Scripture Focus: Ecclesiastes 3:11 & 4:6 "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has set eternity in the human heart... Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on an endless treadmill—working harder, achieving more, yet still feeling strangely unsatisfied—the book of Ecclesiastes gives us a compassionate reality check. Solomon had access to all the wealth, wisdom, status, and pleasure the world could offer. Yet when he looked at the endless loop of human striving, he called it what it was: "a chasing after the wind." You can run as fast as you want after the wind, but you’ll never catch it. When we expect temporary things (like productivity, approval, or material success) to give us permanent soul-satisfaction, we end up exhausted. Why? Because God "set eternity in the human heart." You were created with an eternal capacity that temporary things were never designed to fill. • Your worth isn't measured by your output. • Your peace isn't found in having every timeline figured out. • Your soul was built for communion with God, not constant performance. Today, take a deep breath. You don't have to grasp for two handfuls of busy toil when God offers you one handful of genuine peace with Him. 🤍

Charles Spurgeon Morning Devotion August 17th "The mercy of God." Psalm 52:8 Meditate a little on this mercy of the Lord. It is tender mercy. With gentle, loving touch, he healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He is as gracious in the manner of his mercy as in the matter of it. It is great mercy. There is nothing little in God; his mercy is like himself--it is infinite. You cannot measure it. His mercy is so great that it forgives great sins to great sinners, after great lengths of time, and then gives great favors and great privileges, and raises us up to great enjoyments in the great heaven of the great God. It is undeserved mercy, as indeed all true mercy must be, for deserved mercy is only a misnomer for justice. There was no right on the sinner's part to the kind consideration of the Most High; had the rebel been doomed at once to eternal fire he would have richly merited the doom, and if delivered from wrath, sovereign love alone has found a cause, for there was none in the sinner himself. It is rich mercy. Some things are great, but have little efficacy in them, but this mercy is a cordial to your drooping spirits; a golden ointment to your bleeding wounds; a heavenly bandage to your broken bones; a royal chariot for your weary feet; a bosom of love for your trembling heart. It is manifold mercy. As Bunyan says, "All the flowers in God's garden are double." There is no single mercy. You may think you have but one mercy, but you shall find it to be a whole cluster of mercies. It is abounding mercy. Millions have received it, yet far from its being exhausted; it is as fresh, as full, and as free as ever. It is unfailing mercy. It will never leave thee. If mercy be thy friend, mercy will be with thee in temptation to keep thee from yielding; with thee in trouble to prevent thee from sinking; with thee living to be the light and life of thy countenance; and with thee dying to be the joy of thy soul when earthly comfort is ebbing fast.

Prophecy Alert. When Sunday observance shall be ENFORCED BY LAW, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, WILL HEREBY HONOR POPERY ABOVE GOD. He is paying homage to Rome, and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. HE IS WORSHIPING THE BEAST AND HIS IMAGE!! Satan is pulling a fast one folks.. only those that only go STRICTLY BY THE BIBLE will NOT be deceived.. Following a crowd now is so dangerous.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH 2026. TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II MEMORISE Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: - (Deuteronomy 7:12) BIBLE READING: GENESIS 20:1-18 (KJV) 1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. 4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? 5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. 6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. 7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. 8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. 10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? 11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake. 12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother. 14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. 15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. 16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved. 17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. 