• Guidelines for living.
    August 24th, 2026

    Your Prayers Can Start Revival

    If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14



    Ezekiel was a priest who had been carried away by King Nebuchadnezzar and forced to settle in Tel Abib on the Chebar Canal in Babylon. As this man grew older, he grew both hungry for God and lonesome for his homeland, one that we know as Israel today.

    God revealed Himself to Ezekiel and told him of great things which were in the future for Israel. He explained, “The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’“ (Ezekiel 37:1-3). Talk about having to answer the Teacher! What do you say when God asks you a question? Dead bones are lifeless, hopeless—they’re finished.

    Yet, and this is what Ezekiel knew, God alone can reverse the hopelessness of dead bones, and wisely, very wisely, Ezekiel answered, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know!” Good answer! He passed the test. Then God told him to prophesy that breath would enter into them, tendons would be attached, then flesh, then life. Re-creation! It was a picture of Israel’s restoration. It is also a picture of what God does individually and corporately when He chooses to revive His people.

    While revivals—genuine spiritual renewals born of the Holy Spirit—have been milestones of the church from the days of the book of Acts to the present, they are the exception, not the normal, day-by-day, year-by-year sort of thing. Question: Is it possible that in the immediate future, God may again bring revival to His people around the world?

    Ezekiel called God, “Sovereign.” He knew that God answers to none, and that He is the one who responds to the cries of His people, asking Him to revive them and to restore them to the place of joy and service they once had.

    A history of revivals shows that while a Sovereign God does revive His people, they come in response to the cries of His people. Long ago God outlined the conditions which are necessary for revival. He said, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

    Are revivals simply a display of emotionalism or fanaticism? Not at all. They are displays of repentance, a searching for God, and the desire to be rejuvenated spiritually.

    In the early 1900’s, a revival swept the little country of Wales—it was birthed in a prayer meeting. An 18-year-old girl stood to her feet and she said, “I do love Jesus …” Starting to weep, she repeated those words, then sat down unable to speak. In the 1960’s, a spiritual awakening began at the FEBIAS College of the Bible, when missionary Chuck Holsinger spoke in the chapel and said, “The love of God, I cannot understand it,” and like a tidal wave which came from above, something swept over the students, who were confronted with the reality of God’s presence. What should have been a 50-minute service became an all-day prayer meeting that began something with far, far-reaching consequences.

    If your church is a valley of dry bones, there is hope.



    Resource Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:1-22
    Guidelines for living. August 24th, 2026 Your Prayers Can Start Revival If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Ezekiel was a priest who had been carried away by King Nebuchadnezzar and forced to settle in Tel Abib on the Chebar Canal in Babylon. As this man grew older, he grew both hungry for God and lonesome for his homeland, one that we know as Israel today. God revealed Himself to Ezekiel and told him of great things which were in the future for Israel. He explained, “The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’“ (Ezekiel 37:1-3). Talk about having to answer the Teacher! What do you say when God asks you a question? Dead bones are lifeless, hopeless—they’re finished. Yet, and this is what Ezekiel knew, God alone can reverse the hopelessness of dead bones, and wisely, very wisely, Ezekiel answered, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know!” Good answer! He passed the test. Then God told him to prophesy that breath would enter into them, tendons would be attached, then flesh, then life. Re-creation! It was a picture of Israel’s restoration. It is also a picture of what God does individually and corporately when He chooses to revive His people. While revivals—genuine spiritual renewals born of the Holy Spirit—have been milestones of the church from the days of the book of Acts to the present, they are the exception, not the normal, day-by-day, year-by-year sort of thing. Question: Is it possible that in the immediate future, God may again bring revival to His people around the world? Ezekiel called God, “Sovereign.” He knew that God answers to none, and that He is the one who responds to the cries of His people, asking Him to revive them and to restore them to the place of joy and service they once had. A history of revivals shows that while a Sovereign God does revive His people, they come in response to the cries of His people. Long ago God outlined the conditions which are necessary for revival. He said, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Are revivals simply a display of emotionalism or fanaticism? Not at all. They are displays of repentance, a searching for God, and the desire to be rejuvenated spiritually. In the early 1900’s, a revival swept the little country of Wales—it was birthed in a prayer meeting. An 18-year-old girl stood to her feet and she said, “I do love Jesus …” Starting to weep, she repeated those words, then sat down unable to speak. In the 1960’s, a spiritual awakening began at the FEBIAS College of the Bible, when missionary Chuck Holsinger spoke in the chapel and said, “The love of God, I cannot understand it,” and like a tidal wave which came from above, something swept over the students, who were confronted with the reality of God’s presence. What should have been a 50-minute service became an all-day prayer meeting that began something with far, far-reaching consequences. If your church is a valley of dry bones, there is hope. Resource Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:1-22
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  • 28 Beleifs # 24
    CHRIST'S MINISTRY IN THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY

    There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that the Lord set up and not humans. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. At His ascension, He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and, began His intercessory ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent.
    28 Beleifs # 24 CHRIST'S MINISTRY IN THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that the Lord set up and not humans. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. At His ascension, He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and, began His intercessory ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent.
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  • My Daily Witness.
    Jesus loves you so much that HE died for you, and Rose from the dead for you, and now desperately longs to have a personal relationship with you, will you accept Him into your heart and life today, as your Savior, and King? Repent of sin in your life, and live for HIM, and let Him live through you.

    For God so loved the world, that HE gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

    After accepting Jesus as your Savior, show your love for HIM by keeping His Commandments.

    "If you love me keep my commandments". John 14:15.

    ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, REPENT OF SIN IN YOUR LIFE, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, INCLUDING THE 4TH COMMANDMENT (THE SEVENTH DAY SABBATH).

