Matthew 19:13-26 After his treatise on divorce and marriage, Jesus is tired as the disciples are trying to limit the numbers of those approaching them. Again, Jesus emphasizes the importance of the Child and tells them that His kingdom only belongs to those who are as children. So Jesus lays hands on them, imparting blessings we will never know upon them. Then as He leaves there, He is approached by a man with the energy of an eager student speaking to his favorite professor asking what's going to be on the test. What good thing must I do to get eternal life? Jesus can see the eager attitude and this man's heart that he isn't truly willing to do what it takes to receive eternal life so he tells him simply, “Keep the commandments” At this the man probably felt good, “keep the commandments“? I could do that in my sleep. What else? And it's at this question that Jesus looks at him and sees his heart. Sees what it is that would make this man a true follower of Jesus and sees the first thing that will stop his progress. Which ones? The man asks and Jesus listed a few, do not murder being the first. I mean it's not all that difficult to not murder someone. And with the eager enthusiasm as a young student would have confidently asks a question you can just hear the tone of as Jesus has answered this man positively the previous three times he asked a question. You can almost hear the smugness as he asks, Is there anything else I lack? And Jesus addresses the one issue that will keep this man from obtaining eternal life, go, sell all you own to give to the poor and come follow me. And the young man walked away sad because he was rich. There's a saying I never really understood until recently “the poor are some of the most generous people on earth.” And I've seen it displayed over and over again. A homeless man offers a dollar to someone in more need than he is. While a rich man seals up his wallet and tucks it away when asked. But Jesus is cautioning his disciples about the rich. First, He is not saying that all rich people are condemned as some have done so based on a religion featuring a progressive political agenda that is not what He ever intended. Second, He's essentially saying that following Him will cost the disciple everything. If what you have, you cling to, it may be necessary to sell all you have. Any thing(s) that may get in the way of total dedication to Him must be cut off and eliminated. It truly is a heavy cost to follow Him. In some countries, following Him costs your life. In this country it's becoming more and more difficult to follow Him if you follow with biblical vigor and faith. For all it costs something, for some, it costs everything. [13] Then some children were brought to Him so that He would lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. [14] But Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” [15] After laying His hands on them, He departed from there. [16] And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do so that I may obtain eternal life?” [17] And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” [18] Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; [19] Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [20] The young man *said to Him, “All these I have kept; what am I still lacking?” [21] Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” [22] But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. [23] And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. [24] And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” [25] When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” [26] And looking at them, Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

💔🩹❤️‍🩹 Divorce inflicts deep wounds, but God's desire is healing, faithfulness, and restoration. #Divorce #Healing #Restoration #Faith #LordsBook

Matthew 19:1-12 Remember that every time the Pharisees test Jesus with a question, it wasn't because they wanted the answer, it was to test Him. So the question they ask is purposely a binary choice. A question with intentionally so, only two possible answers, yes or No. In Jesus’ day there were two schools of thought on the subject of divorce. The liberal school taught that divorce was permitted if your wife burned breakfast. Yeah, literally that's in the language of the scholarly books. The conservative school taught that divorce was not permitted, at all in any way but only permitted in cases where the spouse was unfaithful, so it was two extremes on opposite ends. So the Jews test Him, because either answer isolates half of the population. So Jesus answers the fundamental issue under the question will God allow divorce? And Jesus's answer is very firm, at marriage, two bodies are joined into one flesh. And God considers the marriage indelible, permanent from the beginning. The truth is no, God doesn't want divorce for his people. God never intended divorce to exist. He allowed it to exist because of the hardness of the hearts of the people. However this does not say that an abused spouse must stay in such a relationship because to divorce would be a sin. It does not suggest anything close to that. If a spouse or child is being abused for that there is no good excuse. But Moses gave the Israelites an out. If your husband is unfaithful, a divorce frees the wife to remarry. And vice versa with the wife being unfaithful. Remember too that in cases where someone commits adultery there is likely a death penalty coming. So a divorce may not be called for simply because the guilty party is taking a dirt nap after being rocked to sleep. How serious is Jesus's advice? He's telling the men that the question of marriage being permanent is truth and as God intended. So they say, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.” And they were right. Then Jesus contemplates eunuchs. Eunuchs were men who were so dedicated to God that they had their sexual organs removed, and anesthesia had not been invented yet. And please understand that Jesus isn't advocating for sexual organs being removed He is saying, “men, if you can't resist the urge to commit adultery, you're better off not having it.” In other words, get a grip on yourself if you can't resist temptation, learn to control yourself as a single or as a married man. And yes, there are some people who God gifted with the talent and personality to remain single. Sadly, sometimes those people marry anyway in defiance of God's plans. And the beginning of trouble in their life occurs when they realize their mistakes. There are others who feel they are on the opposite end of that position, people who feel incomplete or lost if they aren't in a relationship. These people hop from partner to partner looking for the “one“ but never actually finding them. Then you have the partners that are never satisfied with their partner. Nothing is ever enough for them. Wives who would sacrifice their family for their own happiness while their man will sacrifice his happiness for his family. This seems to be a trend of modern women for whom the end goal in life is their happiness. Jesus Is saying that divorce is a horrible thing that was never supposed to exist. That for some it is better to castrate themselves than to marry. It should serve as a reminder that the decision to marry should not be taken lightly. [1] When Jesus had finished these words, He left Galilee and came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan; [2] and large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there. [3] Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?” [4] And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, [5] and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? [6] So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no person is to separate.” [7] They *said to Him, “Why, then, did Moses command to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away?” [8] He *said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. [9] And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” [10] The disciples *said to Him, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.” [11] But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given. [12] For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by people; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”

Why Does God Permit Suffering and Evil? Pastor Joseph Clark — August 11, 2026 “Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man? — Friedrich Nietzsche “All thinking men are atheists.” — Ernest Hemingway “There is something infantile in the presumption that somebody else has a responsibility to give your life meaning and point…” — Richard Dawkins One of the most frequently asked questions of pastors is this: If God is all-powerful, merciful, and loving, why does He permit so much suffering and evil? If God is good, why doesn't He simply stop it? It is an important question, and Christians should not be afraid to confront it. My answer may not satisfy everyone, because Christianity does not teach that we are entitled to understand every purpose of God. Scripture says, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God” (Deuteronomy 29:29). We know what God has revealed; we do not know everything He has withheld. We must also distinguish between what God causes and what God permits. God is sovereign over His creation, but Scripture does not teach that God is the author of sin. James tells us: “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” — James 1:13 So why does God permit suffering? The answer begins with this: Suffering has a purpose within God's redemptive plan. That does not mean that suffering itself is good. Evil is evil. Death is an enemy. Sin is rebellion against God. Scripture never asks us to call evil good or pretend that tragedy does not hurt. Rather, Christianity teaches something far more profound: God is so sovereign that He can take even suffering, tragedy, injustice, and evil and use them to accomplish His purposes. The greatest example is the cross of Jesus Christ. Human beings intended the crucifixion for evil. Yet God used the cross to accomplish the redemption of sinners. Peter declared: “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” — Acts 2:23 The cross therefore gives us the foundation for understanding suffering. God does not need evil to be good, but He can sovereignly use what is evil to accomplish what is good. 1. God can use suffering for an eternal purpose. Paul writes: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” — 2 Corinthians 4:17 Paul does not say that suffering is pleasant or insignificant. He calls his troubles “light and momentary” only when compared with the immeasurable weight of eternal glory. Cancer, grief, betrayal, violence, injustice, poverty, persecution, and death are very real. Christianity never asks us to pretend otherwise. But Scripture teaches that God can take even terrible circumstances and use them for purposes that reach beyond this temporary life. That is part of God's redemptive plan. God is concerned not merely with making our earthly lives comfortable. He is preparing us for eternity. Think of the thickness of a Bible. If that represented eternity, our earthly existence and worldly suffering is so short and fleeting, it would be like a single page. That does not make suffering pleasant. It puts suffering into an eternal perspective. 