Assumption of Mary Tradition: - After Jesus' ascension, Mary lived with the Apostles until her death. Following her passing, she was buried by the Apostles. Tradition holds that the Apostle St. Thomas, who arrived after her death, was eager to see her one last time. Upon opening her tomb, the Apostles discovered it empty, leading to the belief that God had assumed Mary into heaven, body and soul, without her body decaying. Significance: - Mary as a Pathway: Mary, as the Mother of Jesus, is considered a pathway to heaven. Just as Jesus entered the world through Mary, believers view her as a guide and intercessor on their journey to eternal life. Feast and Celebration: - The Feast of the Assumption, celebrated on August 15th, honors Mary's assumption into heaven. This feast reflects on her role in salvation history and seeks her intercession. Spiritual Symbolism: - Ladder to Heaven: Mary is often depicted as a "ladder" through which believers ascend to heaven, symbolizing her role in bringing Jesus into the world and her ongoing guidance for the faithful. This belief underscores Mary's unique place in Christian devotion, highlighting her role in the divine plan of salvation and her continued spiritual presence as a mother to all Christians. #catholic #faith #mother #mary #Christian #belief #spiritual #freedom #Indianconstitution #democracy #freedomofreligionpractice #worldpeace #devotion #assumptionofmary #feast #tradition

God's Eternal Plan: From Mortal to Immortal Bible Text: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” — 1 Corinthians 15:53 (KJV) From the beginning, God's intended purpose was for man to live in immortality. But the enemy altered the blood of man — for when God breathed into man, he became a living soul, and Scripture affirms that the life of the flesh is in the blood.  This insight is drawn from a humble perspective, in God's lens and by His mercy: it was man's blood, the very vessel of life, that was altered. Though not explicitly stated in Scripture, this understanding arises from meditation upon God's Word — for the essence of deep study is not mere information, but divine revelation, insight, and understanding. Yet God already had an eternal plan in place: to turn man from mortal to immortal, like Himself. The death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus proved it. He came, born of the flesh, to shed His blood for us. He who knew no sin became sin, that He might shed His precious and stainless blood for our redemption. For it is blood that must be shed for man's redemption, and His blood alone was qualified — untainted, unaltered. He arose from the dead — this time without blood, in a body made immortal, because His blood had already been shed. He ascended as flesh, yet He ascended immortal, without blood, yet living — and He lives forevermore. The whole essence of this was to bring about God's eternal plan and purpose for man: to live immortal, like Him, for eternity in His presence. This is the reward awaiting His true Bride at His soon return — to be changed, translated into immortality, and caught up with Him in the air, unto eternal reign with Him, forever. God's Loving Heart.

❤️HOW TO KNOW GOD'S WILL FOR IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN YOUR LIFE. Part 5 of 6. How God Makes Known His Will for Specific Decisions and Needs. Continued. God is under no obligation to fulfill the promise in James 1:5 to give us wisdom unless we are willing to meet the conditions for obtaining it. Moreover, God declares that He only answers prayer when the motive is right, and that mere asking is not sufficient (Jam. 4:3). Frequently the Christian prays for guidance, or a revelation of God's will about some matter, but already has his mind made up as to what he wants to do, or how he would like for God to answer. Some people have been known to lie awake all night pleading with God to answer their prayer with no higher motive than the desire to persuade Him to come over to their side and give them their own way. Therefore, it is just as great a fallacy to emphasize the notion which is so popular today that prayer is the solution to all our problems, as it is to neglect prayer, using it only in an emergency. That is to say, we find the unscriptural idea being promoted on every hand that mere prayer is supposed to be the panacea for all our needs. In every time of crisis, when problems or troubles arise, when a difficult or seemingly impossible situation confronts us, the first thing most people advise is prayer. "Have you tried prayer?" they will ask. Or we are told, quite sincerely, "Did you know, prayer changes things?" They do not tell us, of course, just how prayer will change things, nor do they teach us how to pray about the problem confronting us. We are not advised, furthermore, as to whether or not God requires anything from us in the matter. "Just pray" we are told, "for prayer usually helps." However, as we have seen, God clearly states that He does not answer every prayer, in fact, He emphatically declares that He does not even hear our prayers unless they meet the conditions He has set forth in His Word. One of the most important conditions we must meet when asking for divine wisdom and guidance is that we must ask in faith, believing, without any