    FOR JESUS CHRIST IS SOON RETURNING, AND HIS REWARD IS WITH HIM, SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE, SOME TO EVERLASTING DEATH!!!!!
    Revelation 12:14
    Revelation 22:12
    Daniel 12:2
    My Daily Witness. Jesus loves you so much that HE died for you, and Rose from the dead for you, and now desperately longs to have a personal relationship with you, will you accept Him into your heart and life today, as your Savior, and King? Repent of sin in your life, and live for HIM, and let Him live through you. For God so loved the world, that HE gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16. After accepting Jesus as your Savior, show your love for HIM by keeping His Commandments. "If you love me keep my commandments". John 14:15. ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, REPENT OF SIN IN YOUR LIFE, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, INCLUDING THE 4TH COMMANDMENT (THE SEVENTH DAY SABBATH). FOR JESUS CHRIST IS SOON RETURNING, AND HIS REWARD IS WITH HIM, SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE, SOME TO EVERLASTING DEATH!!!!! Revelation 12:14 Revelation 22:12 Daniel 12:2
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  • Ephesians 2:1-10
    And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, [2] in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, [3] among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, [5] even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), [6] and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast. [10] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
    Ephesians 2:1-10 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, [2] in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, [3] among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, [5] even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), [6] and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast. [10] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
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  • Good morning brethren.
    1. Morning devotion for today.

    MD.i. MORNING TEA
    THE WORD FOR TODAY. MONDAY AUGUST 24, 2O26.
    "WELCOME THIS CHANGE"

    ‘…have your sandals on and your walking stick in your hand...’ Exodus 12:11 NCV.

    THE BOY Scout motto is ‘Be prepared,’ and it’s a good one. In Exodus, God told Israel, ‘…eat…fully dressed as if you were going on a trip…have your sandals on and your walking stick in your hand.’ In other words, ‘Be ready when I tell you to move!’ Maybe there’s an area in your life where God is telling you it’s time to move, but fear is making you hold back. Don’t! Change is just evidence of growth. What worked yesterday can be tomorrow’s recipe for failure. You can’t become who you are destined to be, if you insist on staying as you are. John Patterson said, ‘Only fools and dead men don’t change…Fools won’t, and dead men can’t.’ Change isn’t the enemy. Once you start seeing yourself as a lifelong learner looking for ways to grow and improve, change becomes your friend. Learn from the people you meet, pursue new ideas, strategies, and ways to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Jim Penner says: ‘Our bodies change no matter how hard we exercise…Our homes change as our needs ebb and flow. Our places of employment change as the winds of economic forces blow and new opportunities come…friendships change as family needs and employment pull us away…While many changes become enjoyable new seasons…sometimes they’re painful. But no matter what season of change you’re experiencing…you can find comfort in Malachi 3:6, ‘I am God…I haven’t changed…’ (TM). His mercies endure forever…and it’s an awesome feeling knowing He loves and directs you just like He directed all His people who came before you.’

    Bible In A Year: Ezek 1-4, Matt 21:1-11, Ps 119:161-168, Pro 19:3-8. 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. [23/08, 7:59 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA*

    MONDAY, 24TH AUGUST, 2026.

    *EXPLOITS THROUGH CONQUERING FAITH*

    *TEXT:* JOSHUA 11:10-23.

    10 And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.
    11 And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.
    12 And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.
    13 But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.
    14 And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.
    15 As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.
    16 So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;
    17 Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.
    18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.
    19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.
    20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
    21 And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.
    22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
    23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.

    *Timeless Truth:*_"And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions"_ (Hebrews 11:32-33).


    *INTRODUCTION*

    William C. Martin (1878) penned down this song relevant to the topic of discussion.
    "In the warfare that is raging
    For the truth and for the right,
    When the conflict, fierce, is raging
    With the powers of the night,
    God needs people brave and true:
    May He then depend on you?
    Refrain:
    May the Lord depend on you?
    Loyalty is but His due;
    Say, O spirit, brave and true,
    That He may depend on you".
    God's covenants to Israel were majorly earthly and therefore, their warfares to possess their promises were physical. For the New Testament, the covenant is mostly spiritual and heavenly and therefore the warfares of the New Testament saints are spiritual. *"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal..."* (2 Corinthians 10:4). Lessons on Old Testament physical warfares are meant to teach the New Testament saints some important features of spiritual warfare which is a major part of successful and victorious Christian living.
    Joshua and Israel faced formidable kings, fortified cities and numerous enemies, yet God gave them victory. Their exploits demonstrated that conquering faith rested on obedience to God's authority and instructions with perseverance until the battle was completely won. When faith is anchored in God, no enemy can ultimately withstand His purpose for His people.

    *1. Determined Destruction Accomplished*

    a. God had concluded from the time of Abraham that the Amorites would be obliterated when their iniquities reached the peak when God could no more tolerate them (Genesis 15:15,16; Exodus 34:11-13). The time now came to start possessing the land as promised, but they must fight for it, for it would not come on a platter of gold. All the promises of God have been paid for by the finished work of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. However, the adversary is always there to contest against those blessings and believers must be ready to contend and possess it as God has given us assurance of victory as legitimate owners of the blessings. Our Lord Himself said, *"the kingdom of God suffereth violence and the violent taketh it by force"* (Matthew 11:12). The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 were commended for their violence of faith, courage and determination as they fought spiritual warfares. The violence of believers is spiritual and had to do with violence and force of faith. Nobody will be able to possess his possessions here on earth and enter heaven eventually if he does not learn to be brave and violent in spiritual warfare against the flesh, fiends, faithlessness, fear and foolishness.
    b. Joshua did not leave unfinished what God had commanded him to accomplish. Hazor, the head of the northern kingdoms, was captured and destroyed and its king was put to death. The destruction was decisive because Joshua understood that partial obedience could jeopardize the victory God had promised. Conquering faith is determined faith—it does not retreat because the opposition is strong or the assignment is difficult. What God commands must be pursued with courage and perseverance. Joshua, with courageous faith, moved along the will and Word of God and destroyed those that God had condemned to destruction because they refused to repent.

