August 21, 2026 (day 233/365)
FRIDAY

GOD'S WORD FOR THE DAY

“God Sees the Heart”

2 Samuel 12:9

“Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight?”

This is the Word of God. Nathan’s words to David remind us of a sobering truth: God sees what others cannot see. David had hidden his sin from the people, but he could not hide it from God. The Lord saw his actions, his motives, and the condition of his heart.

We may sometimes think that if no one knows about our wrong choices, everything is fine. But God is concerned not only with our outward appearance but also with the hidden places of our hearts. His desire is that we live honestly before Him.

Knowing that God sees everything should not only make us afraid of sin; it should encourage us to live sincerely before Him. We do not need to pretend to be righteous. We need to be humble, honest, and willing to repent when we fail.

May God search our hearts, expose anything that displeases Him, and help us live every day with integrity before His eyes. Amen.

Have a blessed day with the Lord.

-- Pastor Emmanuel Serto

*Empowered To Love*

Jesus said a lot of things. Beautiful, enlightening, and important things. But there’s one command that sums up how we should live...
*"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34*
When we look at Jesus’ life, how did He live out this love? And how can we model His actions in our own lives?
Love compelled Jesus to give up His privileges. As Creator and Lord, Jesus could've done whatever He wanted. But what He wanted was to temporarily relinquish His rights and even put on human skin—so that we could be made right with God.

Love compelled Jesus to prioritize people:
The woman at the well. The unclean leper.
The woman with the issue of blood.
The despised tax collector.
The desperate centurion.
The thief hanging next to Him on the Cross.
...and many others including you and I.
Jesus didn’t see problems—He saw people.

Love compelled Jesus to serve others. He washed His disciples feet. He went out of His way for the marginalized. He stopped for the sick, weary, and broken. And in the end, He gave His own life. For the long-time sinner and the seemingly put-together person, Jesus died so that we can truly live.

Love compelled Jesus to value truth and grace. In a world where some elevate grace and others prioritize truth, Jesus valued both. He turned over tables when God’s house was turned into a den of thieves, and He showed great compassion to a woman caught in adultery.

If we’re ever unsure about how to love others, let’s look to Jesus as the ultimate example. He selflessly gave up His rights, prioritized people, served others to the point of laying down His life, and valued both truth and grace.

And as we love like He loved, we'll become more like Him.

*A Prayer To Show Love*
Mighty Everlasting Father, we thank You for being the perfect example of love. Some people are more challenging for us to love than others. And yet, You love everyone without condition. Help us to see others through Your eyes. Make us aware of a specific person/people we can shine Your light and love to today. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

Loving Others Well

Jesus said a lot of things. Beautiful, enlightening, and important things. But there’s one command that sums up how we should live...

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
John 13:34

When we look at Jesus’ life, how did He live out this love? And how can we model His actions in our own lives?

Love compelled Jesus to give up His privileges. As Creator and Lord, Jesus could've done whatever He wanted. But what He wanted was to temporarily relinquish His rights and even put on human skin—so that we could be made right with God.

Love compelled Jesus to prioritize people: The woman at the well. The unclean leper. The woman with the issue of blood. The despised tax collector. The desperate centurion. The thief hanging next to Him on the cross. Jesus didn’t see problems—He saw people.

Love compelled Jesus to serve others. He washed His disciples feet. He went out of His way for the marginalized. He stopped for the sick, weary, and broken. And in the end, He gave His own life. For the long-time sinner and the seemingly put-together person, Jesus died so that we can truly live.

Love compelled Jesus to value truth and grace. In a world where some elevate grace and others prioritize truth, Jesus valued both. He turned over tables when God’s house was turned into a den of thieves, and He showed great compassion to a woman caught in adultery.

If we’re ever unsure about how to love others, let’s look to Jesus as the ultimate example. He selflessly gave up His rights, prioritized people, served others to the point of laying down His life, and valued both truth and grace.

