In addition to the admonitions of Peter (1 Peter 5:8) and James (James 4:7) regarding spiritual vigilance in resisting temptation, Paul also had something to say about it. After noting how the Israelites had succumbed to temptation in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:1-11), he warned the Corinthians: “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful . . . . When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (vv. 12-13). The apostle lists two examples of how the “way out” can sometimes involve fleeing. He says we’re to “flee from idolatry” (v. 14) and “sexual immorality” (6:18). The Holy Spirit helps us to stand firm against the enemy.

THEME: GETHSEMANE HOUR / ALONE WITH GOD TOPIC: O GOD, ARISE BY YOUR MERCY AND RESTORE ME TO THE RIGHT PATH Bible Reading: Psalm 23:1-6, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 138:7-8 Recommended Time of Prayer: Between 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Between 12:00 midnight to 3:00 am. Pray twice daily. 1. Father, let Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries remain firmly aligned with Your purpose and assignment. Let every distraction and opposition against this commission be removed, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 16:18) 2. O Lord, by Your mercy, guide every member of Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries into the right paths for their lives. Let no confusion or wrong direction hinder their divine purpose, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 23:3) 3. O God, arise by Your mercy and bring me back to the right direction for my destiny fulfilment. Let every wrong turn be corrected and every lost opportunity that is according to Your will be restored, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Proverbs 3:5-6) 4. Father, order my steps and keep me from decisions, relationships, and opportunities that would take me away from Your purpose, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 37:23) 5. Every influence drawing me away from God's will for my life, lose your hold over me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 30:21) 6. O Lord, give me spiritual discernment to recognize the path You have prepared for me and the wisdom to walk in it faithfully, in the name of Jesus Christ. (James 1:5) 7. Every confusion concerning my destiny, purpose, career, ministry, relationships, and important decisions, be replaced with divine clarity, in the name of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 14:33) 8. Father, restore my focus whenever I become distracted from the assignment You have given me. Let nothing make me abandon Your purpose for my life, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 12:1-2) 9. Every voice speaking contrary to God's purpose for my life, be silenced. Let the counsel of the Lord prevail concerning me, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Proverbs 19:21) 10. O Lord, let every wrong foundation affecting my journey be corrected. Establish my feet upon the path of righteousness and purpose, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 40:2) 11. Father, expose every relationship, opportunity, or association that appears beneficial but would ultimately derail my destiny. Give me grace to walk away from what You have not ordained, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Proverbs 4:14-15) 12. Every power and circumstance attempting to push me outside God's ordained path, be frustrated by the power of God, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 54:17) 13. O Lord, let Your light shine upon my path. Where I have been uncertain, give me direction; where I have been delayed, give me movement; and where I have been distracted, restore my focus, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 119:105) 14. Every person who hates the good purpose of God for my life, let their evil counsel fail and their opposition come to nothing, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 2:1-4) 15. Father, let those who oppose Your righteous purpose for my life be put to shame. Let every evil expectation concerning my destiny be disappointed, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 35:4) 16. O Lord, arise and fight every battle that is beyond my strength. Let Your mercy preserve me from enemies who seek to divert me from Your purpose, in the name of Jesus Christ. (2 Chronicles 20:12) 17. I declare that I will not miss God's purpose for my life. My steps shall be ordered by the Lord, and I shall fulfil the assignment He has committed into my hands, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 37:23) 18. Father, let Your mercy recover everything I have lost through wrong decisions, confusion, ignorance, or misplaced priorities, wherever recovery is according to Your perfect will, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Joel 2:25) 19. O Lord, preserve and prosper every current supporter and partner of Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries. Guide them into Your perfect will, establish their steps, and let them fulfil their God-given