We are celebrating 'Onam' festival, today

HAPPY 'ONAM' TO ALL MY DEAR FRIENDS, ALL OVER THE WORLD .

Onam is the official state festival of Kerala, India, celebrating the annual harvest and the mythical homecoming of the generous king Mahabali. Onam is celebrated by all communities in Kerala regardless of their background, standing as a symbol of unity, joy, and shared cultural heritage .

Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 25 | Ephesians 2

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

2 Kings 25

The Fall of Jerusalem and the Hope That Remains

2 Kings 25 concludes the historical record of the books of Kings with the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. It is a heartbreaking chapter, yet it is not merely the story of a nation's defeat. It is the fulfillment of God's long-declared warnings through generations of prophets. What God had patiently announced for centuries now comes to pass exactly as He said.

The Babylonian army lays siege to Jerusalem until famine overwhelms the city. Eventually, the walls are breached, and King Zedekiah attempts to flee. He is captured, witnesses the destruction of his family, and is taken into exile. The collapse of Judah's final earthly kingdom illustrates the devastating consequences of persistent rebellion against the Lord.

The Babylonians then destroy Jerusalem. The temple is burned, the city walls are torn down, and many of the people are carried away into captivity. The place where God's people had gathered for worship now lies in ruins. The visible symbols of Israel's strength, security, and identity are removed. Yet even as the temple falls, God's presence is not defeated. The Lord is never confined to buildings or earthly kingdoms. His covenant purposes continue beyond what human eyes can see.
A small remnant remains in the land under the leadership of Gedaliah, offering a brief opportunity for stability. Yet even this hope is disrupted through violence and fear, causing many to flee to Egypt despite God's repeated warnings. The chapter demonstrates that human hearts remain prone to trust their own plans rather than God's direction.

The book closes with an unexpected note of hope. Years after the exile begins, Jehoiachin, a descendant of David, is released from prison and shown kindness by the king of Babylon. Though seemingly small, this closing scene carries profound theological significance. The royal line of David has not been extinguished. God's covenant promise remains alive. The story is not over.
This quiet ending points beyond exile to restoration. Though the kingdom has fallen, God's redemptive plan continues moving toward the coming of the Messiah. The final chapter of Kings leaves readers looking forward to the greater King whom God has promised.

Theologically, 2 Kings 25 reveals both God's perfect justice and His unwavering faithfulness. His judgment against sin is certain, yet His covenant promises remain secure. Even in exile, God preserves hope because His purposes cannot fail.
This chapter points directly to Jesus Christ. The preserved line of David ultimately leads to the birth of the Messiah, the eternal King whose kingdom will never be destroyed. Earthly Jerusalem fell because of sin, but Christ establishes a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Through His death and resurrection, He restores what humanity's rebellion had broken and opens the way for all who trust Him to become citizens of His everlasting kingdom.

For believers today, 2 Kings 25 reminds us that even the darkest moments of history cannot cancel God's promises. Loss, discipline, and hardship are never the end of God's story. In Christ, hope remains because our King reigns forever. We may experience seasons that feel like exile, but God's faithfulness never changes. His redemptive plan continues, His promises stand secure, and His kingdom will one day be fully established in perfect righteousness and everlasting peace.

Ephesians 2 — Saved by Grace and United in the Christ

Ephesians chapter 2 reveals the heart of God's redemptive plan by showing how the Christ, the Son of God, rescues sinners, gives them new life, and unites them into one family. After celebrating the spiritual blessings found in the Christ in chapter 1, Paul now explains how those blessings became ours. This chapter moves from humanity's desperate condition apart from God to the glorious transformation accomplished entirely through His grace. Christian living begins by understanding that salvation is God's work from beginning to end.

The chapter opens by describing humanity's condition apart from the Christ. Spiritually separated from God and unable to rescue themselves, people naturally follow the patterns of a fallen world and the desires of their sinful nature. This description reminds believers that salvation is never earned because humanity has no ability to bring itself back to God. The redemptive plan begins with God's mercy toward those who were completely unable to save themselves.

The turning point of the chapter comes with the overwhelming declaration of God's mercy and love. Because of His great love, God acted through the Christ to give life to those who were spiritually dead. The Son of God accomplished what humanity never could. Christian living is rooted in this reality: believers stand before God because of His grace, not because of their goodness. Every aspect of salvation points back to His mercy.

Paul repeatedly emphasizes that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith. It is not the result of human achievement or religious performance. This truth protects the believer from pride and continually directs all glory to the Christ. The redemptive plan leaves no room for boasting because everything necessary for salvation has already been accomplished through the Son of God.

The chapter then explains that believers are God's workmanship, created anew in the Christ for lives of faithful service. Good works do not produce salvation, but they naturally flow from it. Christian living is the result of a transformed heart. The Son of God saves His people not only from sin but also for a life that reflects His character and fulfills His purposes.

Paul next addresses the separation that once existed between different groups of people. Through the Christ, barriers of hostility have been removed, and those who were once divided have been brought together into one new people. The redemptive plan creates unity where there was once division. The Son of God is the source of true peace because He reconciles people to God and to one another.

This reconciliation extends beyond human relationships to the believer's relationship with God Himself. Those who were once far away have been brought near through the sacrifice of the Christ. Access to the Father is now available because of His finished work. Christian living is lived in the confidence of this restored relationship, knowing that believers are welcomed into God's presence through the Son of God.

