Monday Encouragement — Our Sovereign God Still Reigns Blessings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we begin another week, the condition of our world has not suddenly changed. Wars and rumors of wars continue, nations struggle with uncertainty, economies create anxiety, and political leaders offer countless plans and promises for solving the problems confronting humanity. Yet as followers of Jesus Christ, we must continually remind ourselves of one unchanging truth: Our sovereign God is still upon His throne. Our hope must never rest upon presidents, prime ministers, governments, political parties, military strength, or human wisdom. God may certainly use leaders and nations to accomplish His purposes, but Scripture reminds us that ultimately He alone rules over the affairs of mankind. “For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations.” — Psalm 22:28 Therefore, we should not allow every headline or political development to control our peace. Instead, Scripture commands us to pray for those in authority. We pray that God will grant them wisdom, restrain evil, protect the innocent, and accomplish His sovereign purposes through them—even when they themselves may not recognize His hand. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority…” — 1 Timothy 2:1–2 There is an important difference between being informed about the world and being consumed by it. We should care deeply about suffering, injustice, war, poverty, and the difficulties facing our neighbors. But we must never carry these burdens as though the future depended entirely upon human beings. Instead, take them to the throne of grace. Pray for our nation. Pray for the nations of the world. Pray for those in authority. Pray for peace. Pray for the persecuted Church. Pray that doors will continue opening for the Gospel. And above all, pray that men and women everywhere will repent of their sins and turn to Jesus Christ. Whatever happens this week, remember: God has not surrendered His authority. Christ is still Lord. His Word remains true. His purposes cannot be defeated. Let us therefore begin this week not with fear, but with prayer; not trusting in human power, but resting confidently in our sovereign God. “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” — Psalm 46:10 May the Lord keep our eyes fixed upon Christ and make us faithful witnesses of His Gospel in an anxious and troubled world. Serving Christ Together for His Glory Alone. Soli Deo Gloria.

