Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. How do you measure your prosperity? Is it by your bank account, or what you drive or live in? Is it by how many friends you have? Is it measured by how many ‘collectables’ you have acquired? What exactly does prosperity look like for you? Jeremiah 29:11 is everyone’s favorite verse to quote when it comes to times of ‘financial’ struggles. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." The definition of prosper, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is this: (1) to succeed in an enterprise or activity/ especially: to achieve economic success (2) to become strong and flourishing. I Googled the original Hebrew verbiage and found that prosperous is not a word in the Hebrew language exactly. The word was ‘maschshevot,’ which in modern terms equates to peace, well-being and a positive future. The enemy is very good at taking God’s word and turning it into something BIGGER for his glory. He dilutes the Word to soften it; he adjusts the meaning of the Word to satisfy popular opinion; he creates a world of his translation of the Word to satisfy the egos of all those who want the easy way. Such as: Unconditional Love … that does not mean that I love your sin; it means that I love you enough to speak the truth in love, not judgment. The enemy will tell you that I am judging you, when I am not; I am just stating facts so that you can make an informed decision. Eye for an eye … that is hatred, according to Jesus, who says when someone harms you, turn the other cheek Prosperity preaching … from this verse … claims that if you ‘give’ to the church, then God will give to you, or rather that if you give to “their” church, God will give to you. Prosperity and riches. The enemy will hamstring you into believing that God does not love you because you have not ‘given’ enough or that your gift is not good enough. These are all lies. Starting with, God wants you to be financially rich. It is not that God does not want you to be financially rich, but he knows how easily it can distract you from Him. If you are financially rich, then your heart turns to protecting your money instead of worshiping Him who gave you the riches. Prosperity in Jeremiah is speaking of hope, peace, and well-being; not Richie Rich. I am not a RICH person, but I am better off than many. I have food in my belly, a roof over my head, people around me who love and respect me, a quality vehicle, but most of all … I have love. I have peace. I have joy. I have God. I am one of the most prosperous people I know. Today I encourage you to find your peace in Him. Worship Him. Praise Him. Embrace Him. Love Him. When you do those things with your whole heart … the world does not seem so hard to deal with. Your eyes are open to so many opportunities for His light and love to shine. This will bring so much joy to your heart that it overflows in abundance to those around you. He knows what the world is like, and He wants you to have His peace and prosperity. Be blessed. **But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33

THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT THE CROSS “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” —Luke 14:33 I heard a story about a couple who visited a jewelry store. As the jeweler showed them various crosses, the woman commented, “I like these, but do you have any without this little man on them?” That’s what many people want today: a cross without Jesus. They want a cross without any offense—one that will look cool with their outfits. But the hard truth is that if we could travel back in time and see the cross in its original context, we would realize that it was a bloody and vile symbol. It would have been the worst picture imaginable to see someone hanging on a cross. The Romans chose crucifixion because it was meant to be a slow, torturous way to die. It was designed to humiliate a person. The crucifixions outside Roman cities served as warnings to anyone who would dare oppose the rule of Rome. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT). In other words, salvation and eternal life can be found only through Him. Many people today object to His words. They see John 14:6 as a statement of exclusivity and narrow-mindedness. But Jesus was simply explaining God’s plan of salvation. Humankind’s decision to disobey God and pursue sin created an existential crisis with only one solution. To satisfy God’s perfect justice and wrath, a perfect sacrifice had to be offered in our place. Someone who had never sinned had to die in the place of everyone else who had. Only Jesus lived a sinless life. Only He had the power to conquer death. So, only He could save us. If there had been any other way, do you think that God would have allowed His Son to suffer like that? If there had been any other way that we could have been forgiven, then God surely would have found it. Jesus Himself prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matthew 26:39 NLT). He was talking about the cross and the unimaginable suffering that lay ahead. But God did not take it away from Him because there was no other way. If living a good, moral life could get us to Heaven, then Jesus never would have died for us. But He did die. He had to pay the price for our sin. At the cross, Jesus purchased the salvation of the world. If you ever were tempted to doubt God’s love for you, even for a moment, then take a long, hard look at the cross. Nails did not hold Jesus to that cross; His love did. God bless you!