The chapter continues by describing the Church as God's household and His holy temple. Believers are no longer strangers or outsiders but members of God's family. Together they are being built into a dwelling place where God lives by His Spirit. The redemptive plan is not only individual but also corporate. The Christ is building a people who reflect His glory together as one body.

The foundation of this spiritual house is firmly established upon the truth of God's Word, with the Christ Himself as the cornerstone. Everything in the believer's life and in the Church must remain aligned with Him. Christian living remains stable only when it is centered on the Son of God.

Throughout Ephesians chapter 2, the Christ is revealed as the giver of life, the source of grace, the bringer of peace, and the cornerstone of God's eternal kingdom. Every aspect of the believer's salvation, identity, and purpose is found in Him. The redemptive plan transforms those who were spiritually dead into living members of God's family and joins them together for His glory.

For believers today, this chapter reminds us that our salvation is entirely the work of God's grace through the Christ. Christian living is not an attempt to earn God's acceptance but a joyful response to His mercy. We are called to live as God's workmanship, pursuing the good works He has prepared for us while walking in unity with fellow believers. As we remain firmly built upon the Son of God, we become living stones in His spiritual house, displaying His grace and participating in His eternal redemptive plan.

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

WEDNESDAY 26TH AUGUST 2026
IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL

Topic: Stop Comparing Your Life With Others

Bible Reference

But let each one examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, without comparing himself with someone else.
Galatians 6:4 (NIV)

A Short Story

Grace was 25 years old and had recently completed her university education. She had always been grateful for her progress, but things changed when she became more active on social media. Every morning, she opened her phone and saw people she knew announcing new jobs, getting married, buying cars, travelling to different countries, starting businesses, and celebrating different achievements.

At first, Grace was happy for them. After some time, however, she began to feel unhappy with herself. One of her classmates had secured a good job shortly after graduation, while Grace was still searching for work. Another friend had started a successful fashion business. Someone else had recently bought a car. A former schoolmate had even announced her wedding.

Grace began asking herself difficult questions. What am I doing with my life? Why is everybody moving forward except me? Have I wasted my time? Maybe I am not good enough.

She started feeling ashamed whenever people asked what she was doing. Instead of seeing the things she had already achieved, she focused only on what other people had that she did not have.

One evening, Grace visited her aunt, who noticed that she was unusually quiet. After listening to her, her aunt asked her to put her phone away and write down five things she was grateful for.

Grace initially struggled to think of five things. Eventually, she wrote down her education, her family, her health, the skills she had developed, and the opportunity to start again. Her aunt then asked her another question.

“If you keep looking at another person's journey, how will you have time to focus on yours?”

That question stayed with Grace.

She realised that she had been measuring her life with other people's timelines. She had forgotten that people do not all start from the same place, receive the same opportunities, or grow at the same speed.

Grace decided to stop using other people's achievements as a measure of her own worth. She began applying for jobs more seriously, improving her skills, and working on a small business idea she had neglected. She still celebrated other people's success, but she no longer allowed their success to make her hate her own journey.

Today's Message

Comparison is one of the easiest ways to lose your peace. You can be doing well and still feel like a failure when you constantly measure yourself against somebody else.

As a young person, you may look at your classmates, friends, colleagues, relatives, or people you follow online and feel that you are behind. Someone may already have a good job while you are still searching. Someone may be married while you are still single. Someone may have children while you are still waiting. Someone may own a business while you are still trying to discover what you can do. Someone may be travelling, building a house, buying a car, or becoming popular while you are still taking small steps.

It is easy to forget that you are looking at their results without seeing their entire journey.

Social media can make this problem worse because people usually show their best moments. You may see someone's new car but not the years of struggle behind it. You may see a beautiful wedding but not know the difficulties the couple faced before getting there. You may see a successful business but not know how many times the person failed before becoming successful.

When you compare your ordinary days with somebody else's best moments, you can easily become discouraged.

The Bible says in Galatians 6:4 that each person should examine his own work instead of comparing himself with someone else. God did not create you to become a copy of another person. He gave you your own abilities, opportunities, responsibilities, and journey.

This does not mean that you should become careless about your progress. You should learn from successful people. You should allow good examples to motivate you. You should celebrate the achievements of others and ask yourself what you can learn from them. There is a difference between learning from someone and becoming jealous of the person.

Comparison becomes dangerous when another person's progress makes you despise your own life.

You may be wondering why your life is taking longer than you expected. Perhaps you prayed for something and it has not happened yet. Perhaps you have worked hard but have not seen the results you expected. Perhaps people younger than you are already achieving things you hoped to achieve.

Do not allow this to make you believe that God has forgotten you.

Your life is not a race against your friends.

You have your own assignment.

You have your own season.

You have your own responsibilities.

You have your own opportunities.

Instead of constantly asking, Why am I not like this person? ask, What should I be doing with what God has placed in my hands?

That question will change your focus.

If you spend all your time watching somebody else's life, you may neglect your own. While you are watching another person's progress, there may be opportunities around you that you are failing to recognise.

David did not become king by trying to become Jonathan. Esther did not fulfil her purpose by trying to become another woman. Peter's journey was different from John's, yet Jesus had a purpose for both of them.

Your journey may be different from the person beside you, and that is not necessarily a problem.

