Pilgrims of God I was wandering the desert Lost without hope for now I roam Crushed beneath the pressure Wanting a place I could call home I was drowning in my sorrow Up to my kneck in sin Looking for somebody Who I respect- a friend I was desperate for a treasure Never bought and can't be sold But stuck inside a prison And the devil had a hold I couldn't see my way out And I was just about to fold Till then heard of a savior Who purchased every soul He promised life in heaven I knew I could not say no Many of us were called there Only a few of us would go I left behind the old life And stepped into the light The darkness wasnt happy so it scuffled and tried to fight I held onto the rugged cross Grappled to it with all my might Took a little bit of time And the darkness left my sight I passed up all the lost souls I tried to grab them if I could I talked about the gospel As I knew a Christian should I saw them as did Jesus In the valley on a slope Up top of God's mountain I tossed down to them a rope The flames of hell roared higher Nearly devoured some to nought I rejoiced to all the heavens About the few of them I caught The angels played a trumpet A couple instruments with strings I heard the choir bellow Out a hymnal they did sing See heaven is the treasure The Holy Ghost bestow a ring Some claimed to know all mysteries yet still slow to know a thing And didnt know the calling So quickly fell from Grace Dont buy into this life of sin Nor after riches niether chase Dont forfeit to hell your precious soul For if so your life you waste Just call out now to Jesus Bow your head and seek his face He loves you very much This world is but a bitter taste see Jesus is enough He knows your every hurt.... And carries all your sorrow Ask for His safety here and now For you may not see tomorrow Listen to the preachers words Of life beyond the veil Take heed to travel down this path Forsake the broken trail And you will live in glory of the Father you should know That Jesus has a plan for you And your eternal soul By Clifton Wagner Gospel Poetry Foundation

In David's story, when he finally became King of Israel, the first thing he did was to bring the Ark to the city, the heart of the people of Israel. In the very next chapter, 2 Samuel 7 God makes the Davidic covenant, giving David many promises of good thing for him and his family. When you make God center of your life God has already made promises for you and your family. Things like: to be with you; to provide for your needs, peace, to forgive your sins, strength in your weakness, rest, eternal life and He will never leave you nor forsake you!

Two old friends were talking. One is christian and the other one non christian. The non Christian tells his Christian friend that he feel depressed knowing that he will inevitably died one day. His Christian friend tells him that on his side he is happy knowing that he will die one day. The non Christian friend was shocked with his answer and asked him why as he was famous and has many friends and family members to leave behind. The Christian friend, replied 'I have already prepared myself for the Lord Jesus to come and take me with him when I die. my friends and families will continue in their faith in the Lord Jesus until we all meet in heaven what seems to be lost here on earth is a gain in Christ' The Non believer cried as he knows that when he dies, he will go alone without his family, friends and wealth. the Christian friend tells him to leave the world behind and focus on eternity life, which is accessible only through Christ. The Christian friend prayed for the non christian friend, who accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. they both cried with tears of happiness. The mortal life will end one day, let us prepare ourselves for the eternal life. it is not on the death bed that we should réalize this but now when we have time to do so. God bless

Need to know. THE GRANDEST INVITATION "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." — Revelation 19:7 In our world, wedding invitations carry weight. We check our calendars, coordinate attire, and prepare gifts to honor the couple. Yet the most magnificent celebration in human history—the Marriage Supper of the Lamb—requires a far different kind of preparation. Revelation 19 shifts the cosmic scene from the fall of earthly empires to an outburst of unhindered praise. The long-awaited climax of history arrives not as a political conquest, but as a wedding feast. Jesus, the Lamb who was slain to purchase humanity with His blood, is revealed as the Bridegroom. The Church—every believer across time—is His bride. This short verse carries three deep spiritual movements for your day: Rejoice and Be Glad: True Christian joy is grounded in an unshakable future. Whatever hardship or disappointment you face today, it is not the final chapter of your story. The end of history is a feast, not a famine. Give Him Glory: Salvation is entirely God’s initiative. We do not earn our place at this table; we are invited by grace. Make Yourself Ready: The bride's readiness is both a gift and a pursuit. In the very next verse, Revelation notes that her fine linen is given to her, representing the righteous acts of God's holy people. To be ready for the Bridegroom means living today in light of eternity. It means letting love, purity, and devotion shape how you treat others, manage your time, and guard your heart. You are not waiting aimlessly; you are preparing for a wedding. Take time today to consider what temporary worry or distraction is currently competing for the joy that belongs to your eternal future, and how you can actively make yourself ready in your daily decisions and relationships. Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting me to Your eternal feast through Jesus Christ, the Lamb. When the cares of this world feel heavy, lift my eyes to the joy that awaits me. Purify my heart today, align my desires with Your kingdom, and help me live with expectant hope. Let my life reflect the grace and righteousness You have so generously given me. Amen.

