24-08-2026 Bought With a Price 1 Corinthians 6:20 (AMP) “You were actually purchased with a price [by God]; therefore honor and glorify God with your body.” There are moments when we need to remind ourselves of whose we are. The world often tells us that our bodies, our lives, our time, and our choices belong entirely to us. But Scripture gives us a different perspective: we were purchased with a price. That price was not money, success, or anything earthly. It was the precious blood of Jesus Christ. When Jesus gave His life for us, He demonstrated the immeasurable value He placed on us. We are not accidents. We are not worthless. We are not forgotten. We belong to God. Because we have been purchased, Paul tells us to honor and glorify God with our bodies. This means that worship is not limited to singing songs on Sunday. Our worship is expressed through the way we live. What we say matters. What we watch matters. Where we go matters. How we treat others matters. How we care for ourselves matters. What we choose when nobody is watching matters. Every part of our lives can become an offering to God. Today, remember that your life carries a sacred value. You were bought with the greatest price imaginable. Therefore, don't live as though you belong to the world. Live like someone who belongs to Jesus. Before making a decision today, ask yourself: “Does this honor the One who gave everything for me?” You don't have to earn God's love—you already have it. Your response is simply to live in a way that reflects your gratitude for what Christ has done. Prayer Father, thank You for purchasing me at such a great price through Jesus Christ. Help me remember that my life belongs to You. Teach me to honor You with my body, my thoughts, my words, my choices, and my actions. May everything I do bring glory to Your name. When I am tempted to follow the ways of the world, remind me of the price Jesus paid for me. Let my life be a living expression of gratitude and worship. In Jesus' name, Amen. Today’s Reflection I belong to God. I was bought with a price. Therefore, I will honor Him with my life. “You are not your own—you belong to the One who loved you enough to give His life for you.”

Colossians 4:1, NASB “Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.” Goodness gives birth to goodness. Badness gives birth to badness! What you give to others will be given back to you. This is the rule of God's Creation! Take Care! Prayer: Luke 6:38, NASB “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” May we give out of Your Goodness, Mercy and Grace, out of the Heart of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen.

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 21–22 | Galatians 6 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 21 The Depth of Sin and the Patience of God 2 Kings 21 records one of the darkest chapters in Judah's history through the reign of King Manasseh. Unlike his father Hezekiah, who led the nation in spiritual reform, Manasseh reverses nearly every godly change that had been made. He rebuilds the high places, promotes idol worship, practices occult activities, and even places pagan altars within the temple itself. Judah sinks into spiritual corruption unlike anything seen before. The tragedy of Manasseh's reign is not simply that he sins personally, but that he leads an entire nation into greater rebellion. Leadership always carries influence. The king's decisions shape the spiritual direction of the people, and under Manasseh the nation becomes more corrupt than the pagan nations God had originally driven out of the land. Despite such widespread wickedness, God continues speaking through His prophets. He warns Judah repeatedly, calling the people to repentance before judgment comes. Yet the nation refuses to listen. God's patience is extraordinary, but His warnings are not ignored forever. The Lord announces that judgment upon Jerusalem has become inevitable because of persistent and deliberate rebellion. After Manasseh's death, his son Amon continues the same sinful pattern. Rather than learning from the consequences of his father's rebellion, he deepens the nation's decline. His reign is brief, ending through violence, further illustrating the instability that sin produces. Although this chapter emphasizes judgment, it also quietly reveals God's faithfulness. The covenant with David remains intact. Even in the midst of overwhelming darkness, God's redemptive plan continues moving toward the coming Messiah. Human sin cannot overturn divine promises. Theologically, 2 Kings 21 reveals both the seriousness of sin and the remarkable patience of God. Persistent rebellion hardens the heart and eventually brings judgment, yet God's repeated warnings demonstrate His desire that people would repent rather than perish. This chapter points to Christ, who came to bear the judgment that humanity deserved. Where Manasseh filled the land with sin, Jesus came to cleanse sinners through His sacrificial death. The darkness of human rebellion only magnifies the greatness of God's redeeming grace revealed in Christ. For believers today, 2 Kings 21 reminds us never to underestimate the influence of our choices. Sin tolerated today often becomes greater compromise tomorrow. Yet it also reminds us that God's patience is an invitation to repentance. In Christ, forgiveness is available for every repentant heart, and His grace is greater than even the darkest chapters of our lives. 