Conflict and Courage. 2 Chronicles 32:1-23 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 32:8. Hezekiah, in the earlier years of his reign, had continued to pay tribute to Assyria, in harmony with the agreement entered into by Ahaz. Meanwhile the king had taken “counsel with his princes and his mighty men,” and had done everything possible for the defense of his kingdom.... The long-expected crisis finally came. The forces of Assyria, advancing from triumph to triumph, appeared in Judea.... Judah's only hope was now in God. All possible help from Egypt had been cut off, and no other nations were near to lend a friendly hand.... Sennacherib wrote “letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against Him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver His people out of mine hand.” ... When the king of Judah received the taunting letter, he took it into the temple and “spread it before the Lord” and prayed with strong faith for help from heaven, that the nations of earth might know that the God of the Hebrews still lived and reigned. The honor of Jehovah was at stake; He alone could bring deliverance.... Hezekiah was not left without hope. Isaiah sent to him, saying, “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.” ... That very night deliverance came. “The angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand.” ... The God of the Hebrews had prevailed over the proud Assyrian. The honor of Jehovah was vindicated in the eyes of the surrounding nations. In Jerusalem the hearts of the people were filled with holy joy. Their earnest entreaties for deliverance had been mingled with confession of sin and with many tears. In their great need they had trusted wholly in the power of God to save, and He had not failed them.31Ibid., 350-362.

🕊️ DOMINION DAILY DEVOTION ~ DAY 233 DATE: 21ST AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: RELY ON THE LORD ANCHOR SCRIPTURE2 Chronicles 13:18 (NKJV) “Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD God of their fathers.” Devotional message: Scripture is filled with testimonies of men and women who placed their confidence entirely in God and experienced victory. Their strength was not in their human ability, resources, experience, or influence; their confidence was in the Lord. Our anchor Scripture gives us a powerful explanation for Judah's victory: “They prevailed because they relied on the LORD.” Their victory was connected to their dependence upon God. Consider Jehoshaphat. When three nations came against Judah and the situation appeared impossible, he did not place his confidence in military strength. He sought the Lord. As Judah worshipped, God intervened and caused their enemies to fight against one another. What Judah could not accomplish through human strength, God accomplished through His divine intervention. We also see this principle in the battle against Amalek. Moses stood on the mountain with the rod of God, while Joshua fought below. As Moses lifted his hands, Israel prevailed; when his hands became heavy and came down, Amalek prevailed. Aaron and Hur therefore supported his hands until victory was secured. There are battles where our greatest strength is not what we can do, but our posture of dependence upon God. David lived by this principle. Before many battles, he inquired of the Lord. Even when he encountered Goliath, his confidence was not in his previous victories, weapons, or military experience. David understood that the size of the enemy could never be greater than the power of the God he trusted. Child of God, where is your confidence today?Perhaps you are facing an examination, a business challenge, difficulties in your marriage, a ministry assignment, financial pressure, opposition, or a situation that appears beyond your ability. Do not make yourself your ultimate source.Your education is valuable, but it is not your ultimate source.Your experience is valuable, but it is not your ultimate source.Your connections are valuable, but they are not your ultimate source.Your resources are valuable, but they are not your ultimate source. The Lord is your source.This does not mean that we abandon preparation, wisdom, diligence, planning, or responsible action. Rather, it means that we do all these things while depending upon God instead of depending upon ourselves. Our confidence is ultimately in Christ, who has already overcome the world.Therefore, when you rely upon the Lord, you do not enter your battles as someone fighting for victory—you enter knowing that Christ has already overcome. Make the Lord your King. Make Him your confidence. Seek Him before you move. Depend upon Him while you work. Give Him the glory when victory comes. And when you rely upon Him, you can face tomorrow with confidence, knowing that the God who was faithful to your fathers is still faithful today. PRAYER Heavenly Father,I choose today to rely upon You. Be my King, my Lord, and my source. May every victory I experience bring glory to Your name.In Jesus' name, Amen. 🙏 DAILY BIBLE READING 2 Chr 13:1–18;20:1–23,Ex 17:8–13,1 Sam 17:32–47,John 15:1–5,1 John 4:4 Author : Alfred Wabuko Manyasi Contact : Email : Dominionvoicesminisrty[gmail].com Facebook : Alfred Wabuko Manyasi 🌐 Dominion Daily Devotion, 2026 © Dominion Voices Ministry