Let God’s Peace Guard Your Heart (Philippians 4:6–7) There are seasons when your mind feels full of questions. What if things don't work out? What if I lose this opportunity? What if my plans fail? What will happen tomorrow? Sometimes uncertainty can steal the peace we have today. But God's Word gives us a different way to respond. The Bible says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Notice the instruction: Pray. When you don't know what to do, pray. When you're worried about tomorrow, pray. When you are waiting for an answer, pray. When circumstances are beyond your control, pray. Prayer doesn't mean pretending that problems don't exist. It means refusing to face those problems as though you are facing them alone. God already knows what you're carrying. He knows the concerns you haven't told anyone. He knows the questions you keep asking yourself. He knows the battles happening inside your heart. And He invites you to bring them to Him. But Paul gives us another important instruction: Give thanks. That can be difficult when life isn't going according to plan. Yet gratitude changes our focus. Instead of only looking at what is missing, we begin remembering what God has already done. Thank Him for life. Thank Him for His grace. Thank Him for the people He has placed around you. Thank Him for the lessons you've learned. Thank Him for the doors He has opened. Thank Him for the times He protected you without you even realizing it. Most importantly, thank Him for Jesus. Because our greatest hope isn't found in having a perfect life. Our greatest hope is found in knowing Christ. God demonstrated His love by sending Jesus to die for our sins and make reconciliation with Him possible. That truth doesn't change when circumstances change. And then comes one of the most beautiful promises in Scripture: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God's peace doesn't always mean the storm disappears immediately. Sometimes the situation remains. The bills still need to be paid. The decision still needs to be made. The answer still hasn't arrived. The future is still uncertain. But something inside you can change. Instead of being controlled by fear, you can learn to trust. Instead of constantly asking, “What if?” You can begin saying: “God is with me.” Instead of thinking, “I must control everything,” you can say: “I will do my part and trust God with the rest.” Peace doesn't come from knowing exactly what tomorrow will bring. Peace comes from knowing who holds tomorrow. So today, don't carry tomorrow's problems with today's strength. You have enough grace for today. Bring your worries to God. Pray honestly. Give thanks. Read His Word. And trust Him one step at a time. If the worry returns, pray again. If the fear returns, trust again. If the uncertainty returns, remember God's faithfulness again. You don't have to figure everything out today. God is still working. Give God your worries, and let His peace guard your heart while you trust Him with what you cannot control. What is one concern you need to stop carrying alone and place into God's hands today? #GodsPeace #Philippians46 #Philippians47 #TrustGod #Prayer #FaithOverFear #PeaceInChrist #ChristianYouth #JesusSaves #ShareJesus #DailyFaith #Lordsbook #JMSM #KNKA

SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST 2026 IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL Topic: When You Feel Like Giving Up Bible Reference “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) A Short Story Prince had completed his university education, but life after graduation did not look anything like he had imagined. He had expected that his certificate would open doors, but months passed without a meaningful opportunity. His phone rarely rang, and whenever it did, the call was often from someone asking for something he could not provide. His graduation certificate remained in his drawer, looking more like a reminder of disappointment than a symbol of achievement. One evening, Prince stood by his window and watched people moving through the street. Everything outside seemed normal. Children were playing, traders were going about their business, and vehicles moved along the road, but inside him was a deep sense of emptiness. He wondered whether his life would ever become what he had hoped it would be. He was tired of waiting. He was tired of unanswered prayers. He was tired of feeling as though everyone else was moving