2 Kings 22 Rediscovering God's Word 2 Kings 22 introduces the reign of Josiah, one of Judah's most faithful kings. Coming to the throne as a young boy after generations of spiritual decline, Josiah demonstrates that age does not limit God's ability to use someone who seeks Him wholeheartedly. From the beginning of his reign, he desires to honor the Lord and restore proper worship. As repairs begin on the temple, an extraordinary discovery is made. The Book of the Law is found after having been neglected for many years. The fact that God's Word had been lost within God's own house reveals how far the nation had drifted. Religious activity had continued, but the authority of Scripture had been forgotten. When the book is read to Josiah, his response is immediate and profound. Rather than defending himself or ignoring what he hears, he humbles himself before the Lord. He tears his clothes in grief, recognizing that the nation has failed to obey God's covenant. His heart is broken not merely because judgment has been announced, but because God's people have wandered so far from His truth. Josiah seeks the Lord through the prophetess Huldah, who confirms that God's judgment upon Judah will indeed come because of generations of rebellion. Yet because Josiah humbled himself and responded with genuine repentance, God promises that the coming judgment will not occur during his lifetime. The king experiences God's mercy because he responds to God's Word with humility rather than resistance. The chapter demonstrates that true revival always begins with the rediscovery of God's Word. Spiritual renewal is not produced by emotion or tradition alone but by humble submission to the truth God has revealed. Theologically, 2 Kings 22 teaches that God's Word possesses the power to expose sin, awaken repentance, and lead people back to faithful obedience. It also reveals that God honors humble hearts. While His justice remains certain, His mercy is extended to those who genuinely repent. This chapter points directly to Christ, the living Word of God. Just as the rediscovered Book of the Law brought conviction and renewal, Jesus brings truth, exposes sin, and offers forgiveness to all who come to Him in repentance and faith. He fulfills the Law completely and invites believers into a restored relationship with the Father. For believers today, 2 Kings 22 reminds us that spiritual renewal always begins with God's Word. It is possible to maintain religious routines while neglecting the authority of Scripture. In Christ, we are called to approach God's Word with humility, allowing it to shape our hearts, expose areas needing repentance, and lead us into deeper obedience. When God's people return to His truth, genuine revival begins. Galatians 6 — Living Out the Freedom of the Christ Galatians chapter 6 concludes Paul's letter by showing what life looks like when believers truly understand the gospel of grace. After teaching that salvation is by faith and that believers are called to walk by the Spirit, Paul now demonstrates how these truths are lived out in daily relationships and faithful service. The redemptive plan of the Christ, the Son of God, produces a life marked by humility, compassion, perseverance, and a continual focus on the cross. The chapter begins by instructing believers to restore those who have fallen into sin with gentleness and humility. The goal is never condemnation but restoration. This reflects the heart of the Christ, who came to seek and restore the broken. Christian living requires believers to care for one another while remaining aware of their own need for God's grace. The Son of God calls His people to be instruments of healing rather than harsh judgment. Paul then encourages believers to bear one another's burdens. This command reflects the love of the Christ, who carried the greatest burden of all through His sacrifice on the cross. The redemptive plan creates a community where believers support, encourage, and strengthen one another through life's difficulties. Christian living is never isolated or self-centered but is lived within the fellowship of God's family. At the same time, Paul reminds believers that each person is responsible for faithfully carrying the responsibilities God has entrusted to them. These two truths complement one another. Believers are called both to help others with overwhelming burdens and to faithfully fulfill their own daily responsibilities before the Lord. The Son of God calls His followers to lives of personal faithfulness combined with compassionate service. The chapter introduces the principle of sowing and reaping. Every decision and every action produces consequences. Those who continually invest in sinful desires reap spiritual destruction, while those who continually invest in the things of the Spirit reap eternal blessings. This is not a teaching of salvation by works but a reminder that Christian living produces visible fruit. The redemptive plan transforms believers so that their lives increasingly reflect the character of the Christ. Paul encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good. Faithful