The Story Behind the Hymns.
THE STORY BEHIND "ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING"

“All Creatures of Our God and King” traces its roots to one of the most beautiful expressions of praise in Christian history: the Canticle of the Sun, written by St. Francis of Assisi around 1224.

St. Francis composed the canticle near the end of his life, during a period of physical suffering. Rather than allowing his circumstances to silence his faith, he looked at creation and saw it as a reflection of God’s glory. The sun, moon, wind, water, fire and earth became, in his poetic prayer, fellow worshippers joining humanity in praising their Creator.

Centuries later, the English clergyman William Henry Draper brought this ancient prayer into the world of congregational hymn singing. Draper translated and adapted portions of St. Francis’ canticle into English, creating the hymn now known as “All Creatures of Our God and King.”

Draper prepared the hymn for a children’s Whitsuntide celebration in Leeds, England. His version was subsequently published in the early 20th century and became widely used in churches, particularly in Britain and other English-speaking Christian communities.

The familiar melody adds another layer of history. The tune, commonly known as “Lasst uns erfreuen,” originated in Germany and appeared in a Catholic hymnal in 1623. Centuries later, it was arranged and popularised in the English-speaking church, notably through the work of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and the English Hymnal.

The hymn’s message is simple yet profound: all creation belongs to God and is called to praise Him. Its repeated invitation to “O praise Him” turns the song into a celebration of worship that reaches beyond humanity to the entire created world.

From a prayer written by a 13th-century saint to an English adaptation sung in churches centuries later, “All Creatures of Our God and King” has endured because of its timeless reminder that creation itself points toward the greatness, goodness and glory of its Creator.

Gods Creation, 100 / evolution, 0
WHY DID T. REX HAVE TINY ARMS?

Few animals capture the imagination quite like Tyrannosaurus rex. It's one of the most recognizable dinosaurs in the world. Towering over the landscape with a massive skull and bone-crushing jaws, one feature has puzzled scientists for decades: those tiny little arms.

A new study claims to have solved the mystery.

After examining the skulls and forelimbs of dozens of meat-eating dinosaurs, researchers found that species with larger, more robust skulls generally had smaller arms. From that relationship, they proposed that as these dinosaurs supposedly changed over millions of years, the head gradually became the primary weapon while the forelimbs became less important.

It's an interesting observation, but does that explanation really follow?

The study identified a relationship between skull size and arm size. It didn't discover how that relationship came to be. Instead, the evolutionary story is added afterward because that's the framework through which the evidence is being interpreted.

But there's another explanation that's much simpler.

Think about a playground teeter-totter. If one side becomes much heavier, the other side has to compensate or everything falls out of balance. A two-legged dinosaur faces the same engineering challenge. Its head, neck, torso, hips, legs, tail, and forelimbs all have to work together to keep its center of gravity exactly where it belongs.

A massive skull combined with equally massive forelimbs would place tremendous weight toward the front of the animal. Something else would have to compensate. The tail would need to become larger, the hips would need to change, or the body would become increasingly unstable. Suddenly those tiny arms don't seem strange at all. They make perfect engineering sense as part of a balanced, integrated body.

The researchers also describe the arms as "reduced" or "vestigial," yet they still don't know exactly what purpose those arms served. History has shown why we should be cautious with that conclusion. Again and again, structures once dismissed as evolutionary leftovers have later been found to perform important functions.

The difference ultimately comes down to where we begin.

If evolution is the starting point, then every feature must somehow be explained through millions of years of gradual change. But if we begin where Scripture begins, with God as Creator, then coordinated engineering is exactly what we should expect. The Bible tells us God created every creature according to its kind during Creation Week. From that perspective, T. rex wasn't a work in progress. It was created as a complete, fully functional animal whose skull, arms, legs, hips, and tail all worked together from the very beginning.

The word "dinosaur" wasn't even invented until 1842. Before that, these incredible creatures would simply have been known as dragons, great beasts, or perhaps even among the kinds of magnificent animals described in passages like Behemoth in the book of Job. Whatever name people used, they were part of the "very good" creation God made during Creation Week.

The tiny arms of Tyrannosaurus rex aren't evidence of a failed evolutionary experiment. They are another reminder that God's creation displays remarkable engineering, thoughtful design, and purpose, even in places where scientists are still searching for answers.

