wait on God Waiting on the Lord is not wasted time; it is preparation time. When you feel stuck in a season of waiting, it can be easy to lose heart. However, biblical waiting is an active, hopeful pause that builds your spiritual endurance.. Why Waiting on the Lord Matters :It shifts your focus: It moves your eyes from your problems to God's power. It renews your strength: Like an eagle resting before flight, waiting restores your energy. It aligns your timing: God sees the whole map; He moves when the time is exactly right.. It protects you: Sometimes a "wait" is actually God shielding you from an unseen danger .A Prayer for the Waiting Season Dear God,Some days, this waiting feels heavy and long. My heart feels anxious, and I want to rush ahead. Please help me to rest in Your perfect timing today.Give me the strength to stay patient. Fill my mind with peace when doubt creeps in. I choose to believe that Your plans for me are good, even when I cannot see the next step. Strengthen my heart right now. Remind me that You are working behind the scenes.In Jesus' name, Amen.

Lifeline Today Monday August 10 Destined and Designed “I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT) God created fish to swim, but fish don’t have to take swimming lessons because the swim is already in the fish. Birds to fly, but birds don’t have to attend flight school because the flight is already in the bird. It means success is not something we chase, but something that happens naturally when we are aligned with who God created us to be. A fish looks untalented on land, a bird looks weak under water, but none of them are failures, they’re just in a wrong environment. That’s why so many people get stuck. They’re not failing because success isn’t in them, they’re struggling because they’re trying to thrive in a place God never designed them for. When you are operating in your purpose, success becomes a byproduct, not because you forced it, but because you found the environment that God created you to live in. This is your day. Wisdom Fountain: "You are not a victim of circumstance; you are destined by purpose and designed by intention to build what you envision." Prayer: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I pray for Your wisdom and discernment. Enlighten the eyes of my heart so that I may clearly see the hope of Your calling. Open the doors that align with Your perfect will, and gently close the ones that lead me astray. Order my steps, renew my mind, and give me the courage to walk boldly in my unique design in Jesus’ name.

I admire those bold enough to do open air preaching, but I believe timing is important. This woman was removed from a flight after videoing herself preaching to the other passengers. Some have questioned Whitney's motive, but only God knows her heart. Given the increased security in recent years, Christians should be mindful of their behavior. Proverbs 19:2 (NLT) says, "Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes." https://nypost.com/2026/08/01/us-news/florida-evangelist-says-she-was-kicked-off-alaska-airlines-flight-for-preaching-in-act-of-spiritual-warfare-during-delay/

❤️HOW TO KNOW GOD'S WILL FOR IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN YOUR LIFE. Part 3 of 6. God’s Basic Will for Every Christian. Continued. Who would you say such individuals are acknowledging when they make such negative statements as these concerning their sickness, defeat, frustrations, anxieties, and problems–God or Satan? This may explain to you why you are not experiencing more of God's leading in your life, or why it is that you do not know His will in this or that particular situation. Perhaps it is because you are acknowledging the wrong person as the controlling influence in your life and circumstances. Yes, this could very well be the major factor in much of your sickness, problems, frustration, and defeat, for God promises to direct the steps only of those who trust fully in Him, not themselves, and who acknowledge Him and His divine providence in all their ways. STUDY 2 How God Makes Known His Will for Specific Decisions and Needs. As incredible as it may seem at first glance, nevertheless, it is true that "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Ps 37:23). The term "ordered" means literally "establish, or ordain" in the original Hebrew, and is used by David in Psalm 8:3 where he exclaims, "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained, what is man, that you are mindful of him?" The cycles of the moon, the movements of the planets, sun, and stars in their courses, as well as the revolving of the countless galaxies, composed of billions of stars, throughout the universe, are all ordained by God with such precision that scientists can set their watches by the sun or stars, astronomers can predict accurately where a certain heavenly body will be 100 years from now, and space scientists can, for example, send a spaceship toward Mars which will arrive many months later exactly on target. It is this same term which is used in Psalm 37:23, where we are told, "the steps of a good man are