with a shallow answer.

The Bible itself contains people crying out to God in the midst of suffering. Job asked difficult questions. David cried out in the Psalms. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

Christianity does not pretend that suffering is imaginary.

Instead, Christianity tells us that suffering exists in a fallen world and that God entered that suffering Himself through Jesus Christ.

The cross is Christianity's answer to the claim that God is indifferent to human suffering.

God did not remain distant from our pain.

He entered our world.

He suffered.

He died.

And He rose again.

The Apostle Paul writes:

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

—Romans 8:18

C.S. Lewis famously described pain as God's “megaphone” to a deaf world.

Suffering does not prove that God does not exist. For many people, suffering instead becomes the very circumstance that drives them to ask the deepest questions about meaning, morality, mortality, and God.

What About Hell?

Another question frequently asked is:

“How can a loving God send people to Hell?”

The Christian answer begins with the extraordinary love of God.

Jesus said:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

—John 3:16

God offers salvation freely through Christ.

The Gospel is not a message that God delights in condemning people. It is a message that God has provided a way of salvation.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

The seriousness of judgment is precisely what makes the offer of salvation so important.

God does not force anyone to love Him.

The Gospel calls us to repent, believe, and receive the grace of God.

Faith and the Evidence of Creation

The universe raises enormous questions.

Why is there something rather than nothing?

Why does the universe possess order?

Why are the laws of nature intelligible?

Why does human consciousness exist?

Why do human beings possess an awareness of moral obligation?

Science can investigate how many things work. But questions concerning ultimate meaning and purpose extend beyond the laboratory.

The Christian does not believe that science is the enemy of faith.

Quite the opposite.

The universe is intelligible because Christians believe it was created by an intelligent God.

The laws of nature can be investigated because Christians believe those laws reflect an ordered creation.

The human capacity to reason can be used to explore the universe because Christians believe human beings were created by God.

Science can tell us much about the mechanisms of the piano.

But science alone cannot answer the question:

Who is playing the music?

Believers in the Scientific Community

Christianity has never belonged exclusively to the uneducated or uninformed.

Throughout history, many highly accomplished scientists have believed in God.

Among them are figures such as:

Isaac Newton, whose work transformed physics and mathematics.
James Clerk Maxwell, one of the great figures in electromagnetic theory.
Gregor Mendel, whose experiments established foundational principles of genetics and who was also an Augustinian friar.
Georges Lemaître, a Catholic priest and physicist whose work on an expanding universe helped establish the foundation of what became known as Big Bang cosmology.
Francis Collins, physician-geneticist and former director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, who has publicly identified as a Christian.
Charles Townes, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and inventor of the maser and co-inventor of the laser, who was an openly religious Christian.

These examples do not prove Christianity simply because these scientists believed.

But they do demonstrate something important:

Faith in God is not incompatible with intellectual achievement.

A person does not have to abandon intelligence in order to believe in God.

Nor does becoming a Christian require someone to stop asking questions.

Christians should welcome honest questions.

The Problem With the Piano Mice

The two mice made a fundamental mistake.

They confused an explanation of the mechanism with an explanation of the ultimate cause.

They discovered the wires.

They discovered the hammers.

They discovered the strings.

They discovered the machinery.

And then they concluded:

“Therefore, there is no piano player.”

But that conclusion did not logically follow from their discovery.

In fact, their discovery of the piano's complexity could have led them to ask an entirely different question:

Who designed this?

And that is the question we must ultimately ask about our universe.

Where did everything come from?

Why is there something rather than nothing?

Why does the universe operate according to discoverable laws?

Why does consciousness exist?

Why do we have an innate sense that some things are genuinely right and others genuinely wrong?

And perhaps the greatest question of all:

Who are we, and why are we here?

The Christian answer is that we are creatures made by our Creator.

We are not accidents without purpose.

We were created by God, for God, and ultimately for relationship with Him.

We Are the Mice

There is another lesson in the story that we must not miss.

Perhaps the greatest danger is not being ignorant.

Perhaps it is believing that we know everything.

We are the mice in the piano.

We live inside a universe vastly larger and more complicated than our minds can fully comprehend.

We see only a fraction of reality.

We understand only a fraction of what exists.