Do not rush into marriage because your friends are getting married. Do not enter a business because everyone seems to be making money from it. Do not choose a career simply because it is popular. Do not spend money trying to look successful because you are afraid of what people will think.

Build your own life wisely.

Be grateful for where you are while working faithfully toward where you want to be. You can desire growth without hating your present situation. You can pray for more without being ungrateful for what you already have.

Remember that slow progress is still progress.

Some seeds take longer to grow than others. What matters is that you keep planting, keep learning, keep praying, keep working, and keep trusting God.

Your story is still being written.

What To Do Today

1. Take a break from comparing your life with people around you or people you follow online.

2. Write down five things you are grateful for and thank God for them.

3. Identify one area of your life that needs improvement and make a practical plan to grow in that area.

4. Celebrate someone else's achievement today without allowing it to make you feel inferior.

Prayer

Lord, help me to stop comparing my life with other people. Teach me to appreciate what You have given me and to be faithful with the opportunities in my hands. When I see other people's success, help me to celebrate them without becoming discouraged. Give me patience to trust Your timing and wisdom to work faithfully in my own season. Help me to focus on my purpose and become the person You have created me to be. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Challenge

Today, stop asking why your life is not like someone else's. Instead, ask yourself: What can I do with what God has given me?

Focus on your journey, take one meaningful step, and trust God with the rest.

Anthony Ijere
Christian Author and Revivalist

The 𝐒𝐭. 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞 took place beginning on 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟒, 𝟏𝟓𝟕𝟐, in Paris and spreading across France, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 30,000 French Huguenots.

The Third War of Religion in France between Roman Catholics and Protestant Huguenots had come to a negotiated end in 1570. Henry III of Navarre and Margaret of Valois were married in Paris on August 18, 1572, and consequently, a large number of leading French Huguenots were in the city for the event.

On August 22, while walking home, French Huguenot Admiral Gaspard de Coligny was shot in the street by an unknown assailant who escaped. He was severely injured, but recuperating at home when, at the instigation of Margaret's mother, Queen Catherine de' Medici (mother of King Charles IX), Henry, Duke of Guise and his men finished the job by stabbing Coligny and throwing him out of his window.

This led to a widespread, semi-organized wave of violence against French Huguenot leaders and citizens. Bodies were thrown into the River Seine (over 1000 washed ashore in the coming days). Petrus Ramus, the philosopher, was killed in Paris, and Claude Goudimel, the composer who played a major role in the production of the Genevan Psalter, was killed in Lyon. The severed head of Coligny was sent to the Pope (but apparently not delivered), and the Pope rejoiced in the slaughter of the Hugenots, celebrating with a gold medal created for the occasion, and ordering a Te Deum to be sung to God in thanksgiving for the event. When Philip I of Spain heard the news, he "laughed, for almost the only time on record."

English playwright Christopher Marlowe wrote a play to tell the story called 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑠 (1593), and the massacre has been retold in many other works of literature since. It was one of the most infamous atrocities ever perpetrated against Christians since the time of the Reformation.

GSIM FAMILY, THE MOMENT IS HERE!

OUR FATHER IS COMING HOME!

When a Father comes home, the children gather.
When a General of Faith returns, the Kingdom celebrates!

Gospel Spirit International Missions [GSIM], in collaboration with Hallelujah Gospel City Assembly [HAGCA], is delighted to announce a special HOME COMING RECEPTION SERVICE in honour of our Father, Mentor, Shepherd and Grand Patron of Faith, Rev. Uyobong Richard.

After serving with Christ Faith Church Claudia Cable, North America Branch, in the United States of America, our Father is returning home!

This is more than a homecoming—it is a moment of HONOUR, GRATITUDE, CELEBRATION AND THANKSGIVING TO GOD!

For many of us, his spiritual investment has helped shape our lives, establish spiritual foundations and launch us into our various assignments in Christian ministry.

Now, it is our turn to say:

THANK YOU, FATHER!
WELCOME HOME!

Wednesday, August 26, 2026
5:00 PM PROMPT
Hallelujah Gospel City Assembly [HAGCA]
#37 Faith Road, Off Nkemba Street, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

EVERYONE CONNECTED TO GSIM & HAGCA IS INVITED!

Friends.
Families.
Partners.
Members.
Ministers.
Sons and daughters.
Lovers of the Gospel.

LET US TURN UP IN OUR NUMBERS!

Let's give our Father a homecoming worthy of the Father—a celebration he will never forget!

A FATHER IS COMING HOME.
A LEGACY IS BEING HONOURED.
A FAMILY IS GATHERING.
THE KINGDOM IS CELEBRATING!

WELCOME HOME, FATHER!

SEE YOU THERE!

#GSIM
#GSIMFamily #WelcomeHomeFather #HomeComingReception
#HAGCA
#Uyo
#AkwaIbom
#GeneralOfFaith #HonouringOurFather #KingdomFamily

The Kitchen Newsletter

Good day,
Welcome to The Kitchen, where we explore, prepare and serve the contents in the Body of the Word as the delicacies of God—to create the form of the Father on the earth, to make the earth in His likeness, and to take charge of the economic destinies of nations for God.

Relax, and let's journey through the scriptures to see the Body of the Word.

What does God look like?

It is a simple question, but Scripture gives us an answer that is far more concrete than we often realise.