August 17th, 2026
Read; Psalm 139: 13-14

Our Creator intimately formed us, possessing our innermost being and covering us in our mother's womb. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, a testament to His marvelous works, and our souls know this truth well. Before anyone knew of our coming, He had divine plans for us. When we consider all God has done, we see His hand in our unique creation, His faithful care for our lives, and His powerful ability to heal. He is not only our Maker but also our constant Sustainer, demonstrating His infinite love through His works.

Prayer
God Almighty, my Savior and Redeemer, thank You for knowing me before I could know myself and for giving me life. I receive the abilities, limitations, history, and relationships You have entrusted to me as part of Your wise care. Keep me from turning my particular gifts into pride or comparing my life with another's. Teach me to steward what You have given with courage and gratitude, honoring the body You formed and using my gifts to love You and serve others. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.

Your Identity Is in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Who are you?

It sounds like a simple question.

But for many people, the answer is shaped by what they have achieved, what others think about them, where they come from, how much money they have, how many followers they have, or even the mistakes they have made.

We live in a world that constantly tells us to build an identity around something.

Your career.

Your appearance.

Your relationship status.

Your education.

Your possessions.

Your popularity.

Your success.

But all of these things can change.

So what happens when you lose the job?

When the relationship ends?

When the opportunity disappears?

When people stop applauding?

When you fail?

If your identity is built entirely on those things, your sense of worth can collapse with them.

But God offers you something deeper.

The Bible says:

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

When you place your faith in Jesus, your past no longer has the final word about who you are.

You are not simply your mistakes.

You are not your failures.

You are not the rejection you experienced.

You are not what someone said about you.

You are not your worst day.

In Christ, you are made new.

This doesn't mean your past never happened.

It means your past doesn't have to control your future.

Jesus offers forgiveness.

He offers restoration.

He offers a new identity.

And He gives you a new reason to live.

Maybe you've been comparing yourself to other people.

Someone seems more successful.

Someone looks happier.

Someone has more opportunities.

Someone has a bigger platform.

But comparison can make you forget something important:

God did not create you to become someone else.

You don't have to copy another person's journey to have value.

You don't need everyone's approval to be significant.

Your worth comes from God.

And when you understand that, you can stop living desperately for people's applause.

You can celebrate other people's success without feeling threatened.

You can accept correction without believing you are worthless.

You can experience failure without believing your life is over.

You can walk away from unhealthy relationships without believing you have lost your identity.

And you can pursue your dreams without making those dreams your god.

Your career is part of your life.

Your education is part of your life.

Your relationships are part of your life.

Your achievements are part of your story.

But none of them should become your identity.

Jesus should.

If you belong to Christ, your identity begins with Him.

You are someone who has been offered grace.

Someone who can receive forgiveness.

Someone who can grow.

Someone who can serve.

Someone who can love.

Someone who can start again.

Someone whose life can be used by God.

And if you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, you can begin today.

You don't have to clean yourself up first.

Come to Him honestly.

Confess your sins.

Trust Him.

Receive His grace.

And begin walking with Him.

The world may label you by your past.

Jesus sees what His grace can make you become.

So stop asking only:

“What do people think about me?”

Start asking:

“Who does God say I am?”

Let His Word answer that question.

And let your identity in Christ become stronger than every label the world puts on you.

You are more than your achievements, more than your failures, and more than people's opinions. In Christ, you can become a new creation.

What label or past experience do you need to stop allowing to define you?

#IdentityInChrist #2Corinthians517 #NewCreation #WhoYouAreInChrist #GodsGrace #FaithInAction #ChristianYouth #JesusSaves #ShareJesus #DailyFaith #Lordsbook #JMSM #KNKA

The Wonders of God's Creation:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BgpGEQewr/

Sunday 16 August 2026
Portland Metro Church Assembly of God
Church Services Notes: The is no excuse
By Pastor Jon H.
( king James version)

Romans 1:18-23 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
1. There is no excuse for not believing in God.
Romans 1:18-20- See about for verses; Job 12:7-9 -But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this?
Psalm 19:1- The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

2. The kind of God that creation reveals.
Romans 8:19-22 See about for verses; Revelation 22:3- And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

3. The downward spiral of rejecting God.

4. The sin of idol worship.
Romans 1:21 – 23 See about for verses; Exodus 20:3-6- Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.


