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!

Psalm 37:1-9
Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. [2] For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. [3] Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. [4] Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. [6] He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. [7] Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. [8] Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret-it only causes harm. [9] For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

Return to God and be Uplifted!
Repentance brings a change of attitude concerning God. The sinner naturally vilifies God. Even when he speaks of His love, he has no conception of God’s justice and wrath. True repentance brings a sense of the Holy God who cannot look upon sin. It impacts a change of mind concerning sin itself upon a person.
The unrepentant delight in sin. A child of God may be tempted to sin and even fall into sin, but his bosom aches when he does so. A true child of God who has repented cannot enjoy sin and continuously longs for deliverance. Before every child of God, there is a vision both of what he is and what he ought to be. He cries with the poet; “O that a man might arise in me that I might ease to be.”
Repentance gives the sinners a change of mind concerning him. Before our salvation, we all had a good opinion of ourselves. Like the Pharisees, we often thanked God that, “we were not as other men, extortionist, unjust, adulterers, or even as the publican" (Luke 18:11). But, every one that exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted (Verse 14). Where there is true repentance, though, men often despair of themselves, and like the publication, their cry is, “God be merciful to me a sinner”. They echo Paul’s exasperated plea: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death" (Romans 7:24). For Christ came not to call the righteousness, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32).
Repentance affects the motions and will, and also creates a change of feeling. We must beware here lest we are deceived. The old time evangelist who specialized in death-bed stories often created mere human emotion filling the mourners' bench with weeping people. These mourners often had a remorse for their evil doings, deeply regretting they had not been better men and women when they were told about meeting their “mother” in heaven. But remorse in not repentance, though I must say remorse is a very common experience for those who commit sin. Someone has called remorse the “echo of lost virtue”.
Remorse is the attitude of mind and heart for some evil done. Repentance, however, goes deeper. Repentance creates a sorrow for what we are rather that remorse for what we have done. Therefore says the Hebrews writer, “Leaving the principles of the doctrines of Christ (Messiah), let us go into perfection by not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works” (Hebrews 6:1).
Christian repentance is not merely the pangs of an injured conscience. Christian repentance follows the Holy Spirit’s convicting work deep within our soul (John 16:7 and 8). It lays strong hold upon the human will and brings the sinners into conformity with the will of God. It is heeding God’s call from a life of destruction (Mark 1:15). Repentance does not mean merely shedding tears over our wrong doings. It ends in faith in Christ, the Saviour. The Church must preach and teach until these conditions are obtained in the ministries. Then our revival shall have come. For this is the will of God for all mankind (Acts 17:30).
Today what the Church and the continents at large need is repentance. The call of the pulpit to the pew must be repentance. And that of the crusades to the nations must similarly be repentance, and this must eventuate in confession of sins. The scripture, therefore, tells us: “Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God” (Jeremiah3:13).That will move our God to come down and heal our many wounds. We are reminded that, “The Lord’s hands is not shortened, that it cannot save neither is His ear heavy that it cannot hear, but your iniquity have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear” (Isaiah59:1 and 2). He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confess and forsake them shall have mercy (Proverbs 28:13). “For as many as the Lord loves, He rebukes and chastens; be zealous therefore and repent!” (Revelation 3:19).
The repentance must not only be among the lowly citizens but must spring from the governors trickling to the governed. “Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man which built his house upon a rock. And everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them not shall be likened to a foolish man which built his house upon the sand,” declares the Lord Jesus Christ (Mathew 7:24 and 26).