THE CALVARY MINISTRY – ONLINE ✝️ THE CROSS OF CALVARY 🙏🏽 📅 MONDAY, 17TH AUGUST, 2026 📜 TEXT: JOHN 7:37–39 📜 🔑📖 KEY VERSE: «“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” — John 7:37 (KJV)» 💧 THE LIVING WATER THAT FLOWS FROM CHRIST The Cross of Calvary reveals the depth of God's love, but the message of Christ does not end at the Cross. Jesus calls every thirsty soul to come to Him and receive the living water that only He can give. ✝️💧 There is a thirst in every human heart that money cannot satisfy, success cannot quench, relationships cannot completely fill, and worldly pleasures cannot permanently silence. Jesus stands as the answer to that deepest thirst. He does not merely offer us something to drink—He offers us Himself. ❤️‍🔥 🔥 THREE TRUTHS FROM JOHN 7 1️⃣ JESUS INVITES THE THIRSTY. 💧 «“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” — John 7:37» Notice the words: “If any man.” The invitation is open to everyone. It does not matter how broken your past has been. It does not matter how far you have wandered. It does not matter how empty your heart feels. Jesus says: COME. Come with your weakness. Come with your questions. Come with your failures. Come with your burdens. Come with your thirst. The answer is found in Christ. 2️⃣ CHRIST IS THE SOURCE OF TRUE SATISFACTION. ❤️ The world constantly offers temporary solutions to spiritual hunger and thirst. It tells us to pursue possessions, pleasure, recognition and human approval. But everything the world offers eventually leaves us wanting more. Jesus offers something different. He gives living water—the life, presence and work of the Holy Spirit within the believer. When Christ becomes the centre of your life, you no longer have to depend on the world to define your worth or satisfy your soul. Jesus is enough. 🙏🏽 3️⃣ THE HOLY SPIRIT FLOWS THROUGH THE BELIEVER. 🔥💧 «“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” — John 7:38» Jesus does not intend for us to keep His life within ourselves. The living water is meant to flow. What God pours into you should become a blessing to others. Your testimony can encourage someone. Your prayers can strengthen someone. Your kindness can restore someone. Your witness can lead someone to Christ. A believer should not be a spiritual reservoir that only receives. We are called to become channels through which God's grace flows. ❤️‍🔥 🌿 TODAY'S REFLECTION What are you truly thirsty for? Are you thirsty for God—or are you constantly trying to satisfy your heart with the things of this world? Jesus is still calling: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” Do not run to the world when your soul is thirsty. Run to Jesus. When you are empty—come to Jesus. When you are discouraged—come to Jesus. When you are spiritually dry—come to Jesus. When you need direction—come to Jesus. When you need peace—come to Jesus. The world may offer temporary refreshment, but Christ gives living water. And when you have received His living water, allow it to flow through your life and touch others. 🙏🏽 PRAYER Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us Jesus Christ, the source of living water. Thank You that through Him we can receive true spiritual life and satisfaction. Lord Jesus, I come to You today with every thirst, every burden and every emptiness in my heart. Fill me with Your presence. Let the Holy Spirit refresh my soul and strengthen my faith. Remove every desire that has taken Your place in my heart. Teach me to seek You above everything else. Let the living water within me flow into my family, my relationships, my church, my workplace and everyone I encounter. Make my life a vessel through which Your love, grace and truth can reach others. May I never try to satisfy my soul with what can only leave me empty. Jesus, You are enough for me. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. 🙏🏽✝️ 🌹 CALVARY BLESSING May the Lord satisfy every spiritual thirst within you. 💧 May the Holy Spirit refresh your soul. May God's presence strengthen you when you are weak. May His Word guide you when you are confused. May rivers of living water flow through your life and become a blessing to others. May your heart always hunger for God and your spirit continually thirst for His presence. Come to Christ. Drink deeply from His presence. Walk in the Spirit. Let His life flow through you. 💧✝️ JESUS IS THE LIVING WATER! 🔥 THE CROSS STILL SPEAKS! 🔥 By: BR. Emmanuel Dankwah 🙏🏽

Some burdens stay heavy because we keep picking them back up. Guard your heart. Pay attention not only to what gets in, but to what you keep asking it to carry.

🤝 We are stronger together, carry one another's burdens with love. 📲 Share this with someone who needs encouragement and support today. #Galatians62 #BearOneAnothersBurdens #LoveLikeChrist #EncourageOthers #ServeOthers #ChristianCommunity #FaithInAction #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

Taking Time to Know God: In the Quiet Moments: Resting in His Presence Scripture: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28 (NKJV) Reflection: Jesus doesn’t just offer rest from physical exhaustion—He offers rest for the soul. His invitation is tender and personal: “Come to Me.” In the quiet, we lay down our burdens and receive His peace. Resting in His presence is not weakness—it’s worship. It’s a declaration that we trust Him more than our own strength. When we come to Him, we find renewal, comfort, and a deep sense of being known and loved. Application: Take a moment to breathe deeply and invite Jesus into your weariness. Let His words wash over you. Consider journaling what rest in Him looks like for you today. Prayer: Jesus, I come to You with my burdens. I receive Your rest—not just for my body, but for my soul. Thank You for being my refuge and renewal. Amen.

“True rest is not found in the absence of problems, but in the presence of the Lord.” There are battles you cannot win by striving, burdens you cannot carry by yourself, and seasons where the greatest act of faith is simply to rest in God and trust Him. This Sunday, we invite you to join us for a powerful time of worship, the Word, prayer, and fellowship as we discover the beauty and power of REST IN THE LORD. 📖 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 🕔 5:00 PM Come as you are. Lay down the burdens. Rest in His presence. Trust His plan. This Sunday, let your soul find rest in the Lord.