obedience often requires perseverance because the harvest is not always immediate. The Son of God calls His people to continue serving faithfully, trusting that God will bring fruit in His perfect timing. Christian living requires patience, endurance, and confidence that every act of obedience matters within God's eternal purposes. Another important emphasis is doing good to everyone, especially to fellow believers. The love of the Christ is never limited to words alone but expresses itself through practical acts of kindness, generosity, and service. The redemptive plan changes the priorities of God's people, leading them to seek opportunities to bless others as they have first been blessed by the Son of God. As Paul concludes the letter, he once again contrasts those who boast in religious performance with those who boast only in the cross of the Christ. The false teachers sought recognition through outward religious achievements, but Paul points entirely to the cross. Everything necessary for salvation has been accomplished through the Son of God. Christian living begins and ends with gratitude for His finished work rather than confidence in personal accomplishment. The chapter closes by declaring that what truly matters is the new creation brought about through the Christ. Outward religious distinctions cannot produce spiritual life. Only the redemptive plan accomplished by the Son of God can transform the human heart. Those who belong to Him have become new creations, and their lives now reflect His grace rather than their own efforts. Throughout Galatians chapter 6, the Christ remains the center of the believer's life. His cross provides salvation, His Spirit produces transformation, and His grace empowers faithful service. The redemptive plan creates a people who love one another, persevere in doing good, and live for His glory alone. For believers today, this chapter reminds us that true Christian living is the practical outworking of the gospel. We are called to restore the fallen with gentleness, carry one another's burdens, faithfully fulfill our own responsibilities, and never grow weary in serving the Lord. Our confidence rests entirely in the cross of the Christ, not in ourselves. As we walk by the Spirit and continue sowing lives of faithfulness, love, and obedience, we demonstrate the transforming power of the Son of God and participate in His eternal redemptive plan. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

Fear is a clever adversary. When we think of fear, the first things that come to mind are old, decrepit Victorian mansions or abandoned houses fueled by stories of stories of swinging chandeliers or doors that creak open on their own. Or we might think of less dramatic fears: heights or flying or small spaces. Unless you’re suffering from one of these or other phobias—or ghosts—it is rather easy to simply discard fear as something other people experience. But fear is not so simple. Most often, it sneaks into mind and festers and builds like a bacteria that, if untreated, to infection, sepsis, and even death. You can try preventative measures to keep it at bay, but bacteria can still get in. And you never know until you’re infected until the symptoms appear. This is the primary modus operandi of fear. It sneaks in, debilitates, and even paralyzes. Ultimately, it renders its victim completely helpless. This came to light during an unrelated discussion with my wife. We have been trying to put the finishing touches on my next manuscript, which frankly has been simmering on the backburner over the last several due to life distractions. Currently, it is coming down to fact-checking and formatting endnotes. It is especially nerve-racking because, unlike my previous book, we chose to self-publish this one. We have to get it right. It is all on us. It’s been difficult to release the manuscript. We’re haunted by the questions: is there more that can be done? Is the subject even all that relevant anymore? What am I missing? We check and recheck every detail. We don’t want to let go and send it into a very cruel world. We both recognized this paralysis after hearing ourselves begin everything with the phrase: “I’m afraid…” This realization suddenly made this year make sense. I have felt a bit off most of the year. I have become more subdued, resigned, troubled. I thought I was hiding it okay until a former (and very discerning) student came up to me recently and asked, “Mr. H., are you sad?” That simple, innocent question shook me into an awareness. I don’t necessarily think I am depressed, but something is not right. Since then, between that question and this recent epiphany with my wife, I realized that fear has crept into my life and is now controlling my psyche. The first part of 2026 has been difficult. Now, I won’t pretend that it was somehow more difficult than others. But it has been tough. The remainder of 2026 has been trying to recover from it. Last March, within days of the door slamming shut on my wife’s 25-year career, I lost my mom. In a way, I lost her over the last several years as she sank into dementia, but last March her battle ended. Add this to standard stresses associated with a second semester in a high school, which in and of itself is enough to deplete my tanks. Now I