The Bible calls God invisible. Yet Scripture also tells us that the invisible God has made Himself known—not merely through ideas, doctrines, or written sentences, but through a Person.

John, on the island of Patmos, saw Him.

“I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me…”

And what John saw was astonishing: a figure with a head and hair, eyes, feet, a voice, hands, a face and a mouth. John was describing the appearance of Jesus Christ—the living Word of God.

Revelation 1:12–17

This is why Scripture says:

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”

Hebrews 1:3

And again:

“Christ, who is the image of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:4

So we can say:

The Body of the Word is the image of the invisible God.

The Scriptures Reveal a Person

This changes the way we should read Scripture.

We are accustomed to reading the Bible primarily as a collection of words, teachings, commandments, promises and historical accounts. But Scripture itself tells us that the Scriptures testify about a Person.

Jesus said:

“These are the Scriptures that testify about me.”

John 5:39

The Scriptures are therefore not merely information about God. They testify about Jesus Christ, the living Word.

Consider one example.

John saw the eyes of Christ and wrote:

“His eyes were like blazing fire.”

Revelation 1:14

That is a detailed description of the Body of the Word.

But Scripture also says:

“Our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:29

The description of the Body therefore becomes a revelation about God Himself.

The same principle runs through the Scriptures: the details of the Body of the Word testify about the Person of the Word and reveal the invisible Father.

Paul writes:

“God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

The “face of Christ” becomes a point of revelation—the Body of the Word revealing the invisible God.

Scripture Must Be Unfolded

This is where something particularly provocative begins to emerge.

What if the Scriptures are not simply information about God, but the Father's script for revealing Himself?

Psalm 119:130 says:

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

Psalm 119:130

The Word must be unfolded.

We can read a Scripture without necessarily seeing the revelation contained within it.

We can know the sentence without knowing the Person whom the sentence reveals.

That is the difference between merely reading Scripture and receiving revelation.

The detailed descriptions of the Body of the Word are therefore not decorative language. They are scriptural descriptions that can be unfolded to reveal the Father.

Paul describes this revelation as:

“the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

So the purpose of the unfolding is not simply to give us more biblical information.

It is to give us the revelation knowledge of the Father.

The Body of the Word: White Like Wool and Snow

Consider the description John gives:

“His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow.”

Revelation 1:14

This is a detailed description of the Body of the Word.

But John is not alone in seeing this.

Daniel saw the Ancient of Days and wrote:

“His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.”

Daniel 7:9

Then Song of Solomon gives another description:

“His appearance is like Lebanon.”

Song of Solomon 5:15

Lebanon was associated with its mountainous, snow-covered appearance.

The Scriptures are therefore giving us a repeated picture.

The Body of the Word is white like wool, as white as snow.

And because Christ is:

“the exact representation of his being”

Hebrews 1:3

the description of Christ also becomes a revelation concerning the invisible God.

This is why the details matter.

The head matters.

The hair matters.

The eyes matter.

The face matters.

The hands matter.

The feet matter.

The mouth matters.

The voice matters.

The entire Body becomes a vocabulary through which Scripture speaks about the Person of the Word.

The Body Is More Than a Description

Every detailed description of the Body of the Word is also a Scripture because it testifies about the Person of the Word.

Jesus said:

“These are the Scriptures that testify about me.”

John 5:39

Therefore, the description of His whiteness is not simply a physical observation.

It is a testimony.

It is a Scripture.

It is a figure of speech.

It is a revelation waiting to be unfolded.

And Scripture gives us a principle for understanding this:

“I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

Matthew 13:35

God uses visible and natural things to communicate invisible and spiritual realities.

The Body of the Word is therefore not merely something we look at.

It is something Scripture teaches us to understand.

The Father Is Speaking Through the Body

Isaiah gives us another remarkable statement:

“The hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants.”

Isaiah 66:14

Why the hand?

Because the hand is part of the body.

The hand becomes a doorway into understanding the Body of the Word.

And the Body becomes a doorway into understanding the Person of the Word.

And the Person of the Word reveals the invisible Father.

Body → Person → Father.

This is why I believe Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, is addressing His Church through the detailed descriptions of His Body.

He is continually making the Father known.

Jesus said:

“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

John 14:9

And the Holy Spirit does not speak independently of Christ. Jesus said:

“He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.”

John 16:14

The Spirit takes what belongs to Christ and makes it known.

And Paul tells us:

“The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:10

So there are depths in God that the Holy Spirit searches and reveals.

Scripture Is God's Script for His Work

There is another dimension to this revelation.

The Scriptures are not merely records of what God has done. They are also the script through which His purposes are fulfilled.

Again and again, Jesus said:

“It is written…”

Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

And concerning His ministry:

“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:21

The Scriptures therefore have a relationship with God's performance on Earth.

When the Father has an intention, He opens Scripture according to that intention.

When He is doing a work, He brings particular Scriptures into revelation.

When the Spirit speaks to the churches, He speaks through what is being revealed:

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 2:7

This makes the present question very important:

What is the Spirit saying to the Church through the Scriptures He is opening?

And if Christ is presently revealing Himself through the detailed descriptions of His Body, then these revelations deserve our attention.

The Body of the Word Is Our Inheritance

The Father has not given us Christ merely so that we can know facts about Him.

He has given us Christ so that we can know Him.

