I am not created to be a victim but a victor. Through Christ, I rise above challenges, limitations, fear, and every obstacle before me. I have dominion over circumstances, and nothing shall stop the purpose of God for my life.
Today, I declare:

I dominate, I do not beg for relevance.
I overcome, I do not surrender to defeat.
I move forward, I do not go backward.
I am blessed, empowered, and გამარჯვorious.
Everywhere I go, the grace and favour of God speak for me.
I am born to win. I represent Christ. I am walking in dominion, and my life shall manifest the glory of God!
Say it loud: I HAVE DOMINION

DO YOU KNOW WHO JESUS IS?
Knowing His Name Is Not the Same as Knowing Him!

Key Scripture — Acts 19:14–16 (KJV)
“And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

Thought Of The Day...
There is a tremendous difference between knowing about Jesus and actually knowing Jesus.
Acts 19 gives us a powerful and sobering picture of this truth. The seven sons of Sceva had heard about the miracles taking place through the Apostle Paul. They had witnessed or heard reports of demons being cast out and lives being transformed through the name of Jesus.
They saw the results, but they did not understand the relationship behind the results.
They wanted the authority Paul demonstrated without possessing the relationship Paul had.
They attempted to use the name of Jesus almost like a spiritual formula. Earlier in the passage they said:
“We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
— Acts 19:13 (KJV)
Notice their language.
They did not say, “Jesus whom we know.”
They said, “Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
Jesus was Paul's testimony, but He had not become their personal testimony.
And that raises a serious question for every believer:
Do you know Jesus for yourself?
It is possible to grow up in church and still only know about Jesus.
It is possible to know Scripture and still not truly surrender to Jesus.
It is possible to sing about Jesus, preach about Jesus, teach about Jesus, shout about Jesus, and even use the name of Jesus—yet lack a genuine relationship with Him.
Christianity was never intended to be secondhand.
You cannot survive spiritually forever on your mother's relationship with God, your father's prayers, your pastor's anointing, your bishop's revelation, your spouse's faith, or your grandmother's testimony.
Eventually, you must know Him for yourself.
Paul could say:
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…”
— Philippians 3:10 (KJV)
Paul wasn't satisfied merely knowing facts about Christ. His desire was, “That I may know Him.”
“JESUS I KNOW, AND PAUL I KNOW; BUT WHO ARE YE?”
These may be some of the most sobering words in Acts.
The evil spirit responded:
“Jesus I know.”
There was no confusion in the kingdom of darkness concerning Jesus.
The demons knew exactly who He was.
During Jesus' earthly ministry, an unclean spirit cried:
“I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”
— Mark 1:24 (KJV)
James gives us another sobering reminder:
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
— James 2:19 (KJV)
Simply acknowledging that Jesus exists is not the same as belonging to Him.
But then the spirit said something else:
“Paul I know.”
Why was Paul recognized?
Because Paul's life demonstrated that he belonged to Jesus.
Paul wasn't borrowing somebody else's faith. He had encountered Christ for himself. His authority did not come from merely repeating Jesus' name; it flowed from his relationship with and commission from Jesus.
Then came the devastating question:
“BUT WHO ARE YE?”
In other words, You are using the name, but where is your relationship with the One whose name you are using?
The sons of Sceva discovered that the name of Jesus is not a magical phrase.
There is power in the name of Jesus because of who Jesus is.
Jesus declared:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
— Matthew 28:18 (KJV)
His name represents His person, His authority, His victory, His lordship and His kingdom.
We must never reduce the name of Jesus to something we merely shout when we are in trouble. His name belongs to the Savior to whom we surrender our lives.
DO YOU KNOW THE JESUS YOU CALL ON?
Jesus is more than a name mentioned at the end of a prayer.
He is the Son of God.