The Story Behind the Hymns THE STORY BEHIND "WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS" “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” was born from personal sorrow, faith and a deep confidence in prayer. The hymn was written by Joseph Medlicott Scriven, an Irish-born poet who emigrated to Canada in the 1840s. Scriven experienced profound personal loss, including the tragic death of his fiancée shortly before their planned marriage. Years later, when Scriven learned that his mother in Ireland was seriously ill, he was unable to travel to be with her. Instead, he wrote a poem to comfort her and remind her of the friendship and strength found in Jesus. The poem, written around 1855, was titled “Pray Without Ceasing.” Its opening words captured the heart of his message: “What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!” The words were later discovered and published, eventually becoming known as “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” The familiar melody was composed by Charles Crozat Converse in 1868. His tune, now inseparably connected with Scriven’s words, helped transform the poem into one of Christianity’s most beloved hymns. At its heart, the hymn is a reminder that believers do not have to carry their burdens alone. In moments of sorrow, weakness, anxiety and uncertainty, they can bring everything to Christ in prayer. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” has since travelled across generations, languages and continents, continuing to remind millions of people of the comfort, companionship and hope found in Christ.

Daily Bible Lesson. TRUTH IS NOT POPULAR—WHY DO SO FEW FOLLOW JESUS IN HIS OWN SABBATH PATH? “As His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day.” — Luke 4:16 Luke does not describe a rare visit. He reveals Christ’s custom. The Sabbath was not an accident in His life. It was part of His faithful walk with the Father. TRUTH IS NOT DECIDED BY THE CROWD Noah stood with God while the world laughed. Elijah stood for truth while a nation compromised. Jesus stood upon Scripture while religious leaders defended tradition. The crowd may be sincere— and still be wrong. “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” — Exodus 23:2 Jesus did not ask: What is popular? What is comfortable? What does the majority practice? He answered: “It is written.” — Matthew 4:4 Truth is not settled by numbers. It is settled by God’s Word. JESUS LEFT AN EXAMPLE—NOT MERELY A MESSAGE Jesus did not only say: “Believe in Me.” He also said: “Follow Me.” — Matthew 4:19 The Savior who died for us also showed us how to live. “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” — 1 Peter 2:21 Many admire Jesus. Few imitate Him. Many call Him Lord. Few follow when obedience becomes unpopular. “Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” — Luke 6:46 JESUS REVEALED TRUE SABBATH-KEEPING The same Jesus who created the Sabbath also kept it. “The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” — Mark 2:28 He stripped away man-made burdens and restored its true beauty: Worship. Mercy. Healing. Fellowship. Rest in God. “It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.” — Matthew 12:12 Jesus did not abolish the Sabbath. He rescued it from legalism and revealed its Christ-centered purpose. The Sabbath points to Him as: Creator. Redeemer. Lord. Rest for the weary soul. “Come unto Me… and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 THE SABBATH WILL OUTLIVE SIN The Sabbath did not begin with Israel. It began in Eden—before sin, before nations, and before denominations. “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” — Genesis 2:3 Jesus honored it during His earthly life. And Scripture reveals that the redeemed will worship from Sabbath to Sabbath in the new earth. “From one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me.” — Isaiah 66:23 The Sabbath began before sin, was exemplified by Christ during redemption, and will remain when sin is gone forever. What God sanctified in Eden, what Jesus honored on earth, and what the redeemed will celebrate eternally— should not be strange to Christ’s followers today. ONLY JESUS SAVES We are not saved by keeping a day. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. “By grace are ye saved through faith.” — Ephesians 2:8 But saving grace does not excuse rebellion. It forgives the sinner, transforms the heart, and writes God’s law within. “I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts.” — Hebrews 8:10 Obedience is not the price of salvation. It is the fruit of salvation. “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” — John 14:15 Truth without Christ becomes cold. Obedience without love becomes legalism. But faith that beholds Calvary produces loving loyalty. THE REAL ISSUE IS AUTHORITY The deepest Sabbath question is not merely: Which day? It is: Who rules my conscience—Christ or tradition? Christ warned against worship built upon human commands. “In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” — Matthew 15:9 A tradition may be ancient. It may be popular. It may be defended by millions. But age cannot sanctify error. Popularity cannot replace divine authority. “To the law and to the testimony.” — Isaiah 8:20 CHRIST IS CALLING YOU CLOSER Perhaps you followed tradition sincerely. Jesus is not calling you to pride, bitterness, or argument. He is calling you to: Repentance. Faith. Surrender. Obedience. Repent of placing human authority above His Word. Believe—not in your obedience, but in His cleansing blood. Surrender to His transforming grace. Follow wherever His truth leads. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” — 1 John 1:7 “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” — Revelation 14:4 “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.” — The Ministry of Healing, p. 470 The narrow path has never been crowded. But Jesus walks there. The crowd cannot forgive you. Tradition cannot transform you. A denomination cannot save you. Only Christ can. Do not measure truth by the crowd. Measure everything by Christ and His Word. Prayer Lord Jesus, forgive my compromise. Cleanse me by Your blood, write Your law upon my heart, teach me to keep Your Sabbath as You did—with worship, mercy, love, and joy—and give me courage to follow You from this earth into eternity.