18 For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife. MESSAGE Years ago, a highly influential man in an Islamic nation, where church planting was prohibited, invited one of our missionaries to establish a church within his compound. When the church started, his wife said to him, "With your position in government and your influence in this nation, you allowed a church be established in your compound?" He looked at his wife and said, "Don't you dare say a word against these people!" I believe that it was easy for the RCCG to plant a church in that nation, and indeed many nations in the world today, because of God's covenant with its founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi. One of the gains of being in a covenant with God is that you will keep getting greater results than your peers as long as you keep fulfilling your part of the covenant. God will keep giving you results that are beyond your efforts. What other people struggle to get will come to you easily because of His covenant with you. In Exodus 19:5, God said, "If you will keep my covenant, I will make you a peculiar treasure." This means that people will take a look at you and wonder why God loves you so much. Several times, when I wake up at night and reflect on all the good things God is doing in RCCG, I usually say, "Lord, how can you love us this much?" Some people might claim that it is because we fast and pray, but believe me, some people fast more than we do. I recall vividly that when I became the General Overseer, I had some of my friends join me in a 36-hour non-stop prayer session. We thought this was a remarkable feat until we heard of a man who prayed non-stop for so much longer! I may not have spent as many hours in prayer at a stretch as that person, yet what God has done for RCCG is unprecedented and truly remarkable. Indeed, there are immense gains in being in a covenant with the Almighty God. Another gain of being in a covenant with God is protection. When a king took Abraham's wife, God intervened by appearing in the king's dream. He went the extra mile to protect her and instructed the king to ask Abraham to pray for him, as we see in today's Bible reading. Beloved, there are immeasurable blessings that flow from being in covenant with God. KEY POINT Being in a covenant with God gives you access to tremendous benefits and makes difficult things easy. AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR JEREMIAH 44 - 46 HYMN 19 - ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME 1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee! Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Cleanse me from its guilt and power. 2. Not the labours of my hands, can fulfill thy law's demands could zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone, thou must save and thou alone. 3. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling naked, come to thee for dress, helpless, look to thee fir grace foul to the fountain fly wash me saviour or I die. 4. While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyelids close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee. PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DATE: MONDAY AUGUST 17TH 2026 *THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II ‎PRAYER POINTS 1.Father, thank You for Your covenant to build Your church and never to allow the gate of hell to prevail over it. 2.Father, thank You for the spread of the gospel across the nations of the earth. Thank You for raising men and women to bare the light of the gospel even to the inter lands. 3.Father, thank You for divinely positioning men and women to favour the advancement of Your gospel across the world. 4.Father, please help me never to go out Your covenant for my life. Help me to keep fulfilling my part of the covenant so I can keep enjoying greater results than my peers, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please keep me in Your covenant, and grant me results that are beyond my efforts. Make easy for me what other people struggle to get, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to keep Your covenant, and make me a wonder to nations, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please show me Your mercy and let it continue to speak for me such that I will constantly enjoy unprecedented and truly remarkable blessings of Your covenant, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please keep me in Your covenant and let me and my household enjoy divine protection everywhere we go, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me to hearken to Your judgements, to keep and to do them, so I can abide in Your covenant and enjoy Your mercies, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please establish me and my household in Your covenant so we can have access to Your immeasurable blessings and benefits, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to continue to enjoy the gains of Your covenant with him, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎#GodBlessOThese prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you.

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 11–12 | Galatians 1 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 11 God Preserves His Covenant Promise 2 Kings 11 unfolds during one of the darkest moments in Judah's history. Following the death of King Ahaziah, Athaliah seizes the throne and attempts to eliminate every royal heir from the house of David. Her actions appear to threaten the very covenant God had made with David—that his descendants would continue until the coming of the promised King. Humanly speaking, it seems as though God's redemptive plan is in danger. Yet behind the scenes, God is quietly preserving His promise. Jehosheba courageously rescues the infant Joash and hides him in the temple for six years. While Athaliah believes she has secured her kingdom, God has already protected the rightful heir. The Lord's covenant does not depend upon human power or political