28 Beleifs # 20 THE SABBATH The gracious Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God’s unchangeable law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God’s kingdom. The Sabbath is God’s perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God’s creative and redemptive acts.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: GOD'S COVENANT OF PROSPERITY MEMORIZE: "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day." Deuteronomy 8:18 (KJV) BIBLE READING: JOB 36:11-12 11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. 12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. MESSAGE: When you enter into a covenant with the Owner of the earth and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1), the One who owns all the gold and the silver (Haggai 2:8), He will prosper you and add no sorrow to it (Proverbs 10:22). The devil often lures people into entering into a covenant with him by promising them great wealth. However, such prosperity always comes with many sorrows. I recall the story of a man who went to a herbalist and entered into a covenant with demonic forces so that he could become incredibly wealthy for seven years, after which he would die. He swallowed a charm the herbalist gave him, but he didn't get rich; instead, he had a seven-year countdown to his death. A few days before the seven years expired, the man ran into the church and told us his story. We told him to give his life to Jesus Christ, and He would protect him. He agreed, and we prayed a simple prayer with him. Right there, in the presence of everyone in the church, he vomited what he had swallowed. We rejoiced with him, and for a while after that, he attended church services regularly. After some time, however, he stopped coming, so we decided to conduct a follow-up. When we visited him, he said that the herbalist had told him he had swallowed the first charm incorrectly, so he gave him another one to swallow. Before long, he became wealthy. When the seven-year period stipulated by the covenant was close to expiring, he thought to himself, "The covenant is here in Nigeria. I will travel to London, and the demons won't be able to reach me there." Unfortunately, he died on a plane as he flew to London. Only God's covenant of prosperity will make a fellow rich and add no sorrow with it. Malachi 3:10 is a vital part of God's covenant of prosperity. When you pay your tithe, God will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing upon you that will be so great that you will not have enough room to contain it. Furthermore, Proverbs 3:9-10 encourages us to honour God with our firstfruits. God doesn't need money; He can provide for anything He wants to do, but He asks to be honoured. Beloved, once you are in covenant with God, He will always provide for you and make sure that you never lack. May your life always reflect the blessings of the Lord, in Jesus' name PRAYER POINT: Father, please help me to honour You with the resources You bless me with. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 50 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMNAL 26 - THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING 1 There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love; There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above. REFRAIN Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need: Mercy-drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead. 2 There shall be showers of blessing, Precious reviving again; Over the hills and the valleys, Sound of abundance of rain. [Refrain] 3 There shall be showers of blessing: Send them upon us, O Lord; Grant to us now a refreshing, Come and now honor Thy Word. [Refrain] 4 There shall be showers of blessing: Oh, that today they might fall, Now as to God we're confessing, Now as on Jesus we call! [Refrain] ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, THURSDAY, 20TH AUGUST, 2026 *GOD'S COVENANT OF PROSPERITY* ‎ 1.Father, I bless Your name because all powers belong to You. Thank You for the grace to know You as my Lord and Saviour. 2.Father, please help me to obey and serve You, so i can spend my days in prosperity and my years in pleasantness and joy, in Jesus' name. 3.Father, please help me to be firmly rooted in covenant with You, so I can enjoy Your prosperity that comes with no sorrow, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me never to be lured into entering into any kind of covenant with the devil, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, as many of our youths and young adults that had been lured into covenant with the devil in exchange for wealth, please set them free from such satanic covenant and destroy the yoke on them, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to fulfill my own part of Your covenant, in the payment of my tithes and in the giving of my firstfruits, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please help me to be perfect in my walk with You, and to be diligent in the work committed to my hands, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please give me power to get wealth, and grace to enjoy it with long life and good health, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me never to backslide for the love of wealth nor to love the creature than the Creator, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please help me to honour You with the resources You bless me with. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to continue to serve You faithfully, and to honour You with every resources You bless him with, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ #GodBlessOurNation *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.