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
— Matthew 16:16 (KJV)
He is the Savior.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
— Luke 19:10 (KJV)
He is the Way to the Father.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
— John 14:6 (KJV)
He is the Resurrection and the Life.
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
— John 11:25 (KJV)
He is Lord.
“And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
— Philippians 2:11 (KJV)
The question is not merely, “Have you heard about Him?”
The question is:
Have you trusted Him?
Have you surrendered to Him?
Are you following Him?
Are you walking with Him?
Does your life belong to Him?
YOU CANNOT BORROW SOMEBODY ELSE'S ANOINTING
The sons of Sceva tried to imitate what they saw Paul doing.
But spiritual authority cannot be copied like a technique.
You can imitate someone's preaching style.
You can imitate someone's prayer language.
You can imitate someone's worship.
You can repeat someone's favorite Scriptures.
But you cannot imitate their relationship with God.
Jesus said:
“Abide in me, and I in you… for without me ye can do nothing.”
— John 15:4–5 (KJV)
Our strength comes from abiding in Christ.
The greatest danger is not weakness that drives us toward Jesus. The greater danger is trying to operate spiritually while disconnected from Him.
The seven sons discovered this painfully.
The possessed man “overcame them, and prevailed against them.”
They entered believing they had authority they did not possess and left “naked and wounded.”
There is a warning here:
Never attempt to substitute religious activity for genuine relationship with Christ.
YOUR PRIVATE WALK MATTERS
Before Paul stood publicly in authority, he had privately surrendered his life to Jesus.
Our public Christianity must be supported by a private relationship with God.
Who are you when there is no microphone?
Who are you when there is no congregation?
Who are you when nobody sees you praying?
Who are you when temptation comes?
Who are you when life becomes difficult?
Do you still trust Jesus when there is nobody around to applaud your faith?
Jesus said:
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.”
— John 8:31 (KJV)
Real discipleship is demonstrated through continued fellowship, obedience, faith and dependence upon Christ.
KNOW HIM BEFORE THE BATTLE COMES
Don't wait until trouble arrives to try to discover who Jesus is.
Know Him now.
Know Him in prayer.
Know Him through His Word.
Know Him in worship.
Know Him through obedience.
Know Him when everything is going well so that when everything begins falling apart, you already know where your help comes from.
David could face Goliath because David already knew God before Goliath appeared.
Daniel could face the lions because Daniel knew God before he entered the den.
The three Hebrew boys could face the fiery furnace because they knew God before Nebuchadnezzar heated it.
Paul could endure persecution because he knew the Christ for whom he suffered.
And when your day of testing comes, you need more than something somebody told you about Jesus.
You need to be able to declare:
I KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
Job said:
“For I know that my redeemer liveth…”
— Job 19:25 (KJV)
There are some storms where somebody else's testimony will not be enough.
You need your own history with God.
You need memories of prayers He answered.
You need moments when His Word carried you.
You need times when you experienced His grace.
You need the confidence to declare:
I know who Jesus is because I have walked with Him for myself!
THE QUESTION STILL STANDS
Acts 19 leaves us with a question that should cause every believer to examine his or her heart:
DO YOU KNOW WHO JESUS IS?
Not just the Jesus your pastor preaches.
Not just the Jesus your parents taught you about.
Not just the Jesus you heard about in Sunday School.
But Jesus Christ for yourself.
And perhaps an even deeper question is:
DOES YOUR LIFE SHOW THAT YOU KNOW HIM?
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
— John 10:27 (KJV)
Knowing Jesus should produce following Jesus.
Following Jesus should produce obedience.
Obedience should produce transformation.
And transformation should cause our lives to testify that we have been with Jesus.

