“For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?” — 1 Peter 4:17 (CSB)

Peter reminds believers that God takes holiness seriously, beginning with those who claim His name. His discipline and refining work within the church call us to examine our own lives, repent where necessary, and faithfully follow Christ. Peter then points to an even more sobering reality: if God holds His own people accountable, we should recognize the seriousness of rejecting the gospel. This verse calls us not to fear our salvation, but to live faithfully and take both God’s holiness and His grace seriously.

Sermon Title: "RIGHT GIVING IN A WRONG SEASON"
Key Texts: 2 Corinthians 9:7, Malachi 3:8-10, Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 12:1-2, Psalm 51:17

INTRODUCTION
Beloved, we are in the last days. Times of hardship. Times where many are pressed on every side.
And in these days, giving has become godly for some... and desperate for others.

God loves a cheerful giver. But the enemy has twisted giving into a trap for the wounded.
Today God is calling us back: Look to God first, not to giving as a formula.

1. GIVING IS GODLY, BUT MOTIVE MATTERS
2 Corinthians 9:7 — “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Giving is worship. It is obedience. It is sowing.
But in this last age, error has entered.
Many are giving not out of faith, but out of fear and desperation. "If I give this, then God must heal me. Then God must pay my rent."

That’s not covenant. That’s bargaining.
And when we bargain with God, we leave ourselves ungodly and still desperate because our eyes are on the gift, not the Giver.

Isaiah 1:11 — “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord.”
God wants the heart before the hand.

2. THE REAL NEED: REPENTANCE AND RELATIONSHIP
Your message says it: “Look to God in repentance, obedience of God's word and be right before God.”

Hardship will come. 2 Timothy 3:1 — “in the last days there will come times of difficulty.”
But the answer is not just to give more. The answer is to return to God.

Joel 2:12-13 — “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

God’s priority is not your offering. It’s you.
When you are right with God, He heals both:
Physical wounds: Psalm 147:3 — “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Spiritual wounds: Psalm 51:17 — “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

3. THE DANGER: USING GOD FOR THE GIFT
You said: “Unfortunately receivers of what they give. Ain't looking to this but after their more giving in. Leaving them ungodly before and desperate in life.”

This is the trap. Using God like an ATM.
Acts 8:20 — Peter told Simon, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!”

When we chase the blessing more than the Blesser, we stay in cycles:
Desperation → Give
No instant result → More desperation → Give more
We become tired, bitter, and far from God.

Jesus warned us: Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

4. GOD’S WAY: HEAL FIRST, THEN GIVE FROM WHOLENESS
God is not against your giving. He is for your healing.

Hebrews 12:1-2 — “Let us lay aside every weight... and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.”

God’s order:
Repentance - Turn from sin and self-reliance
Obedience - Walk in His Word daily
Relationship - Seek His face, not just His hand
Giving - Now give from a place of faith and joy, not fear

When you do this, God restores. Malachi 3:10 — “Bring the full tithe... and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you.”
But notice: the tithe comes after “Return to me” in verse 7.

CLOSING CALL + PRAYER
Church, don’t let hardship push you into error.
Don’t give to manipulate God. Give because you love Him.

If you’ve been giving out of desperation, today is the day to return.

Prayer:
Father, heal us. Heal our finances, but more than that, heal our hearts.
Forgive us for making giving a transaction

THE CALVARY MINISTRY – ONLINE

THE CROSS OF CALVARY 🏽

MONDAY, 17TH AUGUST, 2026

TEXT: JOHN 7:37–39

KEY VERSE:

«“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” — John 7:37 (KJV)»

THE LIVING WATER THAT FLOWS FROM CHRIST

The Cross of Calvary reveals the depth of God's love, but the message of Christ does not end at the Cross. Jesus calls every thirsty soul to come to Him and receive the living water that only He can give.

There is a thirst in every human heart that money cannot satisfy, success cannot quench, relationships cannot completely fill, and worldly pleasures cannot permanently silence.

Jesus stands as the answer to that deepest thirst.

He does not merely offer us something to drink—He offers us Himself.

THREE TRUTHS FROM JOHN 7

JESUS INVITES THE THIRSTY.