reservations, that God will answer our request. This is clearly stated in James 1:5-7: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him. But how? Let him ask in faith, nothing doubting; for he that doubts is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." The prayer of faith is simply a prayer of expectation. What God tells us here in James 1:5-7 is that when we ask for divine wisdom and guidance we should pray expecting Him to grant our desire. Moreover, the prayer of faith is to be offered but once, for Jesus tells us in Mark 11:24, 'What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them." Faith asks but once for God to fulfill a promise. To continue to pray, pleading with God to answer, is our confession that I do not really believe that He has answered when we pray as He tells us to do (Mark 11:24). In view of this fact, if we pray ten times for the same promise, we have prayed nine times in unbelief, for faith knows when to stop praying about the promise and start praising God for the answer. There is a time to stop praying or you will pray yourself out of faith. When is this? You should always stop praying for a promise when you believe you have received the answer. Since Jesus tells us to believe we have received when we pray, quite obviously we should do our believing and receiving when we pray. Then we should cease praying for the answer and begin praising God that the manifestation of the answer is on the way. Jesus does not say in Mark 11:24 that the symptoms will improve immediately when we pray, or that the circumstances will show immediate change, but that we are to believe that He has both heard and granted our petition when we pray and that we shall have it. Faith keeps a distinction between accepting the answer and receiving it to our sight. We are to accept the answer when we pray (believe that God has granted our petition), and we shall have it (manifested to our sight). Merely because we do not see it immediately does not mean that God has not heard our petition and granted the answer, but only that He has not manifested the answer as yet. The question often arises concerning the widow and the judge in Luke 18, as to whether or not Jesus here approves of repetition in prayer for the same thing. This is not, however, an instance of repetition prayer, for Jesus would not contradict Himself elsewhere, but here He is stressing the need of persistence and perseverance in prayer; that is, holding onto a promise by faith, reaffirming daily, by praise and thanksgiving, that we believe that He has heard and granted our petition. In Matthew 6:7-8, Jesus condemns repetition prayer as typical of the prayers of the heathen, saying, "But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking," but "when you pray believe that you receive" (Mk. 11:24). Our first concern, therefore, when guidance from heaven is needed is not merely to resort to the shallow suggestion we so often hear today that one should "try prayer" as it may help, but it should be a time of searching the Word, and then our hearts, to see if we are fulfilling the conditions for God hearing our prayers and granting our petitions. As A. W. Tower once remarked, the popular notion that God always answers prayer (with "yes" or "no") is a device of Satan to deceive the carnal or indifferent Christian whose request was not answered because of his failure to meet God's conditions. To think that God always answers prayer, even if He says "no," is to take God's refusal to answer a disobedient Christian as the answer itself, contending, "Well, after all, God did answer me - He said 'no'." Such a view of prayer is contrary to Scripture, for God clearly states that He does not even hear those prayers which are not in harmony with His will (1 Jn 5:14-15; Ps. 66:18). Moreover, if an individual erroneously believes the popular notion that God always answers any prayer, and that "no" can also be an answer, then this person is never challenged to face the fact that his failure to receive an answer was due to his disobedience, lack of faith, or his failure to meet some other condition. I can personally testify to the fact that when we are careful to meet the scriptural requirements, then God delights in directing our steps, giving divine guidance and wisdom concerning those matters we place before Him. Thank God it is true, if any man lacks wisdom he may ask of God and it shall be given to him. Do you need wisdom or guidance in some important matter? Have you tried asking God, and in faith expecting Him to answer you? You are invited to do so in James 1:5. By Direct Revelation; As stated at the beginning of Chapter 2, there are eight scriptural methods by which God's will is revealed - three are active, in which we take the initiative, and five are passive, whereby we become the recipients of divine revelation concerning God's will for us. Passive revelation always comes to us unsought. Direct revelation may be either by vision, as in the case of Paul's vision in Acts 16 which was revelation of God's will for him to carry the Gospel into Europe; by direct voice, as seen in the case of God's call of Samuel (1 Sam. 3); by angelic visitation, as, for example, in the angel's visit to Mary and his revelation to her of the birth of Christ; or by