LACHISH He besieged the city. Then he had the siege carved into his own palace wall, in stone, with his name attached. Twenty-six centuries later, archaeologists dug up the city he was bragging about — and found it exactly where he said it was. In 701 BC, the Assyrian king Sennacherib marched against the kingdom of Judah. The Bible describes it in three separate places — 2 Kings 18–19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36–37 — during the reign of King Hezekiah. One of the cities he attacked was Lachish, Judah's second most important city after Jerusalem. Sennacherib didn't just conquer Lachish. He was proud enough of it to commission an enormous series of stone relief panels depicting the siege in vivid detail, and installed them in his own palace at Nineveh. They show archers, siege engines, a massive ramp built against the city wall, defenders on the ramparts, and rows of captives being led away. An inscription beside the panels records Sennacherib reviewing the plunder of Lachish in person. Archaeologists excavating Tel Lachish in Israel — across decades of work by Starkey, Aharoni, Ussishkin, and Garfinkel — found the physical siege ramp still standing, built from roughly 20,000 tons of stone. They found a destruction layer of ash and collapsed walls dated to the same period. They found arrowheads, sling stones, and a chain believed to belong to one of the battering rams shown on the Nineveh reliefs. This is not a case of faith filling in gaps where evidence is silent. This is a Judean city, a Judean king, and an Assyrian campaign attested independently in Hebrew scripture, in Assyrian royal inscriptions, in a palace relief carved by the victors, and in the ground itself. The relief shows a ramp. The excavation found the ramp. The Bible says the city fell. The archaeology shows it burned. The Bible is not describing a mythical world disconnected from history. It places its people, kings, cities, and battles in a real geographical and historical setting — and Lachish is one of the places where those claims can still be walked on, dug into, and verified today. #Lachish #BiblicalArchaeology #Sennacherib #Hezekiah #ChurchHistory

The Bible’s Big Story The Bible is one unified book telling the story of God’s glory through creation, humanity’s rebellion, God’s covenant promises, and their complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Everything moves toward Christ’s preeminence. The Old Testament prepares the way; the New Testament reveals Him as the fulfillment. Together they form 66 inspired books—39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New. The Old Testament (39 Books): God’s Promises and Preparation The Old Testament shows God creating the world, choosing a people, giving them His law, and promising a coming King who would fix what sin broke. It repeatedly points forward to the Messiah. Law (Pentateuch – 5 books): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. These lay the foundation. Genesis shows creation, the fall, and God’s first promises. Exodus–Deuteronomy record God’s rescue of Israel from Egypt, the giving of the Torah at Sinai, and the covenant instructions for a holy people. Historical Books (12 books): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2 Samuel, 1–2 Kings, 1–2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. They trace Israel’s life in the Promised Land, their cycles of obedience and rebellion, the rise and fall of the monarchy, exile in Babylon, and return. They demonstrate that human kings fail, but God remains faithful to His promises. Wisdom and Poetry (5 books): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. These teach how to live wisely under God’s rule. They explore suffering, worship, daily righteousness, the emptiness of life without God, and the beauty of covenant love. Prophets (17 books): Major Prophets (5): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel. Minor Prophets (12): Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. The prophets confront idolatry, call for repentance, warn of judgment, and repeatedly promise a coming Deliverer, a new covenant, and a kingdom that will never end. The entire Old Testament builds expectation: a seed of the woman, a descendant of Abraham, a prophet like Moses, a son of David, a suffering servant, and a King who will reign forever. The New Testament (27 Books): Christ’s Arrival and the New Creation The New Testament announces that Jesus is the promised King. He is the preeminent One in whom all God’s promises find their “Yes” (2 Corinthians 1:20). It shows His life, death, resurrection, the birth of the church, and the final renewal of all things. Gospels (4 books): Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. These present Jesus from four angles: as King (Matthew), servant (Mark), perfect man (Luke), and eternal God (John). They record His teaching, miracles, crucifixion for sins, and resurrection. History (1 book): Acts. Luke’s second volume shows the Holy Spirit empowering the early church to take the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. It records the rapid spread of the message that Jesus is Lord. Letters (21 books): Paul’s Letters (13): Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1–2 Thessalonians, 1–2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. These explain the gospel, the meaning of Christ’s work, how the church should live, and how believers stand secure in Him. General Letters (8): Hebrews, James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John, Jude. These encourage perseverance, warn against false teaching, and call for holy living. Prophecy (1 book): Revelation. This apocalyptic letter reveals Christ as the victorious Lamb and coming King. It comforts suffering believers and shows the final defeat of evil and the making of a new heaven and new earth. How the Two Testaments Fit Together The Old Testament is not obsolete. Jesus said He came to fulfill it, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17). The New Testament constantly quotes and explains the Old, showing that Christ is the true temple, the better Moses, the perfect high priest, the faithful Israel, and the eternal King. Everything in the Bible centers on the supremacy and preeminence of Christ that we have been studying in Colossians 1. He is the goal of the Old Testament promises and the living reality of the New Testament gospel. The whole book calls you to trust Him, repent of sin, and live under His rule until He returns. If you want to go deeper into any section—especially how Colossians fits into the larger biblical theology of Christ’s preeminence—let me know which part to unpack next.

SERMON TITLE: "HEAR THE SON IN THE LAST AGE" Text: Hebrews 1:1-2, Acts 2:17, Joel 2:28-31 INTRODUCTION: THE TIME WE ARE IN Brothers and Sisters, we are not guessing. We are in THE LAST DAYS. Hebrews 1:2 — “but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son” Acts 2:17 — “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh... and your young men shall see visions” God promised visions in the last days. And He is doing it. I myself was shown 3 things: A RED 7 IN THE SKY, A GREEN 7 ON THE WALL, AND A SKELETON. But hear me: I’m not here to make you stare at visions. I’m here as REAGAN a servant& a witness of Jesus to do 2 things: Feed His sheep with truth. Testify to what I have seen Him do Acts 26:16 The goal of every vision is this: To bring you back to THE SON. John 3:30 POINT 1: SPIRITUAL AWAKENING - GOD IS SPEAKING NOW Joel 2:28-29 “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh” We are in Pentecost season. The Spirit is being poured. God is waking people up through dreams, visions, and His Word. Why? Proverbs 29:18 — “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint” When God stops speaking, people go wild. But God IS speaking. THE 3 VISIONS I SAW - GOD’S WARNING: RED 7 IN THE SKY - The Blood of Jesus. The work is finished. Time is short. Hebrews 9:12 GREEN 7 ON THE WALL - Life from the Spirit. God wants to restore His house. Ezekiel 37:9 SKELETON - What’s left when we ignore the Son. Death. Dry bones. Ezekiel 37:11 Application: Don’t chase the sign. HEAR THE SON. Hebrews 1:2 - POINT 2: SPIRITUAL RENEWAL + REVIVAL - COME BACK TO THE WORD Joel 2:29, Psalm 51:10 Revival is not hype. It’s not noise. Revival is when the Spirit brings us back to Jesus and to the Word. John 15:26 2 Chronicles 7:14 — “If my people... turn from their wicked ways, then I will heal their land.” The Spirit was poured at Pentecost to make us like Jesus, not to make us famous. Ask God today: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 --- POINT 3: REPENTANCE + OBEDIENCE = LIFE + PURITY BEFORE GOD Acts 3:19, John 14:23, 1 Peter 1:15-16 “The day is near. So what do we do?” A. REPENT Acts 3:19 — “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” Turn away from darkness. Turn to the Light. B. OBEY HIS WORD/COMMANDMENTS John 14:23 — “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word” Love is not a feeling. Love is obedience. C. BE HOLY / BE PURE 1 Peter 1:15-16 — “as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” Why? Because we serve a Holy God. And Jesus is coming for a pure bride. Ephesians 5:26-27 THE PROMISE: John 10:10 — “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” Obedience brings LIFE. Disobedience brings SKELETON. --- WARNING: DON'T MISS JESUS IN THE VISIONS Matthew 24:24, 1 John 4:1 The enemy also gives signs. Matthew 24:24 Test every vision: Does it lead you to Jesus? To the Cross? To Holiness? To the Word? My vision was not to glorify me. John 3:30 — “He must increase, but I must decrease.” If a vision doesn’t make you love Jesus and obey His Word more, throw it away. --- CONCLUSION + ALTAR CALL: CHOOSE LIFE TODAY Deuteronomy 30:19, Matthew 24:44 Church, the Red 7 says: THE BLOOD IS STILL SPEAKING. Hebrews 12:24 The Green 7 says: THE SPIRIT IS STILL POURING. Acts 2:17 The Skeleton says: WITHOUT THE SON, WE ARE DEAD. Ephesians 2:1 Today God is saying: WAKE UP - Spiritual Awakening Romans 13:11 CLEAN UP - Renewal + Repentance Psalm 51:10 LINE UP - Obedience to the Word John 14:23 SHOW UP - Holy and Pure for Jesus 1 Peter 1:16 “We wait for Jesus not by watching the sky, but by washing in the Word and walking in obedience.” Ephesians 5:26

Thursday, 20th August, 2026 TITLE: "THE LORD FIGHTS FOR YOU" ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S) Deuteronomy 20:4 (KJV) "For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." Exodus 14:14 (KJV) "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." QUOTE TO REFLECT ON "When God goes before you, no battle is greater than His power." DAY'S REFLECTION Life sometimes brings battles we cannot avoid—opposition, difficult circumstances, uncertainty, disappointment, and situations that seem beyond our control. In such moments, God's Word gives us a powerful assurance: we are not fighting alone. Deuteronomy 20:4 declares that "the LORD your God is he that goeth with you." The word "goeth" reminds us that God does not send His people into battle and abandon them. He goes with them. His presence gives us courage when circumstances create fear. The Scripture also says that God goes with us "to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." This does not mean that believers will never face opposition. Rather, it assures us that our ultimate confidence is in God's power, justice, and ability to deliver. Some battles require our action and obedience; others require us to stand still and allow God to intervene. This is exactly what Moses told Israel at the Red Sea in Exodus 14:14: "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Israel was trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army. Humanly speaking, there seemed to be no escape. Yet God was about to demonstrate that an impossible situation was not beyond His ability. "Hold your peace" means to remain calm and trust God rather than allowing fear and panic to control you. There are times when our greatest act of faith is to stop worrying, pray, obey God's instructions, and wait for Him to act. In everyday life, we may encounter situations where we have done everything within our ability and still see no solution. Such moments remind us that God's power is greater than human limitations. We should not respond with panic, bitterness, or despair. Instead, we should place the matter before God and trust Him for direction and deliverance. Today, remember that the battle belongs to the Lord. Do what He requires of you, but do not carry what only He can carry. God goes before you, God stands with you, and God is able to fight for you. MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S) 2 Chronicles 20:15 (KJV) "And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's." Psalm 46:1 (KJV) "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS) 1. God's presence gives us courage in the midst of battles. 2. We do not have to face every challenge in our own strength. 3. Faith requires remaining calm when circumstances encourage panic. 4. Obedience is our responsibility; the ultimate outcome belongs to God. 5. God is able to bring deliverance even when there seems to be no way out. EVERYDAY ACTION Pray about your battles, obey God's direction, and refuse to let fear control your response. PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank You for going with me and fighting for me. Give me peace in every battle, wisdom to obey You, and faith to trust Your power for my deliverance. In Jesus' name, Amen. DECLARATION The Lord is with me and fights for me. I will not fear or be discouraged. I will remain calm, trust God's power, and walk confidently in His victory. The battle belongs to the Lord! Amen. Devotion by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo 📞 +233 544 295 158 Follow us on WhatsApp 👇👇👇 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P