ordained by the Lord." This means that the same wisdom which ordained the courses of the sun, moon, planets, and stars with such magnificent precision has also ordained the steps of the Christian. Thus, we see that God has a plan for every life. When we know His will for our lives, then we can fulfill His plan. God has a plan for everything in the universe which He created: the sun, the moon, and stars; the angels and hosts of heaven; the southern flight of the birds in the winter and their return in the spring; the rise and fall of the tides; the periodic rainfall with the resultant growth of the earth's vegetation; the variation and change of the seasons, and so on. His wisdom, planning, and providential control are evident everywhere, from the delicate intricacy of design seen in the falling snowflake to the balance of the earth on its axis in its course around the sun. Since God has a preordained plan for everything, would it not, therefore, be strange if He neglected to have a plan for men, whom He created in His own image? And yet, most people, including Christians, live as if God created man, and then more or less left him alone, having only a passing interest in his welfare and condition. The Scriptures clearly state that God has a plan for every believers' lives, as seen for example, in such passages as Psalm 37; 91; Proverbs 37:23; Psalm 37:23; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1; 4:11-15; 5:17. . Nevertheless, Many Christians know nothing of the concept of a God-planned life. These are people who apparently do not know that Jesus promised that a sparrow "shall not fall on the ground without your Father," and that "the very hairs of your head are all numbered" ( Mt. 10:29-30). From their joyless expression and speaking of wretchedness, adversity, and confusion, one would gather that God had saved them only to forsake them, leaving them to struggle along in the world as best they can. There are Christians everywhere who seem to have lost their direction, who have made the wrong choices, who are uncertain as to God's will for their lives, who are in the wrong occupation and are unhappy and dissatisfied, who are insecure and afraid, who cannot make a decision without doubt or apprehension concerning whether or not they have done the right thing, and who are frustrated, discouraged, and defeated by circumstances. It is not God's will that any Christian should suffer such bewilderment and defeat. Why? Simply because "the steps of a good man are ordained by the Lord." Far too many Christians are living below the level of what God has planned for their lives. He has a perfect plan for you in order for you to fulfill His will; but there is also a permissive will which He allows those to follow who, for one reason or another, reject or neglect to follow His perfect will. So many Christians are living on this lower plane of God's permissive will, which can never bring the joy, peace, accomplishment and fulfillment they are looking for. Often they are accepting a life of frustration, oppression, and poverty because of their ignorance of, or their unwillingness to submit to, God's perfect will for their lives. Our lives are only happy and complete when we are moving in God's will, since we lack both the wisdom and foresight to plan our own lives effectively. The Scriptures declare, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps" (Jer.10:23) Isaiah graphically portrays the consequences of man's attempt to plan and direct his own life, saying, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way" (Isa. 53:6). "Does God want me to go back to my wife and attempt to salvage our marriage for the children's sake, or remain separated and try to make the best of it?" a bewildered husband asks. "I feel the call of God in my life," confides another. "It seems to be in the mission field. However, I have a family to provide for, and as yet I do not have the support of any missionary society. How can I know what God would have me to do?" "Now that I have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit," a young woman asks, "should I remain in my present church, which is not sympathetic toward this experience today, and try to witness my experience there, or should I seek fellowship with Spirit filled Christians in another church?" "I must know by the end of the next month whether or not I should renew my lease on my place of business. My wife and I feel that the Lord may be leading us out of this into something else. How can I know for certain just what God would have us do?" asks a man that is pressed for a decision soon. "Can I believe God for deliverance from the financial oppression I am suffering?" "Will God heal me of multiple sclerosis, which medical science states to be incurable?" "Is it possible for me to ask in faith for the salvation of my family?" "How can I determine if God would have me to remain in my present employment or ask for something better?" "Should I remain unmarried and thereby be able to serve the Lord more effectively?" "Have I failed God somewhere and missed His will for me, since I