Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* MONDAY 17TH AUGUST, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD'S GRACE. *TOPIC:* OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS. *TEXT:* GENESIS 39:11-14. 11. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. 13. When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14. she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. *TOPIC:* OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS. *THE MESSAGE:* Temptation is a common test that comes in various forms and from different sources. Joseph faced a powerful and subtle temptation from Potiphar's wife, yet he refused to yield, relying on God's help. Though his resistance was reciprocated with harsh punishment, he remained faithful. Many young people, though called by God, have fallen into temptation and lost their voices and vitality. Today, many innocent young men and ladies have fallen victims of rape, sexual harassment in places of work or sex for good grades. Some church workers are not exempted from this awful sin. Have you harass or have been harassed sexually? Do not give the enemy a foothold. God's grace is available to all who desire victory. You can overcome temptation and live in freedom through His grace and word. *REFLECTION:* No temptation will pass your ability to resist. *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to resist and flee temptation. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* EZEKIEL 4-6. ED.ii. GOD'S COVENANT WITH MAN "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man: You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." - Genesis 2:15-17 God's covenant or agreement with man was: 1) God said that man should cultivate the garden; 2) God said he had to take care of the garden. Adam's position as the ruler of the garden had to be preserved; 3) God said they could freely eat from all trees except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they ate from it, they would certainly die. The consequence of the fall But Adam and Eve broke this agreement. They believed the evil one and preferred to follow him, that creature who had disobeyed God, opposed God and was therefore thrown out of heaven. When this sin occurred, everything seemed lost. God made everything so beautiful and appointed Adam as ruler over this. However, when Adam and Eve sinned, Adam lost his position as ruler. They both became slaves to sin. God's rescue plan However, no one but God knew that He already had an escape route for man so man could regain his previous position. The Lamb of God, He was chosen before the creation of the world (see 1 Peter 1:20). This plan to save mankind was there before the world was created. The reason God allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross was because He wanted to give back to man the position he once had. Now man was able to rule over sin, over the evil one and over this earth. He could walk with God again and come into His presence. The human being is allowed to reign together with God as a Royal child. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening Prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. ⏤ Psalm 91:4 God does not want us to worry about the future. He wants us to trust Him today. ⏤ Corrie ten Boom Father, we are like little children in this vast world and cannot take care of ourselves. But we are so grateful that we are Your children and that You are our Father. We trust in Your eternal care. We know that You will never let us fall out of Your love and protection. As night falls again, we come close to You. We hide ourselves in the secret place of Your love and protection. We ask You to forgive all the sins we’ve committed against You today. Renew our hearts more deeply, so that we may keep Your commandments and live in harmony with Your will in both our thoughts and actions. Tonight, Father, we also remember Your other children around us. Some of them are happy; may they not forget You in their joy. Bless all pure happiness and let it lead to a closer relationship with You. Some of Your children are facing challenges. Some are struggling to find their daily bread. Some have sickness in their homes. Others have loved ones who are not living as they should, who do not love You or walk in Your ways, and their hearts are heavy with concern. Some have lost dear ones and are grieving deeply. For all these neighbors, we pray tonight. Bless them all. Give them the grace they need. Send relief and comfort in the way You know is best. And give us the grace to do our part in helping them in Your name, through Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/43/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

MONDAY MORNING PRAYER “BUT IF NOT!” A Faith That Trusts God Regardless of the Outcome! Scripture: Daniel 3:17–18 (KJV) “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace... But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods...” Heavenly Father, we come before You this Monday morning with hearts still overflowing from the awesome service we experienced yesterday. Thank You for Your presence, Your Word, Your power, and the reminder that You are still God—even when life doesn't turn out the way we expected. Lord, as we begin this new week, give us the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They stood before a fiery furnace knowing You were able to deliver them, but their faith wasn't dependent upon whether You did. Their declaration was simple but powerful: “Our God is able... BUT IF NOT, we still won't bow!” Father, give us that kind of faith! When the prayer hasn't been answered yet—we will still worship You. When the healing hasn't manifested yet—we will still trust You. When the financial breakthrough hasn't come yet—we will still praise You. When the family situation hasn't changed—we will still believe You. When the door doesn't open—we will still serve You. When we don't understand what You're doing—we will still declare that You are good! Lord, teach us that real faith doesn't say, “I'll trust You if You do what I want.” Real faith says, “God, I know You are able, but even if You choose another way, I will not bow, I will not quit, and I will not turn away from You!” Father, some of us may walk into a furnace this week—a difficult conversation, an unexpected problem, pressure on the job, financial concerns, family struggles, disappointment, or circumstances beyond our control. But remind us that the furnace does not mean You have abandoned us! Daniel 3:25 declares, “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire... and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” God, meet us in the fire! If You don't keep us from it, walk through it with us. If You don't immediately remove it, give us strength to endure it. If You don't change the situation today, change us while we're standing in it. And when we come out, let us come out like those three Hebrew men—not destroyed, not defeated, and not smelling like what we've been through! Your Word says in Daniel 3:27 that “the smell of fire had not passed on them.” So Father, don't let yesterday's fire contaminate today's attitude. Don't let past disappointments determine this week's expectations. Don't allow bitterness, fear, frustration, or discouragement to follow us into this new day. We declare: THE FIRE WILL NOT HAVE THE FINAL WORD! We may be tested, but we will not bow. We may be pressured, but we will not compromise. We may be surrounded by flames, but we are not alone. We may not understand God's plan, but we trust God's heart. Father, cover our families today. Cover our homes, marriages, children, grandchildren, loved ones, churches, pastors, leaders, workplaces, businesses, finances, and every concern we're carrying. Go before us on the highways and byways. Protect us from dangers seen and unseen. Give us wisdom in every decision, grace in every conversation, patience in every challenge, and strength for every assignment. And Lord, when the enemy whispers, “What if God doesn't do it?” Give us enough faith to answer: “BUT IF NOT—I STILL TRUST HIM!” Because our faith isn't merely in what God can give us—our faith is in who God is! You are still Jehovah Jireh—our Provider. You are still Jehovah Rapha—our Healer. You are still Jehovah Shalom—our Peace. You are still our Deliverer, our Keeper, our Refuge, and our Strength! So we enter this Monday declaring: OUR GOD IS ABLE! But even if He doesn't do it the way we expected... WE WILL STILL WORSHIP! WE WILL STILL SERVE! WE WILL STILL PRAISE! WE WILL STILL BELIEVE! WE WILL STILL STAND! Because whether God delivers us from the fire or meets us in the fire, we know one thing for certain: WE WILL NEVER WALK THROUGH THE FIRE ALONE! Father, let the Word we received yesterday live in us throughout this entire week. “BUT IF NOT!” Our circumstances will not determine our worship. Our disappointments will not destroy our faith. Our trials will not make us bow. GOD IS ABLE—AND GOD IS STILL GOD! In the mighty, matchless, and victorious name of Jesus Christ, we pray. AMEN! MONDAY Morning Declaration... My God is able! But if He chooses another way, I will still trust Him. I will not bow to fear, pressure, doubt, or discouragement. If I have to walk through the fire, I know I will not walk alone. God is with me, God is for me, and my faith will remain standing. BUT IF NOT—I STILL TRUST GOD!