And yet we sometimes look at the small portion we understand and confidently declare that nothing exists beyond it.

The Bible reminds us:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD.”

—Isaiah 55:8

And:

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!”

—Romans 11:33

The proper response to a God who is greater than our understanding is not arrogance.

It is humility.

It is worship.

It is faith.

The Music Continues

The two mice eventually stopped believing in the piano player.

They became convinced that they had explained everything.

But outside their tiny world, the musician continued to play.

The music never stopped.

The fact that they could not see him did not mean he was absent.

And perhaps that is where many people find themselves today.

They have examined the mechanisms of the universe.

They have learned about physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and astronomy.

They have become fascinated by the machinery.

But they have never stopped to ask whether there is a Creator behind it all.

The Christian message is that there is.

His name is Jesus Christ.

He is not merely an idea, a philosophy, or a comforting story.

He is the Son of God who entered human history, died for our sins, and rose from the grave.

And He calls every one of us to respond.

Jesus said:

“Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven.”

—Matthew 10:32

The question is not merely whether we believe that God exists.

The deeper question is:

What will we do with Jesus Christ?

The piano is playing.

The music is all around us.

The question is whether we will remain convinced that there is nothing beyond the wires and hammers—or whether we will humble ourselves, listen carefully, and seek the One who is playing the music.

Do not be so certain that you have explained the piano that you never look for the Player.

—Pastor Joseph Clark

Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 1–2 | 2 Corinthians 9

Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading)

2 Kings 1

Seeking the True God

2 Kings 1 opens with the reign of Ahaziah, the son of Ahab. Rather than learning from the failures of his father, Ahaziah continues walking in rebellion against the Lord. After suffering a serious injury, he seeks guidance, not from the God of Israel, but from the false god Baal-Zebub. His decision reveals the true condition of his heart. In his moment of greatest need, he trusts idols instead of the living God.
The Lord immediately sends Elijah to intercept the king's messengers. Elijah asks a piercing question: Is there no God in Israel that the king must seek counsel elsewhere? The issue is not merely where Ahaziah seeks information, but whom he trusts. His actions reveal that he has rejected the Lord's authority despite belonging to God's covenant people.

God announces that Ahaziah will not recover because he has deliberately rejected the Lord. Rather than humbling himself, the king repeatedly sends soldiers to arrest Elijah. Twice, military commanders approach the prophet with arrogance and demand that he come immediately. Each time, God's judgment falls, demonstrating that no earthly authority stands above the Lord.

The third commander approaches differently. Instead of pride, he comes with humility and asks for mercy. God honors this attitude, and Elijah willingly goes with him. The contrast is striking. Pride brings judgment, while humility receives grace.

When Elijah finally stands before Ahaziah, he faithfully delivers God's message exactly as he had received it. The king's death follows precisely as the Lord declared, confirming once again that God's Word never fails.

Theologically, 2 Kings 1 reveals the futility of seeking answers apart from God. It also demonstrates that God opposes pride but extends grace to the humble. The chapter emphasizes God's complete authority over kings, nations, and every human power.

This chapter points to Christ, who alone reveals the Father perfectly. Rather than seeking false sources of hope, believers are invited to come directly to Jesus, who is the truth and the only mediator between God and humanity. He offers grace to the humble and life to all who trust in Him.

For believers today, 2 Kings 1 reminds us to seek God first in every circumstance. The world offers many competing voices, but true wisdom comes from the Lord alone. In Christ, we have direct access to God's truth and guidance. We are called to approach Him with humility, trusting that He alone has the words of eternal life.

2 Kings 2

The God Who Continues His Work

2 Kings 2 records one of the most remarkable transitions in Scripture as Elijah's earthly ministry comes to an end and Elisha is prepared to continue God's work. The chapter demonstrates that while God's servants may change, God's mission continues without interruption.

As Elijah prepares for his departure, he repeatedly tests Elisha's commitment by inviting him to remain behind. Each time, Elisha refuses to leave his mentor. His persistence reflects loyalty, faithfulness, and a desire to remain close to the work God is accomplishing. Elisha understands that the greatest blessing is not simply witnessing miracles but remaining faithful to God's calling.