seem to be going through so many severe trials in the past few months?" "Should we pray for deliverance from our trials?" "How may I determine if I should seek to serve the Lord in some form of religious work, or remain in my present teaching position?" "I am confused about God's will for my life. How may I be sure just what He would have me to do?" Questions ... questions ... questions - all from bewildered, confused, sometimes frustrated Christians, earnestly seeking to learn God's will for their lives, or anxious to know His will concerning an important decision they must make in some pressing matter. How can the man who feels God would have him go to the mission field ascertain God's will? Certainly it is an important and crucial decision with which he is faced. It is useless, and even unsafe, for a man to be trying to serve the Lord in India, if God wants him in Indiana. That student will certainly fail who attempts to leave a school where God has placed him, merely because he must undergo certain trials in order to remain. Nor will that person ever succeed who, motivated by an enthusiasm to serve the Lord, disposes of his business in order to go preach the gospel, when God desires to use him as a Christian businessman right where he is. He will be as frustrated and out of place as that individual who failed to respond to God's call to preach His Word and accepted something less than God's perfect will for his life. Likewise, when one is not sure whether or not he has made the right decision about some matter in harmony with God's will, it will be terribly difficult to determine, if he finds himself going through trying circumstances, whether these experiences are "trials of his faith," or chastisement for his disobedience. How can we be sure just what God's will is in the decisions which confronts us? How can we avoid mistakes and costly blunders? You may be sure of one thing - you do not have to plead with God to guide and direct you. Over and over in Scripture He expresses His willingness and desire to give you an understanding of His perfect will for your life. He promises to direct your footsteps day to day. God has pledged Himself to direct each step of your life if you will determine to meet the three-fold condition which He sets forth in Proverbs 3:5-6 of total trust in the Lord; a lack of trust in yourself; and a constant statement of these two facts. EIGHT SCRIPTURAL METHODS BY WHICH GOD MAKES KNOWN HIS WILL It is not unreasonable to believe that if God could create a man in His image that He could also speak to him and communicate His will to him, Inasmuch as God has clearly stated in His Word that it is His desire to reveal His will to the believer, and is displeased when we are not walking in harmony with it. We should also expect that He would provide the means for ascertaining it. This He has done. There are, we find, eight scriptural methods for ascertaining God's will – three are notice in which we must take the initiative, and five are passive in which we become recipients of divine revelation of His will for us, as seen, for example, in the angel's appearance to Joseph in a dream warning him to flee into Egypt with the child, Jesus. Passive revelation of God's will comes unsought at the Spirit's sovereign discretion, inasmuch as God has promised to direct the steps of those who fulfill the conditions (Prov. 3:5-6). At the Altar: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:1-2). I find that many Christians spend years seeking to learn God's will for their lives. They read books on the subject, hoping to find some clue, they pray for guidance, or they seek help through religious counseling, but they have overlooked God's basic requirement for learning His perfect will – the total commitment of one's life on the altar as a living sacrifice. To comprehend just what God requires for total consecration, it is suggested that the section entitled Go Back to Calvary in the first previous studies be reviewed again, for all that was set forth there is to be applied here as the manner in which Romans 12:1-2 is to be understood and obeyed. While it is true that the Christian can ascertain to some degree God's will through prayer, study at His Word, or by other means, nevertheless, total consecration is required to know His perfect will, as Romans 12:1-2 clearly indicates. We must learn that we cannot substitute praying for obeying; for without total commitment many precious hours can be wasted praying for a revelation of God's will, or for guidance for our lives in some matter, and heaven will often seem as brass. Why? God is waiting for us to present ourselves as living sacrifices, and climb upon the altar where He can speak with us. He only reveals His perfect will to us when we are upon the altar, for it is only here that we are in a position to hear Him when He speaks. When "self" has been crucified and the life surrendered without reservation, then you will find that the Spirit is frequently speaking inwardly to you, and that you can become quite sensitive to His voice, being able to discern it from your own