have to tap into mental and emotional resources that don’t exist. Fast forward to the present and I can see how God was with us in the storm. He gave me mental and emotionally resources, I never knew existed. He took care of us despite a huge income drop and being uninsured for a couple of month. Further, I know that my mom is now thinking more clearly than I could ever dream. God gets the glory. However, the enemy used a different tactic to paralyze me. Out of these hardship, fear crept in. And now I realize I am infected with it. Watching my mom sink into the darkness of dementia, I have become afraid that one day I might suffer from that myself. I am afraid of losing my mind. Unfortunately, once fear has a foothold, it doesn’t stop there. Fear escalated from fearing dementia to fearing getting old in general. I am only a few months away from leaving behind my fifties forever. I began to fear getting old. I fear my body slowing down. Simple things become a little harder. My back, my knees, and feet start to hurt a little more. I have a little more trouble hearing someone in a noisy room. I am doing that weird thing with my glasses when transitioning between reading close up and at a distance. It takes longer to get over a cold. Last July, I turned an ankle in Colorado that still aches today. The thought of not driving because driving in the winter or at night just isn’t worth the risk. I don’t want to give up the things that require the energy I had when I was young. How many summer road trips do I have left? What happens when I can no longer match the energy of a classroom of high school students? Fear takes that into a whole new direction. I really don’t want to stop teaching. I love the classroom. I love the cycle of the school calendar. But what happens when my body can’t keep up? Can my filters remain strong enough to keep me from saying something mean or stupid? Will I become tiresome, or in the way? Can I keep my teaching style and not turn into a grumpy old stooge? Worse yet, what happens when I become irrelevant? I have found myself somewhat paralyzed by this fear. And it has dragged me down. It has made me “look sad.” All of this came together with the recent discussion with my wife. Fear has overtaken me. It has taken control of me. But is it too late? Thankfully, no. The most used phrase in the entirety of scripture is: “do not be afraid.” However, one important observation that seems to be overlooked is that that phrase is almost always spoken from the supernatural point of view: God to human, Jesus to human, heavenly messenger to human. From a broader, heavenly perspective to a limited, natural one. “Do not be afraid.” I have thought about this constantly since that epiphany I had with my wife. I should not—must not—live in fear. Not as a child of the King. But how do you switch fear off? It is not as simple as a light switch. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” The enemy’s game plan is to always whisper thoughts into our head that will trigger fear. We have to be on guard always. When we get the sense of fear, we must be deliberate and take that thought captive and replace it with truth: “My God is bigger”; “He is my protector and comforter”; “This thought is not coming from him”. Fear does not sit on the throne, God does. Fear, by definition, is limited, God is infinite. Fear is merely a tool, God is the creator of everything, including us who are made in gis image. Only God can break through the paralysis fear brings and can heal us. Does that mean those things I fear will never happen? No. They likely will. But however the upcoming years pan out, he is with you, with me. And whatever the future brings, God is God. And he is good.

SUNDAY EVENING DEVOTION & PRAYER 📖 Bible Reading — Psalm 4:8 «“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”» REST IN GOD’S CARE As this Sunday comes to an end, let us pause and thank God for carrying us through another day. Whatever burdens, disappointments, unanswered prayers, or worries we may have, tonight we can place them in God’s hands. We do not need to enter the new week with fear. The same God who has been with us today will go before us tomorrow. Let us trust Him with our families, work, businesses, plans, finances, and future. Tonight, choose peace over worry, faith over fear, and thanksgiving over anxiety. SUNDAY EVENING PRAYER Heavenly Father, Thank You for this Sunday and for bringing us safely to the end of another day. Thank You for Your protection, mercy, provision, and unfailing love. As night falls, we surrender every burden into Your hands. Forgive us where we have fallen short and give us strength to walk faithfully with You. Give us peaceful hearts and restful sleep. Protect our families and loved ones throughout this night. Go before us into the new week. Guide our decisions, bless the work of our hands, and help us to trust You even when we cannot see what lies ahead. May Your presence remain with us, and may Your peace fill our homes. We surrender this night and the coming week into Your hands. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen. GOOD NIGHT & GOD BLESS YOU May the peace of Christ guard your heart, your home, and your family throughout this night. Have a blessed Sunday evening and a peaceful week ahead.