purposes, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 20:1-4) 20. Father, let Dragnet Gospel Int'l Ministries continually receive the wisdom, favour, and resources required to fulfil its kingdom assignment. Let nothing divert this commission from Your purpose, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:19) 21. O God, arise by Your mercy and bring me completely back to the right direction for my destiny fulfilment. Correct every wrong step, expose every deceptive path, restore my focus, and establish my feet in Your perfect will. Let everyone who hates Your righteous purpose for my life be disgraced in their evil counsel, while Your purpose concerning me stands firm. I shall fulfil my destiny and finish my course by Your grace, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 138:7-8; 2 Timothy 4:7) TAKE NOTE OF YOUR DREAMS AND HIDE YOUR FEEDBACK For more information/counselling: Email: dragnetgospel[gmail].com WhatsApp: +2348062343560 SHALOM ✋

Devotion: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.’ I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me. I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” We are nothing compared to Christ. It would do us well to remember that we are, after all, God’s creations, and while He made us in a perfect way, we live in an imperfect and sinful world, a world that we often find seductively attractive and even drawn to. God made us perfect, but we, because of our human nature tend to tread a wider road than the one He intends for us. We always want the ‘easy’ way out. This ‘easy’ way often involves atrocious acts, things that we never thought we’d be capable of. This is our weakness, our human nature, but luckily for us, we serve a powerful God. * God is infinitely more powerful than weak man – Daniel 4:35: “He looks on the people of the earth as nothing; angels in heaven and people on earth are under his control. No one can oppose his will or question what he does.” * Man was born weak – Job 14:1-2: “We are all born weak and helpless. Alle lead the same, short, troubled life. We grow and wither as quickly as flowers; we disappear like shadows.” * God is all powerful – Jeremiah 32:27: “I am the LORD, the God of the whole human race. Nothing is too difficult for me.” * God holds our lives in His hands – Job 12:10: “It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone’s life is in his power.” * God will show mercy to all so that His Name can be glorified – Acts 10:35: “Those who worship him and do what is right are acceptable to him, no matter what race they belong to.” * In our weakness we have received redemption, sowe owe our life to God – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “You do not belong to yourselves but to God; he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God’s glory.” Do you understand that your weakness is proof of God’s glory? Do you know your trials and troubles are proof of His patience and mercy? They are not punishment for a worldly life, they are tests that each Christian must endure to prove his worth. Are you prepared to take up your cross, carry your burden, and show the world that you can thrive in the Name of the Father? More reading: Isaiah 40:15-22; Psalm 103:14; Matthew 19:26 #2Corinthians12 #Ourweakness #GodsPower #Faith

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: THE REAL REASON BARABBAS WAS SET FREE AND NOT JESUS. Main Text: Matthew 27:15–26; Mark 15:6–15; Luke 23:13–25; John 18:38–40 There are moments in Scripture that make us stop and ask, “How could this happen?” Jesus was innocent. Barabbas was guilty. Jesus healed the sick. Barabbas was a criminal. Jesus preached love, forgiveness, and the Kingdom of God. Barabbas was associated with rebellion and violence. Yet the crowd shouted: “Release Barabbas!” And concerning Jesus: “Crucify Him!” It looks like injustice won. But here is the deeper truth: Barabbas was not simply released because Jesus lost the argument. Barabbas was released because Jesus was going to take his place. The story of Barabbas is actually a picture of the Gospel. Barabbas represents the guilty sinner. Jesus represents the innocent Savior. Barabbas walked away free because Jesus walked toward the cross. And that is the mystery of grace: The guilty goes free because the innocent One takes his place. 1. BARABBAS WAS GUILTY, BUT JESUS WAS INNOCENT Pilate examined Jesus and repeatedly found no sufficient reason to condemn Him. Luke 23:22 says: «“I have found no reason for death in Him.”» Jesus was innocent. But Barabbas had committed serious crimes. Mark 15:7 tells us that Barabbas had been involved in rebellion and murder. So, humanly speaking, the choice should have been obvious. But the crowd chose Barabbas. Why? Because the cross was not an accident. Jesus had already declared that He came to give His life for others. Mark 10:45 says: «“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”» Jesus knew why He came. He came to become the substitute. Spiritual Insight Sometimes we ask, “Why did Jesus have to die?” The answer is partly found in Barabbas. Someone had to bear the consequence of sin. And Jesus willingly took that place. 