will, or from the suggestions of the enemy. It is a great blessing to know when the Spirit is speaking, and to be able to respond to His leading and prompting, fulfilling God's will instead of wandering aimlessly about confused and, bewildered. You will find that you will be sensitive to His voice to the extent your life is consecrated on the altar and you are yielded to the Spirit. And to the extent you are sensitive to His voice you are able to respond when He speaks. God at times, for one reason or another, speaks directly to His children in an audible voice to reveal some matter to them, give them guidance, or make known His will. Generally, however, it is by means of that still, inner voice that He speaks to our spirit, prompting, leading, directing, and influencing, or at times checking us from taking some undesirable course of action. God will not reveal His perfect plan and will to a Christian who is not fully yielded unto Him without reservation, for such an individual would be ineffective and unable to fulfill God's purpose in his life. An effective instrument is one that has yielded itself completely to the hand of the one using it. Many Christians feel they have yielded themselves to the Spirit and have consecrated themselves to God, yet they have not always done so without reservation. One individual, for instance, feels that he is consecrated because he is praying for God to send him as a missionary to India, but who at the same time would have no desire for God to use him as a missionary to Indiana! He is consecrated, but not unconditionally; thus, God's perfect will cannot be revealed to him, since it would be impossible for it to be fulfilled in his life. Another, with a gift of prophecy prays earnestly to God to fulfill his desire and use him in a great way in a ministry of prophecy like that of Amos or Isaiah, but has little inclination to follow in the steps of a prophet like Lucius, for example. After all, who has ever heard of Lucius outside of the people in the local church at Antioch (Acts 13:1)? Another pleads with God for the gifts and power to slay giants as David, pulling down Satan's strongholds, but would decline to engage in this warfare alone in his closet, on his knees, wrestling with the forces of darkness by prayer and fastings. Christians too often come to God and think they are consecrating themselves to Him simply because they say, "Here I am Lord, use me in such and such a place, at such and such a time, in such and such a way." Then they wonder why God does not respond to this little genuflection before Him with a mighty out-pouring of His Spirit upon them, or why they seem to have so much difficulty in ascertaining His will for their lives. After all, they do wish to serve Him and to be used by Him. Why then are they so often bewildered and ineffective? It is simply because they have not placed themselves on the altar and yielded themselves unconditionally to Him. It is true that God wants to use you to speak His Word; but if you are not fully yielded to Him, then often you will find that you will be speaking the wrong word to the wrong people at the wrong time. An effective instrument is one fully yielded to the purpose of the one using it. Therefore, before God can unveil His perfect will for your life day to day, you must first obey that aspect of His will which He has already revealed – total consecration, "for this is the will of God, even your consecration" (1 Th. 4:3). It is only as we present ourselves as living sacrifices that we are shown progressively, day to day, more and more, "what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:1-2). Just as we fellowship and speak with our children God promises to communicate with us and reveal His will, however, it may be that you have been living too far from Him to hear His voice when He speaks. Draw near to Him daily in prayer, love, and obedience, and you will find yourself becoming increasingly sensitive to His voice as He speaks to you. In the Word; All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Those who may be looking for a shortcut or some easy solution to learning the will of God probably will be disappointed to learn that God has already revealed His will for their lives in large measure in the Scriptures; and, as a consequence, this means they will have to pay the cost of sacrificing some of their time and interest in other things, and diligently search His Word, if they expect Him to speak to them through it. In these instances in which Christians with whom I have counseled are bewildered and confused, and are unable to ascertain God's will about some matter, I have found almost invariably that their predicament is the inevitable consequence of not knowing what the Word of God teaches concerning their problem or need. Again and again I have seen Christians pray for a revelation of God's will, or come to me for guidance about some matter, the solution to which is already revealed in God's Word. It is useless to ask God for guidance on matters where He has clearly unfolded His will, if through negligence, or for some other