forward while he remained in the same place. In that moment, giving up seemed easier than continuing to hope. But instead of allowing his disappointment to consume him, Prince entered his room, took his Bible, and decided to seek God. He did not have a perfect prayer. He did not even know exactly what to say. He simply knew that he needed Jesus. Even then, distractions came. His former girlfriend suddenly appeared at his door. His landlord called about his overdue rent. Messages began arriving on his phone. Everything seemed to compete for his attention at the exact moment he had decided to seek God. Prince could have abandoned the moment and returned to his worries, but he chose to continue. He turned off his phone, returned to prayer, and remained in the presence of God despite the distractions and the heaviness in his heart. Eventually, the noise within him began to settle. He experienced a deep sense of peace, and in that quiet moment, he sensed a simple instruction in his spirit: Continue. * This story is adapted from Twelve Hours: A Christian Novel on Encounters by Anthony Ijere. Today's Message There are moments when giving up feels easier than continuing. You may have prayed for something for a long time and still see no answer. You may have worked hard without seeing the results you expected. You may be serving God while secretly wondering whether your efforts are making any difference. The danger is that prolonged disappointment can make you interpret a temporary season as a permanent condition. You may begin to believe that because things have not changed yet, they will never change. But Galatians 6:9 tells us not to become weary in doing good because there is a harvest connected to perseverance. The verse does not deny that weariness will come. It simply warns us not to allow weariness to make us abandon what God has called us to do. Sometimes, the instruction from God is not complicated. It is simply, Continue. Continue praying when you have not seen the answer. Continue studying when your results have not yet improved. Continue building when the business is still small. Continue serving when nobody seems to notice. Continue walking in purity when temptation keeps returning. Continue trusting God when your circumstances are telling you to quit. You may not see the harvest today, but that does not mean your labour is wasted. God may be working on your character while you are waiting for Him to change your circumstances. Do not make a permanent decision because of a temporary season. You may be closer to your breakthrough, growth, answer, or encounter than you realize. What To Do Today 1. Identify the area of your life where you have been most tempted to give up. 2. Bring your disappointment honestly before God instead of hiding it. 3. Remove one distraction that has been weakening your focus and consistency. 4. Take one more step toward what God has placed in your heart, even if the step seems small. Prayer Lord, strengthen me when I become weary. When disappointment makes me want to give up, remind me that my season is not my entire story. Give me grace to continue praying, continue believing, continue working, and continue following You until Your purpose for my life is fulfilled. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Think about one good thing you have almost given up on. Take one practical step toward it today. Before you sleep, spend at least ten quiet minutes with God and tell Him honestly how you feel. ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist Telegram Channel https://t.me/anthonyijere Whatsapp Group https://chat.whatsapp.com/BDs9qaNMQumKTicv7uU7SJ?s=cl&p=a&mlu=0&ilr=0

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC:- WHEN GOD CLOSES A DOOR. Understanding Divine Closure, Redirection, and the Next Move of God. Key Scripture: Revelation 3:7 — “What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” There are times in life when you pray for a door to open, you believe God has answered, you prepare yourself to walk through it—and suddenly, the door closes. The job opportunity disappears. The relationship ends. The business deal fails. The application is rejected. The opportunity goes to someone else. The plan you prayed about does not work. And you ask, “God, why?” But here is a truth every believer must understand: A closed door is not always a sign of God's absence. Sometimes it is evidence of God's protection. We often celebrate God when He opens doors, but mature Christians must also learn to trust Him when He closes them. Sometimes God closes a door because what is behind it would destroy what He is building inside you. Sometimes God closes a door because the next chapter of your life requires you to leave the previous chapter behind. And sometimes God closes a door because He is preparing to open another one that you could never have opened for yourself. 