dream, as we find, for instance in God's revelation to Daniel of the establishment of His Kingdom (Dan. 7). Jesus promised to continue revelation to the Church after His ascension, saying, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come (Jn. 16:13). When the Church lost the experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, she closed the channel and source of revelation. As a consequence, the Church changed her theology to conform with her experience, and there arose the erroneous concept that God purposed that all revelation was to cease with the apostles in the first century. It is interesting that there is not a word in the Scriptures to support this theory, but, on the contrary, God clearly states in 2 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4:11 that He has set in the church the gifts and ministries of revelation. In Romans 12:3-6 and 1 Corinthians 14 He admonishes us to ask for and use the gift of prophecy. In Joel 2 He clearly promises that in the last days "I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams" (2:17); While He promised in John 16:13, quoted above, to continue revelation to the Church through the Holy Spirit whom He would send. The various methods by which He would give His people direct revelation are stated to be by means of prophecy, vision and dream (Num. 12:6; Acts 2:17-18; 1Cor. 12; 14), by direct voice and vision (Jn. 16:13), "speak"' and "show" and on occasion, by angelic visitation (e.g. Luke 1; Acts 10:12; 27:23-24; cf. Heb. 13:2). It is important that we understand that although God occasionally uses each of the passive methods of revelation to unveil His will to us when He so chooses, we should not seek guidance by these means. Why does God choose the direct means of revelation, as, for example, through visions and dreams as a method of communication of His will and purpose? Why does He not merely illumine our minds as to His will as we pray or read His Word seeking guidance? Among other reasons, occasionally He must speak directly to us because of the urgency of the matter about which we are seeking guidance which must be dealt with immediately, or in a certain way, often contrary to what our wisdom and logic might tell us to do. At other times He speaks directly, imparting instruction or guidance, not concerning some matter about which we are praying, but about some important purpose which He wants to accomplish in or through us, which could only be made known to us by direct revelation. Again He speaks to us in visions for the obvious reason that one picture is worth a thousand words. God sometimes communicates His will to us through dreams, inasmuch as the state of sleep has certain definite advantages. At this time the conscious mind is at rest and is free from distractions. The spirit, of course, remains awake and can accept without analyzing and questioning what God desires to impart to us. Moreover, through the medium of vision and dream God can impress upon us revelation which transcends the sense realm and the ability of the intellect alone to comprehend. In some instances, God speaks directly in an audible voice in order to instruct us or reveal His will in some matter. By Indirect Revelation: God speaks to us occasionally by direct means, but generally He communicates His will to us indirectly. It may in the form of an inward knowing or witness in our spirit, or it may come as an inner witness to our spirit, or it may come as an inner witness from the Holy Spirit. At other times the Holy Spirit may give the guidance we need by the illumination of our minds to understand and interpret some portions of scripture which He will direct us to, or by giving the necessary wisdom and insight we require to make the correct decision concerning some matter about which we have prayed for direction. It is in the realm of indirect revelation that the importance of being completely yielded to the Holy Spirit is so evident, as was pointed out in the first chapter. To the extent one is yielded to the Spirit will he be sensitive to His voice when He speaks, and to the extent one is sensitive to His voice will he be able to respond. Moreover, there are many voices seeking to influence the believer, some of which are from God and some are not. Unless one is fully yielded he may be insensitive to the voice of the Spirit, or be deceived and ensnared by that which is false. A small puppy will respond to anyone who calls or offers it a crust of bread, but a well trained mature dog will not do so. It is sensitive only to the voice of its owner. It did not get this way by spending all its time running and playing with the other dogs, but it is the result of devoting long hours in discipline and training, learning to obey and respond to the voice of its master. We become sensitive to the influence and leading of the Spirit in the same manner. God is preparing His children for spiritual warfare ahead which will consist of men and women who will be so sensitive to the voice of the Spirit they will respond immediately and obey without question. Like a computer, they will be able to filter out that which is false and sense any error immediately. They will not have to call the pastor and ask if this or that doctrine is scriptural, or whether the prophecy which they heard