And as we love like He loved, we'll become more like Him.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL
 
DATE: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12TH 2026
 
THEME: INPUT DETERMINES OUTPUT II
 
MEMORISE: But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Luke 12:48

READ: Matthew 25:14-30 

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

MESSAGE

Referencing the example I gave in the first paragraph of yesterday’s teaching, if God gives you an assignment, He will provide you with the resources you need to execute it. Some of those resources will be around you, and others will be within you. As we see in today’s memory verse, to whom much is given, much is expected, so the more resources God gives you, the more results He expects from you.

People who feel that God has not given them enough resources must be careful that they do not become like the servant who despised the talent his master gave him, as we read in today’s Bible reading. Some people feel that the resources they have are insufficient and try to wait for God to give them something better or more before they can start being faithful with the little they have.
Beloved, this is a wrong mindset. A person who cannot be faithful with what he or she has received should not expect to receive more. God only gives more to those who have proven themselves faithful in little things.

I hail from a village that was not on the map. My father was so poor that people who were also poor called him poor. Even though my parents were poor and I did not have many resources growing up, God gave me one talent, and that is my brain. I used the talent God gave me very effectively by studying diligently, and gradually, I acquired many more resources with it. The Lord gave me salvation in 1973, and from that point onward, I became a very useful vessel in His hands. When I reflect on the great things God has enabled me to achieve despite the limited resources I started out with, always praise the Lord for His faithfulness. Indeed, when a fellow is faithful with little, more will be committed to him or her.

Child of God, look around and within you, and you will see all the great gifts that God has given to you. Don’t fail Him; please, use those gifts to win more souls to the Kingdom of God. Use them to gain so much influence that when you speak, people will be willing to listen and serve the same God that you serve.I pray that the Almighty God will use you to accomplish mighty things in His Kingdom as you serve Him faithfully with the gifts He has given you, in Jesus’ name.

REFLECTION

Are you serving God faithfully with the gifts He has given you?

HYMN 12: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

1. Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See his banners go!
 
[Chorus]
Onward, Christian soldiers!Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
 
2. At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory.
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.
 
3. Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the Saints have trod.
We are not divided;
All one body we:
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
 
4. Onward, then, ye people;
Join our happy throng.
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song:
Glory, laud, and honor
Unto Christ, the King.
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 12)

1. Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.

2. A good man obtains favor from the LORD,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

3. A man is not established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.

4. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

5. The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

6. The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

7. The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.

8. A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

9. Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

10. A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11. He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

12. The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13. The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will come through trouble.

14. A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.

16. A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.

17. He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.

18. There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

19. The truthful lip shall be established forever,
But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.

21. No grave trouble will overtake the righteous,
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

23. A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

24. The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

25. Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad.

26. The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27. The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.

28. In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 12)

1. Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.

2. A good man obtains favor from the LORD,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

3. A man is not established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.

4. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

5. The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

6. The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

7. The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.

8. A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

9. Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

10. A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11. He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

12. The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13. The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will come through trouble.

14. A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.

16. A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.

17. He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.

18. There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

19. The truthful lip shall be established forever,
But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.

21. No grave trouble will overtake the righteous,
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

23. A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

24. The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

25. Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad.

26. The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27. The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.

28. In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.

Acts 19:

"1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16 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.
17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
39 But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly."

Job 42:6 “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” 

Today’s verse takes us into the book of Job where we see him having a complete turn around, change of heart after having encountered God on a personal level. Up to this point, Job had only spoken of God from secondhand knowledge, while his friends sat judging him and saying his losses and suffering were due to his pride and sin. He had lost everything - his children, his wealth, his health, all but his wife who also criticized him and told him to just die already. Yet, through it all he pleaded his innocence.

What prompted this total change in demeanor from Job that caused him to say he despised himself and repented in dust and ashes? 

He had experienced an intense and personal encounter with God. God spoke to him directly out of a whirlwind (Job 38-41), posing questions to Job that truly transformed his life. He demonstrated His absolute power and the limits of human wisdom with His response. And Job surrendered his demands for answers and humbled himself completely before God. He realized that his beliefs and judgements about God and His justice were inconsequential and insignificant. He said, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” And it shook him to his core.