*Empowered To Love* Jesus said a lot of things. Beautiful, enlightening, and important things. But there’s one command that sums up how we should live... *"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34* When we look at Jesus’ life, how did He live out this love? And how can we model His actions in our own lives? Love compelled Jesus to give up His privileges. As Creator and Lord, Jesus could've done whatever He wanted. But what He wanted was to temporarily relinquish His rights and even put on human skin—so that we could be made right with God. Love compelled Jesus to prioritize people: The woman at the well. The unclean leper. The woman with the issue of blood. The despised tax collector. The desperate centurion. The thief hanging next to Him on the Cross. ...and many others including you and I. Jesus didn’t see problems—He saw people. Love compelled Jesus to serve others. He washed His disciples feet. He went out of His way for the marginalized. He stopped for the sick, weary, and broken. And in the end, He gave His own life. For the long-time sinner and the seemingly put-together person, Jesus died so that we can truly live. Love compelled Jesus to value truth and grace. In a world where some elevate grace and others prioritize truth, Jesus valued both. He turned over tables when God’s house was turned into a den of thieves, and He showed great compassion to a woman caught in adultery. If we’re ever unsure about how to love others, let’s look to Jesus as the ultimate example. He selflessly gave up His rights, prioritized people, served others to the point of laying down His life, and valued both truth and grace. And as we love like He loved, we'll become more like Him. *A Prayer To Show Love* Mighty Everlasting Father, we thank You for being the perfect example of love. Some people are more challenging for us to love than others. And yet, You love everyone without condition. Help us to see others through Your eyes. Make us aware of a specific person/people we can shine Your light and love to today. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE. *TOPIC:* DOING SOMETHING USEFUL. *TEXT:* EPHESIANS 4:25-28. 25 Therefore, stripping off falsehood, “let each of us speak the truth to his neighbor,” for we belong to one another. Zec 8:16 [Col 3:9] 26 “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set while you are still angry, Psa 4:4 [Mat 5:25] 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity to work. Jas 4:7 1Pe 5:9 28 The thief must no longer steal but must work hard and do what is good with his own hands, so that he might earn something to give to the needy. Act 20:35 1Th 4:11 2Th 3:8 2Th 3:12 *TOPIC:* DOING SOMETHING USEFUL. *THE MESSAGE:* No one is created for a life of waste, rebellion, or indulgence in destructive habits like drugs, immorality, theft, or idleness. This passage encourages believers to live productive, truthful, and purposeful lives as taught in the scriptures. God desires fruitfulness, not wastefulness or sinful living. To be useful, you must shun lies, embrace the truth, and engage in honest work. Hard work brings rewards, growth, and opens doors of opportunity, keeping you from the grip of poverty, unfruitfulness, and shame. It is disheartening to see young people spending their time on social media, pursuing fruitless ventures, and missing numerous opportunities. Usefulness involves taking initiative, being creative, and serving both God and others with diligence and integrity. Embrace a mindset of diligence and purpose today! *REFLECTION:* Be useful to your Creator and community. *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to be productive. 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 12-15. ED.ii. WHAT WAS I BORN FOR? "'You are a king, then!' said Pilate. Jesus answered: 'You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.'" - John 18:37 Jesus knew what He was born for. There are many people who do not know why they are here on earth. I believe, however, that man was created quite uniquely. So how can you think we were put on earth without a purpose and just for fun? It is good to think about: What was I born for? Is this what God has for me? There is only One who can give you the right answer to that and it is God. He knows exactly why you were born. God's children save themselves from a lot of difficulties when they consult Him; God wants to speak as well as answer them. The purpose of our existence God did not create us to only build a life here on earth and then die. No, God created mankind to eventually go to heaven to be with Him forever. That is the main reason why He created us. However, that is not God's only purpose. On earth we are on our way to our ultimate goal and while we are here, we must consult the Lord: 'Lord, what do You want me to do? What is the earthly purpose for which You want to use me?' Go and consult God about the earthly job you should practice and what you can do for Him, so you will know: This is the reason why I was born! Find ways to bless others. Make yourself available to people who need comfort and support. 'Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me' (Matthew 25:40). Allow yourself to say at the end of your life: 'Lord, I have done what You wanted me to do.' https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening prayer for today. EP.i. Morning Prayer Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do,] forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ⏤ Philippians 3:13-14 Prayer is the acid test of devotion. ⏤ Samuel Chadwick O Lord, You’ve taught us through Your apostle to forget what lies behind and to reach forward to what lies ahead. Give us the grace to let go of the past and press on toward the goal of our high calling. Help us to cast aside every weight and the sins that so easily trip us up, and to run with endurance the race set before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. This world pulls us back, holding us from aspiring heavenward. May we have the strength to resist these earthly temptations and instead be drawn toward the blessings of a heavenly life. Help us to live more and more for the things that are unseen and eternal. Earthly things, though sweet and beautiful, are temporary—like flowers that are fragrant today but wilted tomorrow. May these fleeting blessings remind us of You and turn our thoughts to You. Let us not rest in these temporary joys or build our hopes on them. Instead, teach us to rest in You and build our hopes on the enduring rock of Your eternity. Then, no matter what earthly disaster or loss comes our way, we will be safe and secure in You, our unchanging God. As we step into the world today, fill