1. GOD CAN CLOSE A DOOR FOR YOUR PROTECTION Scripture: Proverbs 16:9 «“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”» There are things we desperately want because we can only see what is in front of us. But God sees what is beyond the door. You may see an opportunity. God may see a trap. You may see a relationship. God may see the pain it will produce. You may see a promotion. God may see the pride it could create. You may see a business opportunity. God may see the consequences you cannot yet see. Biblical Example: Balaam In Numbers 22, Balaam was travelling in a direction he thought was acceptable, but God placed an angel in his path. Balaam could not see the danger. His donkey could. What Balaam considered an obstacle was actually divine protection. Sometimes you are frustrated because something is blocking your way, while heaven is saying: “I am blocking this because I know what you don't know.” Don't curse every closed door. Some closed doors are mercy. 2. GOD MAY CLOSE ONE DOOR TO REDIRECT YOU TO ANOTHER Scripture: Acts 16:6–10 Paul and his companions wanted to preach in certain regions, but Scripture says: «“They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.”» Then Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Notice something powerful: Paul was doing God's work, yet God still closed a door. This teaches us that: A good idea is not necessarily a God idea for this particular season. You can be sincere and still be moving in the wrong direction. You can have a legitimate opportunity and still not have divine permission. You can pray, plan, prepare—and God can still say: “Not this way.” The closed door redirected Paul toward Macedonia, where God had prepared a greater assignment. Spiritual Insight Never allow disappointment to make you disobey divine direction. When God closes a door, ask: “Lord, where are You directing me?” Not merely: “Lord, why did You stop me?” 3. A CLOSED DOOR DOES NOT MEAN A CLOSED FUTURE Scripture: Revelation 3:7 «“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”» One closed door does not mean your entire future has been cancelled. David was rejected by his family. Joseph was rejected by his brothers. Moses experienced rejection before returning to Egypt. Paul experienced opposition throughout his ministry. Yet God's purpose for them continued. Remember this: A closed chapter is not a closed destiny. You may lose an opportunity without losing your purpose. You may lose a relationship without losing your future. You may lose a position without losing your calling. You may experience rejection without becoming rejected by God. The enemy wants you to interpret one disappointment as the conclusion of your entire story. But God says: “I am still writing.” 4. SOMETIMES GOD CLOSES A DOOR BECAUSE YOU HAVE OUTGROWN THE ROOM Scripture: Isaiah 43:18–19 «“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing.”» There are seasons you cannot enter while continuously holding onto the previous one. The children of Israel could not remain in Egypt forever. Ruth had to leave Moab. Abraham had to leave his father's house. The disciples had to leave their nets and follow Jesus. Growth requires movement. Sometimes the door closes because God is calling you forward. You keep asking God to reopen what He has already closed. But God may be saying: “Stop trying to return to where I am trying to take you from.” Some people are praying for restoration when God is offering transformation. Some are asking God to rebuild yesterday when God is preparing tomorrow. 