5. The spiritual Warfare of idol worship.

6. The strange Culture we are called to serve.

7. Stay grounded

Good evening, brethren.
1. Evening devotion for today.

ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
(COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

*DATE:*
SUNDAY 16TH AUGUST, 2026.

*SUB-THEME:*
YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD'S GRACE

*TOPIC:*
DILIGENCE: PATHWAY TO GREATNESS.

*TEXTS:*
PROVERBS 12:24; 22:29.
*12:24.*
24. Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labour.

*22:29.*
29. Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

*TOPIC:*
DILIGENCE: PATHWAY TO GREATNESS.

*THE MESSAGE:*
Diligence means consistent, earnest, and skilful effort that leads to excellence and advancement. According to Proverbs, those who work hard and refine their skills will stand out, serving before influential people and rising to postions of honour, whether in secular or gospel ministry. True promotion is a reward for diligent effort, not the result of ambition or manipulation. Christian youths must eschew laziness and embrace hard work as a core value. Diligence glorifies God. Wasting time on entertainment and social media without developing one's potential is contrary to godly wisdom. How diligent are you in your studies, skills, career, house chores, community, and church work? Do not be nonchalant. Discover and maximise your potential diligently.

*REFLECTION:*
Diligence breeds excellence.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, deliver me from laziness, in Jesus' name. Amen.

*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 1-3.

ED.ii. TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE

"All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure." - 1 John 3:3

The Bible always speaks about two types of people, ways or choices: sheep and goats, corn and chaff, wise and foolish virgins, a wide and a narrow path, a man walking in the light or a man walking in the darkness, a sinner or a righteous person. The Bible says that God wants to bring people from darkness into His wonderful light. Each time you see these two categories of people. The Bible speaks of people who are damned and people who are saved; lost and redeemed people; people who have strayed from the straight road and who belong to the flock; carnal and spiritual people.

The contrast that the Bible indicates between one group and the other is quite large. You stand either on one side or on the other. You choose heaven or hell. You choose death or life. You cannot be saved a little or go to heaven a little. You cannot be pregnant for just a little bit either. Either you are pregnant, or you are not. You are a Christian or you are not. You walk in the light or in the darkness. You are far from God because of sin or your sins are forgiven, and you have entered the presence of God. It is either the one or the other!

Born again is essential

A person has to experience a change within. Rebirth is to take place. The Bible calls it 'being born again'; to go from the old to the new creation. If you are not born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God, let alone enter it. This is essential for all believers. Jesus says that if we give our heart to Him and allow Him, He will come to us.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read: 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!'


https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

2. Evening Prayer.

EP.i. Evening Prayer

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ⏤ James 1:17

Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies. ⏤ John Milton

Lord, we humbly come before You, asking that You hear our prayers, our confession, our requests, and our praise, which we offer to You through Jesus Christ our Lord. We have gone astray and wandered from Your ways, like lost sheep. We have followed too much the desires of our own hearts. We have broken Your holy laws. We have left undone the things we should have done and have done things we should not have done. There is nothing good in us. But You, O Lord, have mercy on us as miserable offenders, and for Jesus' sake, give us the grace to turn away from every evil path and to live in a way that brings glory to Your holy name.

What can we give You, O Giver of all good things, for Your kindness to us as a family? We thank You for the comforts of our home, for the opportunities we have for learning, for our health and happiness, for prosperity, and for all the blessings of Your providence, including the love that unites us as a family.

Help us, O Father, to live in a way that is worthy of all Your favors and gracious kindness. May our hearts be filled with love and gratitude. May our lips speak Your praise. May our lives truly reflect the gratitude we feel.

Sanctify all the blessings of this day. Bless the preaching of Your Word and all the services in which we participated. May Your blessing follow all the work of Your people today in every church and Sunday school. Now grant us restful and refreshing sleep, and may the blessings of this Sunday carry us through the new week. We ask this in Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/42/evening

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.

A new bookshelf for Mateo.

*Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word* is now listed on **The Book List** under Christian Fiction and Religious & Inspirational.

When twelve-year-old Mateo discovers an ancient Bible hidden inside an abandoned mountain church, the stories of Genesis become more than words on a page.

He begins to **live them**.

Creation. The Garden of Eden. Noah’s Ark. The Tower of Babel.