A Nugget of Truth. Every believer should desire more than success, recognition, or earthly achievements. The greatest reward is to stand before Christ and hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). That moment will not belong to those who simply knew about Jesus, but to those who trusted Him, remained faithful, and endured to the end. Our lives are temporary, but the choices we make for Christ have eternal significance. The apostle Paul finished his race with confidence because he had kept the faith, knowing that “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7–8). Whatever trials, sacrifices, or temptations we face today are small compared to the joy of being welcomed into God's kingdom. Therefore, let every decision, every prayer, and every act of obedience be done with eternity in view, for “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Daily Devotional Save myself, by Saving other's Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 4:16 I have read of a man who, journeying on a winter’s day through deep drifts of snow, became benumbed by the cold, which was almost imperceptibly freezing his vital powers. He was nearly chilled to death, and was about to give up the struggle for life, when he heard the moans of a fellow traveler who was also perishing with cold. His sympathy was aroused, and he determined to rescue him. He chafed the ice-cold limbs of the unfortunate man, and after considerable effort raised him to his feet. As the sufferer could not stand, he bore him in sympathizing arms through the very drifts he had thought he could never get through alone. When he had carried his fellow traveler to a place of safety, the truth flashed home to him that in saving his neighbor he had also saved himself. His earnest efforts to help another had quickened the blood that was freezing in his own veins and sent a healthy warmth to the extremities of his body. The lesson that in helping others we ourselves receive help must be urged upon young believers continually, by precept and example, that in their Christian experience they may gain the best results. Let the desponding ones, those disposed to think that the way to eternal life is trying and difficult, go to work to help others. Such efforts, united with prayer for divine light, will cause their own hearts to throb with the quickening influence of the grace of God, their own affections to glow with more divine fervor. Their whole Christian life will be more of a reality, more earnest, more prayerful.... The testimonies borne by them in the Sabbath services will be filled with power. With joy they will bear witness to the preciousness of the experience they have gained in working for others. [235]

🔥 THE ANCIENT OF DAYS 🔥 Before there was time, before kingdoms rose and fell, He was. Daniel was given a vision of the heavenly throne room: “The Ancient of Days took His seat… His clothing was as white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire.” — Daniel 7:9 The vision reveals a God who is eternal, holy, righteous, and sovereign over all creation. His throne burns with fire, thousands stand before Him, and judgment proceeds from His presence. The Ancient of Days is not merely ancient in the sense of age. He is the One who existed before all things and whose dominion has no end. And then Daniel saw “one like a son of man” coming with the clouds of heaven, receiving everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom. — Daniel 7:13–14 🔥 The kingdoms of this world will pass. His kingdom will never pass away. “His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” — Daniel 7:14 🙏 May we never forget who sits upon the eternal throne. THE ANCIENT OF DAYS. ETERNAL. HOLY. RIGHTEOUS. 📖 Daniel 7:9–14 #AncientOfDays #Daniel7 #BibleMysteries #BiblicalProphecy #God #HeavenlyThrone #Bible #ChristianFaith #JesusChrist #KingdomOfGod

Matthew 20:1-16 And Jesus continues with the lesson of the first being the last with this parable. A landowner is the comparison this time. The Kingdom of God is like a landowner seeking employees in the early morning. He hires them for a denarius for the day. This was the typical amount for a day's wages for a laborer so this wouldn't have been unusual. The unusual bit would come later. But then Jesus adds to the story that this owner then returns to the market another 4 times to hire workers for the same amount he paid workers for all day. And at the end of the day this landowner lines up those he hired and begins paying them by starting with the latest hired and chosing to pay all workers a full day's wage. Now Jesus did this as part of a lesson, explaining that those who worked and bore the heat of the day would complain. But the truth is a denarius was a fair wage for the period of a full day. And the owner was well within his rights to pay what he wished. The idea was that what was given was the same reward whether one came early or one came late. The big picture is Jesus is making it clear that the reward of eternal life goes to even those who show up late. In context, Jesus is saying that the Kingdom is going to be open to the groups the nation of Israel considered beneath them and as a result would be jealous of those who are brought into the kingdom even if they were not brought in from the beginning as Israel was. Even today, non messianic Jews are extremely jealous in defending their position before God as His original people and cannot grasp that from 70 AD to current times there's been no temple at which to offer