Sometimes we find ourselves in the same mindset as Job, questioning the justice in what we are experiencing. We become critical and judgemental instead of accepting God’s hand at work in our lives. We respond with our limited, worldly views. And it is not the right response to have. We should trust Him instead of complaining, trusting that He has our best interest in mind and a plan for our lives. Yet, we sit and whine and complain about how unfair the circumstances are. 

Do we really need a Job-like experience to change our hearts? Do we need to experience God in a personal encounter and hear Him speak to us from the storm? 

Or can we trust that He is in control and at work in our lives?

Learn from Job. He sat in ashes and dust, in physical grief and despair. He met God in a personal, extraordinary way and he was changed as a result. He retracted all of his defiant arguments. He realized he was nothing before such an amazing, all powerful Creator. And his response came not as a confession of sin but as awe at His majesty and sovereignty as he repented before Him. 

#TEENS4JESUS #devotion #dailydevotional #christianteens #DailyBibleVerse

Amazing Facts.
Daily Devotionals

Wasn’t it too harsh to stone someone for breaking the Sabbath?

August 7th, 2026

On the surface, this story seems to tell that an otherwise innocent person happened to be on a nice Sabbath afternoon walk and picked up a few sticks and, for such a simple act, was stoned to death.

But as we study the Scriptures carefully, we realize that God had already made it clear that a direct violation of the Sabbath was punishable by death. “Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death” (Exodus 35:2).

The context of this event is that it comes directly after God’s instructions relating to presumptuous sin. The dictionary defines presumption as “to undertake without leave or clear justification, to dare.” God said, “The person who does anything presumptuously … that one brings reproach on the Lord, … he shall be cut off from among the people. Because he has despised the word of the Lord, and has broken His commandment” (Numbers 15:30, 31).

This man clearly knew God’s command and yet defiantly broke the law. He clearly and openly rebelled against God’s instruction, setting a dangerous example of disobedience that had to be immediately arrested. Under the theocracy of Israel, God ruled over the people directly. Knowing the hearts of all, the Lord instructed immediate punishment for flagrant acts of disobedience.

Some believe that if Sabbathbreakers were stoned to death in the Old Testament, then the Sabbath must not be in force today since stoning for breaking it is not in force. But note that not only Sabbathbreakers were stoned, but adulterers (Leviticus 20:10) and blasphemers too (Leviticus 24:16). No one feels that these sins are any less wrong today simply because they aren’t punishable by death.

Key Bible Texts
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. (Numbers 15:32 KJV)

Amazing Facts.
Daily Devotionals

Wasn’t it too harsh to stone someone for breaking the Sabbath?

August 7th, 2026

On the surface, this story seems to tell that an otherwise innocent person happened to be on a nice Sabbath afternoon walk and picked up a few sticks and, for such a simple act, was stoned to death.

But as we study the Scriptures carefully, we realize that God had already made it clear that a direct violation of the Sabbath was punishable by death. “Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death” (Exodus 35:2).

The context of this event is that it comes directly after God’s instructions relating to presumptuous sin. The dictionary defines presumption as “to undertake without leave or clear justification, to dare.” God said, “The person who does anything presumptuously … that one brings reproach on the Lord, … he shall be cut off from among the people. Because he has despised the word of the Lord, and has broken His commandment” (Numbers 15:30, 31).

This man clearly knew God’s command and yet defiantly broke the law. He clearly and openly rebelled against God’s instruction, setting a dangerous example of disobedience that had to be immediately arrested. Under the theocracy of Israel, God ruled over the people directly. Knowing the hearts of all, the Lord instructed immediate punishment for flagrant acts of disobedience.

Some believe that if Sabbathbreakers were stoned to death in the Old Testament, then the Sabbath must not be in force today since stoning for breaking it is not in force. But note that not only Sabbathbreakers were stoned, but adulterers (Leviticus 20:10) and blasphemers too (Leviticus 24:16). No one feels that these sins are any less wrong today simply because they aren’t punishable by death.

Key Bible Texts
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. (Numbers 15:32 KJV)