Daily Bible Lesson. THE HIDDEN POWER OF SALT IN THE BIBLE: WHY GOD USED SALT SO OFTEN Have you ever wondered why salt appears over and over again in the Bible? It was never just a seasoning. From Genesis to the New Testament, salt carried deep spiritual meaning. It represented purity, preservation, faithfulness, covenant, wisdom, and even judgment. Let's explore what God was teaching through salt. 1. ELISHA USED SALT TO HEAL THE WATERS OF JERICHO 📖 2 Kings 2:19–22 After Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha arrived in Jericho. The people said: «"The city is pleasant, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive."» God instructed Elisha: «"Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it."» Elisha threw the salt into the spring and declared: «"Thus says the LORD, 'I have healed these waters; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from them.'" (2 Kings 2:21)» Immediately the waters became pure. Notice something important. The miracle was not in the salt. The salt was simply an act of obedience through which God demonstrated His power. Spiritual meaning: God can cleanse what sin has poisoned. He can restore what seemed permanently ruined. When God speaks, even bitter waters become life-giving. 2. EVERY GRAIN OFFERING HAD TO INCLUDE SALT 📖 Leviticus 2:13 God commanded Israel: «"Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings."» Why? Because salt preserves. It resists corruption. It symbolized that Israel's worship should never become spiritually corrupt. Spiritual meaning: God desires worship that remains pure, faithful, and sincere. Our devotion should not spoil with compromise. 3. GOD ESTABLISHED A "COVENANT OF SALT" 📖 Numbers 18:19 God told Aaron: «"It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD."» Again in: 📖 2 Chronicles 13:5 God declared that He gave David the kingdom by a covenant of salt forever. In the ancient world, salt was valuable and enduring. A covenant sealed with salt symbolized permanence, loyalty, and faithfulness. Spiritual meaning: God does not abandon His promises. What He establishes, He is faithful to keep. 4. JESUS CALLED BELIEVERS "THE SALT OF THE EARTH" 📖 Matthew 5:13 Jesus said: «"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?"» Salt preserves food from decay. Likewise, believers are called to preserve truth in a corrupt world. We are meant to influence the world—not be influenced by it. Spiritual meaning: Christians should slow the spread of moral decay by living holy lives, speaking truth, and reflecting Christ's character. 5. JESUS SAID TO HAVE SALT IN YOURSELVES 📖 Mark 9:50 Jesus taught: «"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness... Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another."» This points to inward spiritual character. Spiritual meaning: God desires hearts marked by wisdom, humility, holiness, and peace. 6. PAUL COMPARED OUR WORDS TO SALT 📖 Colossians 4:6 Paul wrote: «"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt."» Our words should preserve life, bring wisdom, and point people toward Christ. Instead of spreading bitterness, believers should speak words that heal, encourage, and build others up. 7. SALT WAS ALSO A SIGN OF JUDGMENT The Bible also uses salt to represent desolation when people reject God. After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: 📖 Genesis 19:26 Lot's wife looked back in disobedience and became a pillar of salt. Her story stands as a warning against longing for the sinful life God has called us to leave behind. Later, Scripture describes lands under God's judgment as barren and covered with salt. 📖 Deuteronomy 29:23 📖 Judges 9:45 These passages show that the same symbol could represent either blessing or judgment, depending on humanity's response to God. WHAT DOES SALT REPRESENT IN THE BIBLE? Salt symbolizes: • Purity • Preservation • Faithfulness • God's everlasting covenant • Holiness • Wisdom • Gracious speech • Healing through God's power • A warning against corruption and disobedience THE GREATEST LESSON Salt itself has no supernatural power. The Bible never teaches that salt possesses mystical or magical abilities. Whenever God used salt, it was because He chose it as a symbol or as part of an act of obedience. The power was always God's—not the salt. Today, God still heals bitter lives. He restores broken families. He renews weary hearts. He preserves those who remain faithful to Him. The same God who healed the waters of Jericho is still able to transform what seems impossible.

