Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. 2 Divide your portion among seven, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land. 3 If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain upon the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. 4 He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap. 5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. 6 Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper.

Proverbs 24:16 New Living Translation The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

Conflict and Courage. Isaiah 6:1-10 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8. It was under circumstances of difficulty and discouragement that Isaiah, while yet a young man, was called to the prophetic mission. Disaster was threatening his country. By their transgression of God's law the people of Judah had forfeited His protection, and the Assyrian forces were about to come against the kingdom of Judah. But the danger from their enemies was not the greatest trouble. It was the perversity of the people that brought upon the Lord's servant the deepest depression. By their apostasy and rebellion they were inviting the judgments of God. The youthful prophet had been called to bear to them a message of warning, and he knew that he would meet with obstinate resistance.... His task seemed to him almost hopeless.... Such thoughts as these were crowding upon his mind as he stood under the portico of the holy temple. Suddenly the gate and the inner veil of the temple seemed to be uplifted or withdrawn, and he was permitted to gaze within, upon the holy of holies, where even the prophet's feet might not enter. There rose up before him a vision of Jehovah sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, while His train filled the temple. On each side of the throne hovered the seraphim, two wings bearing them up, two veiling their faces in adoration, and two covering their feet.... Never before had Isaiah realized so fully the greatness of Jehovah or His perfect holiness; and he felt that in his human frailty and unworthiness he must perish in that divine presence. “Woe is me!” he cried; “for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” But a seraph came to him to fit him for his great mission. A living coal from the altar was laid upon his lips with the words: “Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” And when the voice of God was heard saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah with holy confidence responded, “Here am I; send me.” ... The prophet was nerved for the work before him.19Testimonies for the Church 5:749-751.

INSTRUCTIONS! Instructions are a guide on how to live, behave, carry out a duty or task, or a well prescribed training communicated through formal, approved channels in the scripture, instructions are set of guiding principles given to mankind as a guide for proper relationship with God. When God instructed Moses to build Him a tabernacle, He gave a complete description of the pattern He wanted, and emphasized that the pattern shown to Moses is what must be built. To further emphasize how important the pattern is, He empowered Bazaliel and Aholiab with the requisite wisdom to do what He wanted. In the new Testament, Jesus uses the sentence "if you continue in My word"(John8:31). The apostle Paul uses the word Training or chastening to describe instructions (Hebrews 12:11). In Acts 15:-24-29, the Jerusalem church wrote a set of instructions to the gentile churches which if they obey, they would do well. Apistle Peter, in 2Pet 1:5-8, points out the instructions for the church of God that would make them fruitful in the work of the kingdom of God. James the apostle gave vivid instructions in his book, notably James 1:1-end, and the attendant profits. ADVANTAGES OF FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS When instructions are thoroughly followed, they produce results that can be summed up as follows, amo: 1. It produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness in them that have been trained by it ( Hebrew 12:11) 2. They help us to partake in the nature of God (Hebrews 12:10) 3. Following instructions grants us access to the blessings of God (Deut. 28:2-15) 4. Following instructions keeps us in safety regardless of the chaotic situation prevalent in the time. 5. Following instructions turns us from natural man to carriers of God's power. 6. Ultimately, gaining. entrance into the eternal life beyond here, is aas a function of thorough obedience to all the instructions summarized in two, namely: A. Love the LORD thy God with All your strength..... B. Love your neighbour as yourself. Disaster of the highest magnitude is what follows when Simple Instructions are Neglected (SIN).. SIN IS SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS NEGLECTED.