The Body of the Word is therefore not something we should approach casually.

It is an inheritance.

It is a revelation.

It is an invitation to know the Person of the Word in greater detail.

The Scriptures testify about Him.

The Holy Spirit reveals Him.

The Father is seen in Him.

And the more the Scriptures are unfolded, the more light we receive concerning the Person of Christ and the glory of the invisible Father.

So perhaps the question is no longer simply:

“Do you read the Bible?”

The deeper question is:

“Do you recognise the Person whom the Scriptures are revealing?”

Because the Bible is testifying.

The Spirit is speaking.

The Scriptures are being unfolded.

And behind the revelation stands a Person:

Jesus Christ, the living Word of God—the image of the invisible God.

Listen to The Kitchen Podcast

Continue this exploration of The Body of the Word on The Kitchen Podcast by Omodolapo Ogunye, available on Audible, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.

Please share and spread the Revelation Knowledge of the Body of the Word.

celebrating the Body of the Word

#foodmoneyshow
#bodyoftheword
#marketplace
#worldwide
#moneymindset

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

I have made a proclamation and sealed it with my signet ring … “The Germans may never return home. They are the only ones who know where my stuff is.” Haha.

Years ago when the kids would come and visit, we would randomly look for something. It was then that my daughter-in-law would produce it from wherever it was that I had securely placed it and promptly forgot. If memory serves, I even texted her one day, after they had gone home, and asked if she knew where something was. I had already searched the house; why not ask the expert. Haha.

Last night, a friend had come to borrow a stadium seat and cushion. I found the seat just fine, but could I find those stupid cushions …NO! I knew I had stacked them together, but I could not remember which safe place I had put them in. Just as I was about to give up, the oldest little came into the room I was leaving, told me that she knew where they were, and pulled out a seat cushion from the bottom shelf of the shelving unit. Eight hours later, I vaguely remember putting them there, but she is following in her mother’s footsteps … they may not leave. Haha.

Yesterday was a complete blessing day. Our son earned some money helping a friend. The littles and I went on a walk by ourselves. Then we went on a walk to the park with the other Oma. Afterwards, my hubby and I went to the doctor and picked up supper. Then I was able to secure two extremely valuable boxes of Bluey ice cream for the littlest of littles and become her favorite again. (bribery works…haha) Had a good visit with my sister and a great walk with the other Oma.

Today is looking to be a challenging but good day. Challenging because hubby is in pain from the swelling in his legs, but good because we have a family day planned. Tomorrow we will be celebrating his birthday with all the kids and enjoying God’s love.

To be honest, I know that there were some uglies yesterday; however, they are buried in the positives … deeply. I am sure that there will be uglies today, but I am just as positive that the blessings will completely overshadow any potential attempts from the enemy to darken our day.

What was your positive for yesterday? Did you have more than one? Do they overshadow the enemy’s attempts to steal your joy and peace? Shout them from the rooftops and embrace them as they create an armor of godliness. Today, walk in the Peace of the Lord and seek his righteousness … in doing so … the blessings that He has will manifest before your eyes. The possible darkness will be blinded by His presence and will have NO stamina in your day. I look forward to standing with you in His light today and embracing His love. Have a great day.

Be blessed.

**Give thanks to the Lord, for his is good; his love endures forever. – Psalm 118:1

WHEN GOD WRITES ON THE WALL
A Call to Examine Your Heart Before God

KEY SCRIPTURE
“TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.”
— Daniel 5:27 (KJV)