Never Stop Praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Prayer is more than asking God for what we want. Prayer is relationship. It is a conversation with the One who created you, knows you completely, loves you deeply, and invites you to come to Him. The Bible gives us a simple but powerful instruction: “Pray continually.” That doesn't mean you have to spend every minute of the day on your knees. It means prayer should become part of the rhythm of your life. Talk to God when you're happy. Talk to Him when you're afraid. Talk to Him when you're confused. Talk to Him when you're grateful. Talk to Him when you don't know what to do. And talk to Him when you have nothing to say. God doesn't need perfect words. He wants an honest heart. Sometimes your prayer may be long. Sometimes it may simply be: “Lord, help me.” And that's enough to begin. Jesus Himself demonstrated the importance of prayer. He regularly withdrew from the crowds to spend time with the Father. If Jesus made time for prayer, how much more should we? Prayer changes more than our circumstances. Sometimes God changes the situation. Sometimes He changes us in the middle of the situation. Prayer can give you peace when the answer hasn't arrived. It can give you strength when you're tired. It can give you wisdom when you don't know which decision to make. It can remind you that you are not carrying your burdens alone. But remember: Prayer isn't a magic formula for getting everything we want. We pray according to God's will and trust His wisdom. Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it is no. Sometimes it is wait. And waiting can be difficult. But God's silence doesn't mean God's absence. He is still listening. He is still working. He is still God. So don't stop praying because the answer hasn't come yet. Don't stop praying because you made a mistake. Don't stop praying because you feel unworthy. Don't stop praying because you've been disappointed. Bring everything to God. Your dreams. Your fears. Your family. Your career. Your relationships. Your struggles. Your future. And most importantly, bring your heart to Him. If you don't know Jesus personally, prayer can begin with something as simple as: “Jesus, I need You. Forgive my sins, change my heart, and help me follow You.” God isn't looking for impressive words. He is looking for a sincere heart that turns toward Him. Make prayer part of your morning. Pray during your commute. Pray before making important decisions. Pray for your friends. Pray for your enemies. Pray for people who don't know Christ. Pray when you are celebrating. Pray when you are struggling. Keep the conversation with God open. Never stop praying. The God who hears you is the God who loves you. What is one thing you need to bring honestly before God in prayer today? #NeverStopPraying #1Thessalonians517 #Prayer #TalkToGod #FaithInAction #ChristianYouth #JesusSaves #PrayWithoutCeasing #ShareJesus #Lordsbook #JMSM #KNKA