our hearts with thoughts of Your love and grace. Go before us, lead us, and help us follow You wherever You guide. Give us wisdom to respond rightly in every situation. Grant us courage to face difficulties and overcome obstacles. And give us gentle hearts so we may be a blessing to others. We ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/45/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Guidelines for living. August 19th, 2026 God is as Close as Your Need The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 Anyone who has ever looked up at the stars on a dark night has, at times, been awe-struck by their vastness and the greatness of space, yet only twelve men in all history have been privileged to stand on the moon and look back towards the blue planet, as Earth has described. Standing on the surface of the moon, the Earth is some 229,000 plus miles away, and, according to Jim Irwin, one of the 12 astronauts who saw it from that perspective, the Earth appears to be the size of a walnut. It takes a second and a half for light to reach us from the moon. Accordingly, astronomers refer to heavenly bodies as being light-years away. Now, a light year is the distance it takes light to travel in 365 days at the speed of 186,282 miles per second. Our closest star, excluding the sun, is Alpha Centauri: 26 trillion miles away. It’s five times the sun; it takes 4.5 light years for light to reach us even from the closest star. Very quickly the vastness of God’s creation begins to challenge our minds and comprehension—too great to fathom. So, how can the human mind handle all of this when we are accustomed to measuring distance in terms of miles or kilometers from our home? Now, imagine the thickness of a single sheet of paper and conceptualize that sheet of paper as representing the distance from the Earth to the sun, 93 million miles away. The distance to Alpha Centauri, the closest star, would be represented by the thickness of a stack of paper 71 feet high, or the height of a seven-story building. The diameter of our galaxy alone would be a pile of paper 310 miles high. Again, that’s based on the fact that the thickness of a single sheet of paper would represent the distance between the Earth and the sun. On several occasions, Jim Irwin, one of the 12 astronauts, was our guest at Guidelines. Before I did an interview with him, we had lunch with several friends at a nearby restaurant. While he was away from the table making a phone call, I told the waitress serving us who he was. When Jim came back to the table, the waitress kept peering out of the corner of her eye. But honestly, having experienced what Colonel James Irwin experienced separated him from the masses of humanity who stand on Earth and look up at the moon and the stars. One thing that impressed me about Jim is that his perspective of Earth, as well as of space and God, was different from most people. Why? He’d been there! He saw it from a different perspective, and for him life would never be the same. Robert Louis Stevenson, the poet, put it so beautifully when he wrote, The stars shine over the mountains, The stars shine over the sea, The stars look up to the mighty God, The stars look down on me, The stars shall last for a million years, A million years and a day, But God and I will live and love When the stars have passed away.”1 God is not “out there” somewhere. He’s as close as your need. He will reveal something of that personal care for you as you turn to Him and trust Him. He’s the God who cares, as well as the God, the Creator—which you can discover for yourself. Friend, get to know God. That’s the secret to life. Resource Reading: Psalm 19:1-14

In Colossians 1, Paul uses two closely related but distinct concepts to describe the unmatched status of Christ. To understand the distinction, we have to look at the flow of Paul's argument and the specific Greek words he uses. The Distinction in the Text Preeminence (πρωτεύων - *prōteuōn*) In verse 18, Paul writes that Christ might be preeminent (or "hold the first place") in everything. The Greek word prōteuōn is a present participle meaning "to be first in rank, influence, or position." Preeminence speaks to rank, dignity, and rightful position. It answers the question: Where does Christ stand in relation to all other things? The answer is that He stands at the absolute top. He holds the chief place. In the immediate context of verse 18, this preeminence is specifically tied to the new creation—He is the head of the body, the church, and the firstborn from the dead. Because He conquered the grave, He rightfully holds the highest rank in the renewed creation. Supremacy (πρωτότοκος - *prōtotokos*) While English translations sometimes use "preeminence" and "supremacy" interchangeably, the concept of supremacy in this passage is anchored in the word prōtotokos ("firstborn"), used in verses 15 and 18. Supremacy speaks to authority, power, and sovereign right. In the ancient Near East, the firstborn was not just the oldest child; he was the heir who held the highest authority over the household and received the double portion of the inheritance. When Paul says Christ is the "firstborn of all creation" (v. 15) and "firstborn from the dead" (v. 18), he is not saying Christ was created. He is declaring Christ's supreme authority over creation and over the new creation. Supremacy answers the question: Who has the power and the right to rule? Christ does, because all things were created through Him and for Him (v. 16). How They Work Together Think of it this way: Supremacy is the basis of His authority. He is the sovereign heir and creator. He has the absolute right to rule because He is the agent of creation and the victor over death. Preeminence is the result of that authority. Because He is supreme, it is only fitting that He holds the first place in rank, honor, and affection in all things. Paul builds this argument to counter the early heresies creeping into Colossae, which suggested you needed Jesus plus something else—angelic worship, secret knowledge, or ascetic practices (Colossians 2). Paul's response is that Christ's supremacy and preeminence mean He is entirely sufficient. The fullness of deity dwells in Him bodily (1:19). There is no higher rank to reach, no hidden knowledge to acquire, and no spiritual power to supplement. He holds the first place in everything. When you read this passage, you are looking at a deliberate, poetic structure where Paul establishes Christ's supremacy over the original creation (vv. 15-17) and then His supremacy over the new creation through redemption (vv. 18-20), culminating in the conclusion that He alone is preeminent in all things.