PRAYER...
Father, in the name of Jesus,
Thank You for revealing Your Son to us. Lord, forgive us for every time we have been satisfied with simply knowing about Jesus instead of developing a deeper relationship with Him.
We don't want secondhand faith. We don't want borrowed convictions. We don't want to depend solely upon somebody else's prayers, testimony or relationship with You.
Lord Jesus, we want to know You for ourselves.
Draw us closer to You. Give us a hunger for Your Word, a desire for prayer, a heart of worship and a spirit willing to obey Your voice.
Search our hearts and remove everything that has created distance between us and You.
Teach us not merely to speak Your name but to honor Your name with the way we live.
When temptation comes, remind us who You are.
When storms arise, remind us who You are.
When fear attacks, remind us who You are.
When the enemy challenges our faith, help us stand firmly upon the authority of Your Word.
May our lives testify that we belong to Jesus Christ.
And Lord, let our greatest desire always be the cry of Paul:
“That I may know him.”
We want to know You more deeply, love You more completely, trust You more confidently, obey You more faithfully, and represent You more boldly.
In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen.

DECLARATION...
I DECLARE that I will not live on borrowed faith!
I know who Jesus is!
Jesus is my Savior.
Jesus is my Redeemer.
Jesus is my Lord.
Jesus is my Deliverer.
Jesus is my Rock.
Jesus is my Strength.
Jesus is my Hope.
Jesus is my King!
I will seek Him, follow Him, obey Him and grow deeper in my relationship with Him.
I refuse to merely know about Jesus.
I WILL KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
And when life asks me, “Do you know who Jesus is?”
My faith, my testimony, my obedience and my life will answer:
YES! I KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…” — Philippians 3:10 (KJV)

Enjoy your Sunday Church Services and God Bless!

THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT THE CROSS

“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” —Luke 14:33

I heard a story about a couple who visited a jewelry store. As the jeweler showed them various crosses, the woman commented, “I like these, but do you have any without this little man on them?”

That’s what many people want today: a cross without Jesus. They want a cross without any offense—one that will look cool with their outfits. But the hard truth is that if we could travel back in time and see the cross in its original context, we would realize that it was a bloody and vile symbol. It would have been the worst picture imaginable to see someone hanging on a cross.

The Romans chose crucifixion because it was meant to be a slow, torturous way to die. It was designed to humiliate a person. The crucifixions outside Roman cities served as warnings to anyone who would dare oppose the rule of Rome.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT). In other words, salvation and eternal life can be found only through Him. Many people today object to His words. They see John 14:6 as a statement of exclusivity and narrow-mindedness. But Jesus was simply explaining God’s plan of salvation.

Humankind’s decision to disobey God and pursue sin created an existential crisis with only one solution. To satisfy God’s perfect justice and wrath, a perfect sacrifice had to be offered in our place. Someone who had never sinned had to die in the place of everyone else who had. Only Jesus lived a sinless life. Only He had the power to conquer death. So, only He could save us.

If there had been any other way, do you think that God would have allowed His Son to suffer like that? If there had been any other way that we could have been forgiven, then God surely would have found it.

Jesus Himself prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matthew 26:39 NLT). He was talking about the cross and the unimaginable suffering that lay ahead. But God did not take it away from Him because there was no other way.

If living a good, moral life could get us to Heaven, then Jesus never would have died for us. But He did die. He had to pay the price for our sin. At the cross, Jesus purchased the salvation of the world.

If you ever were tempted to doubt God’s love for you, even for a moment, then take a long, hard look at the cross. Nails did not hold Jesus to that cross; His love did.

God bless you!

GLORIOUS SUNDAY SERMON OF
23RD AUGUST 2026

Beloved of God, welcome to this amazing gathering of God's children. As we are about to hear from the throne of mercy, I declared that you will not come in vain, and you will not go empty handed.
But before we share the word of God, let us pray

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LESSON: PSALM 139: 23-24.

TOPIC:
WHEN GOD LOOKS AT ME, WHAT DOES HE SEE?

TEXT:
For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)

INTRODUCTION:
Last Sunday, we asked ourselves a very important question: “What Kind of Christian Am I?” Today, I want us to go one step deeper. The question is no longer about what I call myself. It is not about what people call me. It is not even about the image I have created before others. The question is: “When God looks at me, what does He see?”

People see the outside. They see our clothes.
They hear our words. They see our church attendance. They see our posts on social media. They know our titles and positions. But God sees beyond all of that. 1 Samuel 16:7 says: “For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” That means I can impress people and still disappoint God. I can look religious before men and still be far from God in my heart. So today, let us allow God to examine us.

EXPOSITION:
1.GODSEES BEYOND MY APPEARANCE:
We are very conscious of how people see us. We dress well because we want to look good. We speak carefully because we want to sound intelligent. We behave properly because we want to maintain a good reputation. There is nothing wrong with these things.

But God sees what people cannot see. He sees the thoughts we hide. He sees the motives behind our actions. He sees what we do when nobody is watching. He sees the person behind the public image. You may deceive people, but you cannot deceive God.

David understood this when he prayed in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart... and see if there is any wicked way in me.” That should become our prayer too. “Lord, search me.” Not, “Lord, search my neighbour.” Not, “Lord, search my enemies.” Search me.