sacrifice. No real Aaronic priesthood either. The thought of anyone entering into God's kingdom apart from the nation of Israel is repugnant to them, let alone the idea someone would be entering before them. And some of the apostles really continued to struggle with this concept of Gentiles being welcomed into God's Kingdom. Especially Peter, who was part of the problem that became known as the first great heresy of the church. It took the Apostle Paul to correct him. So the Catholic notion of an infallible Peter is entirely fictional. It took 2 consecutive visions from God to get Peter off his butt to go speak with Cornelius. Even then, Peter hesitated to share the gospel with a Gentile. And even after this, Peter shares in the heresy and even Barnabas is carried away. Jesus is using the national pride of Israel against them. He knows their jealousy regarding others who joined the Kingdom. The first century Jews were zealous for their nation while at the same time having what they considered good reasons to despise other nations. The faithful Jews who did receive Jesus heard Him when He taught that ALL nations would be blessed with the gift of being able to turn to Him and believe. They heard him. And this was one of the great failures of Peter and some of the other believers. On the day of judgment, the faithful witnesses will be standing behind the believers of today for their reward. Not because we earned it, but because God has mercy. Jesus is the prophet foretold by Moses. Deuteronomy 18:15-19 [15] “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen; to him you shall listen. [16] This is in accordance with everything that you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Do not let me hear the voice of the Lord my God again, and do not let me see this great fire anymore, or I will die!’ [17] And the Lord said to me, ‘They have spoken well. [18] I will raise up for them a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them everything that I command him. [19] And it shall come about that whoever does not listen to My words which he speaks in My name, I Myself will require it of him. Moses knew the Messiah would be rejected and God says if any Israelite does not listen to Him, God would require their punishment and they will be utterly cut off from the people of God. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are the new Israel. We are the saints, we are the last who became first. We are not better than the Jews, we are not worse off. We are saved by grace through faith. We should with our very last breath be sharing the gospel with everyone. [1] “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. [2] When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. [3] And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace; [4] and to those he said, ‘You go into the vineyard also, and whatever is right, I will give you.’ And so they went. [5] Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. [6] And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he *said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ [7] They *said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He *said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ [8] “Now when evening came, the owner of the vineyard *said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, starting with the last group to the first.’ [9] When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius. [10] And so when those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. [11] When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, [12] saying, ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day’s work and the scorching heat.’ [13] But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? [14] Take what is yours and go; but I want to give to this last person the same as to you. [15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ [16] So the last shall be first, and the first, last.”

THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN IN A CHALLENGING WORLD By Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah Introduction We are living in a world that is changing rapidly. Values are shifting, truth is being questioned, morality is being redefined, and many people are under pressure to compromise their convictions just to fit into society. Yet, the Christian is called to live differently. Jesus never promised His followers a life without challenges. In fact, He said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV). The Christian life is not a promise of the absence of trouble; it is a promise of God's presence in the midst of trouble. We may walk through difficult seasons, but we do not walk through them alone. A challenging world requires Christians who know their God, understand their identity, stand firmly on God's Word, and refuse to allow the darkness around them to extinguish the light within them. 1. THE CHRISTIAN MUST KNOW WHO HE IS One of the greatest dangers in a challenging world is losing your identity. The world constantly tells us who we should become, what we should value, what success should look like, and what standards we should follow. But the believer must derive his identity from God, not from society. 1 Peter 2:9 says: «“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.”» You are not merely a product of your environment. You are God's possession. When you know who you are in Christ, you will not need the approval of everyone around you to feel valuable. Your identity is not determined by your failures, your past, your social status, your possessions, or people's opinions about you. You belong to Christ. 