2 Samuel 13

1 After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom.
2 Amnon was sick with frustration over his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed implausible for him to do anything to her.
3 Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man,
4 so he asked Amnon, “Why are you, the son of the king, so depressed morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”
5 Jonadab told him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend you are ill. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare it in my sight so I may watch her and eat it from her hand.’”
6 So Amnon lay down and feigned illness. When the king came to see him, Amnon said, “Please let my sister Tamar...

WHAT ARE YOU CARRYING?

We can become so focused on what we are doing for God that we forget to ask what is happening within us.

Jesus said:

“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45)

Eventually, what fills us finds its way out.

If we continually carry frustration, it will surface.

If we carry bitterness, it will colour how we see people.

If we carry fear, it will influence our decisions.

But when our hearts are being filled with the presence, truth and love of Christ, something different begins to overflow.

Grace enters our conversations.

Peace steadies our reactions.

Compassion changes how we see people.

Hope becomes something we naturally give away.

Being a Kingdom Carrier is not only about what we carry to the world.

It is also about what we allow God to build within us.

So perhaps the question for this weekend is not simply:

“Where is God sending me?”

But:

“What am I carrying when I get there?”



Kingdom Carriers
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More from Jacob Isaac
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#KingdomCarriers #CarryTheKingdom #KingdomLiving #FaithInEverydayLife

Scripture Focus: Lamentations 3:22-23

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

How often do we wake up dragging the weight, mistakes, or guilt of yesterday straight into a brand-new day?

We carry the conversation we wish we’d handled better, the frustration we couldn't shake, or the goals we failed to meet—feeling like we’ve already started today behind schedule.

But God doesn’t refresh His grace on a monthly or yearly schedule. He resets it every single morning.

• Yesterday’s failures don’t cancel out today’s purpose.

• Yesterday’s anxiety doesn’t get to steal today’s peace.

• Yesterday’s stumbles were met with a grace that has already covered them.

When you opened your eyes today, God wasn't looking at you with disappointment over what didn't go right yesterday. He was handing you a clean slate, fresh strength, and unwavering love for the hours ahead.

Take a deep breath, drop what you couldn't fix yesterday, and step into today clean.

Save this post as your morning reminder that grace is always waiting for you!

#Lamentations323 #NewEveryMorning #FreshGrace #FaithInRealLife #ChristianEncouragement #GraceForToday #DailyDevotional #StartFresh #HisFaithfulness

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Yesterday was such a beautifully blessed day filled with hilarity, accomplishment, and love. With help from our guests, my storage unit is now empty and all that was left is now properly stored in my shed. My shed, appropriately named: All Things Not Garage, is tidy and does not look like anything that I would own. Now, the little garage which sits right beside the shed of all things not garage, it is a little more cluttered, but still does not look like anything that I would own … it is tidy-ish. My third yard got mowed without issue and I got me a nice hot bath. Played games on the phone with the littles, got cuddles and lots of giggles. However, the biggest event for my day was when we tried a new translation AP so that me and my friend could have a conversation. WE had a conversation … a conversation of giggles and hearty laughter.

As we tried to talk slow, but fast enough and fast, but slow enough for the AP to understand two old ladies … let's just say the translations … well, some were good and correct; others were good for loud laughing. This actually got me in trouble, because my daughter-in-law was trying to put the kids to bed.

In this transaction of trying to talk to each other without one of the kids being there to translate for us, these two old women laughed and bonded in love. Love for fun. Love for family. Love for the Spirit who wants us to understand each other a little better.

Sometimes, as adults, we get too caught up in the adulting part of life that we forget to remember to have fun. We forget that we are allowed to laugh. We are allowed to let go. We are allowed to be free of all the adult rules from time to time and just act like kids. To let our bodies feel the ache of stomach cramps from laughing too hard and too much. We are allowed to live.

This day even ended with hilarity. As I was saying my prayers and giving thanks, my mind was everywhere. Then when I went to recite the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father who art in heaven, hilarity be thy name….” I kid you not it took three tries before I got the words right. And yes, that caused even more laughing for me.
Today I would like to encourage you to find that inner person who is screaming for laughter. Who is crying to have gut-wrenching aches from too many giggles. Do not allow the enemy to keep you from the beautiful smiles and joyful bliss of laughter. Being an adult is hard enough; do not take away your playtime. Find time today to enjoy the blessings, instigate laughter, and smile because it looks good on you.

Be blessed.

**For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. – Romans 8:20-21

THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST 2026

Topic: You Are Not Behind

Bible Reference

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)

A Short Story

Samuel was twenty seven, and he had started wondering whether he was already too late.

Some of his friends had built successful businesses. Others had secured good jobs, bought cars, travelled to different countries, or started families. Whenever he opened social media, it seemed as though everyone was moving forward except him.

Samuel had a small business that was barely growing. He was also learning a new skill, but the progress felt painfully slow.

One afternoon, he sat with a friend and said, “I think I have wasted too much time. Maybe I should have achieved more by now.”

His friend looked at him and asked, “Who told you that your life must follow their timetable?”

Samuel became quiet.

He realized that most of his frustration was not coming from his actual situation. It was coming from constantly comparing his journey with other people's journeys.

That evening, he returned home and looked at the small notebook where he had written his goals months earlier. He noticed something he had forgotten.

He had actually made progress.

It was not dramatic. It was not something he could proudly display on social media. But he had learned new skills, become more disciplined, grown spiritually, and taken steps he had once been afraid to take.

For the first time in a long while, Samuel thanked God for the little he had.

He decided that instead of spending his energy asking why he was not where someone else was, he would focus on becoming faithful with where God had placed him.

Today's Message

Comparison can make you despise your own journey.

You look at someone else's finished product and compare it with your beginning. You see their achievement but do not see the years of preparation, sacrifice, failure, and waiting behind it.

God does not measure your life by another person's timeline.

The Bible tells us not to despise small beginnings. Something may look small today and still become significant tomorrow.

Do not be ashamed of starting small. Do not be discouraged because your progress is not yet visible to everyone.

Your responsibility is to be faithful with what God has placed in your hands today.

You are not behind simply because someone else arrived before you.

Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep praying. Keep working. Keep trusting God.

Your journey is your journey.

What To Do Today

1. Stop comparing your progress with what you see on social media.

2. Write down three areas where you have genuinely grown.

3. Identify one small step you can take toward your goal today.

4. Thank God for where you are while trusting Him for where you are going.

Prayer

Lord, deliver me from the pressure of comparison. Help me to appreciate my journey and remain faithful in small beginnings. Give me patience, discipline, and confidence to keep moving forward with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Challenge

Write down three things you have accomplished or improved in the past year, no matter how small they may seem. Thank God for each one.

Anthony Ijere
Christian Author and Revivalist

https://chat.whatsapp.com/BDs9qaNMQumKTicv7uU7SJ?s=cl&p=a&mlu=0&ilr=0

https://t.me/anthonyijere

Lifeline Today
Wednesday August 19
Anger Gives Wrong Label
Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NLT)

Anger is not sinful. It becomes a sin when it gets uncontrollable. Anger is usually manifested in a couple of ways. It can explode through lashing out at others, or it can implode inside you when you push it down and stuff it. Anger causes wrong labels because it narrows our focus. It makes us judge people or situations too fast. We see only the bad things. We miss the truth.

A temporary frustration can give you a permanent, unfair label like "you are toxic," "selfish," or "stupid". A person is usually measured by the size of whatever it takes to make such mad. He is seen as completely bad instead of just human. Therefore, remember God’s Word in Ephesians 4:26 that says: “Do not let the sun go down on your anger” meaning: resolve every issue before the day is over. If your anger is prolonged for just two days, it has turned into sin. This is your day.

Wisdom Fountain: "Anger is a wind which blows out the lamp of the mind."
Prayer: Lord, I pray You calm my heart and quiet my mind. When anger rises, give me the supernatural grace to pause, breathe, and choose self-control. Guard my lips from harsh words, replace my frustration with Your patience, and help me see every situation through Your eyes in Jesus' name.

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
Rip Off the Mask

By Shelley Quinn

August 14th, 2026

“Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.” Psalm 34:13

Finishing a brief therapy session, I slumped down on the side of my hospital bed. A charge nurse popped into my room to ask how I was doing.

“Great,” I smiled. “How was your son’s game?”

After our quick exchange I turned back to my therapist who sat on the window ledge, shaking his head.

“You are your own worst enemy, Shelley!”

My puzzled look prompted his further explanation. “I know you well enough now to know that when your pain becomes intolerable, you breathe in short gasps and perspiration beads on your forehead. But, you smile and gloss over your condition with a friendly word. Most people can’t be cheery when they’re suffering, and—hey—medical personnel are trained to determine treatment by reading facial expressions.”

He had worked with me earlier that month during my first week of hospitalization, following a five-hour spinal surgery. I suffered several complications—including nerve damage in my groins and an irreparable rotator cuff tear. Now, I had been readmitted because I couldn’t walk.

He called it correctly—brutal pain surged through my back, groins, and shoulder. His gentle rebuke echoed words from my distant past, when a spinal surgeon called me “my own worst enemy” for the same reason.

I’m a “grin-and-bear it” kind of gal. Not wanting to be perceived as a whiner, I mask the truth with a smile, using verbal camouflage to hide my brokenness.

Don’t pity me—you likely hide behind the same deflection technique. Have you ever arrived at church heavy-hearted, and when someone asked how you’re doing, you replied, “Doing great! Happy Sabbath!”? Later, you headed home with the same sadness, and no one had the opportunity to pray for you. Or you laugh off hurt feelings following a cutting remark, and never privately confront the abuser. Or a loved one asks, “Is something wrong?” and you hide your frustration with “No! I’m fine.”

People are not mind readers! Our words define us. When we express ourselves honestly, we become visible. When we hide behind a mask of verbal camouflage, we are invisible to others. Some of us wall in our pain, and—sadly—we often feel as if no one really cares.

Verbal camouflage is deceitful.

I get it! We don’t want to wear our feelings on our sleeves. But we need to figure out an honest response to the casual question, “How are you?” If you’re not doing fine—don’t lie about it. While you don’t want to gush out unwanted details, a simple, “I’ll get better!” or “I’m trusting the Lord!” or “I’m blessed, no matter what!” are some of the possible responses. If the person is unknown to you, or too busy to stop for discovery, they’ll go on. If, however, they respond, “Tell me about it!” you will know God placed that person in your path to comfort you.

Let’s rip off the mask and get real!

MONDAY MORNING PRAYER
“BUT IF NOT!”
A Faith That Trusts God Regardless of the Outcome!

Scripture: Daniel 3:17–18 (KJV)
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace... But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods...”

Heavenly Father, we come before You this Monday morning with hearts still overflowing from the awesome service we experienced yesterday. Thank You for Your presence, Your Word, Your power, and the reminder that You are still God—even when life doesn't turn out the way we expected.
Lord, as we begin this new week, give us the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They stood before a fiery furnace knowing You were able to deliver them, but their faith wasn't dependent upon whether You did.
Their declaration was simple but powerful:
“Our God is able... BUT IF NOT, we still won't bow!”
Father, give us that kind of faith!
When the prayer hasn't been answered yet—we will still worship You.
When the healing hasn't manifested yet—we will still trust You.
When the financial breakthrough hasn't come yet—we will still praise You.
When the family situation hasn't changed—we will still believe You.
When the door doesn't open—we will still serve You.
When we don't understand what You're doing—we will still declare that You are good!
Lord, teach us that real faith doesn't say, “I'll trust You if You do what I want.” Real faith says, “God, I know You are able, but even if You choose another way, I will not bow, I will not quit, and I will not turn away from You!”
Father, some of us may walk into a furnace this week—a difficult conversation, an unexpected problem, pressure on the job, financial concerns, family struggles, disappointment, or circumstances beyond our control.
But remind us that the furnace does not mean You have abandoned us!
Daniel 3:25 declares, “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire... and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
God, meet us in the fire!
If You don't keep us from it, walk through it with us.
If You don't immediately remove it, give us strength to endure it.
If You don't change the situation today, change us while we're standing in it.
And when we come out, let us come out like those three Hebrew men—not destroyed, not defeated, and not smelling like what we've been through!
Your Word says in Daniel 3:27 that “the smell of fire had not passed on them.”
So Father, don't let yesterday's fire contaminate today's attitude. Don't let past disappointments determine this week's expectations. Don't allow bitterness, fear, frustration, or discouragement to follow us into this new day.
We declare:
THE FIRE WILL NOT HAVE THE FINAL WORD!
We may be tested, but we will not bow.
We may be pressured, but we will not compromise.
We may be surrounded by flames, but we are not alone.
We may not understand God's plan, but we trust God's heart.
Father, cover our families today. Cover our homes, marriages, children, grandchildren, loved ones, churches, pastors, leaders, workplaces, businesses, finances, and every concern we're carrying.
Go before us on the highways and byways. Protect us from dangers seen and unseen. Give us wisdom in every decision, grace in every conversation, patience in every challenge, and strength for every assignment.
And Lord, when the enemy whispers, “What if God doesn't do it?”
Give us enough faith to answer:
“BUT IF NOT—I STILL TRUST HIM!”
Because our faith isn't merely in what God can give us—our faith is in who God is!
You are still Jehovah Jireh—our Provider.
You are still Jehovah Rapha—our Healer.
You are still Jehovah Shalom—our Peace.
You are still our Deliverer, our Keeper, our Refuge, and our Strength!
So we enter this Monday declaring:
OUR GOD IS ABLE!
But even if He doesn't do it the way we expected...
WE WILL STILL WORSHIP!
WE WILL STILL SERVE!
WE WILL STILL PRAISE!
WE WILL STILL BELIEVE!
WE WILL STILL STAND!
Because whether God delivers us from the fire or meets us in the fire, we know one thing for certain:
WE WILL NEVER WALK THROUGH THE FIRE ALONE!
Father, let the Word we received yesterday live in us throughout this entire week.
“BUT IF NOT!”
Our circumstances will not determine our worship.
Our disappointments will not destroy our faith.
Our trials will not make us bow.
GOD IS ABLE—AND GOD IS STILL GOD!
In the mighty, matchless, and victorious name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
AMEN!

MONDAY Morning Declaration...
My God is able! But if He chooses another way, I will still trust Him. I will not bow to fear, pressure, doubt, or discouragement. If I have to walk through the fire, I know I will not walk alone. God is with me, God is for me, and my faith will remain standing. BUT IF NOT—I STILL TRUST GOD!