reason, an individual has not bothered to ascertain what He has had to say on the subject. If, for example, a Christian woman wishes to marry an unbeliever, hoping to convert him after marriage, she could pray for months for a revelation of God's will in the matter without receiving it, for God is never going to answer such a request as to whether or not this marriage should take place. Why? Simply because He has already revealed His will on this matter in His Word (2 Cor. 6:14). Neither is God going to give that individual the Holy Spirit who prays as some do whom I have heard, saying, "Lord, if the baptism in the Holy Spirit is for me, and if it is your will that I should have it, then somehow show me this fact and I will accept it." God has already revealed in His Word the promise of the Holy Spirit, and states clearly that the baptism will be given to those who, in faith, ask for it (Lk. 11:13). Again, many Christians are confused concerning God's will in the matter of sickness. Since they are not firmly grounded in what the Word of God teaches on the subject of healing, then they are unsettled in their minds, believing that it is not always God's will to heal the sick, and that there are some exceptions to His promise that "the prayer of faith shall heal the sick" (Jam. 5:15). Because they do not know God's Word as they should on this question, then they do not always know what God's will is in the event of sickness, especially in case of serious illness, and have, therefore, committed themselves to praying the faithless prayer in such instances, "O Lord, if it be thy will I ask that I might be healed somehow, nevertheless, not my will but thine be done." Such apparent resignation to God's will may sound pious, but it most certainly is not scriptural, inasmuch as God has already revealed His will about the matter of sickness in His Word in dozens of passages, such as Mark 16:18, saying, "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Edited. Shared. To be Continued. ❤️ God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.

“Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭23‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/jos.23.10.NLT

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?”

Football season is still a few weeks, away … just over a month … we still have “pre”-season, or you could say time to prepare. "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” John 4:34-35 Preparation is key. "The Pre-game Meal." For an athlete in any sport, this meal may be the most important meal of the entire day. An athlete must have enough energy to last through the entire competition. Taking in the right amount of caloies to be burnt during competition is of utmost importance. Like a pilot about to take flight, taking in the right amount of fuel for a flight is likewise the same importance. Too little and you are destined to crash. This is the last chance to get the fuel needed. When I was a coach, I too needed fuel and after feeding my body I would look to God for something extra. Jesus talks about a different kind of fuel in the bible. Doing God's work is the fuel we need in order to succeed in the game of life. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus explains it like this; "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." The challenge given to me as a christian coach was to devote myself to this kind of work. By way of example I am to present to the athletes I help coach as well as fellow coaches, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church. As my day begins, I ask these questions; 1. Are you seeking to do God's work daily? 2. Are you asking God to show you where He wants you to work 3. Are you studying God's Word daily to become a better worker 4. Today, what can you do to feed your soul? Another piece of scripture I followed in my coaching philosophy was from Peter that says this; “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:2-3 Lord, show me where You want me to work, and I will serve You. Put people in front of me whom You want me to talk to today. Let Your words be heard with my voice. Take this life and use it to build Your Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

David was in intense emotional anguish and was enduring devastating pain (Psalm 55:4-5) caused by the betrayal of someone he trusted, one whom he described in endearing terms: “my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship” (vv. 13-14). Initially, the psalmist had considered hiding in the desert to escape the storm, hoping to isolate himself from the pain. He pictures himself as a bird taking flight into the desert, which he thought would provide him with a safe place of refuge (vv. 6-8). Eventually, David chose to run to God instead, affirming that only He could rescue him and keep him safe (vv. 16-18). He says to “give your burdens to the Lord and he will take care of you” (v. 22 nlt). Just as God pursued David, He hears us and pursues us when we’re experiencing the pain of a betrayed relationship. He provides grace as we trust in Him for repentance and healing.