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 11–12 | Galatians 1 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 11 God Preserves His Covenant Promise 2 Kings 11 unfolds during one of the darkest moments in Judah's history. Following the death of King Ahaziah, Athaliah seizes the throne and attempts to eliminate every royal heir from the house of David. Her actions appear to threaten the very covenant God had made with David—that his descendants would continue until the coming of the promised King. Humanly speaking, it seems as though God's redemptive plan is in danger. Yet behind the scenes, God is quietly preserving His promise. Jehosheba courageously rescues the infant Joash and hides him in the temple for six years. While Athaliah believes she has secured her kingdom, God has already protected the rightful heir. The Lord's covenant does not depend upon human power or political stability. He faithfully guards His purposes even when they appear hidden. After six years, the priest Jehoiada carefully organizes the restoration of the kingdom. His leadership is marked by wisdom, patience, and reverence for God's timing. Rather than acting impulsively, he waits until the proper moment to reveal Joash publicly as the rightful king. When Joash is crowned, the people rejoice, and Athaliah's reign comes to an end. The covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people is renewed, and the temple of Baal is destroyed. Worship is restored, and Judah experiences peace because the nation once again acknowledges the Lord as its true King. The chapter demonstrates that God's promises cannot be destroyed by human rebellion. Though evil may appear to triumph for a season, God's covenant purposes always prevail. His faithfulness quietly sustains what human eyes often fail to see. Theologically, 2 Kings 11 reveals God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with David. The preservation of Joash ensures that the Messianic line remains intact. The chapter also highlights the importance of faithful individuals like Jehosheba and Jehoiada, whose quiet obedience becomes part of God's larger redemptive plan. This chapter points directly to Christ. The preservation of David's royal line ultimately leads to Jesus, the promised Son of David whose kingdom will never end. Though many throughout history attempted to destroy God's redemptive plan, the Lord faithfully preserved the line through which the Savior would come. For believers today, 2 Kings 11 reminds us that God is always at work, even when His purposes seem hidden. Evil never has the final word because God's promises are secure. In Christ, we belong to an unshakable kingdom established by God's faithfulness. We are called to remain faithful in our own generation, trusting that God uses ordinary acts of obedience to accomplish extraordinary purposes. 2 Kings 12 Restoring the House of the Lord 2 Kings 12 begins with the early reign of Joash, who comes to the throne under the godly influence of Jehoiada the priest. During these early years, Joash desires to restore the temple, which had been neglected during Athaliah's reign. His concern for the house of the Lord reflects a recognition that true national renewal begins with proper worship. The temple had suffered because God's people had neglected their relationship with Him. Rather than merely repairing a building, Joash seeks to restore the center of Israel's worship. The chapter reminds us that outward restoration should always reflect an inward desire to honor the Lord. As the work begins, practical challenges arise. Initial plans do not move as expected, requiring adjustments in leadership and organization. Eventually, a faithful system is established, allowing the people to give generously and the repairs to proceed with integrity. The workers are described as trustworthy, highlighting the importance of faithfulness in handling what belongs to God. The restoration of the temple becomes a community effort. The people willingly participate because they recognize the value of honoring the Lord. Their generosity demonstrates that worship involves not only words but also faithful stewardship of the resources God provides. Yet the chapter also contains a quiet warning. Although Joash begins well, the high places remain, indicating that complete spiritual reform has not yet taken place. The closing verses reveal political pressures that eventually lead Joash to compromise by using temple treasures to appease an enemy rather than trusting fully in the Lord. His reign ends tragically, reminding us that beginning well does not guarantee finishing well. Theologically, 2 Kings 12 teaches that worship must remain central to the life of God's people. It also demonstrates the importance of faithful stewardship, integrity, and perseverance. Spiritual renewal involves more than repairing outward structures—it requires continual devotion to the Lord. This chapter points to Christ, who is greater than the temple itself. Jesus came not merely to restore a building but to establish God's dwelling among His people through His own body. Through His death and resurrection, believers become the temple of the Holy Spirit, called to live lives that honor God completely. For believers today, 2 Kings 12 reminds us to invest in what has eternal value. Just as the temple required faithful restoration, our hearts continually need renewal through God's Word and Spirit. In Christ, we are called to steward faithfully what God has entrusted to us, serve with integrity, and remain devoted to Him throughout our lives. The goal is not simply to begin our walk with enthusiasm but to finish it with unwavering faithfulness to our Lord and King. Galatians — The Gospel of Grace and Freedom in the Christ The book of Galatians is a passionate defense of the true gospel and a powerful declaration that salvation is found through the Christ, the Son of God, by grace alone through faith alone. Paul writes to churches that had begun to drift from the simplicity of the gospel by adding human works and religious requirements to the finished work of the Christ. Throughout the letter, he calls believers back to the freedom that God has provided through His redemptive plan. The central theme of Galatians is that no one is justified before God by keeping the Law or by human effort. The Law revealed humanity's need for a Savior, but only the Christ could fulfill its righteous requirements. Through His death and resurrection, the Son of God accomplished what no one else could, making salvation available to all who trust in Him. The book repeatedly contrasts life under the Law with life in the Spirit. The Christian life does not begin by grace and continue through human effort. From beginning to end, believers depend upon the grace of the Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. The redemptive plan transforms people from the inside out, producing obedience that flows from love rather than obligation. Another major emphasis is Christian freedom. This freedom is not permission to live selfishly or sinfully but the freedom to love, serve, and obey God without the burden of trying to earn His acceptance. The Son of God has set His people free so they may walk in joyful obedience through the Spirit. The letter also highlights the believer's new identity. Those who belong to the Christ are sons and daughters of God, heirs of His promises, and members of His family. Their standing before God rests entirely upon the finished work of the Son of God. For believers today, Galatians reminds us to guard the purity of the gospel. Christian living is rooted in grace, empowered by the Spirit, and centered on the Christ. We are called to