2. BARABBAS RECEIVED WHAT JESUS DESERVED This is the shocking part of the story. Barabbas deserved punishment. Jesus deserved no punishment. Yet Barabbas walked out of prison. Jesus walked toward Golgotha. Barabbas went free. Jesus was condemned. Barabbas was released. Jesus was crucified. This is substitution. The guilty person goes free because the innocent person takes his place. Isaiah 53:5 declares: «“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.”» Notice the language: Our transgressions. Our iniquities. Our punishment. The cross was personal. Jesus was not dying because He had sinned. He was dying because we had sinned. Think About This Barabbas probably did not understand everything that was happening. He may have walked out of that prison wondering how he escaped death. But we know something he may not have understood: Another Man died in his place. And spiritually, that is our story. We were guilty. Christ took our place. 3. THE RELEASE OF BARABBAS REVEALS THE DEPTH OF GOD'S GRACE Grace is not God pretending that sin does not matter. Grace is God dealing with sin through the sacrifice of Christ. Romans 5:8 says: «“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”» That means Jesus did not wait for us to become perfect before He loved us. He loved us while we were still sinners. Barabbas did not earn his freedom. He did not negotiate his release. He did not pay the governor. He simply received an unexpected release. That is grace. Grace is receiving what you could never earn because someone else paid the price. You cannot boast about salvation. You cannot say, “I saved myself.” No. Jesus saved you. 4. THE CROWD CHOSE BARABBAS, BUT GOD WAS WORKING THROUGH THE CROSS The crowd thought they were making the final decision. But heaven had already established a redemptive purpose. Acts 2:23 says that Jesus was delivered according to the “determined purpose and foreknowledge of God.” This does not mean the people were innocent. Their choices were still sinful. But God was able to accomplish His redemptive plan through what sinful people intended for evil. This is one of the mysteries of God's sovereignty. People thought: “We are getting rid of Jesus.” God was accomplishing: “I am providing salvation for humanity.” The cross looked like defeat. But it became victory. The grave looked like the end. But resurrection was coming. Never Judge God's Work Too Early There may be seasons in your life when everything looks like it is going in the wrong direction. But remember Calvary. Friday looked like defeat. Sunday revealed the victory. Do not conclude the story while God is still writing it. 5. BARABBAS IS A PICTURE OF EVERY SINNER WHO RECEIVES SALVATION We often read the story and say: “Why did they release Barabbas?” But there is another question: “What if I were Barabbas?” What if you were the one sitting in that prison? What if you knew punishment was coming? What if you knew you were guilty? Then suddenly, the story becomes personal. Barabbas walked out because Jesus took his place. And every person who comes to Christ in genuine faith can say: “I deserved judgment, but Christ took my place.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 says: «“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”» That is the Gospel. Jesus took our place so that we could receive His righteousness. BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: THE CROSS Look at the sequence. Barabbas: Guilty. Jesus: Innocent. Barabbas: Imprisoned. Jesus: Free. Barabbas: Released. Jesus: Condemned. Barabbas: Walked away. Jesus: Walked toward the cross. Barabbas: Lived because another died. Believers: Receive eternal life because Christ died and rose again. The cross is therefore more than a religious symbol. It is the place where justice and mercy met. Justice says sin must be dealt with. Mercy says sinners can be saved. At the cross, Jesus bore the judgment so that mercy could reach us. PRACTICAL LESSONS FOR CHRISTIANS. 1. Never take salvation for granted. You were not saved because you were better than someone else. You were saved by grace. Therefore, remain humble. 2. Stop trying to earn God's love You cannot work your way into salvation. Serve God because you love Him, not because you are trying to purchase His acceptance. 3. Forgive others If Christ has forgiven you, you must learn to extend forgiveness to others. 4. Live like someone who has been set free Barabbas walked out of prison. The believer has also been delivered from the dominion of sin. Do not keep living like a prisoner when Christ has made you free. 5. Tell someone about Jesus Your testimony may be simple: “I was guilty, but Jesus took my place.” That is powerful enough. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. Have I truly understood what Jesus accomplished for me on the cross? 2. Am I trying to earn God's acceptance instead of receiving His grace? 3. Do I live like someone who has been set free? 4. Have I truly repented of my sins? 5. Who can I tell about the saving grace of Jesus Christ? 