5. LEARN TO TRUST GOD WHEN YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND HIM Scripture: Romans 8:28 «“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”» Notice that Scripture does not say everything that happens is good. It says God can work all things together for good. The rejection can become redirection. The disappointment can become development. The delay can become preparation. The closed door can become protection. The ending can become the beginning of something greater. Faith says: “God, I don't understand this, but I trust You.” That is mature faith. Anyone can praise God when everything is working. But there is a deeper level of worship when you can say: “Even when I don't understand Your decision, I still trust Your character.” BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: JOSEPH Joseph received a dream from God, but his journey did not immediately look like the dream. He was hated by his brothers. He was thrown into a pit. He was sold into slavery. He was falsely accused. He was imprisoned. Door after door seemed to close. But God was not abandoning Joseph. God was positioning Joseph. The pit was not the palace. The prison was not the promotion. The rejection was not the conclusion. Eventually, Joseph stood before Pharaoh. Genesis 50:20 captures the revelation: «“Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.”» What looked like destruction became divine positioning. Somebody needs to hear this: Your current closed door may be part of a larger story that you cannot see yet. Don't abandon God because you don't understand the chapter. Keep walking. Keep praying. Keep serving. Keep believing. The God who gave you the promise is still working on the process. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. Not every closed door is an attack. Some are divine interventions. 2. God's “NO” can be as loving as His “YES.” A parent who loves a child does not give the child everything they request. God is your Father. 3. Timing matters. Something can be good but wrong for your present season. 4. Never force what God has closed. When God closes a door, human manipulation cannot make it God's will. 5. Look for God's presence beyond the door. Sometimes we become so focused on what we lost that we fail to notice where God is leading us. PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS When God closes a door: 1. Don't panic. Take time to pray before making emotional decisions. 2. Don't force it open. What God has closed does not need manipulation. 3. Examine your heart. Ask whether the closure is correction, protection, preparation, or redirection. 4. Seek God's Word. Don't interpret your circumstances without Scripture. 5. Ask for direction. Pray: “Lord, show me what You want me to do next.” 6. Keep moving. A closed door should not become an excuse to stop your entire life. 7. Trust God's timing. What you cannot understand today may become clear tomorrow. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. What closed door am I currently struggling to accept? 2. Am I trying to force open something God may have closed? 3. Could this disappointment actually be divine protection? 4. What might God be redirecting me toward? 5. Am I more committed to God's will or to my own plans? 6. What lesson is God teaching me in this season? 7. Can I still trust God even when I don't understand Him? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Father, give me the grace to recognize when You are closing a door for my protection. 2. Lord, deliver me from forcing doors that You have closed. 3. Father, when one door closes, give me spiritual eyes to see the door You are opening. 4. Lord, heal every disappointment caused by rejection, delay, and closed opportunities. 5. Father, redirect my steps into Your perfect will. 6. Every door that must remain closed for my protection, give me the grace to leave it closed. 7. Lord, open the doors that align with Your purpose for my life. 8. Father, strengthen my faith when I cannot understand what You are doing. 9. Every good thing You have ordained for my life, let no power of darkness permanently hinder it. 10. Lord Jesus, let my life become a testimony that even through closed doors, You were working for my good. CALL TO ACTION Beloved, don't spend the rest of your life standing in front of a door God has already closed. There is a time to knock. There is a time to wait. There is also a time to walk away. If God closed it, trust Him. If God blocked it, thank Him. If God redirected you, follow Him. If God is preparing another door, wait for Him. You may not understand the closure today. But one day you may look back and say: “Thank God that door did not open.” The door you are crying over today may be the very door God closed because He saw something you could not see. So dry your tears. Strengthen your faith. Lift your eyes. Your story is not over. There is still purpose. There is still grace. There is still a future. And there are doors that only God can open. DECLARE BY FAITH: “I will not die at a closed door. I will not force what God has closed. I will not allow rejection to destroy my faith. I will trust God's direction. I will follow His purpose. And when my appointed door opens, no man will be able to shut it!” In Jesus' mighty name. Amen! If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447640 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com