is true or false, or whether or not some task they feel led to undertake is from God, the flesh, or the devil. However, the only way the believer will become sensitive will be through total consecration to Jesus and fully yielding to the Spirit. At present we find Christians so untrained in the Scriptures and so insensitive to the voice of the Spirit that many frequently will reject what God is saying and allow themselves to be deceived by that which is false and unscriptural, just as Jesus predicted would occur in these last days (Matt 24; 2 Tim 4:1-4). Again and again we are hearing of those who are falling victim to various errors, such as ultimate reconciliation where God will save everyone regardless if they repent or not including the devil and his demons, false hyper-grace gospel where a Christian does not need to confess sin after he is saved or does not need repentance to stay in fellowship with God, errors on the Godhead where they deny that the Father, Son, Holy Spirit are co-eternal and co-equal, once saved always saved that it does not matter how a person lives his life after salvation, we are all sinners even after salvation and no need to live a consecrated life, the give to get carnal prosperity gospel where you give me money and 100 fold comes back so you will be rich. Or the heresy taught by some that Jesus had to become a sinner on the cross to redeem us and suffered three days in hell tormented by demons. We find others, in a time where we are witnessing the revival of all forms of the occult, being deluded by believing everything supernatural is from heaven, and everyone who prophesies, has a vision, or predicts the future is from God. We find men and women calling themselves Apostles and Prophets commonly now who were never appointed or anointed from heaven but self-appointed deceiving many. As Jesus said, take heed lest YOU be deceived. (Matt 24:4) DISCERNING THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND RECOGNIZING THE WITNESS WITHIN; In order to mature in faith and become effective instruments in God's hands so that we will be in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing, it is necessary for us to learn how to recognize the inner witness of the Spirit, as well as discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. These are the two basic ways by which God leads and directs His people, whether in answer to some prayer for guidance, or in order to fulfill His will and purpose in their lives. We find that God frequently endeavors to speak to His people by means of the voice of His Spirit in order to direct guide, teach, or influence them along some line, but since they have not been taught how to discern His voice He often goes unheeded. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me" Jn. 10:27). How can they follow Him if they do not know how to discern His voice? He certainly did not mean that He intended to shout down out of heaven in order to direct them, but He did promise that He would speak to them by His Spirit which would be within them: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you in all truth" (John 16:13), and "he shall teach you in all things" (14:26). Some Christians are waiting for God to give them a revelation through a vision or prophecy concerning His will for them, or regarding some important matter about which they are praying, when, if they only realized it, God is already trying to communicate His will to them by His Spirit within them. If they would spend a little more time in His Word and in prayer, and be willing to get still before Him for a while, then they would begin to discern His voice and hear Him speaking inwardly to their spirits. The inner voice of the Holy Spirit is the voice of God speaking directly to your spirit in order to guide, admonish, teach, warn, or influence you concerning some matter (about which you may or may not be praying). God also enables us to know His will regarding some matter about which we are praying, or about some question which concerns us, by means of a witness within. This is an inward knowing in your spirit that a certain contemplated action on your part, or some doctrine, or revelation, for example, is right or wrong. Not only is the Christian the temple of the Holy Spirit, Who abides within to speak the direct revelation of God's will to him (Jn 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:10-13), but he also has, by virtue of the new birth, a new heart to discern spiritual things himself, and know the will of God intuitively by his own spirit (1 Cor. 2:14-16). He has received an anointing which abides in him and teaches him all things (1 Jn. 2:27). Thus, we find that it is also through his own enlightened spirit that the Christian is able by an inward knowing or witness to discern whether or not something is right or wrong. Let us say, for example, that you are praying about some matter about which you must make a decision, such as whether or not to buy a certain piece of property, marry a particular individual, or accept an invitation to speak to some religious group. If after thinking and praying about the question you find that inwardly there is a positive confirmation in your spirit to go ahead in the matter, or, you find that you experience a sense of