2. Suffering exposes the reality and consequences of sin. The Bible does not present this world as the paradise God originally intended. Sin entered God's creation through human rebellion, and its consequences spread throughout humanity. Romans 5:12 says: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” We also contribute to suffering ourselves. Human greed, hatred, selfishness, violence, lust, pride, corruption, and injustice have consequences. Scripture describes Satan as the ruler of this present fallen order. “The whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), while Paul calls Satan “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Yet Satan is not God's equal. Satan operates only within the limits God permits. The book of Job makes this remarkably clear. Job suffered terribly, yet God remained sovereign. Job did not understand the reason for his suffering, but he ultimately came to a deeper knowledge of God. In the middle of his suffering, he declared: “I know that my redeemer lives.” — Job 19:25 We may never know whether a particular hardship is a test, a consequence of human sin, an attack of the enemy, or simply the result of living in a fallen world. But we do know this: God can redeem it. 3. God can use suffering to bring people to repentance. Consider the words of Jesus in Luke 13. Some people had been killed by Pilate, and others had died when a tower collapsed. Jesus specifically rejected the idea that these people were necessarily worse sinners than everyone else. Then He said: “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” — Luke 13:3 Jesus did not use tragedy to give a philosophical explanation. He used it to confront humanity with the reality of eternity. Suffering reminds us that this world is temporary. Death is real. Eternity is real. Judgment is real. Salvation is real. Sometimes suffering causes a person to ask questions that prosperity never would: Where is God? What is the meaning of life? What happens when I die? Am I ready to meet my Creator? And ultimately, those questions can lead us to Jesus Christ. God can use suffering as an instrument that turns a person's heart toward Him. 4. Free will has consequences. God created human beings capable of genuine love, obedience, rebellion, and choice. Love without choice is meaningless. God could have created humanity like robots programmed to say, “I love You,” every hour. But programmed affection is not love. I can program my phone to tell me it loves me every hour. That does not compare with hearing my child freely say, “Dad, I love you.” God gave humanity meaningful freedom. But meaningful freedom necessarily carries consequences. If God prevented every sinful action before it happened, human freedom would cease to have meaningful consequences. We cannot simultaneously demand genuine human freedom and demand that God prevent every consequence of human choices. Much of the suffering in this world is the direct or indirect consequence of human sin. 5. Suffering can become part of our sanctification. The Christian life was never promised to be painless. Peter writes: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” — 1 Peter 5:10 Paul says: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” — 2 Timothy 3:12 Jesus Himself said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 Christianity does not promise escape from every hardship. It promises that Christ will be with us through it. We are called to carry our cross, follow Christ, persevere under trial, and allow God to shape us through circumstances we cannot control. James writes: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” — James 1:12 Suffering can therefore become part of God's sanctifying work in us. It can teach perseverance. It can expose what is in our hearts. It can strip away pride. It can deepen our dependence upon God. It can produce compassion for others who suffer. And it can make us long more deeply for the day when Christ will finally make all things new. 6. Without suffering, we would have little understanding of the seriousness of eternity. This is a difficult point, but it must be considered. If humanity lived forever in a world without death, pain, consequence, or hardship, we could easily become convinced that this temporary world was all that mattered. But Christianity teaches that this life is not the end. There is salvation and there is judgment. There is heaven and there is hell. There is eternal life and eternal separation from God. The suffering and brokenness of this world remind us that something is profoundly wrong with creation—and that we need redemption. The Gospel announces that God has not abandoned us to that brokenness. He entered it. 7. God did not merely watch suffering from heaven—He entered our suffering through Jesus Christ. This may be the most important answer of all. God did not respond to human suffering by remaining distant from it. Jesus Christ suffered. He was betrayed, falsely accused, mocked, beaten, humiliated, crucified, and killed. He experienced rejection, physical agony, injustice, and death. And then He rose again. The cross demonstrates that God can bring the greatest good out of the greatest evil. The crucifixion was humanity's greatest act of evil against the Son of God, yet God used it as the means of redemption. That is the heart of the Gospel. God redeems. He redeems sinners. He redeems broken lives. He redeems suffering. He redeems tragedy. And ultimately, He will redeem creation itself. The Christian therefore does not worship a God who says, “I have no idea what suffering feels like.” We worship a Savior who can say, “I have been there.” I Understand That Suffering Hurts I do not write this as someone who has never suffered. I have experienced betrayal, divorce, sin, self-loathing, false accusations, slander, threats, persecution for my faith, serious family crises, illness among people I love, and the tragic deaths of friends. Others have suffered far more than I have. I have not experienced every form of grief, and I would never pretend otherwise. I do not claim to be an expert on suffering. But I know the One who is. And the answer I offer is not ultimately my own philosophy. It is the testimony of Scripture. For those who say, “I don't expect special treatment. I simply want to live a good life without hurting anyone or being hurt myself,” my answer is this: Stay faithful. Walk with Christ. Keep going. You may not understand everything God is doing. Job didn't. Joseph didn't. The disciples didn't understand the cross. But God's purposes were greater than what they could see. From Crisis to Opportunity Suffering can become a defining moment. The question is not always, “Why did this happen to me?” Sometimes the better question is: “Lord, what will You do with what has happened to me?” We cannot control everything that happens to us. But, by the grace of God, we can choose how we respond. We can become bitter—or we can become faithful. We can turn away from God—or we can run toward Him. We can allow suffering to destroy us—or we can allow God to use it to deepen our faith, strengthen our character, increase our compassion, and sanctify our lives. That is why suffering can become an opportunity. Not because suffering itself is good. But because God is good, and God can bring good out of what is not good. Romans 8:28 gives us this extraordinary promise: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Notice that Scripture does not say that all things are good. It says God works in all things for good. That distinction matters. The Christian response to suffering is therefore not denial, despair, or rebellion. It is faith. We remain steadfast. We help those who are suffering. We practice mercy. We refuse to create unnecessary suffering for others. We forgive. We pray. We persevere. And above all, we look to Christ. He suffered. He died. He rose again. And because He lives, suffering and death do not have the final word. Why, Then, Does God Permit Suffering and Evil? 1. God can use suffering for an eternal purpose. 2. Suffering exposes the reality and consequences of sin. 3. God can use suffering to bring people to repentance and salvation. 4. Human freedom carries real consequences. 5. Suffering can become part of our sanctification. 6. Suffering reminds us that this life is temporary and eternity is real. 7. God entered our suffering through Jesus Christ and ultimately defeated sin and death through His cross and resurrection. There is one truth that holds all seven points together: Suffering has a purpose in God's redemptive plan. We may not understand every reason God permits a particular tragedy. We should never presume to know God's specific purpose in another person's suffering. But we can know that suffering is not beyond His sovereignty. The cross proves it. The empty tomb proves it. And the promise of Scripture proves that one day God will finally and completely deal with everything that causes suffering. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” — Revelation 21:4 Until that day, we remain faithful. We suffer with hope. We serve with compassion. We persevere with courage. And we keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus Christ—the One who suffered for us, died for us, rose again for us, and promises that one day “the former things have passed away.” Christ wins. And in Christ, suffering is not the end of the story.