6. Do I extend to others the same mercy I have received from Christ? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Prayer of Thanksgiving Father, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to take my place. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. I will never take my salvation for granted. In Jesus' name, Amen. 2. Prayer of Repentance Lord Jesus, forgive me for every sin, disobedience, pride, and rebellion in my life. Cleanse me and help me walk faithfully with You. Amen. 3. Prayer for Freedom Every chain of sin, addiction, fear, and spiritual bondage in my life, break in the name of Jesus. I declare that whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Amen. 4. Prayer for Grace Father, help me to understand the depth of Your grace and to live every day with gratitude for what Christ has done for me. Amen. 5. Prayer for Others Lord, use my life to bring other Barabbases to Jesus—people who feel condemned, rejected, broken, and far from You. Let my testimony point them to the cross. Amen. DEEP SPIRITUAL TRUTH Here is the heart of the message: Barabbas was released, not because he was innocent, but because another took his place. And that is the Gospel. We are not saved because we are perfect. We are saved because Jesus is perfect. We are not accepted because we deserve it. We are accepted because Christ paid the price. We are not standing before God because of our righteousness. We stand because of His righteousness. The cross says: “Your sin is serious, but God's grace is greater.” CALL TO ACTION Today, do not simply admire the story of Barabbas. See yourself in it. You were guilty. Christ took your place. You were condemned. Christ bore the condemnation. You were far from God. Christ opened the way back to the Father. The question is not merely: “Why was Barabbas released?” The deeper question is: “What will I do with the Jesus who took my place?” Will you continue living for yourself? Or will you surrender your life completely to Him? Will you keep returning to the prison of sin? Or will you walk in the freedom Christ purchased for you? Jesus took your place. Now give Him your life. «“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” — John 8:36» You are not free because you were innocent. You are free because Jesus became your substitute. THE CROSS WAS HIS PLACE. THE FREEDOM WAS YOURS. THE SACRIFICE WAS HIS. THE GRACE IS YOURS. Come to Jesus. Remain in Jesus. Live for Jesus. And tell the world about Jesus. Amen. Give your life to Jesus by joining a Bible believing Church near you. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/amazon shops below https:/selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com https://afrikdp.com/author/umohedem-9128 https://www.facebook.com/share/14futvERWUD/

Hello, I would like to share with you the message from 27 August 2026 from “The Good Seed” daily calendar. Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. (Genesis 27:2) No one knows when he will die For over 30 years I went to the same dentist. But he grew older and began to plan his retirement. A successor started working in the practice, and for two years they planned to share the workload. I had another appointment with the older dentist for the annual check-up. Then suddenly, the practice assistant called me and informed me that the dentist had unexpectedly died of a heart failure two weeks before.  This news troubled me and once again reminded me that no one can know the day of his death. Therefore, it isn’t enough just to plan for retirement. We should also be prepared for death.  The most important thing is not to die unreconciled with God. Therefore, reconcile yourself with Him now! He knows everything we have done in our lives – the good and the bad deeds. When you confess your sins to God, they are covered by the blood of the Lord Jesus. As a result, you will die with the certainty that your future is with Christ in heaven!  It is also important to settle personal matters before death comes. Many things are easier for those who survive you if you leave everything in good order. Abraham did this, as we can read in Genesis 25:5-10.  “There is but a step between me and death.” (1 Samuel 20:3) Today’s reading: Judges 1:1-15 – 2 Corinthians 1:1-7

2 Corinthians 10:4, for the weapon of our warfare is not canal but spiritual and mighty to the pulling down of strongholds, prayer father pull down every strong holds holding my destiny, my marriage, my life, my career, etc #THEMEEK #GODOFKUMI

