DAY 14 - Morning Theme: UNDERSTANDING BEFORE BEING UNDERSTOOD: Building Connection Through Communication and Compassion 🌅 Reflection Understanding Is a Form of Love Good morning, We have spent this week learning that unity requires more than living under the same roof. It requires learning one another. Listening. Asking instead of assuming. Accepting differences. Speaking truth with love. Making room for feelings. Forgiving yesterday. This is what emotional intimacy looks like. You may know your spouse's favourite food, favourite colour and favourite football team. But do you know what makes them afraid? What gives them hope? What makes them feel loved? What burden are they quietly carrying? Marriage becomes deeper when we stop merely living beside each other and start knowing each other. 📖 God's Word "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." — Ephesians 4:2 ❤️ Today's Love Action Ask your spouse: "What is one thing you wish I understood better about you?" Then listen with an open heart. 💬 Let's Talk What have you learned about your spouse that has helped you love them better? 🙏 Prayer Lord, help us know each other's hearts more deeply. Remove barriers created by pride, fear and misunderstanding, and teach us to love with compassion. Amen. 🌿 From The Counselor's Chair: One of the greatest discoveries in marriage is realizing that the person beside you still has unexplored depths. Keep asking. Keep listening. Keep learning. 💎 Marriage Nugget: "The longer you are married, the more you should discover—not assume—you know about each other." Remember In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL   DATE: TUESDAY AUGUST 11TH 2026   THEME: INPUT DETERMINES OUTPUT I   MEMORISE: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Corinthians 9:24   READ: Proverbs 31:1-9 1  The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.   MESSAGE The farther you want to go in life, the more you must invest in yourself. For example, if you are driving a Car with a tank full of petrol from Lagos, which is in South West Nigeria, to somewhere in Northern Nigeria, you will need to refuel your car at some point during the course of your journey. However, if you were only going to Ibadan, which is also a city in the South West of Nigeria, you wouldn't need to stop on your way to buy more petrol. Anyone who wants to go far in life must invest resources that include holiness, hard work, knowledge, and good interpersonal skills in his or her life, while avoiding unproductive habits such as binge-watching movies, scrolling aimlessly on social media, wild partying, and the like. Discipline is required to go far in life. I recall when I was a child, my mother would compel me to stay indoors and study while my friends were outdoors playing football. I used to complain a lot about it, but she insisted until it became a part of me. One time, I was at my uncle's place, where a masquerade show was taking place on the street, and everyone was outside watching the show except me. My uncle came to me and asked why I didn't go outside to watch the show, and I responded, "The fellow everyone will watch someday does not sit around watching shows." Many years later, when God had lifted me, he reminded me of that day and said, "Today, the whole world is watching you." Beloved, what you invest in yourself is what will determine your height in life. While the other captives in the king of Babylon's palace were busy dining and feasting on the king's delicacies, Daniel and his three counterparts focused on consecrating themselves to the Lord (Daniel 1:3-12). I believe that they were not the only Jews in the king's palace at that time, but they were the only ones who went on to do exploits because they invested the right resources in themselves. Child of God, if you have big dreams that you want to see come to pass, then you must pay the price to invest in yourself. You must also let go of unnecessary weights, Such as laziness and a lack of self-control, as well as impurities like sin, which can hinder you from fulfilling God's plans for your life. I pray that you will fulfil God's plans for your life, in Jesus' name.   PRAYER POINT Father, please help me to invest the right resources in my life so I can fulfil Your plans for me, in Jesus' name.   BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 25-27   AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE   HYMN 20: I’M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY 1. I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I onward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” Chorus: Lord, lift me up, and let me stand By faith on Canaan’s tableland; A higher plane than I have found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 2. My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground. 3. I want to live above the world, Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground. 4. I want to scale the utmost height And catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I’ll pray till rest I’ve found, “Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: TUESDAY AUGUST 11TH 2026 THEME: INPUT DETERMINES OUTPUT I MEMORISE: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Corinthians 9:24 READ: Proverbs 31:1-9 1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. MESSAGE The farther you want to go in life, the more you must invest in yourself. For example, if you are driving a Car with a tank full of petrol from Lagos, which is in South West Nigeria, to somewhere in Northern Nigeria, you will need to refuel your car at some point during the course of your journey. However, if you were only going to Ibadan, which is also a city in the South West of Nigeria, you wouldn't need to stop on your way to buy more petrol. Anyone who wants to go far in life must invest resources that include holiness, hard work, knowledge, and good interpersonal skills in his or her life, while avoiding unproductive habits such as binge-watching movies, scrolling aimlessly on social media, wild partying, and the like. Discipline is required to go far in life. I recall when I was a child, my mother would compel me to stay indoors and study while my friends were outdoors playing football. I used to complain a lot about it, but she insisted until it became a part of me. One time, I was at my uncle's place, where a masquerade show was taking place on the street, and everyone was outside watching the show except me. My uncle came to me and asked why I didn't go outside to watch the show, and I responded, "The fellow everyone will watch someday does not sit around watching shows." Many years later, when God had lifted me, he reminded me of that day and said, "Today, the whole world is watching you." Beloved, what you invest in yourself is what will determine your height in life. While the other captives in the king of Babylon's palace were busy dining and feasting on the king's delicacies, Daniel and his three counterparts focused on consecrating themselves to the Lord (Daniel 1:3-12). I believe that they were not the only Jews in the king's palace at that time, but they were the only ones who went on to do exploits because they invested the right resources in themselves. Child of God, if you have big dreams that you want to see come to pass, then you must pay the price to invest in yourself. You must also let go of unnecessary weights, Such as laziness and a lack of self-control, as well as impurities like sin, which can hinder you from fulfilling God's plans for your life. I pray that you will fulfil God's plans for your life, in Jesus' name. PRAYER POINT Father, please help me to invest the right resources in my life so I can fulfil Your plans for me, in Jesus' name. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 25-27 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE HYMN 20: I’M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY 1. I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I onward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” Chorus: Lord, lift me up, and let me stand By faith on Canaan’s tableland; A higher plane than I have found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 2. My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground. 3. I want to live above the world, Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground. 4. I want to scale the utmost height And catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I’ll pray till rest I’ve found, “Lord, lead me on to higher ground.” PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY, 11TH AUGUST, 2026 *INPUT DETERMINES OUTPUT I* ‎ 1.Father, thank You for saving my soul and laying for me a sure foundation in Christ Jesus for a secured glorious future. 2.Father, thank You for Your promise to straighten my crooked paths, and to make plain my rough places. Thank You for the infilling of the Holy Spirit to teach and guide me on knowing Your will. 3.Father, thank You for Your plan and purpose for my life. Thank You for Your wish for me to prosper, and to be in good health even as my soul prosper. 4.Father, please help me not to jeopardize the glorious future You have planned for me, but to invest in myself, good virtues of holiness, hard work, knowledge and great interpersonal skills, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please help me to avoid unproductive habits, and to be disciplined in all areas of my life so I can go far in life to fulfill Your purpose, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to pay the price to attain a glorious future, to sacrifice time and every resources needed to become the person You have created me to be, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please help me to separate myself from any defilement that may corrupt my destiny; even in a strange land, help me to keep myself for You, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please help me to invest the right resources in myself, to run the race lawfully according to Your will, so I can obtain the heavenly reward/prize, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me to let go of unnecessary weights of laziness, lack of self-control and sin that may hinder me from fulfilling Your plans for my life, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please help me to invest the right resources in my life so I can fulfill Your plans for me, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to leave a good heritance do his children's children children, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ #GodBlessOurNation *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.