*We Mustn't Have Misplaced Priorities* The Lord Jesus encourage all His followers to trust in God wholeheartedly, and not follow the pattern of the heathens with misplaced priorities. They seek wrong things. He further said what should be most important priority for His followers: *Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."* *Meaning of the Verse The Kingdom of God:* Putting God's rule, will, and purposes at the center of our daily life. *His Righteousness:* Living by God's standards of goodness and moral truth instead of our own. *All These Things:* Daily needs like food, water, and clothing that Jesus said people worry about too much. *How to Apply It* *Let go of worry:* Trusting that God knows what we need and will help us. *Making God our priority:* Put prayer, kindness, and obedience before money or stress. *Focusing on daily:* We must not permit fear of tomorrow ruin our peace right now *Prayer To Seek God First* Dear Father in heaven, we thank You for loving us and pursuing a relationship with us. You are everything to us, and we want to seek You first each day. Please be part of every decision, every thought, every word, and every action we have. Our life is Yours, we live and move through You. You are our source of life, and without You, we are nothing. Let Your presence lead us always: Your pillar of clouds in the day time and Your pillars of fire in the night time. Rather than worrying about how to get what we need, we will seek You and watch You meet our needs. You are our sufficiency, and in You is our hiding place. Thank You El-Shaddai, the double breasted One. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen. *Blessed Sunday!*

Getting banned & shut down on YouTube sure is aggravating & inconvenient! My video post claims it's too long for here, even after trimming so I will post the transcript! So, I guess my video must have really chapped someones backside yesterday because I woke up this morning to the news that my you tube channel has been shut down after right about a year & almost 600 followers. They claim I'm in violation of some sort of spam, deceptive practices or scam policy when all I've done is speak some truths. Atleast I have biblically based messages of faith, salvation & recovery, not useless brain rot & dribble. Not once have I ever asked anyone for money or to click on a link that's a hack site, nor have I led anyone down a path that I wouldn't walk on or haven't walked on myself. And sure, I've had some get upset with me & they voice their opinions & sometimes I even offer a rebutle but most of the time when someone doesn't like what someone has to say on their page they just swipe along & move onto something they enjoy more. I'm not sure who got upset about my post yesterday but I'll say again for clarity, prosperity gospel is misleading! You cannot buy your way into heaven by making some preacher mega rich & no, God won't bless your life any more when you do give more because it's not about the amount, it's about freely giving from your heart what you can, not chasing a fairy tale that some well dressed man tells you! God never promised anyone a cooshy life & maybe that's what gets some of you worked up because many christians & churches have watered down the bible to make them feel good to keep attendance & donations up instead of really paying attention & digging deep into God's word. No matter what some may think of me I have appealed their decision & I will continue on my other current platforms as I feel called to plant seeds of hope, salvation & love in others. I will likely make a new youtube account because I am unashamed of my faith & I'm not scared of any establishment's silly guidelines that violate my 1st amendment right of free speach & freedom of religion! I'm an american, I'm an air force veteran & above all I am happily a child of God! #God #faith #christian #youtube #life