INSTRUCTIONS! Instructions are a guide on how to live, behave, carry out a duty or task, or a well prescribed training communicated through formal, approved channels in the scripture, instructions are set of guiding principles given to mankind as a guide for proper relationship with God. When God instructed Moses to build Him a tabernacle, He gave a complete description of the pattern He wanted, and emphasized that the pattern shown to Moses is what must be built. To further emphasize how important the pattern is, He empowered Bazaliel and Aholiab with the requisite wisdom to do what He wanted. In the new Testament, Jesus uses the sentence "if you continue in My word"(John8:31). The apostle Paul uses the word Training or chastening to describe instructions (Hebrews 12:11). In Acts 15:-24-29, the Jerusalem church wrote a set of instructions to the gentile churches which if they obey, they would do well. Apistle Peter, in 2Pet 1:5-8, points out the instructions for the church of God that would make them fruitful in the work of the kingdom of God. James the apostle gave vivid instructions in his book, notably James 1:1-end, and the attendant profits. ADVANTAGES OF FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS When instructions are thoroughly followed, they produce results that can be summed up as follows, amo: 1. It produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness in them that have been trained by it ( Hebrew 12:11) 2. They help us to partake in the nature of God (Hebrews 12:10) 3. Following instructions grants us access to the blessings of God (Deut. 28:2-15) 4. Following instructions keeps us in safety regardless of the chaotic situation prevalent in the time. 5. Following instructions turns us from natural man to carriers of God's power. 6. Ultimately, gaining. entrance into the eternal life beyond here, is aas a function of thorough obedience to all the instructions summarized in two, namely: A. Love the LORD thy God with All your strength..... B. Love your neighbour as yourself. Disaster of the highest magnitude is what follows when Simple Instructions are Neglected (SIN).. SIN IS SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS NEGLECTED.

INSTRUCTIONS! Instructions are a guide on how to live, behave, carry out a duty or task, or a well prescribed training communicated through formal, approved channels in the scripture, instructions are set of guiding principles given to mankind as a guide for proper relationship with God. When God instructed Moses to build Him a tabernacle, He gave a complete description of the pattern He wanted, and emphasized that the pattern shown to Moses is what must be built. To further emphasize how important the pattern is, He empowered Bazaliel and Aholiab with the requisite wisdom to do what He wanted. In the new Testament, Jesus uses the sentence "if you continue in My word"(John8:31). The apostle Paul uses the word Training or chastening to describe instructions (Hebrews 12:11). In Acts 15:-24-29, the Jerusalem church wrote a set of instructions to the gentile churches which if they obey, they would do well. Apistle Peter, in 2Pet 1:5-8, points out the instructions for the church of God that would make them fruitful in the work of the kingdom of God. James the apostle gave vivid instructions in his book, notably James 1:1-end, and the attendant profits. ADVANTAGES OF FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS When instructions are thoroughly followed, they produce results that can be summed up as follows, amo: 1. It produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness in them that have been trained by it ( Hebrew 12:11) 2. They help us to partake in the nature of God (Hebrews 12:10) 3. Following instructions grants us access to the blessings of God (Deut. 28:2-15) 4. Following instructions keeps us in safety regardless of the chaotic situation prevalent in the time. 5. Following instructions turns us from natural man to carriers of God's power. 6. Ultimately, gaining. entrance into the eternal life beyond here, is aas a function of thorough obedience to all the instructions summarized in two, namely: A. Love the LORD thy God with All your strength..... B. Love your neighbour as yourself. Disaster of the highest magnitude is what follows when Simple Instructions are Neglected (SIN).. SIN IS SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS NEGLECTED.

Guidelines for living. August 13th, 2026 Where Is God in Times of Trouble? When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you, for I am the LORD, thy God, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 43:2‑3 KJV When I was in Jerusalem years ago, our Jewish guide began to tell about his birth in Germany and the persecution that followed in the early days of World War 2. With growing emotional intensity, he told how his father had been seized by the Gestapo and never heard from again. The family escaped to another country in Europe. With growing anger, the tempo of his conversation increased, and then almost as though he was venting some of his wrath, he said, “Where was God when the 6 million Jews were cremated?” It’s an old question. Where is God in times of disaster? Where was God when 4 million Cambodians were slaughtered in 1975 and 1976? Where was God when men and women were slaughtered in the other conflicts? Thousands of years ago some of my Jewish friends’ ancestors were facing a very difficult time. The Jewish people faced the prospect of captivity in Babylon. Families were being torn apart. Lives were disrupted. And God said, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you, for I am the LORD, [your] God, the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 43:2‑3 KJV). During another time of national disaster, the prophet Nahum said, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows them [who] trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7 KJV). Right here, you can find a key that will help you understand God’s position in times of disaster. “He knows them [who] trust in Him.” What does that mean? Well certainly, it doesn’t imply that some are spared suffering while others who are less righteous are confronted with it. When a nation suffers, the righteous, or the good man or woman, alongside the evil, suffer the same fate; but there is a difference. The individual who trusts in the Lord has a strength—a help—an answer that unbelievers do not have. One man, one person in simple faith throws himself on the mercy of God. He discovers Nahum is right—God is a stronghold in the day of trouble; the other man, or person, not having anyone to turn to, curses the difficulty. Where is God in times of suffering? When my Jewish friend asked about God’s presence when 6 million Jews were cremated, I responded by saying, “He was in the same place that He was in when His Son was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem.” There are some questions that will never fully be answered until we stand in the presence of God, but to turn from Him in the day of trouble leaves only darkness and despair. Christ never promised deliverance from all the difficulties of life, but He did promise His presence in the times of trouble. He said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So, we may say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Bottom line: how does the truth of what I have shared today relate to your life? Who knows? Nonetheless, it is certain that you will eventually face suffering and challenges, for they come to all of us. You will be confronted with pressure, and when trouble knocks at your door, you either turn to Him as a refuge and strength or face difficulty alone. Resource Reading: Psalm 23:1-6