Thought Of The Day...
There are times when God whispers to our hearts. There are times when He sends warnings through His Word, through circumstances, and through people. And then there are moments when God makes His message so unmistakably clear that it can no longer be ignored.
Daniel 5 gives us one of the most powerful and sobering examples in all of Scripture.
King Belshazzar was surrounded by celebration. The palace was filled with people, food, wine, wealth, music, power, and prestige. To everyone looking from the outside, it appeared that the king had everything under control. But while Belshazzar was celebrating on earth, Heaven was examining his heart.
While people were honoring the king, God was weighing the king.
While Belshazzar was looking at what he possessed, God was looking at what he had become.
Suddenly everything changed.
“In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.”
— Daniel 5:5 (KJV)
The celebration stopped. The king's confidence disappeared. The man who commanded others suddenly had no control over himself.
Scripture says:
“Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him... and his knees smote one against another.”
— Daniel 5:6 (KJV)
Belshazzar discovered something that we must never forget: when God speaks, earthly power cannot silence Him. When God exposes something, money cannot cover it. When God pronounces judgment, human influence cannot reverse it.
Belshazzar called for the astrologers, Chaldeans, soothsayers, and wise men of Babylon, but none of them could interpret the writing. All the intelligence of Babylon was powerless before a message that came from God.
Eventually Daniel was summoned.
Daniel had lived faithfully before God for years. Kings had changed. Governments had changed. Circumstances had changed. Daniel had grown older, but his commitment to God had remained.
What a testimony!
The queen said concerning Daniel:
“...there is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods... light and understanding and wisdom... was found in him.”
— Daniel 5:11 (KJV)
Daniel had developed a reputation that when everybody else was confused, Daniel knew how to seek God.
May that become our testimony.
When people around us are confused, may they know that we know God. When families experience trouble, may they know there is somebody who knows how to pray. When darkness enters a situation, may our lives carry the light of Christ.
Jesus declared:
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”
— Matthew 5:14 (KJV)
Belshazzar offered Daniel wealth, clothing, jewelry, and political promotion if he could interpret the message. But Daniel answered:
“Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another...”
— Daniel 5:17 (KJV)
Daniel's integrity was not for sale.
He didn't need the king's money to tell the king God's truth. He wasn't seeking popularity. He wasn't chasing another title. Daniel understood that pleasing God was greater than pleasing people.
That same conviction must live within us.
There will be times when standing upon God's Word will not make us popular. There will be times when truth will challenge people. There will be times when obedience may cost us opportunities, relationships, applause, or acceptance.
But we must be able to say:
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men?...”
— Galatians 1:10 (KJV)
Daniel reminded Belshazzar about Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had once become lifted up in pride, and God humbled him until he understood:
“...that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.”
— Daniel 5:21 (KJV)
Then Daniel spoke words that should cause every believer to examine his or her heart:
“And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this.”
— Daniel 5:22 (KJV)
Though thou knewest all this.
Belshazzar had been given an example. He knew what pride had done before him, but he refused to learn from it.
There is a dangerous difference between not knowing God's will and knowing God's will but refusing to obey it.
The Bible says:
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
— James 4:17 (KJV)
God's patience should never be mistaken for God's approval.
Just because judgment has not come does not mean God approves of what we are doing. Sometimes God's delay is actually God's mercy giving us time to repent.
“The Lord is... longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
— 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
Belshazzar had also taken the sacred vessels from God's temple and used them during his celebration. He treated what belonged to God as though it were common.
Daniel told him:
“...thou hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven...”
— Daniel 5:23 (KJV)
This should cause us to ask ourselves: Have we become too casual with the things of God?
Have we become casual about prayer?
Casual about worship?
Casual about God's Word?
Casual about holiness?
Casual about our calling?
Casual about the gifts God placed inside us?
Casual about gathering with other believers?
God is loving, gracious, merciful, and compassionate, but He is still holy.
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.”
— 1 Peter 1:15 (KJV)
Belshazzar praised gods made from silver, gold, brass, iron, wood, and stone. Yet when trouble entered the palace, none of those gods could answer him.
How often do people still place their confidence in things that cannot save them?
Money cannot save the soul.
A career cannot save the soul.
A title cannot save the soul.
Popularity cannot save the soul.
Possessions cannot save the soul.
Human relationships cannot take God's place.
Jesus asked:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
— Mark 8:36 (KJV)
Then Daniel revealed the handwriting:
“MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.”
— Daniel 5:25 (KJV)
MENE meant:
“God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.”
— Daniel 5:26 (KJV)
Belshazzar thought he had more time.
God said his time had been numbered.
That should remind us that every day is a gift from God.
Every morning is mercy.
Every breath is grace.
Every opportunity to pray is precious.
Every opportunity to forgive matters.
Every opportunity to tell someone about Jesus matters.
Every opportunity to obey God matters.
David prayed:
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
— Psalm 90:12 (KJV)
Then came TEKEL:
“Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.”
— Daniel 5:27 (KJV)
What a frightening statement.
Belshazzar had been weighed—not by public opinion, not by his friends, not by his servants, and not by the standards of Babylon.
He had been weighed by God.
People may celebrate what God is correcting.
People may applaud what God is examining.
People may be impressed by our gifts while God is concerned about our character.
People may see our appearance while God sees our hearts.
Scripture declares:
“...for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
— 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)
That brings us to a serious question:
If God examined my heart today, what would He find?
Would He find humility or pride?
Would He find obedience or rebellion?
Would He find forgiveness or bitterness?
Would He find love or hatred?
Would He find integrity when nobody is watching?
Would He find genuine faith?
Would He find someone seeking His glory—or someone seeking his or her own?
This is not about earning salvation. We cannot save ourselves through our works.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works...”
— Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
Our hope is Jesus Christ. But when Christ truly transforms our hearts, our lives should produce evidence of that transformation.
Finally came PERES:
“Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”
— Daniel 5:28 (KJV)
Then Scripture delivers the sobering conclusion:
“In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.”
— Daniel 5:30 (KJV)
That night.
Belshazzar started the evening sitting on a throne and ended it having lost everything.
He thought he had tomorrow.
He didn't.
This is why Scripture says:
“...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
— 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)
Don't wait for tomorrow to surrender what God is asking for today.
Don't wait until tomorrow to forgive.
Don't wait until tomorrow to repent.
Don't wait until tomorrow to pray.
Don't wait until tomorrow to make things right.
Don't wait until tomorrow to answer God's call.
And above all, don't wait until tomorrow to come to Jesus.
Daniel 5 is not merely about handwriting appearing on a wall. It is about a God who sees beyond appearances and examines the heart.
Belshazzar's kingdom is gone. Babylon's glory faded. Its wealth could not last. Its power could not last. Its king could not last.
But our God remains.
“For I am the LORD, I change not...”
— Malachi 3:6 (KJV)
Before God ever has to write something on the wall, allow Him to write His Word upon your heart.
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
— Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
Let His Word correct you.
Let His Word convict you.
Let His Word humble you.
Let His Word guide you.
Let His Word transform you.
And when God reveals something in your heart that needs to change, don't run from Him.
Run to Him.
Because through Jesus Christ there is forgiveness, mercy, restoration, and new life.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
— 1 John 1:9 (KJV)