# DAILY LIGHT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THREE BIRDS SENT OUT OF THE ARK BY NOAH ​Grace, apostolic authority, and the uncompromising fire of the Holy Ghost be multiplied to your spirit. As disciples of the Kingdom, we must recognize that the Holy Scriptures are not merely historical records; they are profound prophetic blueprints. Every detail, every animal, and every sequence is a calculated revelation of God’s dealings with the human soul. ​Today, the Spirit of God is unlocking the mystery of Genesis 8. As the floodwaters of judgment receded, Noah did not simply open the door and walk out. He tested the spiritual climate of the earth by releasing birds. This sequence—the raven, and the successive flights of the dove—is a surgical exposure of the battle between the flesh and the Spirit in your life. Prepare your heart, for this is an apostolic summons to absolute consecration. ​The First Release: The Raven and the Appetite of the Flesh ​"And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth." — Genesis 8:7 ​Noah first released a raven. The scripture records that the raven flew "to and fro" and never returned to the safety of the ark. Why? Because the raven is a scavenger. It is an unclean bird that feeds on carrion—dead and decaying flesh. Even though the earth was completely destroyed and covered in the judgment of the flood, the raven was perfectly comfortable landing on the floating carcasses of the old world. ​The Prophetic Diagnosis: The raven represents your carnal nature—the unredeemed flesh. The flesh is perfectly at home in chaos. It feeds on the decaying matters of this world: gossip, bitterness, lust, and rebellion. When a believer is operating in the flesh, they do not crave the presence of God (the Ark); they are satisfied surviving on the dead things of their past. The raven requires no holiness to find rest. If your soul is not completely surrendered to Christ, the "raven" within you will always find a carcass to feed on. ​The Second Release: The Dove and the Standard of Holiness ​"Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated... But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth..." — Genesis 8:8-9 ​Next, Noah released a dove. Unlike the raven, the dove is a clean bird. It cannot feed on dead meat, and it will not land on filth. Finding the earth still covered in the waters of judgment and death, the dove found no resting place and immediately returned to the Ark. ​The Prophetic Diagnosis: The dove is the ultimate biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16). Here is the terrifying truth of Christ Discipleship: The Holy Spirit will not tabernacle in a contaminated vessel. He refuses to share a resting place with your unjudged flesh. Many believers are begging for an outpouring of the Holy Ghost, but their lives are flooded with compromise, secret sin, and carnal entertainment. The Spirit of God will visit you, scan the landscape of your heart, and if He finds no pure, consecrated ground, He will withdraw. You cannot host the Dove while feeding the raven. ​The Third Release: The Olive Branch and Permanent Habitation ​"And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off... And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more." — Genesis 8:11-12 ​Noah waited seven days and sent the dove again. This time, she returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf. The olive leaf is the biblical symbol of the anointing (oil), peace, and the undeniable proof of new life springing forth from the earth. Finally, on her last flight, the dove did not return. The earth was clean, and she had found her permanent habitation. ​The Prophetic Diagnosis: God does not just want to give you a temporary visitation; He is after a permanent habitation. When the floodwaters of repentance genuinely wash your soul, the old nature is buried. The Holy Spirit will bring the "olive branch" of His anointing and peace to confirm that new life has begun in you. But the ultimate goal of discipleship is that final release—where your mind, will, and emotions are so thoroughly cleansed and surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus that the Holy Spirit makes His permanent, uninterrupted dwelling inside of you. ​The Altar of Absolute Surrender ​The apostolic question you must answer today is this: Which bird is finding rest in your life? Are you accommodating the raven of the flesh, allowing it to feast on the dead things of the world? Or are you preparing a holy, consecrated resting place for the Dove of Heaven? It is time to starve the flesh and surrender entirely to the Spirit. ​Prophetic Decree and Prayer of Consecration ​"Father, in the supreme, consuming Name of Jesus Christ, I bring my