Christianity is inherently divisive, and that division is by design. It draws a bright line between right and wrong, good and evil, and calls people to love what pleases God rather than what merely pleases human appetites or cultural fashion. The Gospel centers on the fact that Christ suffered bodily for our sins while keeping His soul pure and undefiled. Modern culture has inverted this. Instead of recognizing that we are not required to suffer for others’ sins in the same redemptive way, many now compel their own minds, hearts, and consciences to accept, celebrate, and affirm those sins. We treat affirmation as compassion and judgment as the only real offense. Nowhere is this inversion clearer than in the widespread celebration of hedonism, homosexuality, abortion, sexual perversion, no-fault divorce, and other practices Scripture identifies as contrary to God’s design. These are frequently defended with the claim that “people are just being themselves” or “we are not God and therefore must not judge.” Both claims collapse under scrutiny: personal authenticity does not override moral reality, and the biblical command is not to refrain from all moral discernment but to judge with right judgment while leaving final condemnation to God. In short, the faith that once distinguished light from darkness is now pressured to erase the distinction in the name of kindness. That is not an evolution of Christianity; it is its negation. It is rejection of the gift Christ and his message!

❤️HOW TO KNOW GOD'S WILL FOR IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN YOUR LIFE. Part 4 of 6. How God Makes Known His Will for Specific Decisions and Needs. Continued. This is, in the final analysis, merely an attempt to sanctify doubt and unbelief about healing, as well as an attempt to place the responsibility back on God for the healing. However, if those who attempt to do this knew the Word as they should they would know that God has already placed the responsibility for receiving anything from Him on them, saying, "all things whatsoever YOU shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive" (Mt. 21:22). God has promised that "the prayer of faith shall heal the sick." He did not qualify this by adding "sometimes"; nor did He say that "the prayer of faith shall heal only some types of diseases." If those who are confused would examine the Scriptures carefully on the subject of healing, they would discover that, although there are conditions one must meet, nevertheless, there are no exceptions to God's promises (Num. 23:19, 2 Cor. 1:20). Occasionally someone will relate an alleged exception, citing some instance which they have heard of where some individual had asked God for healing, or was anointed with oil and prayed for, but who, nevertheless, failed to receive healing, or actually died. Invariably, however, when it has been possible to ascertain all the facts in the case, we find that the so-called "exception" to divine healing was not an exception at all, but the failure on someone's part to meet the necessary "conditions." Without reservation God promises in James 5:15 that "the prayer of faith will heal the sick." He gives no exceptions to this promise; but He does, within the same context in which He gives us this promise, set forth several conditions for receiving it. For instance, He states that (1) it is the responsibility of the sick person to call for the elders of the church for prayer for healing (often you will find in the case of an individual who did not receive healing after anointing and prayer that the elders were called to come and pray by some sympathetic friend or member of the family, not by the sick individual himself, who in reality did not know what the Scriptures had to say about the matter, and as a consequence he did not have the faith to appropriate his healing. The reason God requires this condition to be met is simply because that it implies faith on the part of the sick individual for him to take the initiative and call for the elders to come and pray for his healing, (2) the sick are to be anointed with oil; (3) this is to be done in the name of the Lord (Jesus), (4) the sick should confess his faults so that he may be healed; and (5) the prayer of faith is to be offered (Jam. 5:15-16). The neglect of any one of these conditions, when healing is applied for on the basis of James 5, is sufficient reason to nullify the promise. Again in Exodus 15:26 God promises that sickness shall not come upon His people, saying, "I am the Lord that heals you." There are no exceptions to this promise, since the meaning of His Name, Yahweh Ropheka, signifies "I am the Lord that heals you," but there is a condition set forth in this same verse for receiving its application - obedience to His Word. There is prevalent today the popular but unscriptural notion that it is God's will to allow sickness, which He often places upon His children for His glory, or as a blessing in disguise, in order to teach them patience and humility, or to develop a deeper trust in Him. Thus, for most Christians there is only the unhappy prospect of an endless round of going to the doctors and the hospital, being subjected to surgery, and taking medicines and drugs while the medical insurance companies are growing rich in consequence of the mental and physical afflictions which result from their fears and unscriptural ideas concerning sickness. Therefore, Christians must be liberated from their erroneous ideas concerning sickness and healing if they are ever to be able to exercise sufficient faith for healing and health. There is but one way this can be done: through the Word of God, which is a revelation of His will concerning the believer's spiritual, physical, mental, and temporal welfare. It is in God's Word that they will discover that sickness is from Satan (Job 2:6-7; Lu. 13:10-16; 1Cor. 5:5; Acts 10:38), and that healing has been provided and promised by God (Isa. 53:4 with Mt. 8:16-17. Isaiah 53:4 reads Literally in the Hebrew: "Surely he hath carried away our diseases, and borne our pain." Ex. 15:26, Ps. 103:3; Mk. 16:17-18; l Cor.12:28; Jam. 5:14-16, I Pet. 2:24; 3 John 2). Did you know that every believer is invited to walk through life on a pathway literally paved with the promises of God? Did you know that you are promised health and your needs met, as well as spiritual blessings? Did you know that God has promised to give you wisdom, help, and guidance, as well as direct your steps day to day? A promise of God is to be looked upon as you do a check, it is to be endorsed by faith and taken to the bank and cashed. God invites you to open His Word and see just what is on deposit to your account as a joint-heir with Christ. When you do, you will find thousands of promises such as - "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19). "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give you the desires of thine heart" Ps 37:4) . "All things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive" (Matt. 21:22). "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers" (3 John 2). "There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling" (Ps. 91:10). "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mk. 16:17-18). "If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed ... nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matt. 17:20). "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you" (Isa. 26:3). "The prayer of faith shall heal the sick" (Jam. 5:15). "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation" (Ps. 91:15-16). "I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring" (Isa. 44:3; Acts 16:31). "Seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things (temporal blessings) shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33). "Behold, I give unto you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt You"( Lu. 10:19). "If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it" (Jn. 14:14). "If two of you agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 18:19). "What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them" (Mk. 11:24). "No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Ps. 84:11). "All things are yours; whether the world, or life, or death, all things present, all things to come, all are yours" (1 Cor. 3:21-22). "Bless the Lord, O my soul…who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; who redeemed your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies; who satisfied your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Ps. 103:1-5). "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us, and if we know that if he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 Jn. 5:14-15). "We may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Heb. 13:6). For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7). "Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks It shall be opened" (Matt. 7:7-8). These are just some of the countless promises God has made to us, each of which may be appropriated by an act of faith on our part. In Psalm 37 alone there are over forty promises made to the believers! Most Christians, however, because of erroneous teaching concerning their rights, privileges, position, and inheritance, are going through life like beggars and paupers while walking on a pathway paved with the promises of God. What is the reason for this? The answer is to be found in Jesus' words in John 15:7, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you." Because His Word is not abiding in them in any meaningful way the vast majority of Christians today find it difficult to believe that God is also interested in their physical and temporal needs, just as He is in their spiritual welfare. In spite of the fact that He clearly states, "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers" (3 Jn. 2). As a result of erroneous teaching, most seem obsessed with the unscriptural notion that a Christian cannot really be spiritual, healthy, and