Almighty God is calling to the people today as He did to former Israel that, “Therefore also now, says the Lord, Turn even to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning. And rend your heart and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repent Him of the evil. Who knows if He will return and leave a blessing behind Him, even a meat offering and drink offering unto the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bride-groom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord weep between the porch and the altar and let them say: Spare your people O Lord and give not your heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them; wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Then the Lord will be so jealous for His land and pity His people. Yes the Lord will answer and say unto His people, Behold I will send you corn, and wine and oil, and you shall be satisfied therewith; and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen but I will remove far off from you northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face towards the east sea and his hinder part towards the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up and his savor shall come up because he has done great things. Fear not O land; be glad and rejoice; for the Lord will do great things. And I will restore to you the years that locusts has eaten, the cankerworm and the caterpillar and the palmerworm my great army which I sent among you. And you shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that has dealt wondrously with you, and my people shall never be ashamed" (Joel 2:12-21: 25 and 26).
The Lord’s northern army is the destruction God brings upon a people as a result of their wickedness. Indeed righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 13:34). For the Lord God of Israel, the Creator of the heavens and the earth loves righteousness and judgement (Psalm 33:5). He stresses that judgement is his strange work (Isaiah 28:21). The reason being that when his judgements are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness (Isaiah 26:9). When a nation leaves wickedness and turns to the Lord, such a people receive pardon and sure favour from the Lord God Almighty. The psalmist thus wrote: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance” (Psalms 33:12).
The Lord delights in the humility of a people. This makes Him hear our plea and smile back at us with a pardon. And this humility must start in His sanctuary. He says: “If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Therefore every Christian by and far, let us rally in repentance for the healing of our lands. For repentance turns away God’s wrath.
Nineveh found itself in a similar situation many African nations are in today. Plagued with wickedness in diverse places and faced with imminent judgment, the Almighty God used Jonah to deliver a message of judgment to the people of Nineveh: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing but He reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). Unlike most of our folks who hear and turn the head the other way, the Ninevehs believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest-including the king-to the least of them. And God saw their works that they turned from their evil way, and God repented them of the evil that he had said He would bring upon them, and He did it not (Jonah 3).
Repentance touches the core of God’s heart. Humble yourself and return to the Lord your Creator. Repentance automatically brings healing. The Lord says, “Wash you, and make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, cease to do evil. Learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, and judge the fatherless plead for the widow. Come now and let us reason together; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:16-19).
The Living God is the healer of nations. The psalmist has declared of Him: “God be merciful to us, and cause His face to shine upon us. That your way may be known upon the earth, your saving health among all nations” (Psalm 67:1 and 2). Perhaps this ought to be the prayer on everyone’s lips now.
Stay awake O Christian in the truth!
The good LORD has always extended this gracious invitation to man over the millennia. And, therefore, if it is your desire to know Him as He truly is - the Lord of lords and King of kings, the Savior, and Redeemer of mankind, then pray this prayer of repentance unto salvation: “Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you with all the sins I have committed and I beg you to forgive me. I confess that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. Please cleanse my body, soul, and spirit with your precious blood. I need your help Lord, and I ask you to come and live in my heart. I want to serve you, obey your commands and do what is right. I want to live for you every day, please lead and guide me by your Spirit into righteousness. Thank you, O Lord for hearing and answering my prayer. Amen!”
Welcome now to this grand and mighty army of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on earth. Read the Bible often, and join a congregation near you where Christ Jesus is preached and the Almighty Godhead: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, is worshiped in Spirit and in Truth for your own spiritual growth and strength.
The Almighty God make you the apple of His eyes as I solemnly declare of Him: “After He has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you - for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye - I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them” (Zachariah 2:8). The peace and love of Christ Jesus the Lord be with you now and forever.