soul to the altar of absolute surrender today. I repent for every area of my life where I have allowed the raven of my flesh to feed on the dead, carnal things of this world. I renounce compromise, hidden sin, and spiritual laziness. Lord, let the floodwaters of Your Holy Ghost wash my vessel clean! I desperately want to be a resting place for the Divine Dove. I surrender my mind, my will, and my habits to Your Lordship. Bring the olive branch of Your anointing into my life, and completely take over my existence until my flesh is dead and only Christ remains. Make me Your permanent habitation! In Jesus' matchless Name!" # THE SON OF LIGHT

KENNETH COPELAND PAID FOR 800,000 TENT ⛺🎪😲 - Reinhard Bonnke On Saturday, February 18, 1984, we prepared for the dedication service for the world’s largest tent. As I waited with Anni and my father in a nearby trailer a knock came at my door. My friend Ray McCauley stood there with Kenneth and Gloria Copeland from Ft. Worth, Texas. I asked them to come in. They had been drawn to the reports of our work and had come to see it for themselves. “I want to support CfaN,” Kenneth said. “I preach to the saved, you preach to the unsaved. We should be partners. ”I thanked him for that. But honestly, I had no idea how incredibly powerful his words would prove to be over the decades to come. Later the news arrived from Cape Town. On Saturday, May 5, the tent erection was complete. That afternoon a storm of wind and rain descended. A few rips appeared in the fabric. They had been quickly repaired. As evening fell the wind increased. Gerhard Ganske, who was in charge of the tent’s anchor system, circled the tent checking the security of the cement reinforced anchors. Everything held securely. Milton Kasselman, the chief electrician, went inside the tent. It held the wind at bay. Overhead the twelve masts swayed slightly, as they should. He checked the mounted flood lamps and the speaker towers. All was well. Tent master, Kobus de Lange, and his assistant, Horst Kosanke, checked the miles of cables that counterbalanced all the forces of wind and gravity. They were doing their job. He ordered the crew back to their quarters to sleep and wait out the storm. Suddenly, at 4 a.m., they were awakened by the sound of ripping fabric. As they rushed outside, winds were ripping the tent to shreds. It was not a hurricane. It was not even a wind strong enough to cause normal alarm. The damage they were seeing seemed supernatural, as if evil demonic forces in the wind were violently attacking the structure. They watched helplessly as pieces came loose and flew across the surrounding city of Cape Town. By 9:30 a.m. only a few strands of fabric remained. All of the steel and cable structure remained unhurt. It looked like a huge skeleton with no skin or meat remaining on the bones. Some of the crew were reduced to uncontrolled weeping. Five years of focused labor was destroyed in five hours. The atmosphere became like being at a funeral. That Sunday morning churches across Cape Town mourned the loss. Their hopes had been raised so high only to be dashed to pieces by the demonic wind. Shreds of the world’s largest tent became collectors items for the residents of Cape Town. They were found scattered for miles downwind of the tent site. Curiosity seekers came to the sports field to see the destruction. Some laughed at the calamity. They stood in the high-rise balconies and on bridges and other vantage points from which to view it. Christians gathered on the grounds, weeping, falling to their knees beneath the steel structure, praying. News media made the story front page all that day and the next. I told my crew chief that God had given me a great peace about this event. He was to encourage the crew and to clean up the site and wait for my return. I returned to my office I found telephone calls, telegrams, cards, and letters from around the world waiting for me. The news of the disaster had gone as far as the news of the big tent. Most of the response was overwhelmingly encouraging. But a large minority of naysayers had their day. From the beginning I had dealt with the normal array of critics. Many people criticized the size of the tent. They said it wasn’t practical. It was too risky. The project ate money like a gambling machine. It was not good stewardship. The entire endeavor was ego driven. With this disaster, those people had much more to say. “This is God’s judgment on you.” “You’re out of the will of God.” “You’ve moved out from under the umbrella of divine protection.” “There is sin in your camp.” The one that hit the lowest came from a dear Pentecostal sister back in Germany. This lady had supported our work faithfully and substantially over the years. She