uncertainty, reluctance, or heaviness of spirit, then this is an inner witness in your spirit informing you of God's will in the matter. In the former instance, your spirit was witnessing to you to go ahead, and in the latter, it was a warning not to take the proposed action. The witness within is an inward knowing intuitively, through the enlightened spirit of a Christian, that a certain contemplated action, a doctrine, some individual, or a ministry, for instance, is right or wrong, whereas the inner voice of the Holy Spirit is God speaking directly by His Spirit within you concerning some matter. It must be stressed, however, that the inward witness and the inner voice of the Spirit are not merely some "feeling" we may have about a matter. They have nothing to do with what one feels either with the physical senses or the emotions. It is either an inward knowing (inner witness) that something is right or wrong, or it is an inner awareness that the Spirit of God is speaking directly to our spirit about some matter (inner voice of the Spirit). Edited. Shared. To be Continued. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

DBF-001-016 Daily Bread Fellowship Today’s Scripture John 1:50 (ESV) “Jesus answered him, ‘Because I said to you, “I saw you under the fig tree,” do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’” Opening the Scriptures Nathanael believed because Jesus revealed that He knew him before they had ever met. Christ’s supernatural knowledge convinced him that he was standing before the promised Messiah. Yet Jesus immediately directed Nathanael’s attention beyond that first sign. In effect, He said, “If this has led you to believe, you have not yet seen the fullness of who I am. Greater things are still to come.” Throughout John’s Gospel those “greater things” unfold one by one. The disciples would witness water turned into wine, the sick healed, the dead raised, the authority of Christ over creation, His perfect obedience to the Father, His sacrificial death upon the cross, His victorious resurrection, and ultimately His glorious ascension. Every miracle and every word pointed to one truth: Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. The Christian life is much the same. When we first come to Christ, we know only a little of His greatness. As we continue to walk with Him through His Word, our understanding deepens, our faith matures, and our confidence in Him grows. There is always more to discover about the majesty, wisdom, mercy, and faithfulness of our Lord. Our greatest danger is not that Christ has nothing more to show us, but that we stop seeking Him with the same hunger we had when we first believed. Today’s Challenge Pause for a moment and ask yourself: What greater truth has the Lord shown me since I first trusted Him? Share one lesson God has taught you through His Word. Your testimony may strengthen another believer who is still growing in faith. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” — 2 Peter 3:18 Daily Bread Fellowship Feeding on God’s Word. Growing in Faith. Serving His People.

𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 ✍️ “𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵; 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵'𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.” Many of us know what it feels like to hesitate. We want to speak about Christ, yet fear whispers louder than faith. We worry about saying the wrong words, being rejected, or not knowing enough. Whether we are naturally bold or painfully timid, the question is not whether we have enough ability—but whether we are depending on the power God has already promised. Just before His ascension, Jesus declared in 🕮 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝟏:𝟖, “𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶: 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦.” The disciples were not instructed to rush into ministry armed only with enthusiasm. They were to wait until they were clothed with the Spirit's power. The power was never ours—it comes from above. Like a fuel-less engine, the church may have programs and plans but won’t move without the Spirit. Talent, experience, and education can’t accomplish what only the Holy Spirit can do. The Church advances not by gifted people, but by the Spirit moving through surrendered people. Throughout Scripture, God's servants depended upon His power rather than their own. “𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵, 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘖𝘙𝘋 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴” (𝐙𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟒:𝟔). Jesus promised that the Holy Ghost would “𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴” (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟒:𝟐𝟔) and “𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩” (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟔:𝟏𝟑). The Spirit transforms ordinary into a bold testimony (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟔:𝟖). The Spirit’s power is not for comfort alone—it is for mission. The greatest obstacle to witnessing is often not a lack of opportunity but a lack of dependence. Don't mistake confidence in yourself for confidence in the