stability. He faithfully guards His purposes even when they appear hidden. After six years, the priest Jehoiada carefully organizes the restoration of the kingdom. His leadership is marked by wisdom, patience, and reverence for God's timing. Rather than acting impulsively, he waits until the proper moment to reveal Joash publicly as the rightful king. When Joash is crowned, the people rejoice, and Athaliah's reign comes to an end. The covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people is renewed, and the temple of Baal is destroyed. Worship is restored, and Judah experiences peace because the nation once again acknowledges the Lord as its true King. The chapter demonstrates that God's promises cannot be destroyed by human rebellion. Though evil may appear to triumph for a season, God's covenant purposes always prevail. His faithfulness quietly sustains what human eyes often fail to see. Theologically, 2 Kings 11 reveals God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with David. The preservation of Joash ensures that the Messianic line remains intact. The chapter also highlights the importance of faithful individuals like Jehosheba and Jehoiada, whose quiet obedience becomes part of God's larger redemptive plan. This chapter points directly to Christ. The preservation of David's royal line ultimately leads to Jesus, the promised Son of David whose kingdom will never end. Though many throughout history attempted to destroy God's redemptive plan, the Lord faithfully preserved the line through which the Savior would come. For believers today, 2 Kings 11 reminds us that God is always at work, even when His purposes seem hidden. Evil never has the final word because God's promises are secure. In Christ, we belong to an unshakable kingdom established by God's faithfulness. We are called to remain faithful in our own generation, trusting that God uses ordinary acts of obedience to accomplish extraordinary purposes. 2 Kings 12 Restoring the House of the Lord 2 Kings 12 begins with the early reign of Joash, who comes to the throne under the godly influence of Jehoiada the priest. During these early years, Joash desires to restore the temple, which had been neglected during Athaliah's reign. His concern for the house of the Lord reflects a recognition that true national renewal begins with proper worship. The temple had suffered because God's people had neglected their relationship with Him. Rather than merely repairing a building, Joash seeks to restore the center of Israel's worship. The chapter reminds us that outward restoration should always reflect an inward desire to honor the Lord. As the work begins, practical challenges arise. Initial plans do not move as expected, requiring adjustments in leadership and organization. Eventually, a faithful system is established, allowing the people to give generously and the repairs to proceed with integrity. The workers are described as trustworthy, highlighting the importance of faithfulness in handling what belongs to God. The restoration of the temple becomes a community effort. The people willingly participate because they recognize the value of honoring the Lord. Their generosity demonstrates that worship involves not only words but also faithful stewardship of the resources God provides. Yet the chapter also contains a quiet warning. Although Joash begins well, the high places remain, indicating that complete spiritual reform has not yet taken place. The closing verses reveal political pressures that eventually lead Joash to compromise by using temple treasures to appease an enemy rather than trusting fully in the Lord. His reign ends tragically, reminding us that beginning well does not guarantee finishing well. Theologically, 2 Kings 12 teaches that worship must remain central to the life of God's people. It also demonstrates the importance of faithful stewardship, integrity, and perseverance. Spiritual renewal involves more than repairing outward structures—it requires continual devotion to the Lord. This chapter points to Christ, who is greater than the temple itself. Jesus came not merely to restore a building but to establish God's dwelling among His people through His own body. Through His death and resurrection, believers become the temple of the Holy Spirit, called to live lives that honor God completely. For believers today, 2 Kings 12 reminds us to invest in what has eternal value. Just as the temple required faithful restoration, our hearts continually need renewal through God's Word and Spirit. In Christ, we are called to steward faithfully what God has entrusted to us, serve with integrity, and remain devoted to Him throughout our lives. The goal is not simply to begin our walk with enthusiasm but to finish it with unwavering faithfulness to our Lord and King. Galatians — The Gospel of Grace and Freedom in the Christ The book of Galatians is a passionate defense of the true gospel and a powerful declaration that salvation is found through the Christ, the Son of God, by grace alone through faith alone. Paul writes to churches that had begun to drift from the simplicity of the gospel by adding human works and religious requirements to the finished work of the Christ. Throughout the letter, he calls believers back to the freedom that God has provided through His