reject every form of legalism, trust completely in the finished work of the Son of God, and walk daily in the freedom He has purchased through His redemptive plan. Galatians 1 — Holding Fast to the True Gospel of the Christ Galatians chapter 1 immediately establishes the urgency of preserving the true gospel. Paul writes with deep concern because the believers were being influenced by teachers who had distorted the message of salvation. Rather than adding to the gospel, these teachings were actually replacing it. From the very beginning, the chapter points believers back to the Christ, the Son of God, as the only source of salvation and the foundation of God's redemptive plan. The chapter opens by emphasizing that Paul's calling and authority did not originate from human appointment but from the Christ Himself. This establishes that the message he proclaimed came directly from God rather than from human tradition. Christian living must always be built upon God's revealed truth rather than popular opinion or religious custom. The Son of God remains the ultimate authority over His Church. Paul quickly expresses astonishment that the Galatian believers were turning away from the grace of the Christ so soon after receiving the gospel. They were not rejecting Christianity altogether but allowing another message to replace the true one. This demonstrates how subtle spiritual deception can be. The redemptive plan is centered entirely on the finished work of the Christ, and anything that adds human merit to salvation undermines the gospel itself. The chapter makes it unmistakably clear that there is only one true gospel. Salvation is found through the Christ alone. No human effort, religious ceremony, or personal achievement can improve upon what the Son of God has already accomplished. Christian living begins with this unchanging truth and continues by resting completely in His grace. Paul also addresses the danger of seeking human approval. Faithful servants of the Christ cannot shape their message to satisfy people. Their calling is to remain faithful to God's truth regardless of opposition. The redemptive plan is too precious to be altered for the sake of acceptance or popularity. The Son of God calls His followers to proclaim the truth with humility and courage. The chapter then recounts Paul's own testimony. Before encountering the Christ, he was devoted to religious tradition and actively opposed the gospel. Yet God intervened by His grace, revealing His Son and transforming Paul's life completely. This testimony demonstrates that salvation is always initiated by God. The redemptive plan is founded upon divine grace, not human seeking. The Christ changes hearts, redirects lives, and calls people into His service. Paul emphasizes that after his conversion, his understanding of the gospel did not come through human instruction but through God's revelation. This highlights the divine origin of the message. Christian living must always remain rooted in the truth revealed through the Son of God rather than shifting with changing cultural ideas. The chapter concludes by showing how Paul's transformed life became a testimony to others. Those who had once feared him because of his persecution of the Church were now glorifying God because of the work of the Christ in his life. This is one of the great evidences of the redemptive plan. The Son of God does not merely forgive sinners—He transforms them into faithful servants whose lives point others to His glory. Throughout Galatians chapter 1, the focus remains fixed upon the grace of the Christ and the unchanging truth of the gospel. The Son of God alone provides salvation, and His finished work is fully sufficient. Every attempt to add to His work ultimately diminishes the glory that belongs to Him alone. For believers today, this chapter calls us to guard the purity of the gospel with humility and conviction. Christian living begins and continues through the grace of the Christ, never through human effort. We are reminded to evaluate every teaching by God's Word, to remain faithful to the truth regardless of cultural pressure, and to trust completely in the finished work of the Son of God. As we hold firmly to the true gospel, our lives become testimonies of His transforming grace and faithful witnesses to His eternal redemptive plan. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

*TODAY'S PROPHETIC DECLARATION - SUNDAY, 16TH AUGUST, 2026.* 🌟*PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MIGHTY ACTS.* *(11th Sunday after Trinity)* 📖 Scripture: “Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.” — Psalm 150:1–2 (KJV). 🔥*Reflection – Let Everything Within You Praise the Lord.* Psalm 150 is a powerful call to wholehearted worship. The Psalmist does not merely tell us to praise God; he tells us why we should praise Him: because of His mighty acts and His excellent greatness. Today, as we celebrate the 11th Sunday after Trinity, we are reminded that praise should not depend on our circumstances. God deserves our worship because of who He is and because of what He has done. There are blessings we can see and others we may never know about. There are prayers God has already answered and others for which we are still waiting. Yet, through every season, God's greatness remains unchanged. When we praise God, we acknowledge His sovereignty, celebrate His faithfulness, and declare our confidence in His power. Praise shifts our attention from the size of our problems to the greatness of our God. 🔊*Prophetic Declaration:* Today, I declare that my life shall continually be an instrument of praise to Almighty God. I will praise Him in good times and difficult seasons, in abundance and in times of waiting, because He is always worthy of my worship. I declare that I will not allow temporary challenges to silence my praise. My circumstances may change, but my God does not change. His faithfulness remains constant, His mercy endures forever, and His greatness is beyond measure. Today, I praise God for His mighty acts in my life. I praise Him for the battles He has fought, the dangers He has prevented, the doors He has opened, the prayers He has answered, and the blessings He has given me. I declare that every spirit of discouragement, heaviness, fear, and hopelessness shall lose its influence over me. The garment of praise shall replace every garment of heaviness, and joy shall rise within my heart. I proclaim God's greatness over my family, ministry, work, business, studies, relationships, and destiny. The Lord shall continue to demonstrate His mighty power in every area of my life according to His perfect will. I declare that where I see limitations, I shall remember God's greatness. Where I see impossibilities, I shall remember His mighty acts. Where I face uncertainty, I shall remember His faithfulness. Today, I receive fresh grace to worship God wholeheartedly. My mouth shall testify of His goodness, my heart shall overflow with gratitude, and my life shall demonstrate His love. I declare that the Lord shall put a new song in my mouth. He shall turn my mourning into dancing, my sorrow into joy, my trials into testimonies, and my waiting into opportunities to experience His faithfulness. I proclaim that my testimony shall encourage others to trust in God. Through my words, worship, conduct, and service, people shall see evidence of God's goodness and be drawn closer to Him. Today, I choose praise over complaint, faith over fear, gratitude over murmuring, and worship over worry. I will praise the Lord for His mighty acts. I will praise Him for His excellent greatness. I will praise Him because He is good. I will praise Him because He is faithful. I will praise Him because He alone is worthy! Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! 🙏🔥🙌 ✅*Action Steps for today:* 1️⃣ Begin with praise: Before making your requests this morning, spend time thanking God for who He is. 2️⃣ Read Psalm 150: Meditate on God's greatness and His mighty acts. 3️⃣ Declare: “I will praise the Lord for His mighty acts and according to His excellent greatness.” 4️⃣ Count your blessings: Mention at least five things for which you are grateful to God. 5️⃣ Turn your concern into praise: Whatever challenge you are facing, commit it to God and worship Him while trusting His power. 6️⃣ Be a source of encouragement: Share a testimony, Scripture, or encouraging message with someone today. 7️⃣ End with thanksgiving: Before going to bed, remember God's faithfulness throughout the day and give Him all the glory. 🔥*Prayer:* Almighty and Everlasting God, I praise You because You are great, mighty, faithful, holy, and worthy of all praise. Thank You for Your countless blessings and for the mighty acts You have performed in my life. Forgive me for every time I have allowed my circumstances to become greater in my eyes than Your greatness. Give me a heart that continually remembers Your goodness. Put a new song in my mouth. Let praise rise from my heart even when I am waiting for answers. Turn every difficult season into a testimony of Your faithfulness. Lord, manifest Your mighty power in my family, ministry, work, business, studies, and every area of my life. Establish the work of my hands and let everything concerning me bring glory to Your holy name. Make my life a living testimony of Your excellent greatness. Let my worship encourage others, my testimony strengthen the weak, and my service advance Your Kingdom. I will praise You, Lord, for Your mighty acts. I will praise You according to Your excellent greatness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🕊️ 🌿*Sunday Blessing:* May the Lord fill your heart with an unquenchable spirit of praise today. May He give you countless reasons to rejoice and continually remind you of His mighty acts. May every difficult situation become a testimony, every season of waiting produce deeper faith, and every blessing become a reason to give God glory. May the Lord bless your family, strengthen your ministry, establish the work of your hands, guide your steps, and surround you with His favor. May your mouth never lack a testimony and your heart never lack a reason to praise God. 🙌 Praise Him for His mighty acts! 🔥 Praise Him for His excellent greatness! ❤️ Praise Him for His unfailing love! 🎶 Praise Him because He alone is worthy! 🌟 Good morning beloved and Happy 11th Sunday after Trinity and 3rd Sunday in August! 🌟 May your Sunday be filled with worship, joy, divine encounters, thanksgiving, and glorious testimonies. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen! 🙏🙌🔥 Shalom! *Remember: Your confession is your possession.* *©️ Postulant C. O. Oyadosu.* _Please share with others, thank you and God bless you 🙏_ For counseling, prayers and partnership or you want to share your testimonies with us; please call or Whatsapp: +2348063128703 Or Email: clementoyadosu[gmail].com

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀💝🌺🎁🌹🎀 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY FRIDAY AUGUST 14, 2O26. "PROMISES, PROMISES!' (1)" ‘…when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.’ Hebrews 10:36 NIV. MANY OF us remember singing in church, ‘Every promise in the Book is mine!’ Exciting words—but are they entirely true? If you’ve prayed for the fulfilment of a Bible promise that didn’t materialise, you may have wondered, felt disillusioned, or even stopped trusting. What’s true is that every promise in the Book intended for you, is yours! God is committed to keeping every promise He has made (Matthew 24:35). So how can you know which Bible promises are yours? Here are some scriptural guidelines to help you: 1) Be sure you understand the promise. God is committed to His Word, not to your interpretation of it. When Jesus said, ‘…Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’ (John 2:19 NKJV), His audience completely misunderstood Him, thinking He meant the literal temple when He meant His body. 2) Walk in the Spirit, not the flesh. Walking in the Spirit, Peter received divine understanding of Christ’s deity. When Jesus asked, ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘…this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father…’ (Matthew 16:15-17 NIV). Soon afterwards, walking in the flesh, the same man totally misunderstood Jesus and was severely rebuked by Jesus (Matthew 16:21-23). Why? Because ‘…the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God…nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned’ (1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV). So submit your thoughts to God; pray for His guidance, and in due course, you’ll get the insight you need. Bible In A Year: Judg 12-15, Matt 17:14-27, Ps 119:81-88, Pro 17:27-28. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation 💝🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🎀💝🌹🌷. MD.ii. [15/08, 12:10 am] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST, 2026``` *QUEST FOR REVIVAL* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🗣️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:HABAKKUK 3:1-2```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy" (HABAKKUK 3:2).*_ *Reviewing the history of revivals in Christendom, English author and theologian, Os Guinness, states that these spontaneous supernatural acts occur during turbulent times. Examining the periods of the Christian Reformation, Revival, and Renaissance, he concludes that the darkest hour is often just before the dawn. Consequently, we should always be people of hope and prayer rather than gloom and defeatism. God can turn the situation around in a moment.* *The cleric took lessons from the experience of Habakkuk, the prophet who was struck with terror on learning from the Lord that the land of Judah would be attacked by the fierce Chaldean troops from Babylon. Already disturbed by the iniquities of injustice and impunity around him, on which he expected the Lord to act, Habakkuk was now informed that more disquietude was on the way. The prophet was made to understand that even the Chaldeans, who were to be used as an instrument of punishment, were themselves to face the wrath of God for their wickedness. His anxiety was relieved when he realised that the God of mercy he served was at the point of reviving His people in the process. He went on to intercede for precisely that.* *With humanity now also traumatised by sporadic assaults coming through technological inventions like Artificial Intelligence (AI), wars, insecurity, dysfunctional governance, threats of nuclear conflagration, there are fears that man is on the brink, looking into the bottomless abyss. Really? Not so. The Christian is challenged, rather, like Habakkuk, to plead for revival among the turmoil. It is the hour to ask for an unprecedented move of God's Spirit in the world, an event that should usher multitudes to repentance and turning to Christ for succour in trying times.* *The Lord's second coming is imminent, going by the signs we are witnessing. It is a timely call for vigilant heaven-seeking Christians to strengthen their commitment to holiness, evangelism, study of God's word, fellowship, and acts of kindness. We shouldn't be despondent as we observe the events that signal the end-time; instead, we should discern revival on the horizon.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Current global upheavals are not for our anxiety, but for our action.