    *Question*

    Are there areas of your life where God expects you to exercise determined faith and completely overcome persistent opposition?

    *2. Done According to the Divine Authority*

    a. The destruction of the Canaanites by Joshua in the text took about 7 years though it was recorded as if they all happened in rapidity. God had told them that they would conquer the land *"little by little"*. (Exodus 23:30, Deuteronomy 7:22). You don't expect those formidable enemies to be overcome without giving a strong fight and resistance. Spiritual wars, like the physical wars are at times protracted. In order to overcome the adversary, there is a need to maintain a persistent and untiring warfare disposition and attitude for Satan and his agents will not give up without a strong and persistent resistance. So, fight manfully onward and never give up but persist until you laugh last. God has destined and programmed you for total victory. The "little by little" approach also gave the Canaanites the opportunity to repent and seek for mercy like Rahab and her household and the Gibeonites did.
    Joshua acted according to the command of the LORD. Those who perished must have been adamant because it had been settled that Israel would destroy all of them just like Rahab confessed (Joshua 2:9-11). All those who perished perished because they chose to and not for lack of opportunity to repent. Rahab and her household, the Giebeonites and the Shechemites decided not to perish and they did not because they did the needful. Those people refused to repent, their hearts were hardened through rejection of mercy. This hardening of men’s hearts is when God gives man up to his sin after the person refused the mercy of God (Romans 1:24-28).
    b. How could Joshua have overcome? Israel was not trained in the art of warfare at the time. Second, Israel did not have horses and chariots to fight, whereas the Canaanites had in abundance. Yet, God told them that it was a battle of faith and therefore, they should not fear the better equipped and stronger adversaries. *"And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire"*. It was like the case of little David versus the giant Goliath. Spiritual battles, while doing the needful, do not look at the size and the arrogance of the adversaries. With faith in God, their horses and chariots will be defeated. *"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God"* (Psalm 20:7). Can you imagine a poorly trained and inexperienced army of Israel defeating better trained
    coalition of nations in their multitudes with their horses and chariots? Obeying God's Word and instruction is always a guarantee of victory regardless of the might and the arsenal of the adversaries. Joshua did not depend on personal wisdom or military strength; he carried out God's instructions. Verse 15 emphasizes that Joshua did everything the LORD commanded Moses, and Moses had commanded Joshua. True exploits are accomplished under divine authority. Faith becomes powerful when it is joined with obedience. The victory was not merely Joshua's achievement; it was God's purpose being fulfilled through a yielded servant. We too must learn to follow God's Word even when His instructions challenge our natural reasoning.

    *Question*

    Are your decisions and actions being governed by God's Word and divine authority?

    *3. The Defeat of the Dreaded Adversaries*

    The Anakims were the most dreaded adversaries of Israel while they were in the wilderness. In fact, the spies (10 of them) sent said they were like grasshoppers compared to the Anakims (Numbers 13:27-33). It was the fear of those people that made Israel to be punished in the wilderness with 40 years of wandering and deaths. God delayed this fight to be their last fight so that Israel would have, from experience, learnt the art of warfare. They did not know that God had His own strategy of training them to be fit for the warfare against those terrorizing adversaries. When God gives a promise, don't look at your weakness and be asking how possible. God has His own plan to make you fit enough to deal with the enemy before He Himself takes over. "The Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I have to do is to follow" and victory is certain.
    b. The promise of Deuteronomy 9:1–3, which specifically predicts the defeat of the fearsome Anakites, is fulfilled(Joshua 11:21–23). Those who once appeared invincible were overcome by the power of God. Joshua's victory teaches us that yesterday's giants need not determine today's destiny. Through conquering faith, intimidating obstacles can become testimonies of God's faithfulness. Finally, the land had rest from war. When God's people trust Him, obey His commands and persevere in faith, victory and divine rest become possible.

    *Question*

    What “giant” or dreaded adversary are you allowing to intimidate you instead of confronting it through faith in God?

    *Prayer Points*

    1.Lord, give me conquering faith to overcome every persistent opposition standing against Your purpose for my life.
    2.Father, help me to walk in complete obedience to Your Word and submit every decision to Your divine authority .
    3.O Lord, bring down every giant and defeat every dreaded adversary confronting my progress, destiny and calling .
    4.Father, grant Your children lasting victory and divine rest after every battle and let their lives become testimonies of Your mighty exploits .

    *HYMN:* May The Lord Depend On You.

    *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* DANIEL 11-12.
    [23/08, 7:59 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS)

    MONDAY 24TH AUGUST, 2026```

    *BETWEEN JUDGMENT AND MERCY* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🏽🏽‍🏽

    ```TEXT:JOSHUA 11:10-23```

    ```KEY VERSE:``` _*"There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle" (JOSHUA 11:19).*_

    *Mercy from God is that vital element that no one can earn, deserve or merit. It is an inalienable deed that underpins God's dealings with fallible humankind, saved or unsaved. When all else fails, God's mercies will never fail.*

    *The Canaanites and other nations in the Promised Land engaged in battle against Joshua and the Israelites without seeking a peace agreement, despite their unfavourable position. In this chapter, Joshua faced a coalition of Canaanite forces, defeating them before turning his attention to the northern region. The city of Hazor was captured and burned, with its spoils taken by the Israelites. Joshua then advanced towards the hills and southern territories, continuing the conflict until the entirety of the land was subdued and allocated to the tribes of Israel. The account raises challenging questions regarding the nature of a loving God permitting such violence, particularly the killing of women and children. This narrative has sparked criticism towards the Scripture, leading to inquiries about the justness of these holy wars and casting doubt on divine benevolence, consequently perplexing many readers.*