prosperous at the same time. They seem to think that God objects to them being out of debt or a success in life. But you can search the Scriptures from cover to cover and you will not find any place where God encourages His people to be failures in life, sick and diseased, bound to a bed of affliction, or so financially burdened and distressed that they have no time for serving him, or for growth in the spirit. On the contrary, He admonishes us five times in Matthew 8:19f. to "take no thought" for our temporal needs but to put the needs of the kingdom first and that He will supply all that we need. The scriptures declare that our inheritance belongs to us now, whereas the unbelieving contemporary church has insisted that we are not to benefit from these blessings in the present life, but only in the world to come. However, God says that all things are yours now - the world, life, death, things present, as well as things to come (1 Cor. 3:21-22). These blessings and promises do not have to be begged for. God does not have to be persuaded to fulfill His Word to us. Why? Simply because He has already said "yes" to all that He has promised us, even before we ask, "For all the promises of God in him (Christ) are yes, and in him Amen" (2 Cor. 1:20). Do you believe what God offers you in the Scriptures? Do you really accept God's promise that "all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive?" Do you believe God's declaration that you are a joint-heir with Christ? A joint-heir with whom? He did not say that you are a joint-heir with the angels, or with the cherubim or seraphim; He did not say that you are a joint-heir with the apostles or the prophets, but that you are a joint-heir with Christ– He who said that "the gold and silver and the cattle on a thousand hills are mine, and you are a joint-heir with Me". He who said, "All power is given me in heaven and in earth," and I in turn give it unto you, for "in my name you shall cast out devils and lay hands on the sick and they shall recover"; He who said, "My God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory;" yes, it is He who said, "Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you." If you really believe that you are a joint-heir with Christ, and that all things are yours now, then why do you content yourself any longer with a stone when He offers you bread Lu. 11:9-13)? Why be satisfied with only a drink of water (Jn. 4), when He also promises that a river of water will flow out of you (Jn.7:37-39)? Why lament any longer as the elder brother did because of his lack? Rise up and take your inheritance as his father invited him to do, saying to him, "All things are yours and you have merely to lift up your voice and ask for whatsoever you desire and you shall receive it" (Lu 15:11-31). It is tragic that the churches today are filled with sick and diseased Christians, many of whom are dying prematurely, simply because they have not been taught that God has provided healing for them in Christ's atonement (Isa. 53) and promised it to them in His Word, and that they could appropriate it for themselves if they too would but ask! God said long ago that "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hos. 4:6). When God's Word abides in your heart as it should, then you will come to see that it is God's will that you begin to possess your possessions now by faith as a testimony that His Word is true, and in order that you might be free of sickness, fear, worry, and anxiety, and also liberated from financial bondage in order to serve Him effectively. But until you search the Word and believe your inheritance, then life will consist for you, as for most Christians, of 365 days of just getting by somehow, days filled with cares, problems and worries, hoping that you can stay well for a few weeks at a time, praying that the old car will hold out through the winter, begging God to help you keep your head above water financially and pay of the mortgage eventually before you die, hoping and praying that God, some day and some how, will save your children, and so on. Such a mediocre form of existence is not God's will for His children, because He has revealed in the Scriptures the key to victorious living 385 days a year, for it is in the Word that we find that God has given an extensive revelation of His will and purpose for us. The Scriptures are filled with divine assurances and promises of our rights, privileges, position, and authority. God assures us that we are joint-heirs with Christ, seated in the heavens with Him, far above all principalities and powers, and that He has made adequate provision for our every temporal and spiritual need, as well as for the accomplishment of His will. He has promised us that all these provisions and blessings are available to the extent that we are willing to press through by faith and appropriate them. To be ignorant of this abundance of revelation concerning His will, either because of our neglect of study, or due to a lack of biblical teaching, is to be ignorant of the main source of knowledge concerning His will for us. Therefore, it is useless to pray for God to reveal His will for you, or give you special guidance regarding such matters as, for example, healing, deliverance, divine protection, salvation of loved ones, walking by faith, provision for temporal needs, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, marriage and divorce, the crucified life, our rights and inheritance, or how to obtain His blessings and promises. He has already furnished a written revelation of His will for us concerning such matters, saying, "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Thus, the Scriptures themselves are one of the main sources of knowledge concerning God's will and how we are to apply it to our needs; it is only to the extent we know His Word that we will know His will, for the Psalmist tells us, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Ps. 119:105). Through Prayer: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him (Jam. 1:5). We have clearly offered here, a gracious encouragement to ask for divine guidance, with the definite promise that the necessary impartation of wisdom will be given. This method of ascertaining the will of God is so obvious it is often overlooked by many Christians. Do you need wisdom in making some important decisions? Is there a problem confronting you that seems to defy solution? Do you desire to know God's will about some matter before taking action? Have you tried asking God? "Ask God?" is often the puzzled reply. "No, I have asked the pastor. Our family physician was consulted once or twice, as was our analyst. And the opinion of some close friends has been occasionally sought, but ask God? Frankly I was not aware that we were supposed to ask Him concerning daily personal decisions which we must make. Such as regarding a solution to things such as domestic problems, changing places of employment, selling a home or business, moving to another state to live, which church to attend, whom to marry, or planning a career. Are we really to pray about such things? Will God actually give us the solution to such problems and needs? Can we receive divine guidance merely by asking for it?" many bewildered Christians inquire. Yes. You may learn God's will about some particular matter by asking Him to show you, "for everyone that asks receives" (Mt 7:8), and "you have not because you ask not" (Jam. 4:2). If you lack an understanding concerning God's will about some matter, if you are confused or uncertain about some decision you must make, and you have met the the conditions just discussed concerning consecration and abiding in His Word, then it can only mean that you have not asked in faith for the solution, for He clearly states in James 1:5 that if we lack wisdom, we need but to ask and it shall be given. Assuming you have met the other conditions, then your knowledge of God's will in your life will come in direct proportion to your asking. God does not make such a promise carelessly. If we lack understanding, it is because we do not ask of Him. Too many Christians find it easier to ask for advice from the pastor, marriage counselor, psychiatrist, or some acquaintance, instead of devoting this time to meeting the necessary conditions, then asking of God and waiting upon Him to reveal His will in the matter. Yes, it is necessary to wait upon the Lord to answer in His own time and way, for although He promises in Psalm 91:15, "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him," God has also told us to "wait on the Lord: be at good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord" (Ps 27:14). Because they feel that a more direct approach to the matter will not only bring an easier but also a more prompt solution to the problem, most Christians seem to favor seeking local assistance from others, reserving their communications with heaven to those instances when all other avenues seem to be closed. As a result, they have come to look upon prayer much as they do a fire escape–to be used only in case of an emergency. Although God promises to reveal His will to those who will ask, it must be emphasized, however, that prayer is only as effective as our obedience to the conditions God has set forth. This illustrates the importance of being grounded in the Word of God, for only in this way can we remove any hindrance to the revelation of His will. He invites us to ask for wisdom and guidance, but He conditions this, for instance, by saying that if we regard iniquity in our hearts He will not hear our prayers (Ps. 66:18; Isa. 59:1-2). He tells us in 1 John 5:14-15 that we must conform our prayers to His Word, for we are promised that if we ask anything according to His will, then He hears us and grants to us the petition which we desire. Again, we are told that "He that turns away his ear from hearing the Word, even his prayer shall be an abomination" (Prov. 28:9). Edited. Shared. To be Continued. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