When Elijah asks what he desires before his departure, Elisha requests a double portion of Elijah's spirit. His request is not driven by ambition or personal glory but by a recognition that he will need God's power to fulfill the ministry ahead. He understands that God's work can only be accomplished through God's enabling.

The dramatic departure of Elijah in a whirlwind demonstrates God's sovereign authority over life and death. Elijah does not experience death in the ordinary sense but is taken directly into God's presence. The event confirms God's approval of His faithful servant and marks the completion of a remarkable prophetic ministry.

Immediately afterward, Elisha begins exercising the ministry God has entrusted to him. The parting of the Jordan River demonstrates that the same God who worked through Elijah is now working through Elisha. The focus is never on the prophet himself but on the Lord who empowers His servants.
The remainder of the chapter records miracles that reveal God's compassion, holiness, and authority. Through Elisha, bitter waters are healed and God's holiness is upheld. The Lord continues revealing Himself to His people through His faithful prophet.

Theologically, 2 Kings 2 teaches that God's work is never dependent upon one individual. He faithfully raises up new servants to continue His purposes from generation to generation. The chapter also emphasizes that spiritual ministry depends entirely upon God's power rather than human ability.
This chapter points beautifully to Christ. Elijah's ministry prepared the way for future revelation, while Elisha continued God's work through the power given to him. Jesus, however, is greater than both prophets. He not only performs miracles but gives His Holy Spirit to every believer, empowering the Church to continue His mission until He returns.

For believers today, 2 Kings 2 reminds us that God's work continues across generations. Faithful servants may finish their course, but God's mission remains unchanged. In Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit, who equips us to serve faithfully and carry the gospel forward. We are called to remain committed, depend upon God's power, and trust that the Lord who called us will also enable us to accomplish His purposes.

2 Corinthians 9 — Generosity That Reflects the Grace of the Christ

2 Corinthians chapter 9 continues the theme of generous giving by revealing that true generosity flows from a heart transformed by the Christ, the Son of God. The chapter moves beyond the practical act of giving to reveal the spiritual principles behind it. The redemptive plan produces people whose lives overflow with gratitude, generosity, and joyful worship because they have first received the immeasurable grace of God through the Christ.

The chapter begins by encouraging believers to be ready and willing in their generosity. Paul desires that their giving reflect sincere love rather than pressure or obligation. Christian living is never driven by guilt or compulsion. Instead, it flows from hearts that have been changed by the grace of the Son of God. The believer's generosity becomes an outward expression of an inward transformation.

Paul then introduces the principle of sowing and reaping. Throughout Scripture, God has established that what is sown faithfully produces a corresponding harvest. This principle is not presented as a formula for personal wealth but as an illustration of God's faithful provision. Those who give generously for His purposes discover that the Lord continues to supply what is needed for every good work. The redemptive plan teaches believers to trust the Christ as their provider rather than placing confidence in earthly resources.

A central emphasis of the chapter is cheerful giving. God delights in willing hearts that give joyfully because they understand His generosity toward them. The greatest example of giving is the Christ Himself, who freely gave His life to accomplish salvation. Christian living reflects that same spirit of joyful generosity. The Son of God never gave reluctantly, and His followers are called to imitate His heart.

Paul reminds the believers that God is able to provide abundantly for every need. This promise does not encourage self-indulgence but faithful stewardship. The Christ provides so that His people may continue serving others and advancing His kingdom. The redemptive plan equips believers not merely to receive blessings but to become channels through which God's blessings reach others.

The chapter also highlights the far-reaching results of generosity. Faithful giving meets practical needs, strengthens fellow believers, and produces thanksgiving to God. As people witness God's provision through His people, their hearts are directed toward worship. Christian living therefore extends beyond personal obedience to becoming a testimony of God's faithfulness before others.

Another important theme is that generosity demonstrates the sincerity of faith. Giving becomes visible evidence that believers truly understand the gospel they profess. The Christ has transformed their priorities, replacing selfishness with sacrificial love. The redemptive plan is displayed not only through words but through lives that willingly invest in God's purposes.

Paul also describes the unity that generous giving creates within the body of Christ. As believers care for one another across different places and circumstances, they demonstrate the reality that they belong to one family under the lordship of the Son of God. The generosity of one group strengthens another, creating deeper fellowship and mutual thanksgiving.