redemptive plan. The central theme of Galatians is that no one is justified before God by keeping the Law or by human effort. The Law revealed humanity's need for a Savior, but only the Christ could fulfill its righteous requirements. Through His death and resurrection, the Son of God accomplished what no one else could, making salvation available to all who trust in Him. The book repeatedly contrasts life under the Law with life in the Spirit. The Christian life does not begin by grace and continue through human effort. From beginning to end, believers depend upon the grace of the Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. The redemptive plan transforms people from the inside out, producing obedience that flows from love rather than obligation. Another major emphasis is Christian freedom. This freedom is not permission to live selfishly or sinfully but the freedom to love, serve, and obey God without the burden of trying to earn His acceptance. The Son of God has set His people free so they may walk in joyful obedience through the Spirit. The letter also highlights the believer's new identity. Those who belong to the Christ are sons and daughters of God, heirs of His promises, and members of His family. Their standing before God rests entirely upon the finished work of the Son of God. For believers today, Galatians reminds us to guard the purity of the gospel. Christian living is rooted in grace, empowered by the Spirit, and centered on the Christ. We are called to reject every form of legalism, trust completely in the finished work of the Son of God, and walk daily in the freedom He has purchased through His redemptive plan. Galatians 1 — Holding Fast to the True Gospel of the Christ Galatians chapter 1 immediately establishes the urgency of preserving the true gospel. Paul writes with deep concern because the believers were being influenced by teachers who had distorted the message of salvation. Rather than adding to the gospel, these teachings were actually replacing it. From the very beginning, the chapter points believers back to the Christ, the Son of God, as the only source of salvation and the foundation of God's redemptive plan. The chapter opens by emphasizing that Paul's calling and authority did not originate from human appointment but from the Christ Himself. This establishes that the message he proclaimed came directly from God rather than from human tradition. Christian living must always be built upon God's revealed truth rather than popular opinion or religious custom. The Son of God remains the ultimate authority over His Church. Paul quickly expresses astonishment that the Galatian believers were turning away from the grace of the Christ so soon after receiving the gospel. They were not rejecting Christianity altogether but allowing another message to replace the true one. This demonstrates how subtle spiritual deception can be. The redemptive plan is centered entirely on the finished work of the Christ, and anything that adds human merit to salvation undermines the gospel itself. The chapter makes it unmistakably clear that there is only one true gospel. Salvation is found through the Christ alone. No human effort, religious ceremony, or personal achievement can improve upon what the Son of God has already accomplished. Christian living begins with this unchanging truth and continues by resting completely in His grace. Paul also addresses the danger of seeking human approval. Faithful servants of the Christ cannot shape their message to satisfy people. Their calling is to remain faithful to God's truth regardless of opposition. The redemptive plan is too precious to be altered for the sake of acceptance or popularity. The Son of God calls His followers to proclaim the truth with humility and courage. The chapter then recounts Paul's own testimony. Before encountering the Christ, he was devoted to religious tradition and actively opposed the gospel. Yet God intervened by His grace, revealing His Son and transforming Paul's life completely. This testimony demonstrates that salvation is always initiated by God. The redemptive plan is founded upon divine grace, not human seeking. The Christ changes hearts, redirects lives, and calls people into His service. Paul emphasizes that after his conversion, his understanding of the gospel did not come through human instruction but through God's revelation. This highlights the divine origin of the message. Christian living must always remain rooted in the truth revealed through the Son of God rather than shifting with changing cultural ideas. The chapter concludes by showing how Paul's transformed life became a testimony to others. Those who had once feared him because of his persecution of the Church were now glorifying God because of the work of the Christ in his life. This is one of the great evidences of the redemptive plan. The Son of God does not merely forgive sinners—He transforms them into faithful servants whose lives point others to His glory. Throughout Galatians chapter 1, the focus remains fixed upon the grace of the Christ and the unchanging truth of the gospel. The Son of God alone provides salvation, and His finished work is fully sufficient. Every attempt to add to His work ultimately diminishes the glory that belongs to Him alone. For believers today, this chapter calls us to guard the purity of the gospel with humility and conviction. Christian living begins and continues through the grace of the Christ, never through human effort. We are reminded to evaluate every teaching by God's Word, to remain faithful to the truth regardless of cultural pressure, and to trust completely in the finished work of the Son of God. As we hold firmly to the true gospel, our lives become testimonies of His transforming grace and faithful witnesses to His eternal redemptive plan. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