THE PRICE OF A DISCIPLE IS THE PRICE OF A WARRIOR Many people want to fight like Jesus, but they do not want to follow Him like disciples. A disciple is not merely someone who believes. A disciple is someone who learns the ways of his Master until he begins to live like Him. If you want to fight like Christ, you must submit to the same kind of obedience that He walked in. That is why Jesus said, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even their own life, such a person cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26) Nothing—not your family, your comfort, your reputation, or even your own life—can be allowed to stand above obedience to Christ. Many people lose spiritual battles because they cannot overcome simple discomfort. Some cannot read their Bible because someone in the house mocks them. Some stop praying because they fear what people will say. Others know exactly what God requires, yet refuse because obedience may cost them relationships or acceptance. A young medical student gave his life to Christ and refused to turn back. His father publicly disowned him, drove him out, and for six months he lived in the church building while the brethren cared for him. His father even threatened to divorce his mother if he refused to abandon Christ. Yet he remained faithful. Six months later, the same father called him home and declared that all his children were free to attend whichever church they desired. That battle was not won by arguments. It was won by steadfast obedience. His victory brought freedom not only to himself but to his entire family. Many people are asking God for authority while avoiding the very sacrifices that produce authority. Yet every true warrior pays a price before he carries influence. Every disciple must settle the question of allegiance before the day of battle arrives. Do not pray for great victories while refusing small acts of obedience. The disciple who keeps choosing Christ when it is costly is the disciple who is learning how to fight. May The Lord help us all.

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀💝🌺🎁🌹🎀 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY SATURDAY JULY 25, 2O26. "DON'T LOOSE YOUR COMPASSIONATE EDGE (3)" '…We have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities…’   Hebrews 4:15 KJV DR JOSEPH Parker told his theology students, ‘Preach to the suffering and you will never lack a congregation. There is a broken heart in every pew.’ Don’t lose your compassionate edge because you can’t heal a broken heart unless you can first empathise with it. The Bible says, ‘We have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.’ When you lose touch with people, you lose your touch when it comes to ministering to them. Jesus went looking for the leper, the loser, the lonely, the lost, and the lowest in society. And He was comfortable around them. Are you? Serving others is actually good for your health. A survey conducted at 44 major universities reveals that giving protects your overall health twice as much as an aspirin protects your heart against disease. Dr Stephen Post, who conducted the survey, says, ‘Giving is the most potent force on the planet and will protect your whole life.’ The benefits of compassion to your physical health are so strong that if compassion wasn’t free, pharmaceutical companies would herald the discovery of a stupendous new drug called ‘give back’ instead of ‘Prozac’.’ We give for different reasons: to get an income tax deduction; to make a good impression and have people think well of us; or because we’re put under pressure. You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving. Your time, talent, and treasure are to be shared with others. When you refuse, you’re neither happy, holy, nor healthy. Bible In A Year: Deut 5-7; Matt 12:13-21; Ps 78:1-8; Pro 16:23-24. 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. [24/07, 8:18 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) SATURDAY 25TH JULY, 2026``` *GOD'S UNCHANGEABLE STANDARD* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:MATTHEW 19:1-12```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery" (MATTHEW 19:9).*_ *More and more people seem to forget Henry Ford's wise advice when asked on his 50th wedding anniversary for his rule for marital bliss and longevity. He replied: "Just the same as in the automobile business, stick to one model."* *From our text, Christ's teaching about divorce and remarriage is explicit. Moses gave permission for divorce, not because it was so from the beginning but due to the people's hardness of heart. Jesus insisted that in the sight of God, marriage is a lifetime relationship that should never be severed by human action. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). His perfect will is the preservation of future generations and society through lasting marriages. God will give anyone great help in sustaining a marriage relationship or reconcilling estranged marriage partners. Christ's exception for 'fornication' in our text covers unfaithfulness before the actual marriage is contracted.* *The experiences of couples who went through divorce are not encouraging. A study of divorced couples with preschool children shows that after a year of divorce, 60% of men and 73% of women feel they made a mistake and should have tried harder to make their marriage work. People have no idea how much anguish and stress is caused by divorce. This is a lesson to our godly fathers and mothers. They must ensure their children marry in the Lord. Friendship with ungodly families is like sowing the seeds of corruption in your own family. This unholy union of our sons and daughters with unbelieving spouses has introduced corruption in our families and churches.* *Our role models are not the pop singers, film stars and fashion models who seem to change marriage partners like they change their robes. People may hold whatever views they want on divorce, but God, who is the Judge of the whole world has already spoken His mind in Scriptures. God's standard on marriage remains unchangeable even in this changeable world. Allow love and forgiveness to reign in your home.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*In the divine charter, there is no provision for divorce.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *EXODUS 30-32*📜📜 God's Unchangeable Standard https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 46: A CHRISTIAN HOME; GHS 83: THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MY HEART; AND GHS 185: THE THING MY GOD DOTH HATE* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna25thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [24/07, 8:18 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```SATURDAY 25TH JULY, 2026``` *DIVINE PRESENCE* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️✨🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:PSALM 91:1-9```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence" (PSALM 91:3).*_ *Using the acronym P.R.E.S.E.N.C.E., somebody said God's presence depicts His Power over all creation, His Reign as King of kings, His Essence as the Truine God, His Sovereignty having all authority, His Eminence as the only potentate, His Nature as the thrice holy God, the Creator of creation and His Eternal being - the everlasting God.* *In our text, the Psalmist rightly posited that those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High, in His presence, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. God remains the shield and defender of His faithful sons and daughters.* *Living in God's presence guarantees security and victory over all enemies, visible and invisible. He promises angelic guidance and protection from terrible sicknesses, diseases and demonic manipulation. While sinners and backsliders may fall into calamities and evils orchestrated by the devil, the child of God enjoys uninterrupted peace, joy and protection.* *To enjoy the divine presence, you must be born again and live a consistent and holy life. Because God is holy, only the holy in thought, conduct, and lifestyle will dwell with Him here and in eternity.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*God's presence guarantees security.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Key into God's presence.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to dwell in Your presence evermore.*_ Divine Presence https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday25thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [24/07, 8:18 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```SATURDAY 25TH JULY, 2026``` *"LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME"* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️✝️🩸🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```GALATIANS 2:18-21```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20c).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 There was a very touching story in the media sometime ago, of very rich parents who had a child that suffered from a kidney sickness. One of the two kidneys could not work well again. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter harmful materials from the human blood in the form of urine. The child needed a kidney transplant. That is, a medical procedure of replacing a defective kidney through surgery. The two parents had four kidneys, but none of them was willing to give one to their beloved child. Can you see how limited human love is? Yet, Jesus gave His life, not just a kidney for us; He did it joyfully. We were sentenced to eternal death in hell because of our sins. God needed a substitute - one who is willing to die in our place. Paul the Apostle, was overwhelmed by the depth of Christ's love. It was love that caused him to decide to live his remaining days on earth in thankfulness to his Saviour. Jesus offered Himself in our place. This is love indeed! *He bore your pains and shame. He gave Himself for you. What can you give Him in return? You must be thankful for the love of Jesus. Make a vow, a promise to live the whole of your life to please Him. Choose to serve Him in truth and in righteousness till you die.