**Jesus Calls Everyone to Repentance and New Life** Peter From Sinner to Transformed Man Peter was an ordinary fisherman, living a simple life, when Jesus called him to become a "fisher of men" (Matthew 4:19). Even while walking alongside Jesus, Peter still carried his human weaknesses — impulsive, full of passions, and he even denied his own Master in a moment of persecution (Luke 22:54-62). But Jesus already knew this and interceded for him: *"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail"* (Luke 22:31-32). After the resurrection, Peter received the visitation of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), and from then on he became a different man. So much so that, faced with the lie of Ananias and Sapphira, who deceived the Holy Spirit, Peter confronted them with authority — and both fell dead before God (Acts 5:1-11). A sign that God does not delight in falsehood among those who follow Him. Peter, now transformed, teaches us that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) and that those born of God live in holiness — without lying, envy, immorality, theft, or fraud (Galatians 5:19-21). **On sin and repentance:** - *"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"* (Romans 3:23) - *"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins"* (1 John 1:9) - *"Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out"* (Acts 3:19) - *"I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live"* (Ezekiel 33:11) God does not desire the sinner's condemnation, but awaits their repentance and conversion with an open heart. He hears the prayer of those who sincerely seek Him.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT ____ God’s Word reminds us of the joy and freedom of belonging to Jesus. ____ It is the best riches not to desire riches. Thomas Brooks ____ Loving Father, please give me Your strength and mercy each morning. ____ For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time—to show us His grace through Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

And the Lᴏʀᴅ said: I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt. Exodus 3:7 It is noteworthy how people often turn to the Bible when circumstances become dire. A politician refers to the Covid-19 pandemic as a “plague of biblical proportions”. Confronted with extreme criticism, he deflects it by saying, “I am neither the Pharaoh who oppressed, nor the Moses who liberated.” Let’s rewind to ancient Egypt. The people of Israel groan under the oppression of Pharaoh. The situation becomes unbearable. The Israelites cry out to God and plead for deliverance. God hears and calls Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. But Pharaoh refuses to let them go; he is unwilling to relinquish his cheap labour force under any circumstances. So, God intervenes: He sends ten successive plagues upon Egypt, each worse than the last. That’s the biblical account in brief. Isn’t it striking that the politician didn’t mention God? Yet God played the pivotal role in the plagues in Egypt. It wasn’t Moses who saved the people but only God, through His mighty intervention. So, let’s ask ourselves: In times of distress, do we still call upon God or consciously ignore Him?Do we recognise that without God, we are lost?Do we come to the Saviour God who wants to save us? Back then, God sought to change Pharaoh’s mindset through the plagues. Even today, God sometimes speaks very seriously to us. What do we do? Do we harden ours hearts like Pharaoh? Or do we open ourselves to God, confess our sins to Him, and gratefully accept His offer of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ? Today’s reading: Joshua 24:16-33 · 1 Corinthians 16:10-24 https://gbv-online.org/calendar/262/date/2026-08-26

THE PILGRIMS GUIDE WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2026 STRENGTHENED THROUGH HIS SPIRIT A WORD FROM THE WORD: "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man." Ephesians 3:16 NKJV. There is an aspect of weakness that rest, in its physiological curativeness cannot cure and encouragement cannot fix. It is the weariness that resonates within the inner being of a being when the heart feels tired, the mind feels heavy, and the spirit feels drained. That is why Paul the apostle, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit from the context of our foundational Scripture (Ephesians 3:1-21) desires inner strength for God's children, not just outward relief. When God strengthens your inner being, fear loses control, discouragement fades, and endurance rises. You may still face pressure, but you will not collapse under it. You may still walk through challenges, but they will not break you. This same inner strength is what sustained David in the wilderness, Jeremiah in persecution, and Paul in affliction. It is the strength availed by the Holy Spirit, it is quiet, steady, and powerful. As you align yourself to God’s will for your life, He renews your inner being through His Spirit, and causes you to rise with fresh strength for your assignments. Send an invite to the Holy Spirit now, to strengthen your inner being. Would you? If it has to be, it's up to you. PRAYER BULLETS: LORDJesus, strengthen me in my inner being by Your Spirit. Renew my resolve to align with Your will for me, and uphold me by Your power. FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 30:6; Jeremiah 15:20-21; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. __________________________________________ ©️ Amaobi Nwachukwu 2026. If you're blessed by this, please, do share with others. And if you'll like to partner with us, kindly check page 3 of our hard copy edition or better still send us a WhatsApp message or call on +234 8098421967. #ThePilgrimsGuide.