The chapter concludes with an outburst of praise centered on God's indescribable gift. Every act of Christian generosity ultimately points back to the greatest gift ever given—the gift of the Christ Himself. Everything believers possess, including salvation, grace, hope, and eternal life, has come through the Son of God. All generosity begins and ends with Him.

Throughout this chapter, the Christ remains the perfect example of selfless giving. His sacrifice is the source from which all Christian generosity flows. The redemptive plan transforms hearts so completely that giving becomes an act of worship rather than obligation, producing thanksgiving to God and blessing to His people.

For believers today, this chapter calls us to cultivate hearts of joyful generosity. Christian living is not measured by how much we possess but by how faithfully we steward what God has entrusted to us. We are reminded that the Son of God is our faithful provider, enabling us to give with confidence and joy. As we generously invest our lives, resources, and opportunities in His kingdom, we participate in His redemptive plan, strengthen His Church, and bring glory to the Christ, whose indescribable gift has changed our lives forever.

#DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

Canadian officials proceeded with lethal injection after an 83-year-old grandmother stayed silent
An 83-year-old Christian grandmother who had already rejected assisted suicide was euthanized under Canada’s MAiD program after her family says she never gave the required final verbal consent.
Brigitte Stegemann, known to her family as GG, lived at The Pearl long-term care facility in Belleville, Ontario, and had been diagnosed with untreatable Stage IV stomach cancer five months earlier.
Two months before her death she clearly told staff she did not want Medical Assistance in Dying because it violated her Christian faith and she wanted to die naturally.
While her granddaughter, who held legal power of attorney and had advocated for her for more than 12 years, was away on a 10-day vacation, facility staff reopened the conversation privately without informing the family.
Stegemann was completely deaf in one ear and could hear only minimally in the other, and she was frequently lethargic and unresponsive.
During formal assessments on July 6th and 7th she gave incorrect answers to basic questions, saying she had no siblings even though she was the second-youngest of 14 children, and claiming none of her siblings were still alive when some were and she had spoken with one the previous week.
She became disoriented, cried, and confused her surviving siblings with her great-grandchildren.
The family corrected most of her answers and challenged the physician on how she could be declared capable.
The doctor still ruled her capable of consenting, ordered the family out of the room, and scheduled the procedure for July 10th.
Staff later admitted the death date had been set before the official paperwork was finished, and facility employees completed and witnessed the forms themselves.
Officials even tried to move the injection forward by a full day to fit the physician’s schedule.
On the morning of July 10th, the family took Stegemann outside for fresh air and gave her a scoop of her favorite strawberry ice cream while waiting for her pastor, as she had requested.
After staff inserted an intravenous line that left blood on her bedding and surroundings, the physician arrived.
The family had been assured she would have to give explicit verbal confirmation immediately beforehand, yet Stegemann remained silent with her hands held in a prayer position.
The clinical team administered the lethal injection anyway.
Her relatives say they were left alarmed and horrified.
They accuse the system of clinical arrogance, secrecy, and a total lack of transparency, describing her death in their public statement as a systemic failure driven by a blatant disregard for the safeguards meant to protect vulnerable patients.
They point out that she had already said no because of her faith, yet staff reopened the subject while her longtime advocate was away, excluded her power of attorney from critical discussions, and proceeded despite her silence at the final moment.
The family is now demanding accountability and asking how an elderly, hearing-impaired woman who could not correctly identify her own family was deemed capable of consenting to her own death.
By April 2026 more than 100,000 Canadians had already died under the MAiD system.
This case shows how protections can collapse for the elderly, hearing-impaired, and cognitively fragile.
Canada’s MAiD program has grown increasingly predatory, expanding far beyond its original limits and routinely placing pressure on the most vulnerable.

What happens when spiritual leadership becomes more concerned with personal benefit than biblical truth?

https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/08/when-spiritual-leadership-becomes-corrupt-micah-3/

In Micah 3:5–8, God confronts false prophets whose message changed depending on what people gave them. When they benefited, they proclaimed peace. When they didn't, their message changed.

Their ministry had become transactional.

And that raises some important questions for us today:

What warning signs reveal that a spiritual leader is becoming more concerned with personal benefit than biblical truth?

Why is it dangerous when a teacher's message changes according to what people want to hear?