    *The text emphasises that the people in the land repeatedly heard about God's actions but chose to resist and did not seek mercy, with the Gibeonites being the only exception, although through deceit. Instead of pursuing peace, they relied on military might, having engaged in idol worship and iniquity for centuries, including horrific sacrifices. Ultimately, God's judgment deemed it necessary to cleanse the land of those viewed as rebels and enemies, as the people were prepared to oppose Him rather than embrace His ways.*

    *No one can fight against God and expect to win. It is an effort in futility when we roll out our battle gear instead of pleading and repenting. God delights in mercy. He's not interested in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn to Him in repentance and live. "As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live..."*

    ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Entreaty secures favour faster than conflict.*_

    ```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *DANIEL 11-12*


    Between Judgment And Mercy
    https://dailymanna.app//
    *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 155: LET JESUS COME INTO YOUR HEART; GHS 158: COME BELIEVING; AND GHS 159: WHY DO YOU WAIT?*

    *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter*
    *#DailyManna24thAugust2026*
    *#GCK*
    *#WorshipNuggets*
    *#BibleNuggets*
    *#LeadershipNuggets*
    *#RevivalNuggets*
    *#CrusadeNuggets*
    https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]
    [23/08, 7:59 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```

    _*HIGHER EVERYDY: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_

    ✍🏽🏻‍ 🏽🛰

    ```MONDAY 24TH AUGUST, 2026```

    *BE HOLY, GOD IS HOLY* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🏽🏽‍🏽

    ```TEXT:1 PETER 1:13-21```

    ``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 PETER 1:16).*_

    *Dispute over paternity can be resolved through a DNA test and lay to rest such controversy. Likewise, holiness puts to silence every debate on who a child of God is. God is holy, and anyone who professes to be His child must possess this very nature of God - holiness. An unholy life has no resemblance to God and no usefulness to the world.*

    *"Be ye holy" is God's command. Heaven is a holy place. The God of heaven is a Holy Being. The angels are holy creatures. Everything in heaven is holiness. It is impossible to get to heaven if we die unholy. The Holy Bible clearly states that: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).*

    *Holiness is not optional; it is mandatory for all who desire to see God and live with Him in eternity. To be holy simply means to be purged from inward and outward sins. Consecration, strong thirst, and hunger for the experience in desperate prayer will allow God to accomplish it in your life.*

    ```QUOTE:``` _*Be purged.*_

    ```CHALLENGE:``` _*To get to heaven, holiness is non-negotiable.*_

    🏽🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to remain holy till the end.*_



    Be Holy, God Is Holy
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    [23/08, 7:59 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```

    _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣)*_

    🏼🏼🏼🏼🏼‍

    ```MONDAY 24TH AUGUST, 2026```

    *GOD MADE US SPECIAL* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🏽🏽‍🏽🏽

    ```PSALM 139:14-18```



    ```Key Verse:``` _*"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well" (Psalm 139:14).*_



    Everything that God created is beautiful, and He made each of us uniquely special. Lily loved to look in the mirror and admire how she looked. One day, a friend at school teased her about her glasses and called her *"ugly".*

    Lily felt sad and wondered maybe she was not special after all. That night, her mom reminded her that God made her beautiful and unique. *God does not make mistakes,"* her mom said. *"You are wonderfully made, and He loves you just as you are!"*

    Lily smiled, realizing that she was special, just as God intended. She no longer felt the need to compare herself to others, understanding that God's love for her was unconditional.

    *God made you special too, and you do not need to measure your worth against anyone else. Embrace who you are, because you are wonderfully created, and God loves you just as you are!*



    ```rayer:``` _*God, thank You for making me special. Help me to live for You always.*_ 🏽

    ``` Further Reading:``` *Jeremiah 1:4-7*


    God Made Us Special
    https://dailymanna.app//

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    2. Morning Prayer for today.

    MP.i. Morning Prayer

    I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. ⏤ Romans 12:1

    He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day. ⏤ John Bunyan

    Almighty God, the Father of us all, in whom we live and move and have our being—we worship You and give thanks to Your great and holy name. Our hearts are full of memories of Sunday. May we be like those who have walked among fragrant flowers, carrying the scent on our very garments. May we be more joyful, more trusting, more holy, more loving, and more prayerful because of the holy influences that saturated our lives yesterday.

    You are the God of the evening and the morning. Every day reveals where You have walked in love. We thank You for this day that now shines upon us. We need Your presence with us through all its hours, for we don’t know what they hold for us:
    what duties,
    what problems that must be solved,
    what decisions that must be made,
    what responsibilities that must be met,
    what surprises of joy or sorrow,
    what temptations,
    what conflicts,
    what dangers.

    We don’t know—but You do, and we’re not afraid to leave it all in Your hands. Bless us with peace, wisdom, and strength for whatever lies ahead. Take our hands and guide us.