LOST IN THE CHURCH: [BEING LOST IN CHURCH] Part Five Measuring Holiness There has been a great deception among many people who assume that holiness is measured by comparing a person’s good deeds with their bad deeds. When the scale of good deeds appears to outweigh the bad, they conclude that the person is holy. In this way, many have continued to measure Christianity by looking at what they have done and what they have not done. This kind of holiness focuses heavily on measuring sin according to the “Don’ts” found in Scripture. And this has become the interpretation of religion throughout history. It has continued to damage the Church and has contributed to leading many people to hell. Holiness or sin is not merely an action—not simply what a person does or does not do—but a condition of the heart. God is deeply concerned with the condition of our hearts. Actions are only the results of what is already inside the heart. Many have measured holiness by good deeds, yet the Lord does not look at things in that way. He looks at the spirit or intention behind every action, examining the manner and motive with which it was done. Therefore, the Lord is not simply looking for people who perform good deeds on earth, but for people who do what is right! There is a great difference between doing a good thing and doing the right thing. Sometimes the right thing may appear to be evil in the eyes of people. When the Lord commanded Israel to destroy the nations of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, as stated in Deuteronomy 20:17, could the world have called Him good? Yet we know without doubt that the Lord was doing what was right, because He does not make mistakes, and His works are always without error. Understand that sin is a condition of the heart, and there is One who examines the deepest intentions of the heart. A person can perform good deeds with an evil motive, while another can perform something that appears bad with a good intention. Therefore, it is very easy for a person to be deceived if they place their confidence in goodness or in their works. Indeed, evil kills; however, goodness can be responsible for deceiving and destroying even more people in the world than evil itself. One of Satan’s most powerful weapons for bringing destruction into the world comes through what appears to be good. There is hardly a greater deception Satan can use than coming to us dressed as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 Because sin is a condition of the heart, a person can be a murderer even if they have never physically killed anyone. Likewise, someone can be an adulterer before God even if they have never slept with a woman. For example, even if a lemon tree refuses to produce fruit, perhaps in an attempt to hide its nature, it cannot change and become a mango tree. We cannot remove sin from within ourselves by keeping the Law or by trying to be good. We must be transformed in our hearts as we hold firmly to the Cross. Otherwise, even if a person never commits an outward act of sin, that does not necessarily mean they are without guilt. Remember: even if a lemon tree does not produce fruit, that does not mean it will be counted as an orange tree. Circumcision of the Heart Essentially, there is no action a person can perform that can change their inner nature. Things such as religion and the Law can change the outward appearance, but they cannot transform the inner person. Christianity does not begin from the outside and move inward; rather, it begins from within and moves outward. Therefore, through religion, the Law, happiness, habits, the desire for praise, and so forth, it is entirely possible for a person to do good outwardly while not actually being good in their heart. That is why the Lord used circumcision as an illustration of removing the outward covering of hypocrisy, so that what is inside would correspond with what is outside. This was the foundation of the circumcision commanded by the Lord in the house of Israel, when He instructed them to circumcise the foreskin of their bodies. And was this not a prophecy concerning the circumcision of the heart in our present age, when we look to Christ, as it is written in Philippians 3:3: > “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.” If you are in church and have not been born again, understand that your nature has not been transformed. Therefore, even if you pretend to do good, fast extensively, keep all the Laws, observe all the ancient festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths, understand that hell awaits you! And these are words of truth. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Amen! #ToBeContinued... Mwl. Ernest Nyalula #LostInTheChurch #CircumcisionOfTheHeart #TrueHoliness #BornAgain #HeartTransformation #ChristAlone #GraceAndTruth #Christianity #FaithInChrist #TheGospel #JesusChrist #KingdomOfGod #LordBook #SpiritualGrowth #TruthOfTheGospel🙏