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *JOB 22-25*📜📜 Quest For Revival https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 1: ALL YOUR ANXIETY; GHS 7: TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS; AND GHS 167: I MUST TELL JESUS* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna15thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [15/08, 12:10 am] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST, 2026``` *THE TREASURE IN TIMOTHY* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:PHILIPPIANS 2:19-24```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state" (PHILIPPIANS 2:19-20).*_ *Timothy was a youth and spiritual son of Apostle Paul. He possessed excellent qualities that are missing in the lives of many youths today.* *Timothy's life and work in the body of Christ was so remarkable that Paul confirmed that there was none that was like-minded like Timothy in following godly examples. Timothy was a selfless minister whom Paul trusted to take care of the church in Philippi.* *Many so-called Christian youths are selfish and only think about their comfort. The Lord expects us to live a sacrificial life to edify the body of Christ and to win sinners to the kingdom. As a student, you can share what you have with your friends as it is more blessed to give than to receive.* *You also need to share the gospel of Christ with your unbelieving friends to help them to see the need of surrendering their lives to Christ. We are talking about Timothy today because he had a good and godly treasure that helped to achieve much in his ministry. Are you trustworthy like Timothy?* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Timothy was a selfless minister.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Be a selfless believer.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to be selfless and trustworthy.*_ The Treasure In Timothy https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday15thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [15/08, 12:10 am] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST, 2026``` *TIME IS A GIFT* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🕰️⏲️⏰⌚⏳🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Time is a gift from God to everyone. We have a lot of time on earth, but it won't last forever. Our time here will end at some point. Therefore, we must use our time wisely. That requires good planning. Proper use of your time will help you make the most of opportunities and succeed in life. There's a time for school, homework, play, house chores, and rest. Make time for prayer and Bible reading. Do the right thing when it is needed. Don't waste all your time on phones, television and games. Say no to procrastination. God does everything at the right time. He sent Jesus to die for your sins at the right time. Any time from now, the rapture will take place. The opportunity to repent and be saved won't last forever. Once the rapture happens, it will be too late. *If you are still living in disobedience, the right time for you to sincerely repent and be saved is now!* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Dear Father, help me to be wise and to do the right thing at the right time.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *2 Corinthians 6:2* Time Is A Gift https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk15thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [15/08, 12:11 am] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* SATURDAY, 15TH AUGUST, 2026. *PRAYER AND PASSION FOR REVIVAL* *TEXT:* HABAKKUK 3:1-2. 1.A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. 2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lotrd, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. *Timeless Truth:* _"My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word"_ (Psalm 119:25). *INTRODUCTION* Revival, in the Christian context, is the sovereign visitation of God that brings renewed spiritual life, deep repentance, holiness, restoration and fresh power to His people. There are many contemporary cases of revival in addition to the one in Bible days. Jonah was used by God to bring Revival to the people of Nineveh where all the 120,000 inhabitants got convicted and converted. There were revivals in Israel during the time of king Hezekiah and Josiah. The Early Church also experienced great revival immediately after the Pentecost. When there is spiritual coldness and indifference to spiritual things, when there is no clear distinction between the world and the Church, when saints are distracted from heavenly desire to earthly preoccupation, then revival is needed. When the saints are weak, powerless and fainting in scriptural conviction and consecration, then we need revival. When formalism and entertainment fill our worship instead of true and holy devotion to God and heavenly things, revival is needed. In order to experience revival, there must be deep concern and burden for prayer coupled with passion for revival. It takes a revived person to be an instrument of revival. *1. The Man of Prayer* a. The man God uses must be a man of bended knees with power of prayer. *"A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.”* Habakkuk was not merely a prophet who preached; he was also a man who prayed. His direct communication with God was not clogged. God could express His mind and vision to him clearly and He also could hear from God and communicate with God effectively and fruitfully. He was a true servant of God that stood between God and man as mediator. He lived a life that was pleasing to God and God could speak to him about people. He dwelt in the midst of compromised and corrupted people without being defiled and with boldness to declare unto them their sins and evil as God had told him without fear or favour. His response to the difficult circumstances surrounding Judah was to seek God. The spiritual condition of a nation should drive God's servants to their knees. Revival begins when someone becomes sufficiently burdened to pray as he comes out of the cocoon of self seeking and self satisfaction. b. There is no revival that ever came in human history without people who had the passion and power of prayer from God. Habakkuk's prayer demonstrates that prayer is not a sign of weakness, but an expression of dependence upon the Almighty. The revival God wants to bring may begin with one person who is willing to stand before Him in persistent intercession. Churches need prayer warriors who will carry the burden of their generation before God. The praying saints or warriors that bring revival concentrate their prayers on heavenly things and not on earthly benefits and blessings. Earnest, consistent and persistent prayers by holy people with deep burden and passion for the glory of God, salvation of souls and perfection of saints are indispensable to a true God sent revival. *Question* Am I sufficiently burdened by the spiritual condition of my generation to become a man or woman of prayer? *2. The Manifestation of Passion* *"O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid"*. Habakkuk's prayer reveals intense spiritual passion. Having heard God's Word and understood His dealings with His people, he was moved deeply. He was such a person that was not indifferent to the Word of God. The Word of God moved, burned and melted his heart. It became fire in his bones that only revival could quench. First he heard the voice of God. Second he was afraid. He was like Noah who, after hearing the Word of God, believed and *"being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house"* (Hebrews 11:7). True passion for God is not passive. It actively engages in things that will