During the second edition of the interdenominational Maranatha Crusade, churches mobilized youth volunteers through football matches to reach the local population, resulting in hundreds of new converts during a four-day Christian outreach campaign in the southwestern Burundian town of Rumonge. https://baptistchronicle.com/2026/08/10/in-rumonge-youth-led-outreach-brings-hundreds-of-new-converts-to-christianity-in-four-days/

I read a story once of a football team that had not been able to put together a winning season for several years. Their coach, a volunteer, stuck with the team at all costs and every year he started the season with positive attitude and never lost a step all season. He hated hearing negative comments from his players and or other coaches, so he found what he thought would send the perfect message in a poster and hung it up. The picture was a shadowed image of a football player slumped over at the end of the bench with his helmet hanging from a clenched fist and rain falling heavy. The message was obvious that the player was on the losing team and to emphasize the message, in quotations, written across the top of the poster were the words, "I quit!" After several weeks of players and coaches going in and out of his office and seeing this poster during yet another less than winning season, several coaches and players finally asked why he had this poster on his wall and why he just doesn't quit himself. After getting the team together in the locker room he went into his office, took down the poster and hung it up on the whiteboard so the team could see it. He addressed the teams record for the season and likewise mentioned the past few years. Mentioning his beliefe that the team had what it took to win with talent, he also mentioned his past when he was down and out and a message that he came to realize was hidden when looking at a cross one day. He then brought to the attention of the team something they all did not notice at first glance. Across the top, in large letters the poster read, I quit. At the bottom corner was a picture of an empty cross and below that were the words, "I didn't." "Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2 In order to achieve success, you must first succeed with failure.

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https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c5y67zrrdddo Uefa to boycott World Cups if Fifa plans approved

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.

What athlete doesn’t want to be in a Hall of Fame? What little kid playing T-ball doesn't dream of hitting the winning home run in the World Series? What sixth grader playing touch football at recess doesn't dream of playing in the Super Bowl? It’s in our nature to be driven competitors. Our society has special places of honor for those who are above average. Whether it’s dreaming of being inducted into Canton as a gridiron great or making it to Cooperstown as a hero of the diamond, everybody wants to be the best. The thing some athletes don't realize is that they’re already in God's Hall of Fame. The prophet Isaiah relayed some critical information to us from THE Head Coach. “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” -Isaiah 49:16- God has already written our names on His hands. Eternity with God is so much better than being in a building that is going to come to ruins in the end. We are wired to push ourselves to the limit to be the best. That is what God wants. He wants us to compete at the highest level in whatever we do. The amazing thing is, when we ask Him to take over our lives, we get automatic induction into the ultimate Hall of Fame! And now it’s time to make a cup of coffee so perfect that it makes it to the hall of fame.

Yes - The World Cup Football games evoked many reactions, but our BIGGEST CELEBRATION is reserved for JESUS - who is THE ULTIMATE WINNER