Urgent European Logistics for Fast and Reliable Freight Transport When shipments are time-sensitive, reliable transportation and clear communication are essential. Urgent European logistics services help businesses move important goods quickly across European routes with flexible transport options and dependable coordination. Whether it’s an urgent delivery, express road freight, or a dedicated vehicle requirement, choosing the right logistics partner can help reduce delays and keep your supply chain running smoothly. Learn more about urgent European logistics services: https://eurgent.com/

We are living in a time of tremendous technological advancement, specially in A.I., Data-Centres & Flock-Cameras. Hence the message is titled: "A.I. is far more dangerous than you think". Is this something to be frightened of, no certainly not: "When we see all these things happening, rejoice, look up, your redemption is drawing near. Technology can be used to spread the Gospel & Bible teaching fast & effectively, but this message is a warning against the spiritual dangers of A.I. So we can use it wisely but we need to be very discerning & wise & know when to not rely on this. Making sure that this reliance, does not become dependence, leading to be an idol that is giving us false information. https://youtu.be/MaQ8R5GJ4DU Teaching slides can be viewed on: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1526020529565547&set=pcb.1526046002896333

August 16 - The Danger of Wrongly-Based Rituals #LifeOfChrist “Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they?’” (Matthew 9:14–15). Religious ritual and routine, if not handled appropriately, will always threaten true godliness. Some practices, such as praying to saints or lighting candles for the dead, are heretical. But even biblical practices, when their forms become the center of attention, can become barriers to true righteousness. Church attendance, Bible reading, saying grace before meals, and singing hymns can become lifeless habits that exclude true worship and praise. When we apply good things such as these the wrong way, they can keep us from faithful obedience . . . and keep unbelievers from trusting in God. Alms, prescribed prayer, and fasting were the three major expressions of piety the Jews performed in Jesus’ time. The leaders took these matters quite seriously and were meticulous to practice them publicly so as to impress others with their piety (cf. Matt. 6:2, 5, 16). Thus these practices became badges of pride and hypocrisy rather than marks of humble and genuine religion before God. Jesus’ point in mentioning the bridegroom and his attendants is to show how out of place it is for His followers (attendants) to mourn and fast while He (the Bridegroom) is with them in person. Pharisaical manners and rituals are always wrong for Christians, but even good practices (such as sincere fasting), if not done properly, can hinder what the Lord wants to accomplish in our midst. Ask Yourself Should our answer to this kind of hypocrisy be the removal of all forms, disciplines, and ritual practices from our worship? Or is there value in these kinds of expressions? What would go missing from our worship if it was all spur-of-the-moment, with no cherished repetitions?

THE PILGRIMS GUIDE SUNDAY AUGUST 16, 2026 STAND TILL MANIFESTATION A WORD FROM THE WORD: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1 NKJV. God has called you to a life of total freedom and liberty. He obtained your deliverance through the blood of His one and only Begotten Son, the LORD Jesus, who offered a great, vicarious, complete and thorough sacrifice that guaranteed a great life for you. The devil has lost completely in every aspect of your life. The LORD Jesus came out of the grave announcing His victory over hell and death. You need to realise and hold on to the truthful fact that the devil is not going to give up without a fight. He will do everything possible in his power to stop the manifestation of your victory. The devil will roar like a lion but he does not have what it takes to prevail. You are the winner. All you need is to develop the kind of attitude that makes winning a reality. Learn how to stand until your victory is manifested. The LORD Jesus has empowered you with all that you will ever need. Take authority over the works of the devil and claim your victory once and for all. No matter how bad it may seem, choose to stand until the battle is over. Make sure you do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. Stand strong till the manifestation of your victory. PRAYER BULLETS: LORD Jesus, thank You for the victory You won for me by the reason of Your sacrificial death. Help me to stand firm in You till it manifests in my life. FURTHER READING: Galatians 5:1-26; John 8:36; Ephesians 6:10-13; James 4:7. __________________________________________ ©️ Amaobi Nwachukwu 2026. If you're blessed by this, please, do share with others. And if you'll like to partner with us, kindly check page 3 of our hard copy edition or better still send us a WhatsApp message or call on +234 8098421967. #ThePilgrimsGuide.