wrote to tell me that she had seen pictures of the tent dedication in Soweto. The pictures showed that Anni had cut her hair. This sin, she said, had led to this disaster. She pledged that she would no longer send money to CfaN. She would only pray for our repentance. I must confess, that fiery dart of the Enemy got through my armor for a few days. Even some of my co-workers lost heart. They felt that we’d been overcome by the Enemy. This was one of our darkest days. A rumor circulated that Muslims from Valhalla had marched around our tent site and had called down a curse on it. No one could offer me proof, and I gave no credence to this report. I find that when people believe an urban legend like this, it is because they desperately want to believe it. They have lost sight of their God and Savior and His unlimited power and have looked at the wind and the waves. Like Peter, who started out so well in his walk on water, he began to sink. Some of our people sank right here. But here is the greater story of the Cape Town disaster. It was not a disaster at all! It was our greatest triumph! First, God held the weather at bay for a full three weeks. Local weathercasters described it as an “Indian summer.” Furthermore, the destruction of our canopy had made us a household word in Cape Town. The media had trumpeted our story to everyone. Incredible stories of believers taking pieces of our canopy and laying it on sick people and seeing them healed were told. Believers and sinners came by the droves to our meetings. I caught a flight to America. On the long trip I had a new surge of excitement in my soul. I reflected again on Kenneth Copeland’s prophecy that I would see a million souls won in a day. A million? It still seemed unthinkable. But if we were to see a million decisions in one crowd, the entire crowd would have to exceed that number considerably. Not everyone responded in a meeting. To accomplish it, many things about the way we ran a campaign would have to change. I began to feel sure that one of those changes involved moving CfaN from South Africa. The vision of the blood-washed Africa was coming closer to reality. Unfortunately, with so many powerful thoughts running through my head, I was too excited to sleep on the intercontinental flight. I had no sooner landed at the Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport than I was whisked away to a pastors’ conference hosted by Kenneth Copeland, already in progress. They seated me on the front row, and Kenneth greeted me. The TV cameras turned my way, and I was on the spot. This was not good. As he preached I was so hammered by jet lag that I pinched myself black and blue to keep my eyes open. It was sheer torment. After the meeting Kenneth and Gloria invited me to join them at a nice restaurant for dinner. I was too far gone to say no. Somehow I managed to keep moving and not fall prostrate. At dinner Kenneth told me he had heard about the tent. He asked me to tell him what happened. I told him how the fabric had failed in the wind. We had discovered that it had a design flaw. An insurance settlement was tied up in court. It would be years before we saw the verdict. In the meantime, Peter van den Berg had found a new fabric through a company in England that would hold in a hurricane. “How much will it cost?” “$800,000.” “The Lord has told me to give you what you need. I am giving you $800,000. Go buy a new top for the tent.” I was too stunned and too jet lagged to reply at first. “When God tells me to give, I get excited. He’s telling me to plant a seed in good soil with CfaN. My faith puts the seed in the ground where God directs. The harvest belongs to the Lord. And let me tell you, His harvest will sweep my little financial troubles away like so much chaff on the wind. Hallelujah! Praise God.” It did my heart good to hear this man of faith. “I believe that too,” I said. When I finally closed my eyes that night my happiness and exhaustion were complete and total. I felt like a body surfer picked up by a tsunami. As I drifted into fitful sleep, I heard my own voice speaking to Anni when we were in Singapore, “I am not worried about the tent. That’s what worries me. I should be worried about it, but I’m not. I feel nothing but peace.” The schedule for completing our new tent was set, thanks to the generous check from Kenneth Copeland. It allowed us to plan beyond 1985. The new canopy would be delivered and tested in time to erect both tents side by side in Harare. The big tent for the main meetings; the smaller yellow tent for counseling and follow-up. The Harare Sheraton and Conference Center would house our Fire Conference for evangelists with an auditorium seating 4,500. - Reinhard Bonnke (Living A Life Of Fire)