To be more specific, all the Christians in a local assembly are called to • be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10) • honor one another (Rom. 12:10) • live in harmony with one another (Rom. 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8) • love one another (Rom. 13:8; 1 Thess. 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11) • edify one another (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thess. 5:11b) • accept one another (Rom. 15:7) • instruct one another (Rom. 15:14) • greet one another (Rom. 16:16) • agree with one another (1 Cor. 1:10) • discipline fallen members (1 Cor. 5:3–5; 6:1–6) • organize the church’s affairs (1 Cor. 11:33–34; 14:39–40; 16:2–3) • care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25) • prophesy one by one (1 Cor. 14:31) • abound in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58) • serve one another (Gal. 5:13) • bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2) • bear with one another (Eph. 4:2) • be kind and compassionate to one another (Eph. 4:32) • speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19) • submit to one another (Eph. 5:21) • forgive one another (Col. 3:13) • teach one another (Col. 3:16) • admonish one another (Col. 3:16) • encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11) • warn the unruly (1 Thess. 5:14) • comfort the feeble (1 Thess. 5:14) • support the weak (1 Thess. 5:14) • exhort one another (Heb. 3:13; 10:25) • incite one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24) • pray for one another (James 5:16) • confess sins to one another (James 5:16) • offer hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9) • be humble toward one another (1 Peter 5:5) • fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)

August 23 🌿 “WHO GOD IS TO ME” MY KEEPER 📖 Psalm 121:5 (LLV) — “The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.” There is comfort in knowing someone is watching over us. Not watching to find fault. Not watching from a distance. Watching because we matter to them. The psalmist says, “The LORD is your keeper.” He guards. He watches. He preserves. He cares. Earlier in this psalm, the writer looks toward the hills and asks, “Where does my help come from?” His answer is immediate. “My help comes from the LORD.” Then he tells us something remarkable about this Keeper. “He who keeps you will not slumber.” We grow tired. God does not. We become distracted. God does not. We sometimes fail to see the danger ahead. God does not. There is never a moment when God's attention wanders from His children. But then the psalmist makes the picture even more intimate. “The LORD is your shade at your right hand.” In the fierce heat of the ancient world, shade was not merely comfortable. It could mean survival. And shade cannot protect you from far away. It must be near. Very near. The psalmist could have said that God watches us from heaven. That would have been true. Instead, he describes God as shade beside us. Close enough to shelter. Close enough to protect. Close enough to remain at our side. We may not recognize every danger from which God has protected us. We may never know how many paths were quietly redirected, how many doors remained closed, or how many circumstances God used to keep us from something we could not see. But our confidence does not depend upon knowing everything God is doing. It rests in knowing who He is. My Keeper. The One who watches when I sleep. The One who sees what I cannot. The One who remains beside me through every step of the journey. A new beginning rests beneath this promise: I do not know everything that lies ahead, but my Keeper does—and He never stops watching over me. Reflection: Can I trust God's watchful care even when I cannot see what He may be protecting me from or how He is guiding my path? Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my Keeper. Thank You for watching over me when I am awake and when I sleep, when I understand the road ahead and when I do not. Help me trust Your protection even when I cannot see what You are doing. Remind me that You are not distant, but near—my shade at my right hand. Let me walk through today resting in Your faithful care. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Sunday, 23rd August, 2026 TITLE: "SEEK GOD FIRST, AND TRUST HIM TO PROVIDE" ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S) Matthew 6:33 (KJV) "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Psalm 84:11 (KJV) "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." QUOTE TO REFLECT ON "Put God first, and trust Him to take care of what concerns you." DAY'S REFLECTION Life is filled with legitimate needs—food, clothing, shelter, finances, relationships, work, health, and the future. These concerns can easily become so important that they take first place in our hearts. Jesus therefore gives us a powerful principle in Matthew 6:33: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." To seek first means to make something your highest priority. Jesus is teaching us that God must not be an addition to our lives; He must be at the centre of our lives. The kingdom of God refers to God's rule, authority, and purposes. To seek His righteousness means to desire a life that agrees with His character and Word. Jesus then gives a promise: "all these things shall be added unto you." This does not mean that God promises every material desire or that believers will never experience hardship. Rather, it assures us that when we put God first, we can trust Him with our genuine needs and refuse to live controlled by anxiety. Psalm 84:11 describes God as both a "sun and shield." The sun provides light, warmth, and direction, while a shield provides protection. God therefore provides what we need for our journey and protects