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, for Your love and mercy to me, I will serve You all the days of my life.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Acts 21:12-14* "Loved Me And Gave Himself For Me" https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk25thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [24/07, 8:18 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* SATURDAY, 25TH JULY, 2026. *DO NOT PLAY WITH FIRE* *TEXT:* MATTHEW 19:1-12. 1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; 2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. *Timeless Truth:*_"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent"_ (Proverbs 6:27-29). *INTRODUCTION* Fire can be one of humanity's greatest blessings or one of its greatest dangers. When it is kept in its proper place, it provides warmth, light and strength. But when handled carelessly, it destroys lives, homes and destinies. In the same way, there are spiritual "fires" that God has warned His people not to toy with. Sin may appear attractive, temptation may seem harmless and compromise may look insignificant, but the consequences are often devastating. Scripture repeatedly warns that no one can handle fire carelessly and remains unharmed: *"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?"* (Proverbs 6:27). *1. Admiration: The Sanctity of Marriage*  a. Marriage is an admirable thing in the life of a man or woman. Nobody, all things being equal, goes into a wedding with sadness, but with joy and celebration. However, whenever man attempts to handle marriage in his own way, the destructive effect cannot be estimated. Marriage is not a matter of "hire and fire" in which you can handle it carelessly and scatter it at the least provocation. Your attitude towards Marriage will determine your eternal destiny. This is the fearful truth. *"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge"* (Hebrews 13:4). Marriage institution should be preserved in honour and purity. Anyone who gambles with these two virtues in a marriage relationship will end up being destroyed, eternally. b. *"Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?"*. The Pharisees were said to be tempting Jesus because they knew the answer in the Pentateuch. The main valid exception was when a woman that was betrothed to a man was found to have committed sexual immorality before the actual marriage like the case of Mary and Joseph. This, in the Law, was technically called "fornication". c The answer of Jesus had several implications. *"Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female"*. Godly marriage is between male and female. Same sex marriage is against the will of God. Second, marriage is between two people. Except if you want to add to the Bible to suit your evil action, you cannot see polygamy in this passage just like Jesus, the Bridegroom is not having more than one bride, the Church and just like Adam was not created with another woman apart from Eve. The divine will is clear on this. *"For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder"*. Every Word of Jesus points to the original design of one man, one wife. Any other thing is an addition to the Word of God (Matthew 5:18,19). It is only those that have another god that will be satisfied and comfortable at rejecting the Word of God. Inability or unwillingness to obey Jesus Christ does not invalidate His words; it only shows that you need to run to Christ for grace and power to do His will. *Question* Do you align with all the Words of Jesus on marriage? *2. Adultery: The Sins of the Married* a. Polygamy and divorce were permitted in the Old Covenant, but never in the New Covenant. Jesus gave the reason. *"He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so"*. The teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ is a reset to the perfect will of God at creation. *"And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery"*. The fact that *"Except for fornication"* is known and peculiar to the Jewish Old Testament culture is clear as that clause is not in all the other parallel synoptic gospel like Mark 10:1-12, Luke 16:18. A man does not commit adultery by putting away his wife, but if he marries another person, then adultery has taken place. What if he does not marry after putting away? There is still danger for the divorcing man. Can he claim to be a practicing Christian, that has the grace of Christ to forgive without sincerely, having any bitterness that will lead to eternal damnation? Matthew 5:32 says that the man cannot escape if the "putting away" causes the woman to go and marry someone else or commit immorality. In that case *"he causes her to commit adultery"* though he might have committed adultery. It is also true for the other side too. What is the lot of someone who makes others sin? See Matthew 18:6. No heaven for such a person except there is repentance and restitution.The divorced woman is not free for marriage except if she was not a real wife originally. The real wife is the living first wife of the living man. *"Whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery"*. It is all about moral chastity. No married man is allowed by God to see the nakedness of more than one woman or wife as long as the first wife is alive. This puts polygamy out of the equation of divine will. b. Romans 7:2,3 reinforces this commandment. Romans 7:10-11 speaks on separation, without necessarily divorce, which was not fully addressed by Christ. What if they decide to separate without being divorced? It says that must not be among children of God. However, it is possible one of them is an unbeliever who does not take the Word of God binding and serious. Remarriage is ruled out, but reconciliation is the perfect will of God. If one of them is an unbeliever and is not ready to reconcile according to the will of God, but insist on separation? The believing partner is no more answerable to God as to whatever happens to the rebellious partner even if he or she falls into adultery. *"If the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace"* (1 Corinthians 7:15). This is not a license to remarry as this will contradict the Words of Christ. Rather it is a license to live separately without being held responsible for the fall or adultery of the unbeliever. So remarriage after separation is still forbidden, but the believer is not counted responsible to God for the irreconcilable attitude of the other partner. *Question* Can a believer obey this Word of Christ without grace? *3. Acceptability: The Separation from Mess* a. It should not be surprising that *"His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry"*. This raises two issues. First, there must be prayer and due diligence in choosing the right partner. The right scriptural foundation is germane to any godly heaven bound marriage. Second, the grace of Christ is needed and always available to do the will of God. The grace needed for marital bliss and resolve issues in marriage will also be needed in making heaven. It is a relational grace needed to endure all things, suffer all things, follow peace with all men, forgive our offenders and love others unconditionally. *Question* Do you have this grace? It can be received by asking. *Prayer Points* 1.Father, we thank You for the institution of marriage and the available grace to do Your will 🙏. 2.Pray against getting into unscriptural marriage. 🙏. 3.Ask for the abundance of grace and fruit of the Spirit to live happily with your partner 🙏. 4.Pray for couples in the church that God will visit their marriages and make it happy and fulfilling. Pray for the unmarried that they will not fall into the snare of wrong partnyers🙏. *HYMN:* Gracious Spirit dwell with me *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* EXODUS 30-32. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer He hath showed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? ⏤ Micah 6:8 The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears. ⏤ Corrie Ten Boom O God, just as Enoch walked with You, we desire to walk with You today. The world is full of dangers, and we can't navigate it safely without Your protection. The paths are tangled, and we could never find our way alone. We need Your companionship to make this day a blessing. So we ask that we may walk with You. We will try to be faithful—not running ahead of You or falling behind—but staying with You all day. May You walk with us and help us to walk with You. We thank You for the rest of the past night. You have kept us safe. We lay down and slept, and You sustained us. You are our protector. All our blessings come from You. Give us grateful hearts as we begin this new day. We want to please You in all things, not straying from Your commandments. Help us, for while our spirit is willing, our flesh is weak, and we can't be faithful without Your strength. Bless everyone in our home this morning, and give each of us a personal blessing. As we go out to our different duties, it may be that we shall never all meet together again; may we, therefore, part in love so that if we never come together again in this world, there will be no regrets in our hearts because of unkindness at parting. Bless our morning meal and give us wisdom for all the duties, tasks, responsibilities, and challenges of the day. May our influence be for good, leaving a blessing on everyone we encounter. Make us strong for our work. Protect us from the dangers of the day, and keep us near Your heart, giving us the grace, mercy, and peace we need. For Jesus' sake. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/20/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

If a woman is divorced, Later, after her divorce she becomes a christian. Is it a sin to marry her?