bring change and revival. b. Passion for revival means longing to see God glorified, sinners saved, believers renewed and righteousness restored. Habakkuk did not ask God merely to improve circumstances; he asked Him to revive His work. True revival passion is therefore God-centred rather than man-centred. We must pray until spiritual hunger replaces spiritual complacency. *Question* Does my prayer life demonstrate a genuine passion for God to revive His work in my generation? *3. The Mercy from the Potentate* a. What does this world need desperately from God? Mercy! The degree of worldliness and ungodliness are inexcusable. Man deliberately lives his life, spurning His Word and commandments as if God does not exist. Saints' lives are soiled with carnality, worldliness and corruption. Their focus has shifted from serving the Lord to what mundane things the Lord will give to them. b. Passionate prayer for the mercy of God is an indication that we accept that God has been offended and He is angry at us because of our coldness and carnality. It should always be a prayer point constantly. *“In the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.”* Habakkuk recognized God as the sovereign Potentate who has authority to judge, revive, restore and show mercy. He therefore pleaded, *“in wrath remember mercy.”* Revival cannot be manufactured by human ability; it must come through divine mercy and sovereign intervention. The prophet understood that although God's people might deserve judgment, God's mercy could provide restoration. This should encourage us to approach God humbly and plead for mercy upon the Church, families, communities, and nations. When God shows mercy, dry bones can live again, cold hearts can burn again and His work can flourish again. *Question* Am I humbly pleading with the sovereign God to remember mercy and revive His work in our generation? What decision are you making to be an agent of revival in your church and community? *Prayer Points* 1.O Lord, make me a man/woman of prayer, burdened continually for revival and spiritual awakening🙏. 2.O Lord, ignite within me an unquenchable passion for Your glory and the advancement of Your work 🙏. 3.O Lord, the sovereign Potentate, revive Your work in the Church, in families and throughout our nation 🙏. 4 Lord, in wrath remember mercy; pour out Your Spirit, save the lost, restore the backslidden and let genuine revival come upon our generation 🙏. *HYMN:* Come Holy Spirit *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOB 22-25. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer [It is of] the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness. ⏤ Lamentations 3:22-23 God will meet you where you are in order to take you where He wants you to go. ⏤ Tony Evans Lord, You created us in Your own image so that we might truly be Your children. We come to You this morning seeking Your favor. Please take away anything that hinders us from fully experiencing Your love. Just as the rising sun drives away the darkness, may Your love drive away the shadows in our souls. As the morning light spreads across fields and valleys, may Your grace surround us and fill us with Your holy love. We confess that we have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. We have not lived in a way that honors You. We want today to be the best day we’ve ever lived. Please give us special grace, a special measure of Your Spirit, so we can stay close to You. Help us to do our everyday work better—more skillfully, more neatly, and more quickly than ever before. Help us to keep You in our thoughts as we go about our tasks. Give us more of the mind of Christ so that we may be sweet-spirited and kind-hearted. May Your love shine through us so that we reflect You in everything we do and say. Sanctify our influence on others. Many of our friends need Your help and blessing today. Some will find their duties hard because they are discouraged. Life hasn’t been easy for them. They’ve faced setbacks and losses. Please remember them and bless them in their discouragement. Keep them from losing heart. Give them courage and hope, and sustain them with Your grace. There are homes in distress because loved ones are sick. Please bless those homes tenderly. Spare the lives of those who are ill if it is Your will. We ask for these mercies, confident in Your compassion, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/41/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

KEEPING THE FAITH WHILE GOING THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES! When Life Gets Hard, Hold On to God Even Tighter Key Scripture: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) Thought Of The Day.... There are seasons in life when keeping the faith is easier said than done. It is easy to declare, “God is good!” when everything is going well. It is easy to shout when the bills are paid, the family is getting along, your body feels strong, your marriage is peaceful, your children are doing well, and the doors you have been praying for are opening. But what happens when life gets difficult? What happens when you pray—and the situation doesn't immediately change? What happens when the doctor's report concerns you? When your body is hurting and you are tired of hurting? When your finances are stretched beyond what you can see? When there is tension between husband and wife? When your children are struggling or making decisions that keep you awake at night? When relationships in your family become strained? Can you still trust God when you don't understand what God is doing? That is where faith becomes more than something we talk about. Faith becomes something we live. Hebrews 11:1 declares: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith does not mean pretending everything is okay. Faith says, “Everything may not be okay right now, but I know the One who is holding me while I go through it.” FAITH DOESN'T DENY THE DIFFICULTY—IT DECLARES THAT GOD IS GREATER Sometimes Christians mistakenly believe that having faith means we cannot acknowledge that something hurts. But David cried. Job grieved. Jeremiah wept. Paul experienced suffering. Even Jesus wept. Faith doesn't require you to deny your pain. Faith requires you not to allow your pain to become greater than your confidence in God. You can have tears in your eyes and still have faith in your heart. You can say: “Lord, I'm hurting, but I trust You.” “Lord, I'm tired, but I'm still following You.” “Lord, I don't understand, but I still believe You.” “Lord, I don't know how this is going to work out, but I know You are still God.” Psalm 34:17 reminds us: “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” Your trouble has God's attention. WHEN YOUR DIFFICULT TIME IS YOUR HEALTH Few things test our faith like problems in our bodies. When sickness comes, procedures are necessary, pain continues, or doctors don't have all the answers, fear can begin whispering: “What if things get worse?” But faith responds: “What if God carries me through?” Your faith isn't based upon whether you immediately receive the report you desire. Your faith is anchored in the character of the God who promised: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” — Hebrews 13:5 When your body is weak, God remains strong. When you don't know what tomorrow holds, God is already standing in your tomorrow. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep seeking appropriate medical care. Keep trusting God one day at a time. WHEN YOUR DIFFICULT TIME IS FINANCIAL! Financial pressure can affect almost every area of life. Bills keep coming. Unexpected expenses happen. The money doesn't seem to stretch far enough. You may look at what you have and wonder, “Lord, how am I going to make it?” Remember what Paul declared: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 Notice Paul said “my God.” Your source is bigger than your paycheck. That doesn't mean we shouldn't budget, plan, save, work, or make wise financial decisions. But after you have done what you can do, don't allow financial pressure to convince you that God has forgotten you. The same God who provided yesterday is still God today. WHEN THE DIFFICULT TIME IS IN YOUR MARRIAGE Sometimes the storm isn't outside the house. Sometimes the storm is inside the house. Husband and wife may love each other but still experience seasons of disagreement, disappointment, communication problems, financial stress, hurt feelings, or emotional distance. During those seasons, the enemy wants you to concentrate exclusively on what is wrong. But Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us: “…a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Husband. Wife. God. Don't allow a difficult chapter to convince you that the entire story is over. Pray before reacting. Listen before assuming. Forgive instead of keeping score. Communicate instead of withdrawing. And when needed, seek wise, godly counsel. Sometimes faith means believing God can heal what has been wounded, restore what has been damaged, and rebuild what has been weakened. WHEN YOUR DIFFICULT TIME INVOLVES YOUR CHILDREN There is a special kind of pain that comes when your children are struggling. You raised them. You prayed for them. You taught them. You tried to guide them. Yet there comes a time when you cannot make every decision for them. That's when you have to remember: Your children may get beyond your reach, but they can never get beyond God's reach. Proverbs 22:6 says: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Keep praying. Keep loving. Keep speaking truth. Keep setting healthy boundaries. And keep trusting God with the parts of their lives that you cannot control. God knows exactly where your children are. DON'T LET A HARD SEASON MAKE YOU FORGET A FAITHFUL GOD One of the enemy's strategies during difficult seasons is to make you forget everything God has already brought you through. Remember the prayers He has already answered. Remember the doors He has already opened. Remember the times you thought you weren't going to make it—but somehow God carried you through. David faced Goliath with confidence because he remembered the lion and the bear. Sometimes today's battle requires you to remember yesterday's deliverance. Psalm 77:11 declares: “I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” If God carried you before, He has not lost His ability to carry you now. YOUR DIFFICULT SEASON HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE! Psalm 30:5 declares: “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Notice Scripture says weeping may endure. That means you may cry for a season. You may struggle for a season. You may have questions for a season. You may feel overwhelmed for a season. But seasons change. Don't make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. Don't abandon your faith because life became difficult. Don't stop praying because the answer hasn't arrived. Don't stop worshiping because you're hurting. Don't stop believing because you cannot see what God is doing. Galatians 6:9 declares: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Your responsibility is not to figure everything out. Your responsibility is to keep trusting the One who already has. WHEN YOU CAN'T SEE HIS HAND, TRUST HIS HEART You may not understand this season. You may not understand why God allowed it. You may not know when circumstances will change. But one thing remains certain: God has not abandoned you. Isaiah 43:2 says: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee…” God didn't say if you go through the waters. He said when. But He also promised: “I will be with thee.” That's the promise. You are going through it. You're not building your house in it. You're not making your permanent residence in it. You're going THROUGH it! So keep praying. Keep worshiping. Keep believing. Keep standing. Keep trusting. And above everything else— KEEP THE FAITH! Because the same God who kept you before the storm is the God who will keep you in the storm, and He will still be God when you come out of the storm! PRAYER... Heavenly Father, We come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, acknowledging that You are our refuge, our strength, our provider, our healer, our defender, and our ever-present help in trouble. Father, someone reading this devotional is going through a difficult season right now. For some, it is their health. For others, it is their finances. For someone else, it is their marriage, their children, or another family relationship. Some are fighting battles they haven't told anyone about. They smile publicly while crying privately. They encourage everybody else while secretly wondering, “Lord, when will my situation change?” Father, strengthen them! Where there is fear, release faith. Where there is confusion, release peace. Where there is weakness, release strength. Where there is discouragement, release hope. Where there is sickness, we ask for healing and sustaining grace. Where there is financial pressure, provide wisdom, resources, opportunities, and provision. Where marriages are struggling, bring communication, forgiveness, understanding, restoration, and renewed love. Where parents are concerned about their children, remind them that their children are still in Your hands. Father, silence every voice of fear telling us that our situation is hopeless. Remind us that You are still God! We may not understand the process, but we trust the Potter. We may not understand the storm, but we trust the One who commands the winds and the waves. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow. Give us faith that will stand when circumstances tell us to quit. Give us faith that will worship while we're waiting. Give us faith that will pray when we're tired. Give us faith that declares like Job: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” — Job 13:15 Father, don't merely bring us out of this difficult season—bring us out stronger, wiser, closer to You, and with a testimony that will strengthen somebody else. We declare that trouble will not destroy our faith. Pressure will not steal our praise. Waiting will not cancel our worship. And difficulty will not separate us from our God. We will stand. We will pray. We will believe. WE WILL KEEP THE FAITH! In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray. AMEN AND AMEN! DECLARATION OF FAITH... I DECLARE that I will KEEP THE FAITH! I may be pressed, but I will not be destroyed. I may be confused, but I will not lose my confidence in God. I may cry, but I will keep believing. I may hurt, but I will keep worshiping. My health will not steal my faith. My finances will not steal my faith. Problems in my marriage or family will not steal my faith. Concern for my children will not steal my faith. I declare that GOD IS STILL WITH ME! God is still providing. God is still healing. God is still restoring. God is still opening doors. God is still making ways. God is still working—even when I cannot see Him working! THIS DIFFICULT SEASON WILL NOT BE THE END OF MY STORY! I will come through this season with stronger faith, deeper worship, greater wisdom, and a powerful testimony! I will walk by FAITH and not by sight. I will trust God when I understand Him, and I will trust Him when I don't. And until my change comes… I WILL PRAY! I WILL STAND! I WILL WORSHIP! I WILL BELIEVE! AND I WILL KEEP THE FAITH! IN JESUS' NAME — AMEN!