«“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” — John 7:37»

Notice the words: “If any man.”

The invitation is open to everyone.

It does not matter how broken your past has been. It does not matter how far you have wandered. It does not matter how empty your heart feels.

Jesus says:

COME.

Come with your weakness.
Come with your questions.
Come with your failures.
Come with your burdens.
Come with your thirst.

The answer is found in Christ.

CHRIST IS THE SOURCE OF TRUE SATISFACTION.

The world constantly offers temporary solutions to spiritual hunger and thirst.

It tells us to pursue possessions, pleasure, recognition and human approval.

But everything the world offers eventually leaves us wanting more.

Jesus offers something different.

He gives living water—the life, presence and work of the Holy Spirit within the believer.

When Christ becomes the centre of your life, you no longer have to depend on the world to define your worth or satisfy your soul.

Jesus is enough. 🏽

THE HOLY SPIRIT FLOWS THROUGH THE BELIEVER.

«“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” — John 7:38»

Jesus does not intend for us to keep His life within ourselves.

The living water is meant to flow.

What God pours into you should become a blessing to others.

Your testimony can encourage someone.
Your prayers can strengthen someone.
Your kindness can restore someone.
Your witness can lead someone to Christ.

A believer should not be a spiritual reservoir that only receives.

We are called to become channels through which God's grace flows.

TODAY'S REFLECTION

What are you truly thirsty for?

Are you thirsty for God—or are you constantly trying to satisfy your heart with the things of this world?

Jesus is still calling:

“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”

Do not run to the world when your soul is thirsty.

Run to Jesus.

When you are empty—come to Jesus.

When you are discouraged—come to Jesus.

When you are spiritually dry—come to Jesus.

When you need direction—come to Jesus.

When you need peace—come to Jesus.

The world may offer temporary refreshment, but Christ gives living water.

And when you have received His living water, allow it to flow through your life and touch others.

🏽 PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for giving us Jesus Christ, the source of living water. Thank You that through Him we can receive true spiritual life and satisfaction.

Lord Jesus, I come to You today with every thirst, every burden and every emptiness in my heart.

Fill me with Your presence.

Let the Holy Spirit refresh my soul and strengthen my faith. Remove every desire that has taken Your place in my heart.

Teach me to seek You above everything else.

Let the living water within me flow into my family, my relationships, my church, my workplace and everyone I encounter.

Make my life a vessel through which Your love, grace and truth can reach others.

May I never try to satisfy my soul with what can only leave me empty.

Jesus, You are enough for me.

In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. 🏽

CALVARY BLESSING

May the Lord satisfy every spiritual thirst within you.

May the Holy Spirit refresh your soul.

May God's presence strengthen you when you are weak.

May His Word guide you when you are confused.

May rivers of living water flow through your life and become a blessing to others.

May your heart always hunger for God and your spirit continually thirst for His presence.

Come to Christ.
Drink deeply from His presence.
Walk in the Spirit.
Let His life flow through you.

JESUS IS THE LIVING WATER!

THE CROSS STILL SPEAKS!

By: BR. Emmanuel Dankwah 🏽

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
The Lord is Near

By Vera Malova

August 17th, 2026

I was raised in northern Kazakhstan, but when we moved to the town of Bor in 1993, I remember the TV ads for Pastor John Carter’s evangelistic meetings across the Volga River in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

Things weren’t going smoothly at home. My husband often took to the bottle, and my eldest son Sasha had started drinking, too. So I was happy when Sasha began attending those meetings every day. They gave him a Bible, and when Sasha brought it home, I began to read it. By the time I reached the New Testament, I’d realized we weren’t living the way God wanted us to, so I read it again.

In the meantime, Sasha was baptized and began inviting me to church. I wanted to support him, but I worked on Saturdays. However, my hands began to ache so badly that I had to go to the hospital and take a break from work. The following Saturday, my son stared at me intently, wondering if I would go to church with him, so I went.

I have a habit of looking people in the eye, and I was amazed to see such kind and affectionate eyes. Everyone was glad to see me, and they all smiled, so I continued going to church and soon decided to be baptized.