Loving Others Well Jesus said a lot of things. Beautiful, enlightening, and important things. But there’s one command that sums up how we should live... "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34 When we look at Jesus’ life, how did He live out this love? And how can we model His actions in our own lives? Love compelled Jesus to give up His privileges. As Creator and Lord, Jesus could've done whatever He wanted. But what He wanted was to temporarily relinquish His rights and even put on human skin—so that we could be made right with God. Love compelled Jesus to prioritize people: The woman at the well. The unclean leper. The woman with the issue of blood. The despised tax collector. The desperate centurion. The thief hanging next to Him on the cross. Jesus didn’t see problems—He saw people. Love compelled Jesus to serve others. He washed His disciples feet. He went out of His way for the marginalized. He stopped for the sick, weary, and broken. And in the end, He gave His own life. For the long-time sinner and the seemingly put-together person, Jesus died so that we can truly live. Love compelled Jesus to value truth and grace. In a world where some elevate grace and others prioritize truth, Jesus valued both. He turned over tables when God’s house was turned into a den of thieves, and He showed great compassion to a woman caught in adultery. If we’re ever unsure about how to love others, let’s look to Jesus as the ultimate example. He selflessly gave up His rights, prioritized people, served others to the point of laying down His life, and valued both truth and grace. And as we love like He loved, we'll become more like Him.

The Story Behind the Hymns. THE STORY BEHIND "I'II PRAISE MY MAKER WHILE I'VE BREATH “I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath” is a beloved hymn by the English hymn writer and theologian Isaac Watts (1674–1748). The hymn is based on Psalm 146, transforming the biblical psalm into a personal declaration of lifelong trust, praise and devotion to God. Watts published the hymn in his influential collection “The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New Testament” in 1719. Rather than translating the Psalm word-for-word, he expressed its message in a form that worshippers could sing as their own testimony of faith. The opening words capture the central theme: “I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath; And when my voice is lost in death, Praise shall employ my nobler powers…” The hymn reflects the conviction that praise should not depend on circumstances. Watts points the worshipper toward God as the faithful Creator and everlasting source of hope, while reminding us that earthly rulers and human strength are temporary. One of the most memorable ideas in the hymn is its confidence in God’s enduring care. Even as human life comes to an end, the singer looks beyond death with the assurance that praise continues in the presence of the Maker. “I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath” became widely loved in Christian worship and has appeared in numerous hymnals across generations. Its enduring appeal lies in its simple but profound message: life itself is an opportunity to praise God, and that praise ultimately reaches beyond the limits of earthly life. Isaac Watts died in 1748, but his hymns continued to shape Christian worship around the world. Through this hymn, his paraphrase of Psalm 146 remains a powerful invitation to make praise a lifelong commitment.

August 18th, 2026 Read; Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD our God, mighty in our midst, not only saves but also rejoices over us with joy. He rests in His love and joys over us with singing. Imagine our Creator singing over His beloved children, much like a parent sings a lullaby. This imagery shows a God who tenderly rocks us, calming our spirits with His presence. His immense love is a comforting embrace, assuring us of His constant care and affection, like a mother's gentle comfort. Prayer God, when life's storms come raging at me, help me remember these words and seek safety, solace, and peace in Your protective care. As You reveal more of the grace of Your salvation, help me recognize Your song of love over my life. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.

🌌 Creation itself points us to the greatness and glory of God. 📲 Share this with someone who needs a reminder to pause and praise the Creator. #Psalm191 #GloryOfGod #GodsCreation #HisHandiwork #PraiseTheCreator #CreationDeclares #WorshipGod #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook