WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST 2026 Topic: Protect Your Heart Bible Reference “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) A Short Story Ruth began talking to someone she met online. At first, their conversations were simple. They talked about school, work, family, and their plans for the future. He always seemed to know what to say, especially when she was having a difficult day. After some time, Ruth became emotionally attached to him. She began checking her phone constantly, waiting for his messages. When he did not reply, her mood changed. When he was happy with her, she felt happy too. Her prayer life slowly began to suffer. She spent more time talking to him than talking to God. She started hiding some of their conversations because she knew her parents and trusted spiritual leaders would not be comfortable with what was happening. One evening, after an argument between them, Ruth sat on her bed and cried. She suddenly realized how much control the relationship had gained over her heart. She remembered something her mother had told her months earlier: “Not everyone who gains access to your heart has the right to remain there.” Ruth picked up her Bible and began to pray. She understood that protecting her heart did not mean refusing to love people. It meant being careful about who she allowed to influence her emotions, decisions, values, and relationship with God. It was difficult, but Ruth decided to create boundaries and step away from the relationship. Today's Message Your heart is valuable. What you repeatedly allow into it will eventually influence how you think, what you desire, and the decisions you make. This is why Proverbs tells us to guard our hearts with diligence. You cannot allow everyone to have unrestricted access to your emotions and expect your spiritual life to remain unaffected. This applies to friendships, relationships, social media, entertainment, conversations, and even the thoughts you repeatedly entertain. Someone may make you feel good and still be taking you away from God's purpose for your life. Something may be popular and still be harmful to your spirit. Guarding your heart is not weakness. It is wisdom. Ask yourself regularly, “What is this relationship, habit, conversation, or content producing in me?” If it is consistently drawing you away from God, you need the courage to create boundaries. What To Do Today 1. Examine the people and influences that have the strongest effect on your decisions. 2. Set boundaries where necessary. 3. Stop entertaining anything that repeatedly weakens your relationship with God. 4. Choose friends who encourage you to become better, not those who constantly pull you backward. Prayer Lord, help me to guard my heart wisely. Give me discernment to recognize influences that are not good for me. Help me to establish healthy boundaries and keep my heart focused on You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Examine one relationship or influence in your life today and honestly ask yourself whether it is drawing you closer to God or pulling you away from Him. ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist https://chat.whatsapp.com/BDs9qaNMQumKTicv7uU7SJ?s=cl&p=a&mlu=0&ilr=0 https://t.me/anthonyijere

August 19, 2026 (day 231/365) WEDNESDAY GOD'S WORD FOR THE DAY “Faithfulness in Small Things” Judges 12:14 “And he had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys.” This is the Word of God. Judges 12:14 gives us a brief picture of Ibzan’s life and family. Though the verse seems like a simple historical detail, it reminds us that a life is measured not only by great achievements, but also by the people we influence and the legacy we leave behind. We may never accomplish something that attracts worldwide attention, but our faithfulness in our families, churches, workplaces, and communities matters greatly to God. Every day gives us opportunities to influence others through our character, words, and example. Let us not despise the ordinary responsibilities God has entrusted to us. Faithfulness in small things can become a lasting legacy in the lives of others. May God help us to live faithfully each day and leave behind a godly example that will bless those who come after us. Amen. Have a blessed day with the Lord. -- Pastor Emmanuel Serto

🪸 FAITH REELS —AUGUST 18🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 🕊️ The Holy Spirit empowers your life. #LordsbookDailys #FaithReels #BibleTruth #AUGUST18

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE. *TOPIC:* EMPOWERED FOR UPRIGHT LIVING. *TEXT:* TITUS 2:12–13 12 It trains us to renounce ungodly living and worldly passions so that we might live sensible, honest, and godly lives in the present age Eph 1:4 Col 1:22 2Ti 1:9 1Jn 2:16 13 as we wait for the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus the Messiah. 1Co 1:7 Phi 3:20 *TOPIC:* EMPOWERED FOR UPRIGHT LIVING. *THE MESSAGE:* Upright living refers to a lifestyle characterized by moral integrity, righteousness, and adherence to God’s commandments. God created us to live extraordinary lives without struggle - a life above the power of sin, a product of grace. Man failed by disobeying and could not live an upright life. The salvation Jesus wrought restored man to the life he was expected to live. As recipients of God’s grace, we are empowered to live in a new way. Have you received the power to live this new life, or are you still entangled by sexual immorality, lying, and deception? The grace of God is potent to train you to renounce impiety and worldly passions. You must lean on Jesus to live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life in this present age. *REFLECTION:* You are empowered to live an upright life. *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to display this enabling grace daily. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* EZEKIEL 7-11. ED.ii. LOT'S FATAL DECISIONS "Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah — from the Lord out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land." - Genesis 19:24-25 Abraham was blessed by God and because his nephew Lot was with him, Lot was also blessed. Both had large flocks. At one point the shepherds of both flocks started to fight because there was not enough space. Abraham then let Lot choose to go either to the left or to the right. Lot saw that the Jordan area was good and made his first fatal choice. Lot chose the best for himself. It was his first step towards Sodom. It did not occur to him to consult the Lord first. So many Christians today do the same and make their own choices based on what they see, instead of asking for the Lord's guidance. Many follow the money. The evil one mainly whispers to young people: 'If you go for the money, you can achieve everything.' However, God's way is always the best way. Lot's second fatal decision is to pitch his tents nearby Sodom. 'Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord' (Genesis 13:13). Once you take one step in the wrong direction, it will not be long before you are completely on the wrong track. Lot's third fatal step is in Genesis 14:12, it says that 'he was living in Sodom.' So, it did not take long before Lot lived in the city of Sodom. God had to destroy Sodom because of the wickedness. It was because of Abraham's prayer for Lot and his family that God gave them an opportunity to flee the city. Dear reader, one day God will destroy this world as He did with Sodom and Gomorrah. Do not make fatal choices. Do not join the sinful practices of this world. Always choose to go the way of Jesus. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening Prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; ⏤ Psalm 103:17 There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still. ⏤ Corrie ten Boom We come with grateful hearts to You, O God, our Father. We will praise You as long as we live. We call on our souls and all that is within us to bless Your holy name and never forget Your blessings. You forgive all our sins. You heal all our diseases. You redeem our lives from destruction. You crown us with love and compassion. You satisfy our needs with good things, so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s. You, Lord, are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and full of mercy. You won’t stay angry forever, nor will You hold our sins against us forever. You have not treated us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is Your mercy toward those who fear You. As far as the east is from the west, so far have You removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so You have compassion on those who fear You. For You know how we are formed; You remember that we are dust. Our days are like grass; we flourish like a flower of the field. The wind blows over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But Your mercy, O Lord, is from everlasting to everlasting. We rejoice in Your eternity. We rest in it, knowing that our trust in You will never be shaken. The mountains may depart, and the hills may be removed, but Your kindness will never depart from us, nor will Your covenant of peace be removed. Grant us Your peace now, our Father, and keep us safe in the secret place of Your presence throughout the night. Bless us with Your tender love, we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/44/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

THE SUNDAY BLOG…… Sunday August 16, 2026 HAVING THE RIGHT PRIORITIES WHEN WALKING WITH CHRIST Walking with Christ requires a deliberate reordering of our lives. In a world saturated with distractions, ambition, and endless demands, keeping our focus centered on God is the ultimate challenge of discipleship. True spiritual maturity is not merely about avoiding sin; it is about cultivating an undivided heart that places God above all else. The foundation of proper spiritual priority is explicitly commanded in Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Jesus addresses the universal human anxiety regarding sustenance, success, and security. By commanding us to seek His kingdom first, Christ establishes that God’s rule, His values, and His glory must govern every decision. Everything else—career, relationships, and material needs—must occupy a secondary, dependent place. To maintain this divine alignment, we must recognize the radical nature of following Jesus. In Luke 14:26, Christ uses striking language: "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." This hyperbole does not negate the commandment to honor our families; rather, it illustrates that our love for Christ must be so supreme that all other earthly attachments look like indifference by comparison. Walking with Him means He holds the absolute highest allegiance of our hearts. Furthermore, setting the right priorities demands that we consciously detach ourselves from the fleeting values of this age. The Apostle Paul underscores this eternal perspective in Colossians 3:2: "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." When our daily ambitions, time management, and emotional investments are anchored in eternity, temporal pressures lose their grip on us. We stop living for the applause of the world and begin living for the audience of One. Ultimately, having the right priorities when walking with Christ transforms our daily existence. It simplifies our choices, eradicates crippling anxiety, and infuses our ordinary routines with extraordinary, eternal purpose. When Jesus is truly our first love, everything else falls perfectly into its proper place. CLOSING PRAYER….. Lord, realign my heart today. Forgive me for the times I let worldly distractions and temporal pursuits take the place that belongs to You alone. Help me to seek Your kingdom first with unwavering devotion. May my love for Christ surpass every earthly attachment, anchoring my mind on things above. Grant me the grace to walk closely with You, trusting that as I put You first, You will faithfully provide for all my needs. Amen. NEXT SUNDAY’S BLOG… Confused Priorities Can Seriously Hinder Our Walk With Christ. Let’s all be Bible readers and not just Bible believers! Amen!!!👏

📘 Bible Trivia — August 18 ❓ Question: According to Acts 19:6, what did the believers do after receiving the Holy Spirit? #LordsbookDailys #BibleTrivia #Acts196 #BibleQuiz #GetInTheWord #DailyInspiration #FaithOnline #GrowInFaith #HolySpirit

📘 Daily Devotion — August 18 | Acts 19:6 (NKJV) 💯 Living in the Power of God's Spirit In Acts 19, Paul arrived in Ephesus and met a group of disciples who had not yet fully understood the work of the Holy Spirit. After teaching them about Jesus Christ and baptizing them in His name, Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. This event demonstrated God's presence and confirmed His work among these believers as the gospel continued to spread. The central truth of this passage is not the outward signs themselves but the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God's people. From the beginning of the church, the Holy Spirit empowered believers to live boldly, faithfully, and effectively for Christ. For believers today, every follower of Jesus is called to live in daily dependence on the Holy Spirit. He gives wisdom, strength, comfort, and power to obey God's Word and to be faithful witnesses for Christ. Rather than relying on our own abilities, we can trust the Spirit to guide and equip us each day. Reflection Questions 1. Am I depending on the Holy Spirit in my daily walk with God? 2. In what areas do I need God's strength instead of my own? 3. How can I be more sensitive to the Spirit's leading? Prayer Lord God, thank You for giving Your Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen Your people. Help me to depend on You each day instead of my own understanding. Fill my life with Your wisdom, power, and love so that I may faithfully serve You and glorify Your name. In Jesus name Amen. Practical Application ● Begin each day by asking the Holy Spirit to guide you. ● Trust God's strength when facing difficult situations. ● Look for opportunities to serve others through the Spirit's leading. Takeaway Thought A life surrendered to the Holy Spirit is a life empowered to glorify Christ. #LordsbookDailys #DailyDevotion #August18 #Acts196 #HolySpirit #SpiritEmpowered #PowerOfGod #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

📘 Daily Verse — August 18 Acts 19:6 (NKJV) “And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” #LordsbookDailys #DailyVerse #August18 #Acts196 #HolySpirit #FilledWithTheSpirit #BibleInspiration #GrowInFaith

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional. Lessons From a Bow and Arrow. By Bobby Davis August 18th, 2026 “You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men.” Jeremiah 32:19 After growing up in South America, I felt pretty lost as a teenager, when my family returned to the United States. I spoke English, as I do now, but everything else was completely unfamiliar. Since I didn’t understand American sports, I looked for something I could get involved with, and for some reason, I chose archery. Before long, I learned all the right techniques and follow-through, but the part I lacked in was experience. Practice does not make perfect, but it does make permanent—so I practiced a lot. I got better, and realized that every single shot had to be carefully executed in order to hit the target. I learned many lessons from archery—persistence, the rewards of practice, and patience. But it was much later in life before I was able to see how really valuable those lessons were. You see, I’m rather impatient at times—with other people, and with myself. I’m not sure why that is, since my parents are really models of patience that I should have learned from. I remember a time when the big family Christmas present was a garage door opener. How excited I was to unpack the pieces. I spread them all over the garage floor, and tried to follow the directions. However, it seems that it was manufactured in a foreign country, and the directions didn’t make sense. But there were pictures, so I began assembly without actually trying very hard to decipher the written directions. And that didn’t turn out well. At times, my father would ask me, “Don’t you think you should do this or that first?” and I would impatiently tell him that I knew what I was doing. That man has the patience of a saint, because not only did he let me try to assemble it, but he also disassembled every piece when I gave up, and started over. Finally, it was done, and we put it up and tried it out. Believe it or not, over 40 years later, that garage door opener still works (although he did have to replace a fuse). Sometimes I’m impatient with God. And that archery experience comes back again. Consider these wise words from one of my favorite authors, Oswald Chambers. “A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer,” he writes. “God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says – ‘I cannot stand any more.’ “God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly.” Although I’m not much of an archer anymore, I know that if I’m an arrow in the hands of the Master Archer, He will never miss.

Guidelines for living. August 18th, 2026 3 Steps to Finding a New Direction. This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” But you said, “We will not walk in it.” Jeremiah 6:16 Jeremiah the prophet was a man who needs to be rediscovered today. The circumstances surrounding his life and world have so many parallels to life today. How so? Well, for one thing, instability had gripped the world. Jeremiah’s beloved nation was about to be chewed up by the powerful tiger of Babylon. Social structures were failing too. Families were being torn apart; truth and morality had been sacrificed in the process. The priesthood had become politicized. No wonder Jeremiah seemed out of sync with his day—an old prophet who castigated the moral and spiritual decline. No wonder he was publicly scorned and privately castigated. There is a text in the book which bears his name which needs to be emblazoned on the conscience of every parent: God expects more, something more of His children, than that which satisfies the world. God spoke to Jeremiah, here’s what He said, “Stand at the crossroads and look; [and] ask for the old paths, [and] ask where the good way is, and walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16). There were three parts to that advice: First, go back to the crossroads, back to the place where you took the wrong path, and look. God is saying, “Hey, you’ve been down the wrong road. You’ve learned that it didn’t bring you the peace or contentment. Now stand there—mentally speaking—take a look down the narrow road, the one that seemed to be less exciting, and realize it was here you went wrong. Let’s stop for a moment. Is it ever too late to acknowledge that you went wrong? You may think so, but in reality, it is not. A thief on the cross, seeing his life ebb away minute by minute, came to that place; he cried out, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He went back to the crossroads and took the right path. Before you go back to the crossroads—that fork in the road where you went wrong—you must stop what you’re doing and mentally look back. Often, we think, “It’s too late for me.” Not so, friend. Coming to the end of the year is a time for reflection and to go back if you missed the right path. Step number two in this process is this: “Ask for the old paths where the good way is.” In reality, prayer is asking. It is saying, “God, I went wrong. You know that, and now I admit it. I don’t want the future to be a rerun of the mistakes of the past. Forgive me, show me the right way to go.” Israel had missed God, and in spite of their waywardness, God promised to help them if they would only come back to Him. He said, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). God will do the same for you as well. Step number three in this process of finding the right direction is this: When you have found the good way, “walk in it.” This is a matter of simple obedience, of putting your feet in a straight line in the direction you know God wants you to go. And with that simple step of obedience comes a great promise. God said, “you will find rest for your soul.” God did not force them, He invited them. Sadly, Israel rejected God’s invitation. Don’t do it, friend. Going back to the fork in the road requires courage and humility. Resource Reading: Jeremiah 6:1-30