On the day before my baptism, my husband came home from work drunk, hit his head, and stopped breathing. My son gave him CPR, but his breathing stopped as soon as he let up.

“Lord, I give my whole family into Your hands!” I cried—and instantly, my husband began breathing again. God literally raised him from the dead!

Although two of my children were baptized, my husband would not surrender to the Lord, threatening and calling me ugly names. Once, in a fit of anger, he began choking me.

Another time, my children attended a youth group while I stayed home, reading my Bible. My husband came in drunk and said, “Aren’t you going to church, too?”

“Yes, I think I will,” I answered.

“Then perhaps you’ll also decide to be baptized!” he snorted.

When I replied that I’d already been baptized, he grabbed a large Kitchen knife and shouted, “Then your life is over!”

His eyes burned with a terrible fire! He lunged at me but suddenly froze in place. He stood there a while, holding the knife and shouting over and over, “You will not live!”

Shaking with fear, I closed my eyes tightly and prayed silently for deliverance. Suddenly, I saw a beautiful rainbow in my mind with fiery letters that read, He will not hurt you!

Throwing the knife down, my husband fell on the sofa, sobbing. My guardian angel had stood between us and protected me! “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11.

As a family, we began praying earnestly for him. My children tried talking to him about God, but he answered, “That’s just how it’s written in your American Bible.”

Lena bought him a Russian Orthodox Bible with a cross on it, blessed by Patriarch Alexy II, and as she read texts from her Bible, he read the same text in his; and whether from the Old or New Testament, every text matched word for word!

Despite being convinced, my husband continued to drink as our family implored for God’s help. Finally, Sasha asked, “Father, why are you resisting?” He replied, “Okay, I will ask God to help me stop drinking.”

He began carrying the Ten Commandments in his pocket and telling his co-workers and friends that they should follow them. He also promised to go to church but never did. Instead, he drank until he lost the feeling in his legs from his knees on down.

One morning I woke up joyful. My eyes were shining when I said to him, “You cannot imagine how good you’d feel if you’d quit drinking,” to which he replied, “Then I’ll quit today.”

Sadly, that was the day he died from his illness.

It’s impossible to live in this world without God because there are problems such as alcoholism that no one else can solve. My son, who led me to God, eventually stopped going to church and began drinking again. But although he got so bad that he started hearing voices, our whole church family prayed for him, and after many years, he came back to the Lord and sobered again.

Don’t think that the Lord is somewhere far away. He is right here with you! We all live in debt to the Lord, and a price has been paid for our life. Jesus paid the price for each of our days, each piece of bread we eat, and each breath we take. He paid it with His precious blood!

Jeremiah 29:11 and 13 say, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.… And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Seek the Lord, for He is near.

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
Rip Off the Mask

By Shelley Quinn

August 14th, 2026

“Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.” Psalm 34:13

Finishing a brief therapy session, I slumped down on the side of my hospital bed. A charge nurse popped into my room to ask how I was doing.

“Great,” I smiled. “How was your son’s game?”

After our quick exchange I turned back to my therapist who sat on the window ledge, shaking his head.

“You are your own worst enemy, Shelley!”

My puzzled look prompted his further explanation. “I know you well enough now to know that when your pain becomes intolerable, you breathe in short gasps and perspiration beads on your forehead. But, you smile and gloss over your condition with a friendly word. Most people can’t be cheery when they’re suffering, and—hey—medical personnel are trained to determine treatment by reading facial expressions.”

He had worked with me earlier that month during my first week of hospitalization, following a five-hour spinal surgery. I suffered several complications—including nerve damage in my groins and an irreparable rotator cuff tear. Now, I had been readmitted because I couldn’t walk.

He called it correctly—brutal pain surged through my back, groins, and shoulder. His gentle rebuke echoed words from my distant past, when a spinal surgeon called me “my own worst enemy” for the same reason.

I’m a “grin-and-bear it” kind of gal. Not wanting to be perceived as a whiner, I mask the truth with a smile, using verbal camouflage to hide my brokenness.