Ezekiel Chapter 14 — Simple Explanation Chapter 14 goes deeper than false prophets. Now God deals with the root problem inside the people: idolatry in their hearts. 1. Idols in the heart (verses 1–5) Some elders come to Ezekiel to ask God for guidance. Alright—here’s a clear, straight explanation of Ezekiel 12 without the picture. What’s going on in this chapter? God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to warn the people of Israel (especially those in Jerusalem). The main message: judgment is coming, and exile is certain. 1. Ezekiel acts out a message (verses 1–7) God tells Ezekiel to act like someone going into exile: * Pack his belongings * Leave in the daytime where people can see * Dig through a wall and carry his stuff out This wasn’t random—it was a sign. It showed that the people of Jerusalem would soon be forced to leave their land as captives. 2. The people are spiritually blind (verses 2–3) God says: * They have eyes but don’t see * They have ears but don’t hear Meaning: they are ignoring God on purpose. They’ve become stubborn and rebellious. 3. The king will try to escape—but fail (verses 8–13) This part is about the king of Jerusalem (Zedekiah): * He will try to escape secretly * But he will be captured * He will be taken to Babylon Even leaders won’t escape God’s judgment. 4. Fear and suffering are coming (verses 17–20) God tells Ezekiel to: * Eat food while trembling * Drink water with fear This represents how the people will live—in anxiety, scarcity, and fear when disaster comes. 5. No more delays (verses 21–28) People were saying: “These prophecies won’t happen anytime soon.” God responds: * No more delay * What He said will happen soon God is basically saying: “Stop thinking you have forever—this is real and it’s coming.” Key message of Ezekiel 12 * God warns before He judges * Ignoring God doesn’t stop consequences * Judgment may seem delayed—but it will come * Even in judgment, God still speaks to give people a chance to wake up Simple takeaway for you This chapter is a serious reminder: Don’t ignore truth when you hear it. Because the danger isn’t not knowing—it’s knowing and refusing to respond. But God says: * These men have set up idols in their hearts * Yet they still come pretending to seek Him This is serious hypocrisy. Meaning: * You can look religious on the outside * But inside, something else is controlling you (money, power, lust, pride, etc.) God’s response: “I will answer them according to their idols.” In other words: If you choose idols, expect consequences from that choice. 2. A call to repent (verses 6–11) God gives a clear command: * Turn away from your idols * Stop all detestable practices He warns: * Anyone (even foreigners) who turns to idols and then asks God for guidance will face judgment God wants sincerity, not divided loyalty. 3. Even great righteousness won’t save a nation (verses 12–20) God gives a strong example: Even if these three righteous men were there: * Noah * Daniel * Job They would only save themselves, not the whole land. Meaning: * A nation’s sin has consequences * You can’t rely on someone else’s righteousness 4. Judgment is unavoidable—but not without purpose (verses 21–23) God lists four severe judgments: * Sword (war) * Famine * Wild beasts * Plague Yet He says: * A remnant will survive * And their story will show that God’s judgment was just Even in judgment, God leaves a witness. Key message of Ezekiel 14 * The biggest idols are often internal, not physical * God sees beyond outward religion * Personal responsibility matters—you can’t depend on others spiritually * Judgment comes, but God still leaves room for understanding and repentance Simple takeaway What controls your heart matters more than what you say with your mouth. Because God isn’t just listening to prayers— He’s looking at what you truly serve. 🙏[everyone]