Another little door has opened for Mateo to reach readers who love faith, Scripture, and adventure.

https://thebooklist.co/books/mateo-and-the-secrets-of-the-eternal-word-1

Voici une version plus structurée, sincère et forte de votre exhortation, en gardant l’appel à la repentance et à l’amour du prochain, tout en formulant avec précision l’enseignement biblique sur le jugement dernier.

ABANDONNE LA MÉCHANCETÉ : LE DERNIER JUGEMENT EST CERTAIN

Message du frère évangéliste Bagamang Baldere Bertrand — Bagamangevangelist’sministry

Shalom, shalom, shalom, peuple de Dieu !

Ce matin encore, je viens vous adresser un rappel simple, mais profondément sérieux : n’oublions jamais que nous sommes des créatures de Dieu et que notre vie Lui appartient.

La Bible dit : « Dieu créa l’homme à son image » (Genèse 1:27). Et elle nous rappelle également que notre corps est « le temple du Saint-Esprit » (1 Corinthiens 6:19).

Alors, mon frère, ma sœur, comment pouvons-nous porter l’image de Dieu et, en même temps, choisir la méchanceté, la haine, l’injustice, l’égoïsme et le refus d’aider notre prochain ?

Dieu est unique. Il est le Créateur de tous les êtres humains. Il n’est pas seulement le Dieu d’un peuple ou d’une communauté. Il appelle chaque personne à revenir à Lui, à rechercher la justice, la vérité, l’amour et la paix.

La méchanceté ne doit pas devenir notre chemin

La Parole de Dieu nous avertit clairement : « Ne vous y trompez pas : on ne se moque pas de Dieu. Ce qu’un homme aura semé, il le moissonnera aussi » (Galates 6:7).

Celui qui sème constamment la haine, l’injustice et la méchanceté ne peut pas prétendre récolter la paix et la vie éternelle sans repentance.

La Bible dit encore : « Car le salaire du péché, c’est la mort ; mais le don gratuit de Dieu, c’est la vie éternelle en Jésus-Christ notre Seigneur » (Romains 6:23).

Il faut donc être sérieux avec notre destinée éternelle.

L’enfer est une réalité biblique et le jugement dernier est certain. Jésus lui-même a parlé du jugement et du châtiment éternel (Matthieu 25:31-46). Apocalypse 20:12-15 parle également du jugement devant Dieu.

Mais je ne vous annonce pas cela pour vous condamner. Je vous le dis pour vous appeler à changer.

Change pendant qu’il est encore temps

Mon frère, ma sœur, si tu occupes une responsabilité dans une entreprise, une administration, une direction, une institution ou dans la société, pose-toi cette question :

Est-ce que je traite les personnes placées sous ma responsabilité avec justice et amour ?

Si Dieu t’a donné plus que ton frère, pourquoi refuser de partager ?

Si tu as deux chemises et que ton frère n’en a pas, pourquoi ne pas lui en donner une ?

Si tu as de la nourriture et que ton prochain a faim, pourquoi fermer ton cœur ?

La Bible dit : « Celui qui a des biens du monde, et qui voit son frère dans le besoin, et qui lui ferme ses entrailles, comment l’amour de Dieu demeure-t-il en lui ? » (1 Jean 3:17).

L’autorité n’a pas été donnée pour écraser les autres. L’autorité est une responsabilité.

Le véritable responsable nourrit, protège, écoute, encourage, corrige avec justice et cherche le bien de ceux qui lui sont confiés.

Dieu nous a montré l’amour

Regardons simplement ce que Dieu a fait pour nous.

Si Dieu était méchant, nous aurait-il donné la vie ?

S’il était méchant, nous aurait-il donné la création, la famille, la nourriture, le soleil, la pluie et toutes ces possibilités de vivre ?

Et surtout, dans la foi chrétienne, Dieu a manifesté son amour en envoyant Jésus-Christ pour nous sauver (Jean 3:16).

Voilà pourquoi nous devons apprendre à aimer.

Jésus nous commande :

« Tu aimeras ton prochain comme toi-même » (Matthieu 22:39).

Et encore :

« Aimez vos ennemis, faites du bien à ceux qui vous haïssent » (Luc 6:27).

Le jugement dernier viendra

Peuple de Dieu, ne pensons pas que nos actes resteront éternellement cachés.

La Bible dit :

« Car il nous faut tous comparaître devant le tribunal de Christ » (2 Corinthiens 5:10).

Nous rendrons compte de notre vie.