2. GOD SEES THE CONDITION OF MY HEART The heart is where God begins His examination.What is inside my heart? Is there unforgiveness? Bitterness? Pride? Jealousy? Greed? Hatred? Secret sin? Or is there genuine love for God and for people? Jesus said in Matthew 12:34: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our words often reveal what is already living inside us.

Sometimes we say, “That was just a mistake.” But repeated words, repeated attitudes and repeated behaviours may reveal something deeper. And this is where the message becomes personal. What does God see when He looks into my heart? Does He see Christ? Does He see humility? Does He see love? Does He see repentance? Or does He see a heart that has become comfortable with things He has been asking us to surrender?

3. GOD SEES WHETHER MY LIFE AGREES WITH MY CONFESSION:
Perhaps this is the hardest question. Do I live what I claim to believe? If I say I am a Christian, can people see Christ in the way I treat them? If I say I love God, does my lifestyle demonstrate that love? If I say I have forgiven someone, have I truly released the person from my heart? If I preach holiness, am I pursuing holiness? If I tell others to trust God, do I trust Him when my own circumstances become difficult?

Jesus said in Matthew 7:16: “You will know them by their fruits.” God is not only interested in what comes out of our mouths.He is interested in what comes out of our lives. Our character is preaching every day. Our conduct is preaching. Our attitude is preaching. Our relationships are preaching. Even when we say nothing, our lives are saying something.

CONCLUSION:
THE GREATEST TRAGEDY :
My beloved, today God is not asking us to examine somebody else. He is asking us to examine ourselves. When God looks at me, what does He see? Does He see a Christian only on the outside? Or does He see a transformed heart? Does He see someone who has truly surrendered to Christ? Maybe today, we need to stop defending ourselves and simply say: “Lord, show me who I really am.” Because the greatest tragedy is not that people misunderstand us. The greatest tragedy is when we misunderstand ourselves before God.

People may applaud us. People may praise us. People may call us wonderful names. But at the end of everything, the only opinion that matters eternally is God's. So, before you ask, “What does God think about other people?” Ask yourself: “When God looks at me, what does He see?” And if He reveals something that does not look like Christ, don't run from Him.Run to Him. Because the God who reveals our condition is also the God who can transform us.

PRAYER:
Father, when You look at me, let me not be ashamed of what You see. Search my heart. Remove every bitterness, pride, hypocrisy, unforgiveness and secret sin. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Let my private life agree with my public confession. Let my character reflect Christ. Let my words, actions and attitudes bring glory to Your name. And when You look at me, Lord, let You see the evidence of Your grace working in my life. In Jesus' powerful name, Amen.

GOODWILL MESSAGE.
This is my goodwill message to you this week:
May the Lord search your heart and remove everything that does not represent Christ. May your private life be as pleasing to God as your public life appears before men. May your character reflect your confession, your actions reflect your faith, and your life become a true testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.

HAPPY BLESSED SUNDAY!
HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK.

JESUS IS COMING BACK AGAIN SOON!
REPENT AND BE READY FOR HIM!!

This wonderful message is brought to you
With Love from Pastor M O Glorious,
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH ,
Palace of Mercy, Royal District, Restoration Zone. Damolapa, Laketu, Lucky Fibre, Ikorodu Lagos Nigeria.
For prayer or counseling, pls contact us@
08055646358: 09018952081
or
peganmireAnderson Mwila.com
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Ephesians 4:26-32 begins with an assumption that anger is inevitable: “In your anger do not sin” (v. 26). But Paul quickly guards against any sinful expression of anger: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (v. 31). The emphasis in this passage, as in other epistles, isn’t only on behaviors that give the “devil a foothold” (v. 27) and “grieve the Holy Spirit” (v. 30). It’s also on what we replace our actions with as we “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (v. 24). Our individual submission to God’s supernatural righteousness makes it possible to follow His example: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (v. 32). In all our relationships, God can help us reflect the forgiving heart of Jesus.

Let's talk about it.
Deceiver Unmasked

Why was Sin Permitted? Why did God not destroy the first evildoer, satan, even though He knew how he would harm countless innocent angels and humans?