What does biblical courage actually look like?

How can we speak difficult truth with both courage and humility?

Micah gives us a striking contrast between corrupted spiritual influence and faithful spiritual leadership.

Power without justice can become abuse.
Courage without truth can become arrogance.
Truth without love can become cruelty.

Faithful leadership isn't about protecting our influence. It's about faithfully stewarding whatever influence God has entrusted to us.

Read the new blog: “When Spiritual Leadership Becomes Corrupt: Lessons from Micah 3:5–8.”

#Micah3 #BibleStudy #ChristianLeadership #SpiritualLeadership #BiblicalLeadership #ChurchLeadership #BiblicalTruth #ChristianLiving #Faith #Integrity

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 8 )

1. Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?

2. She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,

Beside the way, where the paths meet.

3. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:

4. “To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.

5. O you simple ones, understand prudence,
And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

6. Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;

7. For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

9. They are all plain to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.

10. Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;

11. For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

12. “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.

13. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.

14. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength.

15. By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.

16. By me princes rule, and nobles,
All the judges of the earth.

17. I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me.

18. Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring riches and righteousness.

19. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
And my revenue than choice silver.

20. I traverse the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,

21. That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.

22. “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.

23. I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

24. When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.

25. Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;

26. While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields,
Or the primal dust of the world.

27. When He prepared the heavens, I was there,
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

28. When He established the clouds above,
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,

29. When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth,

30. Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,

31. Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men.

32. “Now therefore, listen to me, my children,
For blessed are those who keep my ways.

33. Hear instruction and be wise,
And do not disdain it.

34. Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35. For whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the LORD;

36. But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul;
All those who hate me love death.”

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 8 )

1. Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?

2. She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,

Beside the way, where the paths meet.

3. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:

4. “To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.

5. O you simple ones, understand prudence,
And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

6. Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;

7. For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

9. They are all plain to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.

10. Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;

11. For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

12. “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.

13. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.

14. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength.

15. By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.

16. By me princes rule, and nobles,
All the judges of the earth.

17. I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me.

18. Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring riches and righteousness.

19. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
And my revenue than choice silver.

20. I traverse the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,

21. That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.

22. “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.

23. I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

24. When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.

25. Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;

26. While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields,
Or the primal dust of the world.

27. When He prepared the heavens, I was there,
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

28. When He established the clouds above,
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,

29. When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth,

30. Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,

31. Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men.

32. “Now therefore, listen to me, my children,
For blessed are those who keep my ways.

33. Hear instruction and be wise,
And do not disdain it.

34. Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35. For whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the LORD;

36. But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul;
All those who hate me love death.”

WEDNESDAY 22ND JULY, 2026.


STOP DOING THE WORK OF A POLICEMAN

“Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.” - Luke 7:39 KJV

One of the Pharisees, named Simon, invited Jesus to his house to eat, and Jesus accepted. While they were at the table, a woman from the city, known to be a sinner, came with an alabaster box of ointment to anoint Jesus. When Simon observed this, he thought within himself that if Jesus were truly a prophet, He would have known the kind of woman who was touching Him, for she was a sinner.

This is the attitude many of us display even today. We see others going all out for Christ, and instead of celebrating their devotion, we judge them in our hearts. “Your devotion is too much. You are showing off,” we say silently.

But reflect: if we do not serve God wholeheartedly, who will? If we do not go all out for Jesus, then for whom should we? We must stop this policing of others’ hearts in the Church. Leave the Holy Spirit to do His work. Remember, you were not the person you are now when you first came to church. You sat under the washing of the Word, and it gradually transformed you, refining your character and your heart. And now you presume to judge someone else? Leave them alone.

Instead, help disciple them. Show them that, despite how they appear now, there is a better tomorrow. That is the proper way to respond, not by saying, “Go and clean yourself; you are not good enough.” It is not your responsibility to judge. Your judgmental spirit drives people away from the Church.
Many hypocrites in the Church are quick to point out others’ faults, saying, “I am not like you. I am better than you.” Who gave you the authority to compare yourself with others? Comparison is arrogance. We are called to love, disciple, and build others up, not to belittle them.

Further Reading: Luke 7:36-50, 2 Corinthians 5:16, 2 Corinthians 10:12.