    We consecrate ourselves to You this day, O God, for life and service. We are Yours, and we present ourselves as a living sacrifice to You. We want to live only for You. Help us to renounce all claims on ourselves and truly be Yours. If we are called to any hard duty, task, or service—give us the grace to accept Your will cheerfully and to do what pleases You. Work deeply in us by Your Spirit, continuing the renewal of our nature, and building us up in holiness and righteousness, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

    https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/50/morning

    #taptapstudio
    #youdevotion.
    Good morning brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🌺🌹🎁🎀💝 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY. MONDAY AUGUST 24, 2O26. "WELCOME THIS CHANGE" ‘…have your sandals on and your walking stick in your hand...’ Exodus 12:11 NCV. THE BOY Scout motto is ‘Be prepared,’ and it’s a good one. In Exodus, God told Israel, ‘…eat…fully dressed as if you were going on a trip…have your sandals on and your walking stick in your hand.’ In other words, ‘Be ready when I tell you to move!’ Maybe there’s an area in your life where God is telling you it’s time to move, but fear is making you hold back. Don’t! Change is just evidence of growth. What worked yesterday can be tomorrow’s recipe for failure. You can’t become who you are destined to be, if you insist on staying as you are. John Patterson said, ‘Only fools and dead men don’t change…Fools won’t, and dead men can’t.’ Change isn’t the enemy. Once you start seeing yourself as a lifelong learner looking for ways to grow and improve, change becomes your friend. Learn from the people you meet, pursue new ideas, strategies, and ways to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Jim Penner says: ‘Our bodies change no matter how hard we exercise…Our homes change as our needs ebb and flow. Our places of employment change as the winds of economic forces blow and new opportunities come…friendships change as family needs and employment pull us away…While many changes become enjoyable new seasons…sometimes they’re painful. But no matter what season of change you’re experiencing…you can find comfort in Malachi 3:6, ‘I am God…I haven’t changed…’ (TM). His mercies endure forever…and it’s an awesome feeling knowing He loves and directs you just like He directed all His people who came before you.’ Bible In A Year: Ezek 1-4, Matt 21:1-11, Ps 119:161-168, Pro 19:3-8. 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. [23/08, 7:59 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* MONDAY, 24TH AUGUST, 2026. *EXPLOITS THROUGH CONQUERING FAITH* *TEXT:* JOSHUA 11:10-23. 10 And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms. 11 And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire. 12 And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. 13 But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn. 14 And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe. 15 As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. 16 So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same; 17 Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them. 18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. 19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle. 20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses. 21 And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities. 22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained. 23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war. *Timeless Truth:*_"And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions"_ (Hebrews 11:32-33). *INTRODUCTION* William C. Martin (1878) penned down this song relevant to the topic of discussion. "In the warfare that is raging For the truth and for the right, When the conflict, fierce, is raging With the powers of the night, God needs people brave and true: May He then depend on you? Refrain: May the Lord depend on you? Loyalty is but His due; Say, O spirit, brave and true, That He may depend on you". God's covenants to Israel were majorly earthly and therefore, their warfares to possess their promises were physical. For the New Testament, the covenant is mostly spiritual and heavenly and therefore the warfares of the New Testament saints are spiritual. *"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal..."* (2 Corinthians 10:4). Lessons on Old Testament physical warfares are meant to teach the New Testament saints some important features of spiritual warfare which is a major part of successful and victorious Christian living. Joshua and Israel faced formidable kings, fortified cities and numerous enemies, yet God gave them victory. Their exploits demonstrated that conquering faith rested on obedience to God's authority and instructions with perseverance until the battle was completely won. When faith is anchored in God, no enemy can ultimately withstand His purpose for His people. *1. Determined Destruction Accomplished* a. God had concluded from the time of Abraham that the Amorites would be obliterated when their iniquities reached the peak when God could no more tolerate them (Genesis 15:15,16; Exodus 34:11-13). The time now came to start possessing the land as promised, but they must fight for it, for it would not come on a platter of gold. All the promises of God have been paid for by the finished work of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. However, the adversary is always there to contest against those blessings and believers must be ready to contend and possess it as God has given us assurance of victory as legitimate owners of the blessings. Our Lord Himself said, *"the kingdom of God suffereth violence and the violent taketh it by force"* (Matthew 11:12). The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 were commended for their violence of faith, courage and determination as they fought spiritual warfares. The violence of believers is spiritual and had to do with violence and force of faith. Nobody will be able to possess his possessions here on earth and enter heaven eventually if he does not learn to be brave and violent in spiritual warfare against the flesh, fiends, faithlessness, fear and foolishness. b. Joshua did not leave unfinished what God had commanded him to accomplish. Hazor, the head of the northern kingdoms, was captured and destroyed and its king was put to death. The destruction was decisive because Joshua understood that partial obedience could jeopardize the victory God had promised. Conquering faith is determined faith—it does not retreat because the opposition is strong or the assignment is difficult. What God commands must be pursued with courage and perseverance. Joshua, with courageous faith, moved along the will and Word of God and destroyed those that God had condemned to destruction because they refused to repent. *Question* Are there areas of your life where God expects you to exercise determined faith and completely overcome persistent opposition? *2. Done According to the Divine Authority* a. The destruction of the Canaanites by Joshua in the text took about 7 years though it was recorded as if they all happened in rapidity. God had told them that they would conquer the land *"little by little"*. (Exodus 23:30, Deuteronomy 7:22). You don't expect those formidable enemies to be overcome without giving a strong fight and resistance. Spiritual wars, like the physical wars are at times protracted. In order to overcome the adversary, there is a need to maintain a persistent and untiring warfare disposition and attitude for Satan and his agents will not give up without a strong and persistent resistance. So, fight manfully onward and never give up but persist until you laugh last. God has destined and programmed you for total victory. The "little by little" approach also gave the Canaanites the opportunity to repent and seek for mercy like Rahab and her household and the Gibeonites did. Joshua acted according to the command of the LORD. Those who perished must have been adamant because it had been settled that Israel would destroy all of them just like Rahab confessed (Joshua 2:9-11). All those who perished perished because they chose to and not for lack of opportunity to repent. Rahab and her household, the Giebeonites and the Shechemites decided not to perish and they did not because they did the needful. Those people refused to repent, their hearts were hardened through rejection of mercy. This hardening of men’s hearts is when God gives man up to his sin after the person refused the mercy of God (Romans 1:24-28). b. How could Joshua have overcome? Israel was not trained in the art of warfare at the time. Second, Israel did not have horses and chariots to fight, whereas the Canaanites had in abundance. Yet, God told them that it was a battle of faith and therefore, they should not fear the better equipped and stronger adversaries. *"And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire"*. It was like the case of little David versus the giant Goliath. Spiritual battles, while doing the needful, do not look at the size and the arrogance of the adversaries. With faith in God, their horses and chariots will be defeated. *"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God"* (Psalm 20:7). Can you imagine a poorly trained and inexperienced army of Israel defeating better trained coalition of nations in their multitudes with their horses and chariots? Obeying God's Word and instruction is always a guarantee of victory regardless of the might and the arsenal of the adversaries. Joshua did not depend on personal wisdom or military strength; he carried out God's instructions. Verse 15 emphasizes that Joshua did everything the LORD commanded Moses, and Moses had commanded Joshua. True exploits are accomplished under divine authority. Faith becomes powerful when it is joined with obedience. The victory was not merely Joshua's achievement; it was God's purpose being fulfilled through a yielded servant. We too must learn to follow God's Word even when His instructions