Revelation 12:7-9, 12
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

God permitted satan to carry forward his work until the spirit of disaffection ripened into active revolt. It was necessary for his plans to be fully developed, that their true nature and tendency might be seen by all. Lucifer, as the anointed cherub, had been highly exalted; he was greatly loved by the heavenly beings, and his influence over them was strong. God's government included not only the inhabitants of heaven, but of all the worlds that He had created; and Lucifer had concluded that if he could carry the angels of heaven with him in rebellion, he could carry also all the worlds. He had artfully presented his side of the question, employing sophistry and fraud to secure his objects. His power to deceive was very great. By disguising himself in a cloak of falsehood, he had gained an advantage. All his acts were so clothed with mystery that it was difficult to disclose to the angels the true nature of his work. Until fully developed, it could not be made to appear the evil thing it was; his disaffection would not be seen to be rebellion. Even the loyal angels could not fully discern his character or see to what his work was leading.

God could employ Only such means as were consistent with Truth and Righteousness. Satan could use what God could not— flattery and deceit. He had sought to falsify the word of God and had misrepresented His plan of government, claiming that God was not just in imposing laws upon the angels; that in requiring submission and obedience from His creatures, He was seeking merely the exaltation of Himself. It was therefore necessary to demonstrate before the inhabitants of heaven, and of all the worlds, that God's government is just, His law perfect. satan had made it appear that he himself was seeking to promote the good of the universe. The true character of the usurper and his real object must be understood by all. He must have time to manifest himself by his wicked works.

The discord which his own course had caused in heaven, Satan charged upon the government of God. All evil he declared to be the result of the divine administration. He claimed that it was his own object to improve upon the statutes of Jehovah. Therefore God permitted him to demonstrate the nature of his claims, to show the working out of his proposed changes in the divine law. His own work must condemn him. Satan had claimed from the first that he was not in rebellion. The whole universe must see the deceiver unmasked.

Even when he was cast out of heaven, Infinite Wisdom did not destroy Satan. Since only the service of love can be acceptable to God, the allegiance of His creatures must rest upon a conviction of His justice and benevolence. The inhabitants of heaven and of the worlds, being unprepared to comprehend the nature or consequences of sin, could not then have seen the justice of God in the destruction of Satan. Had he been immediately blotted out of existence, some would have served God from fear rather than from love. The influence of the deceiver would not have been fully destroyed, nor would the spirit of rebellion have been utterly eradicated. For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages, he must more fully develop his principles, that his charges against the divine government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, and that the justice and mercy of God and the immutability of His law might be forever placed beyond all question.

Satan's rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages—a perpetual testimony to the nature of sin and its [p. 43] terrible results. The working out of Satan's rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify that with the existence of God's government is bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy beings, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin, and suffering its penalty.

He that ruleth in the heavens is the one who sees the end from the beginning—the one before whom the mysteries of the past and the future are alike outspread, and who, beyond the woe and darkness and ruin that sin has wrought, beholds the accomplishment of His own purposes of love and blessing. Though "clouds and darkness are round about Him: righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne." Psalm 97:2, R.V. And this the inhabitants of the universe, both loyal and disloyal, will one day understand. "His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He." Deuteronomy 32:4.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐞
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳; 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯—
𝘠𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦.”

The call to follow Jesus is not casual—it is costly. It is more than a mere invitation; it demands submission. Yet many want the blessing without the burden, the destination without the sacrifice, and the crown without the cross. Whether discipleship feels costly or comfortable, the question is not whether we call ourselves Christians—but whether we have surrendered ourselves to Christ.

Jesus declared in 🕮 𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝟗:𝟐𝟑, “𝘐𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦.” He did not promise an easier life but a call to surrender. Denying ourselves means abandoning self-rule for Christ’s authority. Taking up the cross means dying to our will and embracing obedience. This call is non-negotiable, not optional.

Think of a prisoner offered freedom, but only if he leaves his chains behind. He cannot cling to his captivity and walk into the sunlight. To follow the Master, we must drop the heavy, rusted chains of our self-will and step into the liberating yoke of His grace. It means His Word and will govern all our concerns.

Scripture makes the cost of discipleship unmistakable. Jesus said, “𝘞𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘰𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦” (𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝟖:𝟑𝟒). Paul declared, “𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵” (𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟐𝟎), and reminded believers to “𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦” (𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟐:𝟏). True discipleship is not merely changing our destination—it is surrendering who holds the steering wheel.

Paul counted “𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴” (𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟑:𝟖). Following Christ demands surrender, not negotiation. Don’t carry a cross with one hand while holding tightly to your old life with the other. Jesus calls us not to add Christianity but to surrender our lives fully. Though the path includes sacrifice, rejection, and suffering, He is worth every step.

Christ never asks us to walk a road He refused to walk. He humbled Himself, becoming “𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴” (𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟖). He died, was buried, and rose again as the Scriptures declare (𝟏 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟑–𝟒). Our surrender doesn’t earn salvation; Christ’s finished work purchased us. We follow Him not to earn grace, but because His grace has already saved us.

What are you still holding that Christ is asking you to surrender? What preference, ambition, comfort, or habit competes with His lordship? You don't need Christ merely to improve your life—you need Him because He is your Lord, worthy of your whole life. Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Him. When Christ is Lord, surrender is not losing—it is finally knowing whom we belong to.

𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we have wanted Christ without the cost of discipleship. Teach us to deny ourselves, surrender our desires, and follow Jesus faithfully each day. Give us grace to obey when the road is difficult and courage to follow wherever You lead. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Remember, a dose of God’s Word a day will keep you going all day!
𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝...
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All scripture references were taken from the KJV Bible.
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Let me ask you something I want you to sit with honestly.

Do you know why you are alive?

Not the biological answer. Not — because my parents had me. I mean the specific answer. The personal answer. The one that is true about you specifically, and not about the person sitting next to you.

Most people have never seriously asked this question. And it is the most important question of your life. Because when you genuinely answer it — when you discover what God specifically designed you for — everything else begins to organise around that answer.

The Bible calls it a mandate. A specific, God-issued, God-designed, God-empowered assignment — placed in you before you were born.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart.” — Jeremiah 1:5

The mandate came before you did.

There are three things you must do with your divine mandate:

DISCOVER IT—It is already in you. Pay attention to what breaks your heart. Notice what you do naturally that others find difficult. Pray specifically: Lord, what did You design me for?

DEVELOP IT — Joseph had the dream at seventeen. But it took thirteen years of pit and prison before the throne. God gave the gift. The difficulty developed the character the gift would need. Daniel studied for three years and came out ten times better than everyone else. Divine gift + human diligence = excellence that neither produces alone.

DEPLOY IT — David “served the purpose of God in his own generation” (Acts 13:36) and then rested. Find your mandate. Develop it. Deploy it in service to your generation. Not waiting for a bigger platform. Start where you are, with what you have.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” — Ephesians 2:10

You are a masterpiece with a mandate. Discover it. Develop it. Deploy it. 🏾

#DivineMandate #Purpose #BornForAReason #YoungPeople #ChristianFaith

The Advent Truth.
CONSCIOUSNESS DOES NOT DETERMINE HUMAN VALUE.

One increasingly common argument says that ending the life of a developing child isn't really taking a human life because the child isn't yet conscious.

But think carefully about that standard.

Since when does consciousness determine whether a human being has the right to live?

A person who is asleep isn't consciously aware of the world around them. A patient under general anesthesia isn't consciously experiencing their surroundings. Someone knocked unconscious in an accident may temporarily have no awareness whatsoever.
Would that make intentionally ending their life acceptable?

Of course not.

That's because our value as human beings isn't created by our current level of consciousness.

And there's another problem: newborn babies don't possess anything close to the developed self-awareness, reasoning ability, memory, or cognitive capacity of adults. If consciousness determines human worth, exactly HOW MUCH consciousness is enough?

Where is the line?

And who gets to draw it?
The Bible gives us a radically different foundation for human value:

"So God created man in his own image..." — Genesis 1:27

Our value comes from WHO created us—not how much we can currently think, understand, communicate, remember, or accomplish.

David said:

"Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb... Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect." — Psalm 139:13,16

Jeremiah was told:

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee." — Jeremiah 1:5

And Luke describes John before birth using the Greek word brephos—"baby"—the SAME word used for Jesus after His birth (Luke 1:41,44; 2:12,16).

Before birth and after birth: a developing human life.
Human worth cannot safely be based on intelligence, independence, size, location, development, or consciousness. Once we make human dignity dependent upon possessing certain abilities, human rights stop being inherent and become something the powerful decide who qualifies for.

Human life has value because human beings bear the image of God.