Dear God, thank You for bringing me through another day. As I get ready to rest tonight, I’m grateful that You’re not waiting to pull the rug out from under me when I fail. You’re a good Father who looks past my actions and cares about the condition of my heart. Your word in 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” God, I don’t want to just go through the motions anymore, lifting my hands while my heart stays unchanged. Tonight I’m falling before You honestly, repenting and asking You to help me actually change direction, not just perform like I have. I give this night completely to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. -Psalm 51:10

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." - Romans 8:37 KJV. https://www.facebook.com/share/14jhN267Yo9/ ☆☆☆ Looking at this verse with a perfect understanding; "more than a conqueror could only mean that there are 3 categories of conquerors👇 1. Those who are less than a conqueror. For they cannot or simply refuse to fight. 2. Those who are conquerors because they decided to fight, they fought and won. 3. Then the more than the conquerors group are those of us who didn't have to fight because Jesus has taken over our battles. He fought and won on our behalf. ☆☆☆ No wonder the bible says👇 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 KJV. ☆☆☆ This verse can also be put this way "casting all your battles upon him for his is fighting for you." ☆☆☆ When the Lord is fighting for you, he will make a total destruction of all your enemies and you will simply become a spectator. Read 2 Kings 19:35, 2 Chronicles 20:20-24. For you this day I therefore decree, may you not be less than a conqueror in Jesus name. In the name of Jesus I decree, may you never be comfortable being just a conqueror until you become more than a conqueror. In the battles of life, I decree and declare, the Lord shall give you total victories in Jesus name. May you not find yourself stranded in the battles of life. When and where men have withdrawn from you, may you gain the support of the most high God in Jesus name. As you walk through life, may you not be alone. The presence of Jehovah God shall see you through in Jesus name. You are not alone, God is on your side. Happy day Shalom. Daily Prophetic Prayers and Messages by Pastor, Dr Olutimehin Isaac.

Amazing Facts. Daily Devotionals How do you help people who have had negative experiences with the church? August 17th, 2026 In Luke chapter 15, Jesus tells a parable about a missing sheep. In the story, the shepherd searches relentlessly until he finds it. Then he lays it on his shoulders and lovingly carries it back home. The Lord wants us to follow His example and send out search parties to look for the lost sheep among us. These missing sheep are our neighbors, friends, and family who have wandered away from the flock. Here are some specific ways you can help someone who has left the church: First, pray for them. God promises, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Prayer is powerful. Invite them back! The biggest issue facing former members is how to reconnect with the church. They could be waiting for the invitation, so you can be the one to help them find a path back. In some cases, a friendly phone call or visit might be all that is needed. Remember to treat missing members the way you would want to be treated. Offer a warm, no-pressure invitation. Be loving and nonjudgmental, and leave room for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts. We should also “receive one another, just as Christ received us” (Romans 15:7). Be prepared to receive with open arms those who return, as the father received the prodigal son (Luke 15:20). The shepherd in Jesus’ story called his friends and neighbors in for a celebration. He told them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” At the end of the parable, Jesus says, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). Shouldn’t we feel the same way? Imagine how a person would feel if the entire church turned out to celebrate their return! Key Bible Texts And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. (Isaiah 58:12 KJV)