Spirit. We do not manufacture power; we yield to the One who gives it. Where the Spirit rules, fear loses its voice, courage finds its footing, and the Gospel moves forward. Before Christ commanded us to go, He provided the power to go. He first accomplished redemption through His death, burial, and resurrection (𝟏 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟑–𝟒). The same Christ who died to save us now lives to empower us, that the Gospel would reach “𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩” (𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝟏:𝟖). When was the last time you depended on the Holy Spirit before opening your mouth for Christ? Are you trusting your own confidence, or His power? You don't need Christ merely to give you courage—you need Him because His Spirit is the only power that can turn fearful believers into faithful witnesses. The mission is His. The power is His. The witness is ours. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit. Forgive us for relying on our own strength instead of Your power. Fill us with boldness, courage, and conviction to witness faithfully. Empower us to proclaim Christ with clarity and love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. Remember, a dose of God’s Word a day will keep you going all day! 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝... _____________________________________________________ All scripture references were taken from the KJV Bible. Thank you for allowing this ministry to be a part of your day… If my posts speak to your heart, you may be blessed by the full devotional series created for deeper reflection and journaling: 👉 FREE FlipBook Previews: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/ae17998766.html 📚 Also available now on Amazon (Kindle & Paperback) ✨ Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited! https://www.amazon.com/author/dennislastimoso Also, just in case you need a reliable, dedicated online Bible Study Tool, I created one for you. 👉 Try it here for FREE, anytime at your hand: https://www.baptistry.app Your support helps us continue this ministry, edifying the believers around the world. May God bless you more abundantly…

Daily Devotion: 2 Corinthians 4:18 People look at Christians in disbelief. Why? Because we believe in an unseen God. For a short while this God became a man, Jesus Christ, and he lived among the people of his time. He was a teacher, a prophet, a miracle worker and our Messiah. The unfairness of his ending resonates through the ages. An innocent man, bearing the scorn and the torture of ignorant people and, finally, the crucifixion. Do you really understand what he did for us? He carried the burden of sin of every generation and gave them the opportunity to be forgiven. He was the final sacrifice and he went to it willingly. Friends, He died for us and in his death we found redemption. In his resurrection we found a promise of life everlasting and in his ascension to heaven we received the hope of his return. He sent the unseen Holy Spirit to support his people. This includes all nations that accept him as our Saviour. Do you have the flame of the Holy Spirit burning in you? If not, seek it, for time is getting short and judgment is not far away. Give your life to Christ, worship the unseen and you will be blessed. #2Corinthians4 #Worship #Faith

Ellen G. White THE ASCENSION OF of CHRIST All heaven was waiting the hour of triumph when Jesus should ascend to His Father. Angels came to receive the King of glory and to escort Him triumphantly to heaven. After Jesus had blessed His disciples, He was parted from them and taken up. And as He led the way upward, the multitude of captives who were raised at His resurrection followed. A multitude of the heavenly host were in attendance, while in heaven an innumerable company of angels awaited His coming. As they ascended to the Holy City, the angels who escorted Jesus cried out, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” The angels in the city cried out with rapture, “Who is this King of glory?” The escorting angels answered in triumph, “The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in!” Again the waiting angels asked, “Who is this King of glory?” and the escorting angels answered in melodious strains, “The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.” And the heavenly train passed into the city of God. Then all the heavenly host surrounded their majestic Commander, and with the deepest adoration bowed before Him and cast their glittering crowns at His feet. And then they touched their golden harps, and in sweet, melodious strains filled all heaven with rich music and songs to the Lamb who was slain, yet lives again in majesty and glory. As the disciples gazed sorrowfully toward heaven to catch the last glimpse of their ascending Lord, two angels clothed in white apparel stood by them and said to them, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” The disciples and the mother of Jesus, who with them had witnessed the ascension of the Son of God, spent the following night in talking over His wonderful acts and the strange and glorious events which had taken place within a short time. Satan again counseled with his angels, and with bitter hatred against God’s government told them that while he retained his power and authority upon earth their efforts must be tenfold stronger against the followers of Jesus. They had prevailed nothing against Christ but must overthrow His followers, if possible. In every generation they must seek to ensnare those who would believe in Jesus. He related to his angels that Jesus had given His disciples power to rebuke them and cast them out, and to heal those whom they should afflict. Then Satan’s angels went forth like roaring lions, seeking to destroy the followers of Jesus. EW 190.2 - EW 191.2