challenge our natural reasoning. *Question* Are your decisions and actions being governed by God's Word and divine authority? *3. The Defeat of the Dreaded Adversaries* The Anakims were the most dreaded adversaries of Israel while they were in the wilderness. In fact, the spies (10 of them) sent said they were like grasshoppers compared to the Anakims (Numbers 13:27-33). It was the fear of those people that made Israel to be punished in the wilderness with 40 years of wandering and deaths. God delayed this fight to be their last fight so that Israel would have, from experience, learnt the art of warfare. They did not know that God had His own strategy of training them to be fit for the warfare against those terrorizing adversaries. When God gives a promise, don't look at your weakness and be asking how possible. God has His own plan to make you fit enough to deal with the enemy before He Himself takes over. "The Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I have to do is to follow" and victory is certain. b. The promise of Deuteronomy 9:1–3, which specifically predicts the defeat of the fearsome Anakites, is fulfilled(Joshua 11:21–23). Those who once appeared invincible were overcome by the power of God. Joshua's victory teaches us that yesterday's giants need not determine today's destiny. Through conquering faith, intimidating obstacles can become testimonies of God's faithfulness. Finally, the land had rest from war. When God's people trust Him, obey His commands and persevere in faith, victory and divine rest become possible. *Question* What “giant” or dreaded adversary are you allowing to intimidate you instead of confronting it through faith in God? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, give me conquering faith to overcome every persistent opposition standing against Your purpose for my life. 2.Father, help me to walk in complete obedience to Your Word and submit every decision to Your divine authority 🙏. 3.O Lord, bring down every giant and defeat every dreaded adversary confronting my progress, destiny and calling 🙏. 4.Father, grant Your children lasting victory and divine rest after every battle and let their lives become testimonies of Your mighty exploits 🙏. *HYMN:* May The Lord Depend On You. *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* DANIEL 11-12. [23/08, 7:59 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) MONDAY 24TH AUGUST, 2026``` *BETWEEN JUDGMENT AND MERCY* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️⚖️🆚🆘🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:JOSHUA 11:10-23```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle" (JOSHUA 11:19).*_ *Mercy from God is that vital element that no one can earn, deserve or merit. It is an inalienable deed that underpins God's dealings with fallible humankind, saved or unsaved. When all else fails, God's mercies will never fail.* *The Canaanites and other nations in the Promised Land engaged in battle against Joshua and the Israelites without seeking a peace agreement, despite their unfavourable position. In this chapter, Joshua faced a coalition of Canaanite forces, defeating them before turning his attention to the northern region. The city of Hazor was captured and burned, with its spoils taken by the Israelites. Joshua then advanced towards the hills and southern territories, continuing the conflict until the entirety of the land was subdued and allocated to the tribes of Israel. The account raises challenging questions regarding the nature of a loving God permitting such violence, particularly the killing of women and children. This narrative has sparked criticism towards the Scripture, leading to inquiries about the justness of these holy wars and casting doubt on divine benevolence, consequently perplexing many readers.* *The text emphasises that the people in the land repeatedly heard about God's actions but chose to resist and did not seek mercy, with the Gibeonites being the only exception, although through deceit. Instead of pursuing peace, they relied on military might, having engaged in idol worship and iniquity for centuries, including horrific sacrifices. Ultimately, God's judgment deemed it necessary to cleanse the land of those viewed as rebels and enemies, as the people were prepared to oppose Him rather than embrace His ways.* *No one can fight against God and expect to win. It is an effort in futility when we roll out our battle gear instead of pleading and repenting. God delights in mercy. He's not interested in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn to Him in repentance and live. "As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live..."* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Entreaty secures favour faster than conflict.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *DANIEL 11-12*📜📜 Between Judgment And Mercy https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 155: LET JESUS COME INTO YOUR HEART; GHS 158: COME BELIEVING; AND GHS 159: WHY DO YOU WAIT?* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna24thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [23/08, 7:59 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```MONDAY 24TH AUGUST, 2026``` *BE HOLY, GOD IS HOLY* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🤍🥼✨🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:1 PETER 1:13-21```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 PETER 1:16).*_ *Dispute over paternity can be resolved through a DNA test and lay to rest such controversy. Likewise, holiness puts to silence every debate on who a child of God is. God is holy, and anyone who professes to be His child must possess this very nature of God - holiness. An unholy life has no resemblance to God and no usefulness to the world.* *"Be ye holy" is God's command. Heaven is a holy place. The God of heaven is a Holy Being. The angels are holy creatures. Everything in heaven is holiness. It is impossible to get to heaven if we die unholy. The Holy Bible clearly states that: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).* *Holiness is not optional; it is mandatory for all who desire to see God and live with Him in eternity. To be holy simply means to be purged from inward and outward sins. Consecration, strong thirst, and hunger for the experience in desperate prayer will allow God to accomplish it in your life.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Be purged.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*To get to heaven, holiness is non-negotiable.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to remain holy till the end.*_ Be Holy, God Is Holy https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday24thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [23/08, 7:59 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```MONDAY 24TH AUGUST, 2026``` *GOD MADE US SPECIAL* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️😁🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```PSALM 139:14-18```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well" (Psalm 139:14).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Everything that God created is beautiful, and He made each of us uniquely special. Lily loved to look in the mirror and admire how she looked. One day, a friend at school teased her about her glasses and called her *"ugly".* Lily felt sad and wondered maybe she was not special after all. That night, her mom reminded her that God made her beautiful and unique. *God does not make mistakes,"* her mom said. *"You are wonderfully made, and He loves you just as you are!"* Lily smiled, realizing that she was special, just as God intended. She no longer felt the need to compare herself to others, understanding that God's love for her was unconditional. *God made you special too, and you do not need to measure your worth against anyone else. Embrace who you are, because you are wonderfully created, and God loves you just as you are!* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*God, thank You for making me special. Help me to live for You always.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Jeremiah 1:4-7* God Made Us Special https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk24thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. ⏤ Romans 12:1 He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day. ⏤ John Bunyan Almighty God, the Father of us all, in whom we live and move and have our being—we worship You and give thanks to Your great and holy name. Our hearts are full of memories of Sunday. May we be like those who have walked among fragrant flowers, carrying the scent on our very garments. May we be more joyful, more trusting, more holy, more loving, and more prayerful because of the holy influences that saturated our lives yesterday. You are the God of the evening and the morning. Every day reveals where You have walked in love. We thank You for this day that now shines upon us. We need Your presence with us through all its hours, for we don’t know what they hold for us: what duties, what problems that must be solved, what decisions that must be made, what responsibilities that must be met, what surprises of joy or sorrow, what temptations, what conflicts, what dangers. We don’t know—but You do, and we’re not afraid to leave it all in Your hands. Bless us with peace, wisdom, and strength for whatever lies ahead. Take our hands and guide us. We consecrate ourselves to You this day, O God, for life and service. We are Yours, and we present ourselves as a living sacrifice to You. We want to live only for You. Help us to renounce all claims on ourselves and truly be Yours. If we are called to any hard duty, task, or service—give us the grace to accept Your will cheerfully and to do what pleases You. Work deeply in us by Your Spirit, continuing the renewal of our nature, and building us up in holiness and righteousness, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/50/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.
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  • WHAT SHOULD OUR PRAYER BE?