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀💝🌺🎁🌹🎀 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY FRIDAY AUGUST 14, 2O26. "PROMISES, PROMISES!' (1)" ‘…when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.’ Hebrews 10:36 NIV. MANY OF us remember singing in church, ‘Every promise in the Book is mine!’ Exciting words—but are they entirely true? If you’ve prayed for the fulfilment of a Bible promise that didn’t materialise, you may have wondered, felt disillusioned, or even stopped trusting. What’s true is that every promise in the Book intended for you, is yours! God is committed to keeping every promise He has made (Matthew 24:35). So how can you know which Bible promises are yours? Here are some scriptural guidelines to help you: 1) Be sure you understand the promise. God is committed to His Word, not to your interpretation of it. When Jesus said, ‘…Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’ (John 2:19 NKJV), His audience completely misunderstood Him, thinking He meant the literal temple when He meant His body. 2) Walk in the Spirit, not the flesh. Walking in the Spirit, Peter received divine understanding of Christ’s deity. When Jesus asked, ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘…this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father…’ (Matthew 16:15-17 NIV). Soon afterwards, walking in the flesh, the same man totally misunderstood Jesus and was severely rebuked by Jesus (Matthew 16:21-23). Why? Because ‘…the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God…nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned’ (1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV). So submit your thoughts to God; pray for His guidance, and in due course, you’ll get the insight you need. Bible In A Year: Judg 12-15, Matt 17:14-27, Ps 119:81-88, Pro 17:27-28. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation 💝🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🎀💝🌹🌷. MD.ii. IMAGINATION "So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them." - Genesis 1:27 To create something you need imagination; this means, you are able to imagine something that is not yet there - God did that too. He said: 'Let Us make mankind in Our image, in Our likeness.' He imagined in His mind an image that would resemble Him, however, this image was not there yet. We may not think this through, but it is a Divine quality. A sculptor sees in a lump of clay or in a piece of stone, the entire image he wants to make - this is a Divine quality in him. Before he picks up the brush, the artist already sees what he is going to paint. A musician is able to write and play the music which he hears in his mind beforehand. God puts that in such person. The human being is able to have an image or an idea of something in his mind which still needs to happen. Wrong use of imagination Imagination can also be very dangerous. God put this in us to use it for good. But since the time man became corrupt, it has also been used by the evil one. By using their imagination people such as terrorists, come up with complicated and angry plans which is sometimes implemented later. Nuclear weapons were thought out; they were not suddenly invented. A man's thoughts can also be influenced by the evil one. Creativity has been placed in man by God Genesis 1:27 says that this attribute of creativity has been placed in man by God. Look, God did not quickly put man together. No, man with a soul and spirit has been made so superior because God thought about it. He created man with a lot of love. Everything in our body works perfectly. Just think of our brains and organs: everything is ingeniously made by God! How foolish to believe that man came from a primordial slime. Those poor scientists are completely lost with their theory of evolution. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ⏤ Colossians 3:23 God does not call us to be successful, but to be faithful. ⏤ Mother Teresa O God, who brings joy to both the morning and the evening, we thank You for the gladness of this new day. You didn’t let our night be filled with pain or sorrow, but instead, You gave us peace and comfort. It’s because You kept us safe that we are so richly blessed. We lift our hearts to You in gratitude for the light and joy of this new day. Bless us as we go about our work. Bless our efforts and help us to be diligent. Keep us from growing weary with the routine tasks we must do each day. Help us to do all our tasks with a cheerful heart. Teach us how to do our everyday work for You. It will be easier if we do it all for You. The burdens won’t feel so heavy if we are carrying them for You. The tedious tasks won’t seem so dull if we do them for You. Teach us to live our whole lives for You, so we can truly honor You. Give us grace to be kind and helpful to everyone we meet today. Sometimes we get impatient, or we aren’t as polite as we should be, or we get irritable in the stressful moments of life. Not everyone we meet is easy to get along with, and sometimes we have to endure rudeness. O God, keep us loving and gentle, no matter what we face today. Help us to always keep a sweet spirit. We want to honor You in everything we do, say, and feel today. Bless us with Your love. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we can be like Jesus, no matter how others treat us. Make us true blessings wherever we go. Keep us from stumbling. Grant Your grace to everyone we love. And to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we give all the glory. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/40/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.