Le jugement de Dieu ne dépendra pas de notre fonction, de notre richesse, de notre titre, de notre influence ou de notre position sociale.

Le riche et le pauvre, le responsable et le simple citoyen, tous devront rendre compte devant Dieu.

C’est pourquoi il est temps de se repentir.

Il est temps d’abandonner la méchanceté.

Il est temps d’abandonner la haine.

Il est temps d’abandonner l’injustice.

Il est temps d’abandonner l’égoïsme.

Il est temps de pardonner.

Il est temps de partager.

Il est temps d’aimer son prochain.

Il est temps de revenir à Dieu.

Ne remettons pas à demain ce que Dieu nous demande de faire aujourd’hui.

Car le regret vient parfois lorsque l’occasion de changer est déjà passée.

Mon appel de ce matin

Mon frère, ma sœur, responsable, cadre, chef, employé, citoyen, jeune ou ancien : examine ton cœur.

Demande-toi :

Suis-je en train de construire ou de détruire ?

Suis-je en train d'aimer ou de haïr ?

Suis-je en train de partager ou de retenir ?

Suis-je en train de servir ou d'opprimer ?

Si Dieu me demandait aujourd’hui de rendre compte de ma vie, serais-je prêt ?

Le message est simple :

Abandonne la méchanceté.
Choisis l’amour.
Choisis la justice.
Choisis le partage.
Choisis le pardon.
Choisis la repentance.
Choisis le chemin de Dieu.

Le jugement dernier est certain. Mais aujourd’hui encore, la porte de la repentance est ouverte.

Que personne ne dise : « Je changerai demain. »

Change aujourd’hui. Aime aujourd’hui. Pardonne aujourd’hui. Partage aujourd’hui. Fais le bien aujourd’hui.

Que le Seigneur nous donne un cœur nouveau, un cœur capable d’aimer, de servir et de partager.

Que Dieu bénisse le Tchad, l’Afrique et tous les peuples.

Frère évangéliste Bagamang Baldere Bertrand
Bagamangevangelist’sministry
Évangélique pour la paix, la cohésion sociale et l’utilisation responsable d’Internet en Afrique.

THE TRUTH TO OBEY FOR LIFE, & HAVE RIGHTEOUSNESS.. " my people are lost, bcos lack knowledge of Christ! "Hosea 4:6

The restoration of God's Word brings us back to true life and righteousness through faith in Christ alone, not by water baptism.

The thief on the cross was saved instantly by faith without being dipped in water (Luke 23:43). Believers today walk in newness of life by obeying the inward baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Restoration of the Word and righteousness=
The GREEN 7 Vision l saw on the wall after it vanished: Joel 2:28-31, acts26:16.

The color green speaks of life, growth, and restoration. A vision given on the wall may fade from physical sight, but God's eternal truth remains firm.

The Promise of the Spirit: God promised to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh in the last days (Joel 2:28-29).

The Living Word: The written and spoken Word of God wakes up our dead hearts. It calls us back to pure truth and spiritual sight.

Water BAPTISM vs. Christ's BAPTISM:

JOHN'S WATER BAPTISM: John baptized with water for repentance. It pointed forward to the coming Savior, but it could not wash away sins or give new life.

CHRIST'S Spirit BAPTISM: Jesus baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Drawn into Christ: We are buried with Him by baptism into death through the Spirit (Romans 6:3-4).
One Body: By one Spirit, we are all baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13). Water does not place us into this body; the Spirit does.

Obedience for Righteousness and Life
Listening to Faith: True obedience today means yielding our hearts completely to the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Walking in the Spirit: Righteousness comes when we stop trusting our own works and trust God's grace.
Bearing Fruit: A heart changed by the Spirit naturally obeys God out of deep love and gratitude.
Salvation by Faith Alone
A Free Gift: Salvation is the gift of God, not of works, so no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The Thief on the Cross: Jesus told the dying thief he would be in Paradise that day (Luke 23:43). The thief had no chance to go to a river for water baptism. His faith in Jesus saved him instantly.
The New Creation: Faith in Christ makes a person brand new on the inside. Grace saves us completely apart from physical rituals.

Am REAGAN a Servant,& a witness of Jesus appointed by Jesus himself to testify that I have seen him to visions l saw the son is speaking to living ones in this last age to obey and be right with God. Joel2:28-31, acts26:16, heb1:1-2. Amen