PRAYER...
Most Holy and Eternal God, our Father,
We come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, humbled by Your Word and grateful for Your mercy.
Father, search us today.
Your Word declares:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”
— Psalm 139:23 (KJV)
Lord, shine Your light into every area of our lives. Reveal anything within us that does not please You.
If pride has entered our hearts, humble us.
If bitterness has entered our hearts, cleanse us.
If unforgiveness has taken root, help us forgive.
If compromise has entered our lives, give us courage to turn away from it.
If we have become casual concerning holy things, restore our reverence for You.
If anything has taken Your rightful place in our hearts, tear down every idol and draw us back to You.
Father, never allow us to become so comfortable with Your blessings that we forget the One who blessed us.
Help us remember that every breath comes from You, every opportunity comes from You, every gift comes from You, and every good thing comes from You.
Your Word says:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...”
— James 1:17 (KJV)
Give us the spirit of Daniel.
Give us wisdom when others are confused.
Give us courage when others compromise.
Give us integrity when temptation comes.
Give us faith when circumstances become difficult.
Give us boldness to speak Your truth with love.
May we never sell our convictions for acceptance, promotion, popularity, money, or position.
Father, teach us to number our days.
Help us understand that tomorrow is not promised and today is an opportunity to glorify You.
May our lives bring honor to Jesus Christ.
May our homes glorify You.
May our marriages and families glorify You.
May our ministries glorify You.
May our workplaces glorify You.
May our words glorify You.
May our decisions glorify You.
And when You examine our hearts, may You find people who sincerely love You, trust You, obey You, and desire to walk according to Your Word.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You that where we have fallen short, the blood of Jesus still cleanses.
Thank You that repentance is still available.
Thank You that grace is still available.
Thank You that mercy is still available.
Thank You that restoration is still available.
Create within us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
— Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
We surrender ourselves completely to You.
In the mighty, matchless, wonderful name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen and Amen!

DECLARATION...
I DECLARE IN THE NAME OF JESUS:
My heart belongs to God!
My life belongs to God!
My family belongs to God!
My gifts belong to God!
My future belongs to God!
My worship belongs to God!
I will not allow pride to rule my heart.
I will not allow the things of this world to become idols in my life.
I will not compromise God's Word for popularity, acceptance, position, possessions, or applause.
Like Daniel, I will walk with an excellent spirit.
I will stand when others compromise.
I will pray when others panic.
I will trust God when others doubt.
I will speak truth with love.
I will honor God publicly and privately.
MENE! I understand that my days are numbered, therefore I will make my days count for the glory of God.
TEKEL! I understand that God examines the heart, therefore I will walk humbly and sincerely before Him.
PERES! I understand that earthly kingdoms, possessions, titles, and accomplishments will pass away, but the Kingdom of God will stand forever.
I declare that God's Word will be written upon my heart.
I will not wait for the handwriting on the wall before I obey God.
TODAY I CHOOSE JESUS!
TODAY I CHOOSE HUMILITY!
TODAY I CHOOSE OBEDIENCE!
TODAY I CHOOSE HOLINESS!
TODAY I CHOOSE FAITH!
TODAY I CHOOSE TO LIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
— Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
This is my declaration, this is my commitment, and this is my prayer—in Jesus' mighty name. Amen and Amen!

The Kitchen Newsletter

Good day,
Welcome to The Kitchen, where we explore, prepare and serve the contents in the Body of the Word as the delicacies of God—to create the form of the Father on the earth, to make the earth in His likeness, and to take charge of the economic destinies of nations for God.

Relax, and let's journey through the scriptures to see the Body of the Word.

What does God look like?

It is a simple question, but Scripture gives us an answer that is far more concrete than we often realise.

The Bible calls God invisible. Yet Scripture also tells us that the invisible God has made Himself known—not merely through ideas, doctrines, or written sentences, but through a Person.

John, on the island of Patmos, saw Him.

“I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me…”

And what John saw was astonishing: a figure with a head and hair, eyes, feet, a voice, hands, a face and a mouth. John was describing the appearance of Jesus Christ—the living Word of God.

Revelation 1:12–17

This is why Scripture says:

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”

Hebrews 1:3

And again:

“Christ, who is the image of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:4

So we can say:

The Body of the Word is the image of the invisible God.

The Scriptures Reveal a Person

This changes the way we should read Scripture.

We are accustomed to reading the Bible primarily as a collection of words, teachings, commandments, promises and historical accounts. But Scripture itself tells us that the Scriptures testify about a Person.

Jesus said:

“These are the Scriptures that testify about me.”

John 5:39

The Scriptures are therefore not merely information about God. They testify about Jesus Christ, the living Word.

Consider one example.

John saw the eyes of Christ and wrote:

“His eyes were like blazing fire.”

Revelation 1:14

That is a detailed description of the Body of the Word.

But Scripture also says:

“Our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:29

The description of the Body therefore becomes a revelation about God Himself.

The same principle runs through the Scriptures: the details of the Body of the Word testify about the Person of the Word and reveal the invisible Father.

Paul writes:

“God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

The “face of Christ” becomes a point of revelation—the Body of the Word revealing the invisible God.

Scripture Must Be Unfolded

This is where something particularly provocative begins to emerge.

What if the Scriptures are not simply information about God, but the Father's script for revealing Himself?