🔥 SOBRIETY IS MY FREEDOM. MY CHOICE. MY NEW LIFE. 🔥 I didn’t fight this hard to go back to the life that almost destroyed me. 💯 Every sober day is another day I get to CHOOSE LIFE. ❤️‍🔥 ⛓️ I choose freedom over chains. 💪 Healing over destruction. 🌱 Growth over going backward. ❤️ LIFE over everything that tried to take mine. Recovery isn’t about losing something—it’s about GETTING YOUR LIFE BACK. 🙌 If you’re fighting for your sobriety today, KEEP GOING. One day. One decision. One step at a time. 🔥 👇 DROP YOUR CLEAN/SOBER TIME IN THE COMMENTS! Let’s celebrate EVERY victory—whether it’s 24 hours or 24 years! 🎉 👉 Follow FoxxFusion Ministries for more recovery, testimony, faith, encouragement & hope. ❤️‍🔥 #Sobriety #Recovery #WeDoRecover #RecoveryIsPossible #FoxxFusionMinistries

💜🥊 SHE IS NOT SILENT. SHE IS NOT ALONE. Domestic violence does NOT define the survivor. ❤️‍🔥 Behind every survivor is a story of strength, courage, survival, and the decision to keep fighting—even when life tried to knock her down. 💜 SPEAK UP. 💜 BREAK THE CYCLE. 💜 STAND WITH SURVIVORS. 💜 SAVE A LIFE. If you survived domestic violence, your story matters. Your voice matters. YOU matter. 🦋💜 And if you're still fighting your way out, please know there are people who will believe you, stand beside you, and help you find safety. 🔥 SURVIVOR. FIGHTER. STILL STANDING. 👉 Follow FoxxFusion Ministries for more encouragement, recovery, testimony, faith & hope for those fighting battles others may never see. #DomesticViolenceSurvivor #BreakTheCycle #Survivor #SpeakUp #FoxxFusionMinistries

EXHO🇨🇩THÉOBALD Theme: « IL N’Y A RIEN DEHORS : CHRIST SUFFIT ! » Colossiens 2:9-10 « Car en lui habite corporellement toute la plénitude de la divinité. Vous avez tout pleinement en lui… » Textes complémentaires : Jean 15:1-7 ; Philippiens 4:19 ; Psaume 23:1 ; Jean 6:35 ; Colossiens 1:15-20. 1- L’idée fondamentale Le monde nous apprend constamment à chercher ailleurs ce que nous pensons ne pas avoir en nous : bonheur, sécurité, identité, reconnaissance, satisfaction, puissance, avenir… Mais l’Évangile nous révèle une vérité extraordinaire : En Christ, nous ne sommes pas à la recherche de quelque chose qui nous manque fondamentalement : nous avons trouvé Celui qui suffit. Christ ne doit pas être un complément à notre vie. Christ doit être le centre, la source et la suffisance de notre vie. ⸻ I. POURQUOI L’HOMME CHERCHE-T-IL DEHORS ? Depuis Éden, l’homme est tenté de croire que Dieu ne suffit pas. Genèse 3 montre Adam et Ève cherchant quelque chose en dehors de la volonté de Dieu. Aujourd’hui encore, nous pouvons chercher : * notre identité dans les hommes ; * notre valeur dans l’argent ; * notre sécurité dans les biens ; * notre bonheur dans les plaisirs ; * notre reconnaissance dans les réseaux sociaux ; * notre avenir dans les relations humaines ; * notre puissance dans les positions ; * notre satisfaction dans les possessions. Le problème n’est pas seulement ce que nous cherchons, mais la source auprès de laquelle nous le cherchons. Question au séminaire Qu’est-ce que je suis en train de chercher dehors que Christ veut être pour moi ? ⸻ II. CHRIST SUFFIT PARCE QU’IL EST PLEINEMENT DIEU Colossiens 2:9 : « En lui habite corporellement toute la plénitude de la divinité. » Nous ne sommes pas attachés à un simple prophète, à un grand enseignant ou à un modèle moral. Jésus-Christ est Dieu manifesté dans la chair. C’est pourquoi notre relation avec Lui est suffisante. Si Christ est véritablement Dieu, alors : * sa Parole suffit ; * sa grâce suffit ; * sa présence suffit ; * son salut suffit ; * son amour suffit ; * sa puissance suffit. ⸻ III. CHRIST SUFFIT POUR NOTRE SALUT Jean 14:6 : « Je suis le chemin, la vérité, et la vie. Nul ne vient au Père que par moi. » Nous n’avons pas besoin d’ajouter autre chose à l’œuvre de la croix. Christ est notre salut. Nos œuvres ne nous sauvent pas. Notre argent ne nous sauve pas. Notre position dans l’Église ne nous sauve pas. Notre famille chrétienne ne nous sauve pas. Notre ancienneté dans l’Église ne nous sauve pas. C’est Christ qui sauve. ⸻ IV. CHRIST SUFFIT POUR NOTRE IDENTITÉ Beaucoup de personnes passent leur vie à demander aux autres : « Qui suis-je ? Suis-je important ? Suis-je aimé ? Ai-je de la valeur ? » Mais en Christ, notre identité ne dépend plus de l’approbation des hommes. 