Victory Belongs to the Lord Scripture Judges 7:2 (NKJV) And the Lord said to Gideon The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me saying My own hand has saved me God Works Best When We Rely on Him Judges chapter 7 continues Gideon’s story at a surprising moment. Gideon has gathered an army to face the Midianites but God says the army is too large. This seems backwards. Yet God’s concern is not military strength but spiritual clarity. If Israel wins with overwhelming numbers they may believe the victory came from themselves. God reduces the army in stages until only three hundred men remain. The purpose is clear. The victory must point unmistakably to God. When success cannot be explained by human strength God alone receives the glory. This chapter teaches that God sometimes removes what we rely on so that we learn to rely fully on Him. Weakness in our hands becomes strength in God’s hands. What feels insufficient is often exactly what God uses to display His power. For believers today Judges 7 reminds us that God is not impressed by numbers resources or human ability. He desires hearts that trust Him completely. When we depend on God rather than ourselves He works in ways that leave no doubt that He alone brought the victory. Reflection Questions 1. Am I relying more on my ability or on God’s power 2. Has God ever reduced something in my life to strengthen my faith 3. How can I give God full glory for the victories I experience Prayer Lord God help me to trust You fully and not rely on my own strength. When You remove what I lean on teach me to lean on You instead. May my life point to Your power and may You receive all the glory for every victory. In Jesus name Amen.

August 14 - Jesus Urges Compassion #LifeOfChrist “‘But go and learn what this means: “I desire compassion, and not sacrifice”’” (Matthew 9:13). Jesus never shied away from speaking directly and bluntly if the situation demanded such talk. Here He pins the Jewish leaders to the wall by quoting from their own most honored scriptural authorities. Their own prophets rebuke them for their spiritual ignorance and their lack of obedience to God’s clear commands. Jesus paraphrases Hosea’s prophetic and divinely inspired words: “I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hos. 6:6). The perfect Word of God should have been the Pharisees’ supreme concern, as it should be ours, rather than the flawed words and ideas of humanity. Without true and godly compassion, all the Pharisees’ rituals, ceremonies, and sacrifices were worth nothing to God. The person who is indifferent toward other people verifies that he or she is also indifferent toward God, no matter how correct their theology or impeccable their morality. Ritual separated from righteousness and a concern for the downtrodden and lost has always been an affront to God. Through the prophet Amos, the Lord declared, “Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:23–24). Ask Yourself In what ways have you let duty and religious reputation become elevated in importance beyond genuine love and compassion for others? What is so empty about the former . . . and so rejuvenating about the latter?

The Advent Truth. The modern idea that the gift of tongues is ecstatic gibberish or a private prayer language simply does not match the Bible’s description of the gift. In Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit was poured out, the disciples spoke in real human languages that the people present actually understood (Acts 2:6-11). Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Egyptians, Romans, and many others each heard “the wonderful works of God” in their own native language. The miracle was the supernatural ability to speak an unlearned language so the gospel could be preached across language barriers. Some appeal to 1 Corinthians 14, but notice something important: the word “unknown” in the KJV is printed in italics. That means it does not appear in the original Greek text. Translators supplied it because they thought it clarified the sentence. Paul simply wrote “tongue” (Greek: glōssa), the normal word for a language. Paul’s concern in 1 Corinthians 14 was not gibberish, but order in worship. If someone spoke a language the congregation did not understand, there had to be an interpreter. Otherwise, they were to remain silent (1 Cor. 14:27-28). The entire point of spiritual gifts is to edify the church, not to create confusion, for “God is not the author of confusion” (v. 33). The purpose of tongues has always been evangelistic. God miraculously enabled His servants to proclaim the gospel to people who spoke different languages. Once the message had been communicated, the temporary need for that miraculous gift had been fulfilled. Scripture never presents tongues as unintelligible sounds or an emotional experience disconnected from communicating truth. The Holy Spirit still empowers believers today, but His goal remains the same: to exalt Christ, proclaim the gospel, and build up the church according to God’s Word—not through confusion, but through truth. It’s not my opinion, it’s the Advent Truth.

August 13th, 2016 Read; Philippians 4:6-7 Anxiety does not have to rule the heart. Paul gives every worry somewhere to go: into prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving before God. We can make every request known because our Father is never irritated by our need or surprised by our trouble. Thanksgiving remembers who He has already shown Himself to be, and prayer places the burden into His faithful hands. Then His peace takes its post like a guard over our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. When anxious thoughts return, we can return them to the God whose peace is stronger and whose presence is near. Prayer Merciful God, I bring You the anxieties I cannot settle and the needs I cannot meet. Thank You for Your past faithfulness and for welcoming every honest request. As I pray, let Your peace take its post over my heart and mind. Guard me from panic and despair, keep me in Christ Jesus, and fill the places fear has occupied with the quiet strength of Your presence. I place every concern into Your faithful hands. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.