2. THE CHRISTIAN MUST STAND ON GOD'S WORD A changing world needs an unchanging standard. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God's Word gives us direction when culture becomes confusing. It gives us conviction when compromise becomes attractive. It gives us hope when circumstances become discouraging. The Christian who neglects Scripture will eventually become vulnerable to the philosophies of the world. We must therefore become students of the Word. Do not build your life solely on what people say. Build it on what God has said. People can change. Circumstances can change. Governments can change. Economies can change. Relationships can change. But the Word of our God stands forever. 3. THE CHRISTIAN MUST REFUSE TO CONFORM Romans 12:2 says: «“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”» There is a difference between living in the world and becoming like the world. Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:15-16. He did not ask the Father to remove them from the world but to preserve them while they remained in it. This means Christianity is not an escape from society. It is a divine assignment within society. We are called to influence the world without allowing the world to influence our convictions. You can work in a corrupt environment without becoming corrupt. You can live among people who compromise without compromising. You can be surrounded by darkness and still carry light. 4. THE CHRISTIAN MUST DEVELOP SPIRITUAL STRENGTH A challenging world requires spiritual strength. Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Our strength does not come merely from personality, education, wealth, connections, or experience. There are battles that human strength cannot win. Therefore, we must strengthen our relationship with God through prayer, worship, fasting, the study of Scripture, fellowship, and obedience. A weak spiritual life makes a believer vulnerable to temptation, fear, discouragement, bitterness, and compromise. Prayer is not simply an emergency telephone call to God. Prayer is fellowship with our Father. We must learn to seek God not only when we need something from Him but because we desire Him. 5. THE CHRISTIAN MUST LEARN TO FACE TRIALS WITH FAITH Challenges are part of the journey. James 1:2-4 teaches believers to count it joy when they face various trials because testing produces patience and spiritual maturity. This does not mean that pain is pleasant. It means that God can use difficult seasons to produce something valuable in us. Sometimes God changes the situation. Sometimes He gives us grace to endure it. Sometimes He uses the situation to change us. Whatever the case may be, we must refuse to allow adversity to destroy our faith. Your trial is not the end of your story. The fact that you are going through something does not mean that God has abandoned you. David passed through valleys and still testified of God's presence. Daniel faced the lions and discovered that God was with him. The three Hebrew young men entered the fiery furnace, but they were not alone. God remains faithful in the fire. 6. THE CHRISTIAN MUST GUARD HIS HEART Proverbs 4:23 says: «“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”» The world constantly feeds our hearts with fear, hatred, lust, greed, envy, anger, and materialism. If we are not careful, what surrounds us will eventually influence what is within us. That is why believers must guard what they watch, what they listen to, what they celebrate, what they meditate upon, and the relationships they cultivate. Not everything that is popular is profitable. Not everything that is trending is godly. Not every opportunity is an assignment from God. A Christian must learn to say NO when necessary. 7. THE CHRISTIAN MUST BE LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD Jesus said in Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world.” Notice that Jesus did not say, “You will become light someday.” He said, “You are the light.” Light has no argument with darkness. It simply shines. The world does not necessarily need Christians who shout the loudest; it needs Christians whose lives demonstrate the reality of Christ. Your workplace should experience your integrity. Your family should experience your love. Your community should experience your kindness. Your generation should see Christ through your character. We preach with our mouths, but we also preach through our lives. 8. THE CHRISTIAN MUST LOVE PEOPLE IN A HURTING WORLD A challenging world is also a hurting world. People are carrying wounds that we cannot see. Some are fighting silent battles. Some have lost hope. Some have been disappointed by life, relationships, institutions, and even religion. The Christian must therefore become an instrument of God's love. Jesus said in John 13:35: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Our Christianity must not become merely a collection of religious activities. We must love. We must forgive. We must encourage. We must help. We must show compassion. Sometimes the greatest sermon you will preach is the kindness you show to someone who is hurting. 9. THE CHRISTIAN MUST KEEP HIS EYES ON ETERNITY One of the reasons believers compromise is that they become too attached to temporary things. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:18 to focus not merely on the things that are seen, but on the things that are eternal. This world is not our final destination. Our possessions are temporary. Our positions are temporary. Our earthly achievements are temporary. But eternity is forever. Therefore, we must live with eternity in view. Do not gain the whole world and lose your soul. Do not sacrifice your relationship with God for temporary pleasure. Do not exchange eternal treasures for temporary applause. 10. THE CHRISTIAN MUST NEVER GIVE UP Perhaps the greatest testimony in a challenging world is simply refusing to quit. Galatians 6:9 says: «“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”» There may be moments when you feel tired. There may be moments when your prayers seem unanswered. There may be moments when you wonder whether your faith is worth the struggle. But keep going. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep serving. Keep loving. Keep trusting God. Your present struggle does not cancel God's purpose for your life. CONCLUSION The life of a Christian in a challenging world is not always easy, but it is possible by the grace of God. We are called to live differently—not because we are better than others, but because Christ has called us to represent Him. We are called to stand when others fall. To shine when others walk in darkness. To speak truth when falsehood becomes popular. To demonstrate love when hatred increases. To maintain faith when circumstances become difficult. And to remain faithful until the end. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Beloved, the world may be challenging, but God is still faithful. The culture may be changing, but God's Word has not changed. The pressure may be increasing, but God's grace is sufficient. The darkness may be growing, but your light can still shine. Therefore, stand firm. Stay prayerful. Stay in the Word. Stay holy. Stay humble. Stay faithful. And above all, keep your eyes on Jesus. PRAYER Father, in the name of Jesus, give me the grace to live faithfully in this challenging world. Strengthen my heart when I am weak, guide me when I am confused, preserve me when I am tempted, and help me to remain a light wherever You have planted me. Let my life bring glory to Your name. May I never compromise my faith, abandon my calling, or lose sight of eternity. In Jesus' name, amen. — Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah #LifeofaChristian #PJCares

Sermon Title: "FEED MY SHEEP, NOT YOUR AGENDA" Key Texts: Ezekiel 34:1-10, John 21:15-17, 1 Peter 5:2-4, Hebrews 12:14, 2 Timothy 4:3-4 INTRODUCTION The Lord is asking the same question today He asked Peter: “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.” John 21:17 But in this last age, many shepherds have left the sheep to chase the world. And many sheep have left holiness to chase prosperity. Both are losing the eternal gift. 1. WARNING TO SHEPHERDS: YOU LEFT THE HEART OF THE LORD Ezekiel 34:2-4 — “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed... and you have not sought the lost.” God’s heart for His people is: Feed them the Word, not opinions Heal the broken, not use them Seek the lost, not ignore them But some shepherds today have “given into the world and its things.” Jeremiah 23:1 — “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Why? Because it’s not sanctified. Ministry without holiness becomes business. John 10:13 — The hireling sees the wolf and flees because he cares nothing for the sheep. God’s warning: Ezekiel 34:10 — “I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand.” 2. WARNING TO THE CHURCH: YOU LEFT HOLINESS FOR PROSPERITY The message says: “saved church not clinging to holiness bcos jealous, hatred, gossip and not obeying the word... itching ears for prosperity gospel instead of soul eager for sanctification gospel.” This is exactly what Paul warned: 2 Timothy 4:3-4 — “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” Holiness is being traded for hype. Hebrews 12:14 — “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Signs of a church that left holiness: Jealousy and hatred - Galatians 5:19-21 works of the flesh Gossip - Proverbs 16:28 separates close friends Disobedience to the Word - James 1:22 “be doers of the word” Prosperity over the Cross - 1 Peter 2:2 “long for the pure spiritual milk” When we chase blessings more than the Blesser, we lose the eternal gift: sanctification and seeing God. 3. GOD’S CALL BACK: RETURN TO THE SHEPHERD 1 Peter 5:2-4 — “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you... And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” To Shepherds: Repent. Return to feeding, not fleecing. Acts 20:28 — “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock.” To the Church: 1 Peter 1:15-16 — “As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” Holiness is not legalism. It is love. It is being set apart for God. Psalm 51:10 — “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” CLOSING PRAYER Father, forgive us. Forgive shepherds who fed themselves and left Your sheep. Put back in us the heart of the Lord for Your people. Forgive Your church for chasing prosperity and ignoring sanctification. Create in us clean hearts. Let us hunger for Your Word, not myths. Let us love holiness, not gossip and jealousy. Make us a people ready for Jesus. In His Name, Amen. SHEPHERDS AND HOLINESS: Message: This is a warning and a call. Ezekiel 34: shepherds, return to the heart of the Lord for His people. Don’t feed yourself and leave the sheep. Church, Hebrews 12:14 — pursue holiness. Don’t trade sanctification for prosperity. Jealousy, gossip, disobedience