us as we walk with Him. The verse continues: "The LORD will give grace and glory." Grace is God's enabling favour and strength for the journey. Glory speaks of the honour and blessing that come from His presence and purposes. The psalmist concludes that "no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Life experience teaches us that people often become anxious because they want to control tomorrow today. But God calls us to trust Him one day at a time. Our responsibility is to seek Him, obey His Word, work diligently, and walk uprightly. God's responsibility is to sustain, guide, protect, and provide according to His wisdom. Therefore, examine your priorities today. Is God truly first, or have worries, money, career, relationships, possessions, or personal ambitions taken His place? When God occupies first place, everything else can be placed in its proper position. Seek Him first. Walk uprightly. Trust His provision. MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S) Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV) "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." Philippians 4:19 (KJV) "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS) 1. God must remain the highest priority in our lives. 2. Seeking God first helps us maintain the right perspective about material needs. 3. God is both our provider and our protector. 4. We should not allow anxiety about tomorrow to control today's obedience. 5. Walking uprightly positions us to enjoy God's grace and guidance. 6. Trusting God does not remove responsibility; it helps us fulfil our responsibilities with faith. EVERYDAY ACTION Put God first today: pray, obey His Word, do your work diligently, and trust Him with your needs. PRAYER Heavenly Father, help me seek Your kingdom and righteousness above everything else. Be my provider, protector, and guide, and teach me to trust You with every need. In Jesus' name, Amen. DECLARATION God is first in my life. I seek His kingdom and righteousness, and I trust Him to provide for my needs. The Lord is my sun and shield; He gives me grace, protection, and direction. I will walk uprightly and confidently in His provision. Amen. Devotion by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo 📞 +233 544 295 158 Follow us on WhatsApp 👇👇👇 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P

William Gurnall, on the necessity of imparting the knowledge of God and religion to our children: “Every private family is as a little nursery to the church. If the nursery be not carefully planted, the orchard will soon decay. O could you be willing, Christians, that your children, when you are laid in the dust, should be turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine, and prove a generation that do not know God? Atheism needs not be planted; you do enough to make your children such, if you do not endeavour to plant religion in their minds. The very neglect of the gardener to sow and dress his garden, gives advantage enough to the weeds to come up. This is the difference between religion and atheism, Religion doth not grow without planting, but will die even where it is planted, without watering; atheism, irreligion, and profaneness are weeds [that] will grow without setting, but they will not die without plucking up. All care and means are little enough to stub them up. And therefore you that are parents, and do not teach your children, deal the more unrighteously with God, because you neglect the best season in their whole life for planting in them the knowledge of God, and plucking up the contrary weeds of atheism and irreligion. Young weeds come up with most ease. Simple ignorance in youth becomes wilful ignorance, yea, impudence in age; you will not instruct them when young, and they will scorn that their ministers should, when they are old.”

August 23 - Jesus Touches an Untouchable #LifeOfChrist “A woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; for she was saying to herself, ‘If I only touch His garment, I will get well.’ But Jesus turning and seeing her said, ‘Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.’ At once the woman was made well” (Matthew 9:20–22). When the godly Sir James Simpson was on his deathbed, a friend said to him, “Well, James, soon you will be able to rest on the bosom of Jesus.” But Simpson replied, “I don’t know that I can quite do that, but I do think I can take hold of His garment.” In her shame at being ostracized from her family and being ceremonially unclean, the woman here wanted to be unnoticed. She merely desired to touch Jesus’ garment, confident that such contact was enough to receive healing. In keeping with such confidence, she received immediate healing from her defilement. Our Lord became aware of what had happened only as He realized that divine power had gone out from Him (Luke 8:46)—a realization that happened before He humanly knew of the woman specifically. His statement, “your faith has made you well,” simply assured her and the crowd that miraculous healing had occurred. Jesus did not care that her touching Him would make Him ceremonially unclean to the Jews. The Lord was touchable even by an untouchable. Even though the woman’s expectations were likely not fully informed by Scripture—she might have superstitiously thought Christ’s clothes had inherent healing powers—He spoke to her caringly and compassionately: “Daughter, take courage.” In spite of other factors, the woman’s faith was genuine and acceptable to the Lord. It was enough to make her well. Ask Yourself Part of the balance of Christian faith is realizing that we are unworthy to touch the hem of His garment, yet are welcomed into His full embrace as an adopted member of His family. How do these two seeming incongruities come together and balance out in your worship?