The Incarnation as the first event marked the redemptive entrance of God into human life as true man. The second event in the series was the means by which God could remain just and yet justify guilty men—the Atonement. The third, the Resurrection, demonstrated that man’s three great enemies—death, Satan, and hell—had been dealt their death blow. The fourth—the Ascension—showed that the Father had accepted the atoning work of the Son and that His righteous demands had been met. Pentecost, the fifth, assures us that the Spirit of God has come to achieve His certain purposes in the world, in the Church, and in the individual believer! - BILLY GRAHAM

Daily Bible Lesson. THE BIOGRAPHY OF JESUS CHRIST — THE LORD WHO SAVES. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” — John 14:6. Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity—the Saviour who came into the world to reveal God's love, teach truth, and redeem humanity through His death and resurrection. 1. PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: Jesus Christ Hebrew: Yeshua Greek: Iēsous Meaning: “The Lord Saves” Birth: Traditionally dated to around 4–6 B.C., in Bethlehem of Judea. Family: Mother: Mary, a young Jewish woman. Legal Father: Joseph, a carpenter from Nazareth and descendant of David. Siblings: The Gospels mention brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas—and also unnamed sisters (Mark 6:3). Origin: Jesus was Jewish and was associated with the tribe of Judah and the royal lineage of David. He was raised in Nazareth of Galilee. 2. EARLY LIFE Birth in Bethlehem: Jesus was laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn (Luke 2:7). Visitors: Shepherds came to see Him, and later wise men from the East visited Him. Flight to Egypt: Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod's attempt to kill Him (Matthew 2:13–15). Return to Nazareth: After Herod's death, the family returned and settled in Nazareth. At Age 12: Jesus astonished the teachers in the temple with His understanding and answers (Luke 2:46–47). 3. EDUCATION & TEACHING Jesus was not known to have attended a formal rabbinical school. Some people were amazed at His knowledge and asked, “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” (John 7:15). His teaching was marked by: Deep knowledge of Scripture Divine wisdom Dependence upon His Father Unparalleled spiritual authority Jesus was called Rabbi, meaning Teacher, by many who recognized His authority (John 3:2). His authority did not come from human credentials—it came from the truth He taught and the divine mission He fulfilled. 4. CAREER & PUBLIC MINISTRY Occupation: Jesus was known as a carpenter or craftsman (Mark 6:3). He worked before beginning His public ministry. Public Ministry: He preached the Kingdom of God and: Healed the sick Cast out demons Forgave sins Performed miracles Raised the dead Taught God's truth Trained His disciples 5. ACHIEVEMENTS & CHALLENGES His Achievements He taught the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). He performed many recorded miracles. He trained twelve apostles and many other disciples. He fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. His Challenges Opposition from religious leaders. Rejection by people in His hometown. Betrayal by Judas. Denial by Peter. Abandonment by His disciples. False accusations, torture, and crucifixion. 6. MARRIAGE, CHILDREN & PERSONAL LIFE Marriage & Children: The Bible does not record Jesus as having a wife or biological children. His earthly life was completely devoted to His Father's mission. Personal Life: Scripture does not describe hobbies in the modern sense, but Jesus regularly: Withdrew to pray Spent time alone with His Father Fasted Spent time in quiet places His greatest passion was fulfilling the will of His Father and saving humanity. 7. MAJOR TURNING POINTS Baptism: Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved Son.” (Matthew 3:16–17) Temptation in the Wilderness: Jesus fasted for forty days and resisted Satan's temptations (Matthew 4:1–11). Transfiguration: Jesus revealed His glory before Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1–8). Gethsemane: Before the cross, Jesus experienced profound anguish and submitted Himself to the Father's will (Luke 22:39–46). 8. LEGACY & IMPACT Redemption: Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the foundation of Christian hope for salvation. The Church: He established and commissioned His followers to carry the gospel to the world. His Teachings: He taught radical love, forgiveness, humility, mercy, and service. Global Impact: Billions of people identify as Christians worldwide. His teachings have profoundly influenced cultures and societies. His life became a central reference point in the traditional division of history into B.C. and A.D. 9. HISTORICAL CONTEXT Jesus lived during the period of Roman rule in Judea. Caesar Augustus was emperor during the time of His birth. Herod the Great ruled Judea as a Roman client king. The period was marked by: Roman political control Social unrest Religious tension Jewish hopes for the promised Messiah 10. CHALLENGES & HOW JESUS RESPONDED Challenges Religious opposition from Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes. Misunderstanding from His own disciples. Betrayal by Judas. Denial by Peter. Abandonment by His followers. False accusations, torture, and crucifixion. His Response Deep prayer life Complete trust in the Father's will Unshakable commitment to His mission Forgiveness—even toward those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34) Jesus responded to hatred with love, to betrayal with forgiveness, and to suffering with obedience. 11. REFLECTIONS & LESSONS FROM JESUS Lessons He Taught Love your enemies — Matthew 5:44 Treat others as you would want to be treated — Luke 6:31 True greatness is found in serving others — Mark 9:35 Forgive others Love God with all your heart Core Christian Beliefs God is love. Salvation is offered through God's grace and received through faith. Eternal life is available through Jesus Christ. Jesus' Call to His Followers “Take up your cross, and follow Me.” — Matthew 16:24 “Love the Lord thy God... and thy neighbour as thyself.” — Matthew 22:37–39 12. HIS DEATH & RESURRECTION Crucifixion: Jesus was crucified under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, around A.D. 30–33, during Passover. Place: Golgotha, meaning “The Place of the Skull,” outside Jerusalem. Manner: He was crucified between two criminals after suffering severe physical abuse. Significance: Christians believe Jesus died as the Lamb of God, making salvation available to humanity (John 1:29). Resurrection: Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and appeared to His followers and many others, including more than 500 people according to 1 Corinthians 15:6. Ascension: He later ascended into heaven. THE CROSS WAS NOT THE END—THE EMPTY TOMB DECLARED THAT JESUS HAD CONQUERED DEATH! 13. HIS LEGACY AFTER DEATH Christianity spread throughout the world. His followers carried His gospel to the nations. His life inspired martyrs, missionaries, reformers, and countless believers. His resurrection remains the central hope of Christianity. His message continues to transform lives today. THE GREATEST LIFE EVER LIVED Jesus was more than a historical figure. He is the Saviour, the Messiah, the Son of God, and the hope of humanity. He came to seek the lost. He came to reveal the Father's love. He died for sinners. He conquered the grave. He is coming again! THE QUESTION IS NOT ONLY “WHO WAS JESUS?” THE QUESTION IS: “WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?”

Daily devotion for July 27th Praying What Is Promised And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:5 Jesus is praying that He might resume now the full manifestations of deity. He had laid them aside when He came into the world, taking upon Himself the limitations of humanity. When our Lord was here He did not go around showing people how God behaved; He showed them how humanity behaved--humanity indwelt by God, as God intended humanity to be. And all that you see in Jesus during the days of His flesh is a perfect humanity. His deity was hidden. He didn't give it up--you can't give up what you are--but He laid aside the exercise of it. Now He is asking that the Father will restore to Him that expression of deity that was His before the world was made. By this He is praying for the resurrection and the ascension to follow--that the Father would raise Him from the dead in glory and then later cause Him to ascend to heaven to be with Him as He was before the world was made. He needs this in order to perform the work of giving eternal life to all those whom the Father would bring to Him out of every succeeding generation. It is as God that He gives us eternal life. There is a tremendous lesson here about prayer. Was it not already God's program that if the Son were crucified He would be raised from the dead and ascend into the heavens? Yet when the hour comes, Jesus asks the Father to do this. He prays for this glory that was already promised to Him. This helps us a great deal in understanding prayer. Many people say to me, Why should I pray? God has already programmed my life. He knows what I'm going to do and what's going to happen to me, so why should I ask Him to do anything? It's all going to happen anyway. That position totally ignores the revelation of the Scriptures that prayer is a part of the process by which God brings to pass what He has already proposed to do. James tells us, You do not have, because you do not ask God (James 4:2b). If you do not ask, it will not happen, because it breaks the link by which God proposes to bring it about. Therefore prayer is vital, and our Lord gives us this example. He prays for that which was already promised him. Prayer is always based upon the promises of God. Thank You, Father, that by inviting us to pray, You allow us to take part in the fulfillment of Your eternal purposes.