2 Corinthiens 5:17 : « Si quelqu’un est en Christ, il est une nouvelle créature. » Je ne suis pas ce que les gens disent de moi. Je ne suis pas mon passé. Je ne suis pas mes échecs. Je ne suis pas mon statut social. Je suis ce que Dieu dit de moi en Christ. ⸻ V. CHRIST SUFFIT DANS NOS BESOINS Philippiens 4:19 : « Et mon Dieu pourvoira à tous vos besoins selon sa richesse, avec gloire, en Jésus-Christ. » Attention : dire « Christ suffit » ne signifie pas que nous n’avons besoin de personne. Dieu utilise les parents, les amis, l’Église, les frères et sœurs, les professionnels et différentes ressources. Mais cela signifie que notre confiance ultime ne doit jamais être placée dans les ressources, mais dans Celui qui les donne. Les ressources peuvent manquer. Les hommes peuvent abandonner. Les portes peuvent se fermer. Mais Christ demeure. ⸻ VI. CHRIST SUFFIT DANS LES ÉPREUVES Paul dit en Philippiens 4:12 : « Je sais vivre dans l’humiliation, et je sais vivre dans l’abondance. » Pourquoi ? Parce que sa satisfaction ne dépendait pas des circonstances. Puis il déclare : « Je puis tout par celui qui me fortifie. » — Philippiens 4:13. Paul ne dit pas : « Je peux tout parce que j’ai tout. » Il dit en substance : « Même lorsque je n’ai pas tout, Christ demeure ma force. » Voilà la maturité spirituelle : Être heureux avec beaucoup parce que Christ est là, et rester debout avec peu parce que Christ est toujours là. ⸻ VII. LE DANGER : AVOIR CHRIST ET CHERCHER ENCORE AILLEURS C’est probablement l’un des plus grands défis du chrétien. Nous pouvons avoir Jésus et continuer à chercher notre satisfaction ailleurs. Nous disons : « Jésus me suffit. » Mais notre cœur dit parfois : « Il me faut aussi l’argent, l’approbation des hommes, la popularité, les plaisirs, les relations, le pouvoir… » Le problème n’est pas d’avoir ces choses. Le problème commence lorsque ces choses prennent la place de Christ. Matthieu 6:33 : « Cherchez premièrement le royaume et la justice de Dieu… » ⸻ VIII. « IL N’Y A RIEN DEHORS » : UNE INVITATION À REVENIR À CHRIST Jean 6:68 est magnifique. Lorsque beaucoup abandonnent Jésus, Pierre lui dit : « Seigneur, à qui irions-nous ? Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle. » C’est exactement l’esprit du thème : À qui irions-nous ? Quand les hommes nous abandonnent : Christ suffit. Quand les portes se ferment : Christ suffit. Quand les ressources diminuent : Christ suffit. Quand notre réputation est attaquée : Christ suffit. Quand nous traversons une saison difficile : Christ suffit. Quand nous ne comprenons pas ce que Dieu fait : Christ suffit. Quand nous avons tout : Christ suffit. Quand nous n’avons presque rien : Christ suffit. ⸻ IX. CHRIST NE DOIT PAS ÊTRE NOTRE « DERNIER RECOURS » Il faut inverser notre logique. Certaines personnes disent : « J’ai essayé tout, maintenant je vais essayer Jésus. » Mais le chrétien dit : « J’ai Jésus ; maintenant je veux vivre tout avec Lui. » Christ n’est pas le plan B. Christ est le plan de Dieu. Il n’est pas une solution parmi plusieurs. Il est la solution fondamentale. ⸻ X. CHRIST SUFFIT, MAIS DEMEURONS EN CHRIST Jean 15:4 : « Demeurez en moi, et je demeurerai en vous. » Voilà la conclusion pratique. Si Christ suffit, alors demeurons en Christ ! Demeurons : dans sa Parole — Jean 15:7 dans la prière — 1 Thessaloniciens 5:17 dans l’obéissance — Jean 15:10 dans l’amour — Jean 15:9 dans la foi — Colossiens 2:6-7 dans la communion — 1 Jean 1:3 dans la sainteté — 1 Pierre 1:15-16. Car le danger n’est pas seulement de découvrir que Christ suffit. Le véritable défi est de rester attaché à Celui qui suffit. ⸻ CONCLUSION UNE DÉCISION À PRENDRE L’exhortation doit conduire chacun à cette confession : « Seigneur Jésus, je renonce à chercher en dehors de toi ce que toi seul peux être pour moi. Tu es mon salut, mon identité, ma source, ma force, ma paix, mon espérance et mon avenir. Je ne veux plus simplement avoir Christ dans ma vie ; je veux que Christ soit ma vie. » Déclaration finale Je n’ai pas besoin de quitter Christ pour trouver la vie. Je n’ai pas besoin de chercher ailleurs ce que Christ peut être pour moi. Je n’ai pas besoin de remplacer Christ. Je n’ai pas besoin d’un autre fondement. Je n’ai pas besoin d’une autre source. CHRIST SUFFIT ! Et parce que Christ suffit : Je demeure en Christ. Je m’enracine en Christ. Je me construis en Christ. Je me confie en Christ. Je marche avec Christ. Je sers Christ. Et je veux finir ma course avec Christ. « À qui irions-nous ? Tu as les paroles de la vie éternelle. » — Jean 6:68 Théobald MBISSA,Pst Formateur Int.