    Prayer is more than asking God for things. Prayer is a time to open our hearts to God, ask for forgiveness, seek His wisdom, and surrender our lives to Him.

    We can pray for: A heart filled with love
    The strength to forgive
    Strength during difficult times
    Peace when we are worried
    Wisdom to make the right choices
    Courage to follow Jesus
    A life that reflects Christ

    The most important prayer is not only, “Lord, change my situation,” but also, “Lord, change me.”

    May our words, thoughts, and actions become more like Jesus every day.

    “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” — James 2:17

    If this prayer touched your heart, write “Amen” in the comments and share this message with someone who needs encouragement.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    #Prayer #Jesus #JesusChrist #Christianity #ChristianPrayer #Faith #God #Bible #ChristianMotivation #PrayerLife #JesusChangesLives #ChristianLife #Amen #GodsLove #FaithInGod
    🙏 WHAT SHOULD OUR PRAYER BE? Prayer is more than asking God for things. Prayer is a time to open our hearts to God, ask for forgiveness, seek His wisdom, and surrender our lives to Him. We can pray for: ❤️ A heart filled with love 🤝 The strength to forgive 💪 Strength during difficult times 🕊️ Peace when we are worried 📖 Wisdom to make the right choices ✝️ Courage to follow Jesus 🙏 A life that reflects Christ The most important prayer is not only, “Lord, change my situation,” but also, “Lord, change me.” May our words, thoughts, and actions become more like Jesus every day. “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” — James 2:17 If this prayer touched your heart, write “Amen” 🙏 in the comments and share this message with someone who needs encouragement. In Jesus’ name, Amen. ✝️ #Prayer #Jesus #JesusChrist #Christianity #ChristianPrayer #Faith #God #Bible #ChristianMotivation #PrayerLife #JesusChangesLives #ChristianLife #Amen #GodsLove #FaithInGod
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 7 Vue
  • CHRISTIANITY IS MORE THAN A NAME

    Being a Christian is not only about saying, “I believe in Jesus.” True faith should be seen in the way we live, the way we treat others, and the way we respond when life becomes difficult.

    Jesus taught us to love, forgive, serve, pray, show compassion, and walk in truth.

    Our faith should not remain only in our words. It should be visible through our actions.

    Ask yourself today:

    Do I love others?
    Do I forgive?
    Do I help those in need?
    Do I follow God’s Word?
    Can people see Christ through my life?

    “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” — James 2:17

    Let your life reflect Christ. Let your actions speak louder than your words. And wherever you go, let people see the love of Jesus through you.

    If this message touched your heart, please LIKE, SHARE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Christian motivation and messages of faith.