Ezekiel Chapter 14 — Simple Explanation Chapter 14 goes deeper than false prophets. Now God deals with the root problem inside the people: idolatry in their hearts. 1. Idols in the heart (verses 1–5) Some elders come to Ezekiel to ask God for guidance. Alright—here’s a clear, straight explanation of Ezekiel 12 without the picture. What’s going on in this chapter? God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to warn the people of Israel (especially those in Jerusalem). The main message: judgment is coming, and exile is certain. 1. Ezekiel acts out a message (verses 1–7) God tells Ezekiel to act like someone going into exile: * Pack his belongings * Leave in the daytime where people can see * Dig through a wall and carry his stuff out This wasn’t random—it was a sign. It showed that the people of Jerusalem would soon be forced to leave their land as captives. 2. The people are spiritually blind (verses 2–3) God says: * They have eyes but don’t see * They have ears but don’t hear Meaning: they are ignoring God on purpose. They’ve become stubborn and rebellious. 3. The king will try to escape—but fail (verses 8–13) This part is about the king of Jerusalem (Zedekiah): * He will try to escape secretly * But he will be captured * He will be taken to Babylon Even leaders won’t escape God’s judgment. 4. Fear and suffering are coming (verses 17–20) God tells Ezekiel to: * Eat food while trembling * Drink water with fear This represents how the people will live—in anxiety, scarcity, and fear when disaster comes. 5. No more delays (verses 21–28) People were saying: “These prophecies won’t happen anytime soon.” God responds: * No more delay * What He said will happen soon God is basically saying: “Stop thinking you have forever—this is real and it’s coming.” Key message of Ezekiel 12 * God warns before He judges * Ignoring God doesn’t stop consequences * Judgment may seem delayed—but it will come * Even in judgment, God still speaks to give people a chance to wake up Simple takeaway for you This chapter is a serious reminder: Don’t ignore truth when you hear it. Because the danger isn’t not knowing—it’s knowing and refusing to respond. But God says: * These men have set up idols in their hearts * Yet they still come pretending to seek Him This is serious hypocrisy. Meaning: * You can look religious on the outside * But inside, something else is controlling you (money, power, lust, pride, etc.) God’s response: “I will answer them according to their idols.” In other words: If you choose idols, expect consequences from that choice. 2. A call to repent (verses 6–11) God gives a clear command: * Turn away from your idols * Stop all detestable practices He warns: * Anyone (even foreigners) who turns to idols and then asks God for guidance will face judgment God wants sincerity, not divided loyalty. 3. Even great righteousness won’t save a nation (verses 12–20) God gives a strong example: Even if these three righteous men were there: * Noah * Daniel * Job They would only save themselves, not the whole land. Meaning: * A nation’s sin has consequences * You can’t rely on someone else’s righteousness 4. Judgment is unavoidable—but not without purpose (verses 21–23) God lists four severe judgments: * Sword (war) * Famine * Wild beasts * Plague Yet He says: * A remnant will survive * And their story will show that God’s judgment was just Even in judgment, God leaves a witness. Key message of Ezekiel 14 * The biggest idols are often internal, not physical * God sees beyond outward religion * Personal responsibility matters—you can’t depend on others spiritually * Judgment comes, but God still leaves room for understanding and repentance Simple takeaway What controls your heart matters more than what you say with your mouth. Because God isn’t just listening to prayers— He’s looking at what you truly serve. 🙏

GOD'S MERCY TO NINEVEH JONAH 1:2 NKJ2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." Remembering what happened with Nineveh will give you a clearer picture of God's mercy. God told Jonah that Nineveh would be destroyed. But when the people of Nineveh changed and repented before God, things changed .JONAH 3:3-10 NKJ 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent.4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" 5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? 10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. The people of Nineveh were very wicked, but when they heard God's Word of judgment they humbled themselves and turned toward God. Because of their response, God changed His judgment and their lives were spared. When people repent and turn toward God -- no matter how evil they have been -- God shows mercy. God is still the same. He delights in mercy. MICAH 7:18 NKJ18 Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. SAY THIS: My God delights in mercy!  God bless you!