Don’t pity me—you likely hide behind the same deflection technique. Have you ever arrived at church heavy-hearted, and when someone asked how you’re doing, you replied, “Doing great! Happy Sabbath!”? Later, you headed home with the same sadness, and no one had the opportunity to pray for you. Or you laugh off hurt feelings following a cutting remark, and never privately confront the abuser. Or a loved one asks, “Is something wrong?” and you hide your frustration with “No! I’m fine.”

People are not mind readers! Our words define us. When we express ourselves honestly, we become visible. When we hide behind a mask of verbal camouflage, we are invisible to others. Some of us wall in our pain, and—sadly—we often feel as if no one really cares.

Verbal camouflage is deceitful.

I get it! We don’t want to wear our feelings on our sleeves. But we need to figure out an honest response to the casual question, “How are you?” If you’re not doing fine—don’t lie about it. While you don’t want to gush out unwanted details, a simple, “I’ll get better!” or “I’m trusting the Lord!” or “I’m blessed, no matter what!” are some of the possible responses. If the person is unknown to you, or too busy to stop for discovery, they’ll go on. If, however, they respond, “Tell me about it!” you will know God placed that person in your path to comfort you.

Let’s rip off the mask and get real!

The Story Behind the Hymns.
THE STORY BEHIND "ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING"

“All Creatures of Our God and King” traces its roots to one of the most beautiful expressions of praise in Christian history: the Canticle of the Sun, written by St. Francis of Assisi around 1224.

St. Francis composed the canticle near the end of his life, during a period of physical suffering. Rather than allowing his circumstances to silence his faith, he looked at creation and saw it as a reflection of God’s glory. The sun, moon, wind, water, fire and earth became, in his poetic prayer, fellow worshippers joining humanity in praising their Creator.

Centuries later, the English clergyman William Henry Draper brought this ancient prayer into the world of congregational hymn singing. Draper translated and adapted portions of St. Francis’ canticle into English, creating the hymn now known as “All Creatures of Our God and King.”

Draper prepared the hymn for a children’s Whitsuntide celebration in Leeds, England. His version was subsequently published in the early 20th century and became widely used in churches, particularly in Britain and other English-speaking Christian communities.

The familiar melody adds another layer of history. The tune, commonly known as “Lasst uns erfreuen,” originated in Germany and appeared in a Catholic hymnal in 1623. Centuries later, it was arranged and popularised in the English-speaking church, notably through the work of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and the English Hymnal.

The hymn’s message is simple yet profound: all creation belongs to God and is called to praise Him. Its repeated invitation to “O praise Him” turns the song into a celebration of worship that reaches beyond humanity to the entire created world.

From a prayer written by a 13th-century saint to an English adaptation sung in churches centuries later, “All Creatures of Our God and King” has endured because of its timeless reminder that creation itself points toward the greatness, goodness and glory of its Creator.

Daily Bible Lesson.
THE USA IN BIBLE PROPHECY! Rev 13:11

At the height of the papacy's power, its "iron teeth" fell upon Protestant Reformers. WHO PROTESTED THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES UNBIBLICAL TEACHINGS....

Many of those who were not martyred, however, found a means of escape to the New World.

Revelation prophesied this exodus in the symbol of a faithful woman, who represents God's true church. This woman, "persecuted" (12:13) by the dragon through papal Rome, fled "into the wilderness" during "a time and times and half a time" (v.14), the same 1,260 years of papal supremacy. Thus, the prey escaped the predator, and the most notable republic in the world was born.

In 1776, the United States declared its independence. It established its own rule of law, the Constitution (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791).

By 1798, simultaneous with the head wound to the Roman Church, the nations of Europe recognized the United States as an independent world power, one built on TWO UNIQUE PRINCIPLES REPRESENTED BY the earth beast's two-lamb-like horns:
(Rev. 13:11) ...
REPUBLICANISM, a government without a king, and
PROTESTANTISM, a church without a pope.

( The two lamb like horns in verse 13:11 represented the 2 principles America was founded on..)

1) We were a republican Nation ~
we had a constitution
had, had had....
and 2) we were blessed by God for being a
Protestant nation)

The United States became the standard bearer of freedom of conscience and embodiment of the separation of church and state--all that the Roman Catholic Church was not.

THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST!!!

But the Bible makes a surprising prediction: AMERICA WILL FALL AWAY FROM ITS FOUNDING PRINCIPLES and advocate for the sea beast,
(Papacy) the very power the Founding Fathers resisted. Revelation 13:12-15 has a few key take aways:

A. The United States forms "an image to the beast"
(Rome)
This is not a statue; rather,
"an image"is a "representation" or "RESEMBLANCE."
Hence, an "image of the beast"(v.15) will be a religiopolitical power that look, speaks, and AND ACTS LIKE THE PAPACY!!!

B. The image of the beast will use a combination of deception (v.14) and coercion (v.15) to achieve universal worship of the papacy (vv.12,15).

C. The ultimate power behind the transformation of the United States is the dragon, Satan, who extends his "authority" (v.12) from the sea beast to the earth beast (v.4).
According to the Bible, the United States will one day LOOK, SPEAK, AND ACT LIKE THE PAPACY.

FACT: During the 1,260 years, the little horn "[persecuted] the saints of the Most High" (Daniel 7:25). During this period of papal supremacy, dubbed the Dark Ages, the Catholic Church labeled as heretics those who followed the Word of God over its own doctrines and, sources state, it condemned more than 50 million people to death.

Daily Bible Lesson.
THE USA IN BIBLE PROPHECY! Rev 13:11

At the height of the papacy's power, its "iron teeth" fell upon Protestant Reformers. WHO PROTESTED THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES UNBIBLICAL TEACHINGS....

Many of those who were not martyred, however, found a means of escape to the New World.

Revelation prophesied this exodus in the symbol of a faithful woman, who represents God's true church. This woman, "persecuted" (12:13) by the dragon through papal Rome, fled "into the wilderness" during "a time and times and half a time" (v.14), the same 1,260 years of papal supremacy. Thus, the prey escaped the predator, and the most notable republic in the world was born.

In 1776, the United States declared its independence. It established its own rule of law, the Constitution (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791).

By 1798, simultaneous with the head wound to the Roman Church, the nations of Europe recognized the United States as an independent world power, one built on TWO UNIQUE PRINCIPLES REPRESENTED BY the earth beast's two-lamb-like horns:
(Rev. 13:11) ...
REPUBLICANISM, a government without a king, and
PROTESTANTISM, a church without a pope.

( The two lamb like horns in verse 13:11 represented the 2 principles America was founded on..)

1) We were a republican Nation ~
we had a constitution
had, had had....
and 2) we were blessed by God for being a
Protestant nation)

The United States became the standard bearer of freedom of conscience and embodiment of the separation of church and state--all that the Roman Catholic Church was not.

THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST!!!

But the Bible makes a surprising prediction: AMERICA WILL FALL AWAY FROM ITS FOUNDING PRINCIPLES and advocate for the sea beast,
(Papacy) the very power the Founding Fathers resisted. Revelation 13:12-15 has a few key take aways:

A. The United States forms "an image to the beast"
(Rome)
This is not a statue; rather,
"an image"is a "representation" or "RESEMBLANCE."
Hence, an "image of the beast"(v.15) will be a religiopolitical power that look, speaks, and AND ACTS LIKE THE PAPACY!!!

B. The image of the beast will use a combination of deception (v.14) and coercion (v.15) to achieve universal worship of the papacy (vv.12,15).

C. The ultimate power behind the transformation of the United States is the dragon, Satan, who extends his "authority" (v.12) from the sea beast to the earth beast (v.4).
According to the Bible, the United States will one day LOOK, SPEAK, AND ACT LIKE THE PAPACY.

FACT: During the 1,260 years, the little horn "[persecuted] the saints of the Most High" (Daniel 7:25). During this period of papal supremacy, dubbed the Dark Ages, the Catholic Church labeled as heretics those who followed the Word of God over its own doctrines and, sources state, it condemned more than 50 million people to death.

28 Beleifs # 17
SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND MINISTRIES

God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts that each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functons. According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and encouragement of people. Some members are called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip the members for service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When members employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God’s varied grace, the church is protected from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is built up in faith and love.

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)