    #Jesus #JesusChrist #Christianity #ChristianMotivation #Faith #God #Bible #ChristianLife #FaithInAction #JesusChangesLives #LoveLikeJesus #Forgive #Prayer #ChristianYouTube #GodsLove
    ✝️ CHRISTIANITY IS MORE THAN A NAME Being a Christian is not only about saying, “I believe in Jesus.” True faith should be seen in the way we live, the way we treat others, and the way we respond when life becomes difficult. Jesus taught us to love, forgive, serve, pray, show compassion, and walk in truth. Our faith should not remain only in our words. It should be visible through our actions. Ask yourself today: ❤️ Do I love others? 🙏 Do I forgive? 🤝 Do I help those in need? 📖 Do I follow God’s Word? ✝️ Can people see Christ through my life? “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” — James 2:17 Let your life reflect Christ. Let your actions speak louder than your words. And wherever you go, let people see the love of Jesus through you. If this message touched your heart, please LIKE, SHARE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Christian motivation and messages of faith. #Jesus #JesusChrist #Christianity #ChristianMotivation #Faith #God #Bible #ChristianLife #FaithInAction #JesusChangesLives #LoveLikeJesus #Forgive #Prayer #ChristianYouTube #GodsLove
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 11 Vue
  • In short, the Bible unshakably demonstrates that a plurality of elders oversaw the activity of the early churches. No church in the first century had a single leader. Consequently, the commonly accepted notion of sola pastora (single pastor) is at odds with the New Testament. The Bible knows nothing of a person who stands at the helm of a local church, directs its affairs, preaches to it every Sunday, conducts its baptisms, represents it in the world, officiates its Communion (or Lord’s Supper), blesses civic events, marries the living, and buries the dead. No such person exists in the entire New Testament.
    In short, the Bible unshakably demonstrates that a plurality of elders oversaw the activity of the early churches. No church in the first century had a single leader. Consequently, the commonly accepted notion of sola pastora (single pastor) is at odds with the New Testament. The Bible knows nothing of a person who stands at the helm of a local church, directs its affairs, preaches to it every Sunday, conducts its baptisms, represents it in the world, officiates its Communion (or Lord’s Supper), blesses civic events, marries the living, and buries the dead. No such person exists in the entire New Testament.
    Love
    1
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 23 Vue
  • “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.” — Ephesians 1:18
    Through this Bible verse, we can see the power of revelation in the Lord. Our existence has both a physical and spiritual dimension, and faith is connected to what we believe and understand.
    The Bible says:
    “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7
    This shows us that what is taking place within a person matters greatly. Your understanding influences how you perceive, believe, and respond to life.
    Can a dead man think? The physical body may remain, but the Bible presents man as more than merely a physical body.
    “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” — Ecclesiastes 12:7
    There is therefore a deeper dimension to human existence—the spirit and soul. What happens within us is not insignificant.
    The Bible also says:
    “For the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18
    This means that what our physical eyes see is not the whole of reality. There is a reality beyond what can be physically observed.
    That is why revelation is powerful. When God opens your understanding, you begin to perceive what you could not perceive before.
    “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” — Psalm 119:18
    And Jesus said:
    “Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not?” — Mark 8:18
    He was showing that a person can have physical eyes and yet fail to truly see and understand.
    Faith also operates beyond physical sight:
    “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7
    And:
    “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1
    So the question becomes:
    Can you see where the power lies?
    The power is not simply in what the physical eyes can see. There is a deeper reality—the revelation of God, which enlightens the understanding.
    When God opens your understanding, your perception changes. When your perception changes, what you believe can change. And when faith becomes active, it produces action.
    “Faith without works is dead.” — James 2:26
    The process can therefore be understood like this:
    God reveals → understanding is enlightened → faith receives → faith produces action → life is transformed.
    This is why Paul prayed:
    “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling…” — Ephesians 1:18
    The revelation is not merely about gaining information. It is about knowing—seeing with an understanding that comes from God.
    “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God…” — 2 Corinthians 4:6
    When God opens the eyes of your understanding, you begin to see beyond the physical realm. You begin to understand what faith sees, what revelation reveals, and what God is showing you. That is where the transformation begins.
    “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.” — Ephesians 1:18 Through this Bible verse, we can see the power of revelation in the Lord. Our existence has both a physical and spiritual dimension, and faith is connected to what we believe and understand. The Bible says: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7 This shows us that what is taking place within a person matters greatly. Your understanding influences how you perceive, believe, and respond to life. Can a dead man think? The physical body may remain, but the Bible presents man as more than merely a physical body. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” — Ecclesiastes 12:7 There is therefore a deeper dimension to human existence—the spirit and soul. What happens within us is not insignificant. The Bible also says: “For the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18 This means that what our physical eyes see is not the whole of reality. There is a reality beyond what can be physically observed. That is why revelation is powerful. When God opens your understanding, you begin to perceive what you could not perceive before. “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” — Psalm 119:18 And Jesus said: “Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not?” — Mark 8:18 He was showing that a person can have physical eyes and yet fail to truly see and understand. Faith also operates beyond physical sight: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 And: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1 So the question becomes: Can you see where the power lies? The power is not simply in what the physical eyes can see. There is a deeper reality—the revelation of God, which enlightens the understanding. When God opens your understanding, your perception changes. When your perception changes, what you believe can change. And when faith becomes active, it produces action. “Faith without works is dead.” — James 2:26 The process can therefore be understood like this: God reveals → understanding is enlightened → faith receives → faith produces action → life is transformed. This is why Paul prayed: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling…” — Ephesians 1:18 The revelation is not merely about gaining information. It is about knowing—seeing with an understanding that comes from God. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God…” — 2 Corinthians 4:6 When God opens the eyes of your understanding, you begin to see beyond the physical realm. You begin to understand what faith sees, what revelation reveals, and what God is showing you. That is where the transformation begins.
    0 Commentaires 0 Parts 16 Vue
  • 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!
    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!
    Praying
    1
    0 Commentaires 2 Parts 262 Vue
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