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY MONDAY JULY 20, 2026. "WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR?" ‘Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained by a righteous life.’ Proverbs 16:31 NIV WE ALL live for something; the question is, what? Ben Patterson writes in ‘The Grand Essentials’: ‘I have a theory about old age…I believe when life has whittled us down, when joints have failed and skin has wrinkled and capillaries have clogged and hardened, what is left of us will be what we were all along in our essence. Exhibit A: a distant uncle. All his life, he did nothing but find new ways to get rich. He spent his [last years] very comfortably, drooling and babbling constantly about the money he had made. When life whittled him down to his essence, all that was left was raw greed. This is what he had cultivated in a thousand little ways over a lifetime. Exhibit B: My wife’s grandmother. When she died in her mid-eighties, she had already been senile for several years. What did this lady talk about? The best example I can think of was when we asked her to pray before dinner. She would reach out and hold the hands of those sitting beside her, a broad, beatific smile would spread across her face, her dim eyes would fill with tears as she looked up to heaven and her chin would quiver as she poured out her love to Jesus. That was Edna in a nutshell. She loved Jesus and she loved people. She couldn’t remember our names, but she couldn’t keep her hands from patting us lovingly whenever we got near her. When life whittled her down to her essence, all there was left was love…for God and love for people.’ What are you living for? Bible In A Year: Acts 24-25; Matt 11:1-9; Ps1; Pro 16:10-15. 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. [19/07, 9:52 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) MONDAY 20TH JULY, 2026``` *TRANSFORMING GRACE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🐑🩸✝️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-31```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (1 CORINTHIANS 1:26).*_ *In his book _Understanding Church Growth,_ The Christian writer, Donald McGavran, used the phrase "redemption lift" to describe the transformative power of the gospel on people's lives, especially their socioeconomic condition. A more recent work by Rodney Stark, titled, _America's Blessings,_ relying on sociological data, concluded that compared to less religious and nonreligious individuals, people of faith are better off. He believes that a person renewed by the gospel increasingly acts in a self-controlled and selfless manner, engages in less criminal behaviour and experiences higher marital happiness and lower divorce rates, while producing more and better-behaved children.* *In today's Bible passage, Apostle Paul believes that the gospel of Christ has positively transformed the lives of the Corinthian Christians. This is because God did not consider the smallness or stature of the Corinthian believers before saving them from the power of sin. Paul reminds the Corinthians of their humble beginning in the journey of faith and how God's transforming grace turned their lives around. God can make giants of anyone no matter his or her poor beginning.* *Paul believes that God usually does not apply worldly methods to spiritual things. "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise" (1 Corinthians 1:27). The Bible is full of stories of people like the shepherd boy, David, who was brought from obscurity to the throne. Who would have imagined that a man like Zacchaeus would voluntarily surrender his loot to repair the financial damage done to many families? God transforms sinners to saints effortlessly so that no one will claim any credit for the changes in their lives.* *The Christian life is a new life where old things do not dictate our progress any more. This is a new life where redemption transforms us from weaklings to giants. The blessedness of knowing Jesus as Lord and Saviour transcends every limitation there might be in our lives, making us into spiritual giants who can effortlessly, gratefully sing, _"Amazing Grace"!_* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*The amazing thing about grace is that it admits and transforms the weak, the worldly and the wicked.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *EXODUS 12-16*📜📜 Transforming Grace https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 129: GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN; GHS 125: WONDERFUL GRACE OF JESUS; AND GHS 136: AT CALVARY* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna20thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/07, 9:52 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```MONDAY 20TH JULY, 2026``` *RETALIATION* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️😠😡❌🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:GENESIS 34:25-31```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house" (GENESIS 34:30).*_ *Retaliation is the act of harming someone because he or she has harmed us. Another word for it is revenge. Our text tells the story of the defilement of Dinah by Shechem and the cruel act of vengeance carried out by her brothers on Shechem, his father and the adult males in the land.* *According to Tim Lahaye, "Sadness and heartache always result when anyone disobeys God's command regarding sexual purity." Many people paid with their lives for the wrong done by one man.* *Two lessons can be learned from the story. One, Shechem's sin of fornication with Jacob's daughter, Dinah, brought him an untimely death. Sin brings death, physical, spiritual and eternal, if not repented of.* *Two, two wrongs cannot make a right; Jacob's sons took vengeance on Shechem and his family, including the whole city. They killed innocent males who had no involvement in the incident that led to their sister's defilement. This collective punishment is wrong.* *We should avoid retaliation and let God fight for us (Romans 12:19). Pray to be sanctified to forgive freely.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Avoid retaliation.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Have a forgiving heart like our Lord Jesus.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Take my heart, oh Lord! Let it be like Yours.*_ Retaliation https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday20thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/07, 9:52 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```MONDAY 20TH JULY, 2026``` *POSITIVE INFLUENCE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️💡🕯️✨🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```JOHN 1:1-5```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not" (John 1:5).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 An important aspect of life is influence. Each one of us has influence over someone in this world. It is obvious that the more you lead, the more opportunities for influence you will have. Both positive and negative influences have been recorded in the history of mankind. Good people have an effect on others for good, and bad people have some influence that turn out bad. Everybody is being influenced by someone or something no matter who you are, nobody is an island. We see it all around us; everyone is contributing something to influence others. The question is not if we will influence others, but rather what quality of influence we will generate in the lives of others. *As Christians, we should be positive influencers. We should influence others for Christ. Let others see Jesus in you, let them see Him in your attitude, lifestyle, behaviour, and from the way you treat others. Someday, we will stand before the Lord Jesus and give an account of how we spent our lives. It would be wise to live in such a way that the Lord is able to say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant!"* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, help me to be a positive influence to those around me.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Matthew 5:13-16* Positive Influence https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk20thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/07, 9:53 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* MONDAY, 20TH JULY, 2026. *UNMERITED CHOICE* *TEXT:* 1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-31. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. *Timeless Truth:*_"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast"_ (Ephesians 2:8,9). *INTRODUCTION* God is not partial for He is *"not a respecter of any"*. If God is partial, He will cease to be God. The voice of God is loud enough for every person, including the deaf, to hear. However, many close their ears to His voice that they might not hear. Of all the people who hear, only few respond. God cannot force anyone to respond for that will be contrary to His nature and plan of creating man as a free moral agent. Those who hear and respond appropriately are chosen and are called the chosen of God. *"Many are called few are chosen"*. Those who are chosen are those who are elected and those that are elected are those that are justified and those that are justified are those that are glorified. The call of God to salvation and eternal inheritance is a general appeal to all. Nobody merits that call. It is free for all. By implication and deduction, those who respond and take the needful action and get saved don't merit it either, and neither do they earn it by any means. Paul the Apostle gave the reasons why God did it so. *"That no flesh should glory in his presence"*. The wise, educated and enlightened cannot boast of their wisdom as the reason for their choice by God and neither can the foolish justify himself as to why they opted not to be saved. The door of salvation is open to all, the decision is left to individuals. *1.God's Unexpected Believers' Choice* a. If a great man is expected to choose those who will be his companion or marry, it is expected that he will look for the wise, brilliant, educated and resourceful people. However, God is looking for those He will make great and wise. The Corinthian believers were reminded to reflect on their own calling. Humanly speaking, not many of them were wise, influential or of noble birth. *"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: "*. They did not respond to the call of God because of their earthly wisdom, wealth, might and nobility; and as a result they were not chosen by God. Yet God deliberately chose the foolish, the weak, the lowly and the despised, who humbly responded to Him, to shame the wise and the mighty. *"And base things of the world, and things that are despised, hath God chosen, yea the things which are not, to bring to nought things that are"*. Those that are despised as nobody, when they chose God and His salvation are cleansed, glorified and gifted as children of God to reflect the glory of God, have the knowledge of His will and be carriers of His mighty power. God's method of choosing people is completely different from man's. While people often value social status, wealth, intelligence, and influence, God looks upon the heart and calls those who will depend entirely on His grace. To those people He imparts His grace and glory. His choice is not based on human qualification, but on His sovereign love and purpose. b. Who are the people Jesus Christ chose to be His disciples? Mostly, unlettered men who decided to respond to the call of Jesus Christ. They eventually, got transformed by Jesus Christ and became life changers, solutions to problems that are beyond men and became pillars in the present kingdom and eternal kingdom. This truth should encourage every believer who feels insignificant or overlooked. God's election demonstrates that His power is perfected in human weakness, ensuring that all the glory belongs to Him alone. Only the humble, the meek and the lowly, regardless of their status, are those that the gates of heaven will be opened to now and in eternity. *Questions* Do you appreciate that God's choice of you was based on His grace rather than your achievements? Are you depending on human qualifications more than God's enabling power? *2.Glorying Unexpected of the Beloved Chosen* a. "*Where is the boasting then?"* *"For if Abraham were justified by works (merit), he hath whereof to glory; but not before God"* (Romans 4:2). God's gracious choice leaves no room for human boasting. Salvation is entirely His work from beginning to end. Every believer stands before God solely because of His mercy and not because of personal merit. The Lord intentionally, excludes human pride so that all glory belongs to Him. As "*He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord*." The Christian's confidence is therefore, not in educational attainment, financial success, family background, or spiritual accomplishments, but in the Lord Jesus Christ who has accomplished redemption. Those who understand the grace of God remain humble, grateful and devoted to giving Him all the praise. b. No matter the spiritual height anybody has attained, no matter the gift of God a person has, humility and lowliness should continually, guard the mind of the person. *"That, no flesh should glory in His presence"*. *". For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? ?"*. If you are proud as if you earn your salvation, you are likely not to be saved or you have lost it. *Questions* Is there anything in your life that causes you to boast instead of glorifying Christ? In what practical ways can you glorify the Lord rather than yourself? *3. God's Unlimited Blessing Through Christ* Christ is God's complete provision and perfect solution for every believer. *"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption"* (1 Corinthians 1:30). Through Him we receive wisdom to know God's will being the Wisdom of God Himself (1 Corinthians 1:24). True, lasting and eternal wisdom only comes from Christ. Any human wisdom that does not have Christ as the source is foolishness and will not last. He only gives righteousness that will stand accepted before God and sanctification to live holy lives. No human effort can produce the true righteousness of God in man; only Jesus can. He only is the Redeemer from all sins and all evils. Everything required for salvation and victorious Christian living is found in Christ alone. Believers need not seek acceptance or spiritual completeness elsewhere because God has already provided every spiritual blessing in His Son. Therefore, our confidence, hope, strength and future are securely anchored in Jesus Christ. *Questions:* Are you relying fully on Christ as your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption? Which aspect of Christ's provision do you need to embrace more fully today? *Prayer Points* 1.Father, thank You for choosing me by Your grace; help me to remain humble and faithful to Your calling🙏 2.Lord, remove every form of pride from my heart and teach me to glory only in Christ🙏. 3.Heavenly Father, enable me to depend daily upon Christ for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption🙏 4.Lord, enable all Your children and let our lives continually reflect Your grace so that others may glorify You through our testimony 🙏. *HYMN:* All things in Jesus *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* EXODUS 12-16. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer [It is of] the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness. ⏤ Lamentations 3:22-23 Begin each day with private prayer, with great earnestness. ⏤ George Whitefield Father, as the brightness of a new day comes to us, we pause to receive Your blessing. We want to make this a fresh start in our lives. We want to forget the past—our mistakes and sins, our sorrows, and our struggles. We begin this new day asking for the grace to live in a way that honors You and blesses the world. As we go about our tasks today, we ask for Your special presence with us. We hold onto Your promises. You’ve said, "As your days, so shall your strength be!" and "I am with you always, even to the end of the world!" We wait for these promises to be fulfilled. We need Your guidance and help at every step. We are weak, but You can make us strong to endure. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we can bring something of the love of Jesus to everyone we meet. We want to live in this world as those who belong to Heaven, carrying Heaven’s love in our hearts and Heaven’s light in our faces. Knowing our weakness, we cast our lives with all their burdens on You and ask You to keep us. Watch over each of us and bring us all together again this evening, if it is Your will. But if our circle is broken, if any of us are taken away from this earth, receive us into the Father’s house, where we will never have to leave. We pray for those who will have a hard day today—the poor, the sick, the tempted, those in the darkness of sorrow. Show Yourself to them in tender love. Hear our morning prayers. Keep us from all evil. Help us to faithfully do every duty. We ask all this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/15/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.