Psalm 119:130 says:

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

Psalm 119:130

The Word must be unfolded.

We can read a Scripture without necessarily seeing the revelation contained within it.

We can know the sentence without knowing the Person whom the sentence reveals.

That is the difference between merely reading Scripture and receiving revelation.

The detailed descriptions of the Body of the Word are therefore not decorative language. They are scriptural descriptions that can be unfolded to reveal the Father.

Paul describes this revelation as:

“the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

So the purpose of the unfolding is not simply to give us more biblical information.

It is to give us the revelation knowledge of the Father.

The Body of the Word: White Like Wool and Snow

Consider the description John gives:

“His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow.”

Revelation 1:14

This is a detailed description of the Body of the Word.

But John is not alone in seeing this.

Daniel saw the Ancient of Days and wrote:

“His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.”

Daniel 7:9

Then Song of Solomon gives another description:

“His appearance is like Lebanon.”

Song of Solomon 5:15

Lebanon was associated with its mountainous, snow-covered appearance.

The Scriptures are therefore giving us a repeated picture.

The Body of the Word is white like wool, as white as snow.

And because Christ is:

“the exact representation of his being”

Hebrews 1:3

the description of Christ also becomes a revelation concerning the invisible God.

This is why the details matter.

The head matters.

The hair matters.

The eyes matter.

The face matters.

The hands matter.

The feet matter.

The mouth matters.

The voice matters.

The entire Body becomes a vocabulary through which Scripture speaks about the Person of the Word.

The Body Is More Than a Description

Every detailed description of the Body of the Word is also a Scripture because it testifies about the Person of the Word.

Jesus said:

“These are the Scriptures that testify about me.”

John 5:39

Therefore, the description of His whiteness is not simply a physical observation.

It is a testimony.

It is a Scripture.

It is a figure of speech.

It is a revelation waiting to be unfolded.

And Scripture gives us a principle for understanding this:

“I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

Matthew 13:35

God uses visible and natural things to communicate invisible and spiritual realities.

The Body of the Word is therefore not merely something we look at.

It is something Scripture teaches us to understand.

The Father Is Speaking Through the Body

Isaiah gives us another remarkable statement:

“The hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants.”

Isaiah 66:14

Why the hand?

Because the hand is part of the body.

The hand becomes a doorway into understanding the Body of the Word.

And the Body becomes a doorway into understanding the Person of the Word.

And the Person of the Word reveals the invisible Father.

Body → Person → Father.

This is why I believe Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, is addressing His Church through the detailed descriptions of His Body.

He is continually making the Father known.

Jesus said:

“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

John 14:9

And the Holy Spirit does not speak independently of Christ. Jesus said:

“He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.”

John 16:14

The Spirit takes what belongs to Christ and makes it known.

And Paul tells us:

“The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:10

So there are depths in God that the Holy Spirit searches and reveals.

Scripture Is God's Script for His Work

There is another dimension to this revelation.

The Scriptures are not merely records of what God has done. They are also the script through which His purposes are fulfilled.

Again and again, Jesus said:

“It is written…”

Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

And concerning His ministry:

“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:21

The Scriptures therefore have a relationship with God's performance on Earth.

When the Father has an intention, He opens Scripture according to that intention.

When He is doing a work, He brings particular Scriptures into revelation.

When the Spirit speaks to the churches, He speaks through what is being revealed:

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 2:7

This makes the present question very important:

What is the Spirit saying to the Church through the Scriptures He is opening?

And if Christ is presently revealing Himself through the detailed descriptions of His Body, then these revelations deserve our attention.

The Body of the Word Is Our Inheritance

The Father has not given us Christ merely so that we can know facts about Him.

He has given us Christ so that we can know Him.

The Body of the Word is therefore not something we should approach casually.

It is an inheritance.

It is a revelation.

It is an invitation to know the Person of the Word in greater detail.

The Scriptures testify about Him.

The Holy Spirit reveals Him.

The Father is seen in Him.

And the more the Scriptures are unfolded, the more light we receive concerning the Person of Christ and the glory of the invisible Father.

So perhaps the question is no longer simply:

“Do you read the Bible?”

The deeper question is:

“Do you recognise the Person whom the Scriptures are revealing?”

Because the Bible is testifying.

The Spirit is speaking.

The Scriptures are being unfolded.

And behind the revelation stands a Person:

Jesus Christ, the living Word of God—the image of the invisible God.

Listen to The Kitchen Podcast

Continue this exploration of The Body of the Word on The Kitchen Podcast by Omodolapo Ogunye, available on Audible, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.

Please share and spread the Revelation Knowledge of the Body of the Word.

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GOD IS WITH YOU IN EVERY SEASON OF LIFE

Whether you are celebrating a blessing, walking through a difficult season, or simply waiting for an answer, remember this: you are never alone.

God knows your name.
He hears your prayers.
He protects you.
He loves you.
He has a plan for your future.

“I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous.” — Joshua 1:5

You may not understand everything happening in your life right now, but you can trust the One who sees the whole picture.

Trust Him. Believe Him. Follow Him.
God is working all things for your good.

Comment AMEN if you trust God in every season.

#GodIsWithYou #TrustGod #JesusChrist #ChristianFaith #Faith #Prayer #BibleVerse #GodsLove #ChristianPost #Amen