Sermon: When You Are Poor, But God Sees You

Beloved, I want to talk to you who are counting coins tonight, who lie awake wondering about school fees, rent, and the next meal. The world may pass you by because your pockets are light. But heaven has not passed you by.

1. The Lord is the Helper of the Poor
Isaiah 41:17 says, “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.”

God names Himself in this verse. He does not say “maybe I will help.” He says “I will answer.” He sees the lack. He hears the cry. You are not forgotten. The same God who fed Elijah by the brook and multiplied oil for the widow in Zarephath still provides.

Psalm 34:6, “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.”

2. Be Poor in Spirit, Not Just Poor in Pocket
Jesus begins His teaching in Matthew 5:3 with, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Being “poor in spirit” means this: I have nothing to bring to God but my need, and I bring it anyway. It is the place of humility where pride breaks and faith begins. The world measures you by bank balance. God measures you by a heart that depends on Him.

Do not let lack of finance make you bitter. Let it make you bow. Because the moment you bow, God lifts.

3. Seek First, and God Will Add
Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Jesus knew we worry about food, clothes, and money. So He gives us order. First the Kingdom. First righteousness. First trust. Then He promises, “all these things will be added.”

That means God intends to satisfy you in both places:
Physical needs: Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Spiritual needs: John 6:35, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.”

He does not want you starved in body or in soul.

4. The World May Ignore You, But God Will Not
The world often respects titles, influence, and finance. But God has a history of choosing the overlooked. He chose David from the sheepfold. He chose the disciples from the nets. He chose you.

James 2:5, “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?”

Your instability is not your identity. You are an heir. You are seen. You are loved.

How Do We Live This Out?
Cry out: Like the psalmist, bring your need to God daily. He listens.
Seek first: Put prayer, Word, and obedience before panic. Righteousness is your anchor.
Trust His provision: Give thanks for today’s bread. Manna came one day at a time.
Walk in generosity: Even with little, share. A generous heart is a rich heart before God.

Prayer for the Poor and Needy
Father,
You are the Helper of the poor. You see every need in this room and in every home listening.
Forgive us for worrying more than trusting. Teach us to be poor in spirit, fully dependent on You.
Meet every physical need, food, rent, school, health, and meet every spiritual need, peace, joy, strength.
Satisfy us with Yourself so we lack nothing that truly matters.
We believe Your Word: You will supply all our needs in Christ Jesus.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Final Word to Strengthen You
Your 40 years in the wilderness may feel long. But God used that season to train Israel in dependence. He will use this season to train you in righteousness too. Do not despise the small beginning. The Lord who fed 5,000 with 5 loaves can do exceedingly abundantly for you.

Hold on. Keep seeking. Keep trusting. The Helper of the poor has not forgotten you.

Guidelines for living.
August 14th, 2026

Here Is the Secret to Spiritual Renewal

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2



Evident in almost every facet of life today is a fundamental problem: We have not learned the secret of renewal, and pollution is the inevitable result, morally, spiritually, and physically too. A leading scientist said that almost everything the human hand touches becomes polluted. The Sea of Galilee in Israel is a typical example. Marine life in Galilee, the largest body of fresh water in Israel, is in danger of serious harm, possibly even extinction, so say some.

If you should look on a Bible atlas you will find a small dot on the map, north of Galilee, then called “the waters of Merom.” Years ago, it was a swamp, but engineers drained the swamp, fertilized the area, and turned it into productive land. But now, decades later, those fertilizers along with other pollutants have drained into the Jordan and now threaten to destroy life in Galilee. The balance of nature is upset.

Now, this is not another plea for a green world. The environment is only an illustration of what has happened universally. We know the problem, but there’s a solution. No, it isn’t original, but I think it’s inspired. The answer is renewal. Even the seasons themselves teach the lesson of renewal. Centuries ago, the Psalmist recognized that renewal is God’s program, for he said, “… You Bwambale Gilbert renew the face of the earth” (Psalm 104:30 KJV). In almost every facet of life, renewal is important, your spiritual life included.

Almost everywhere I go I meet Christians. Their stories go something like this. “There was a time when I went to church, but then something happened … ” There are a lot of variations, like, “There was a time when I taught a Sunday School class,” or “served on a committee,” or “worked with the young people,” but something happened, and that individual became a spiritual drop‑out.

Now, hold steady. You may be thinking, “No. That person didn’t have any faith to begin with.” Possibly you’re right, but I’m not always convinced. You see, at times working for God can be a trap. People get so wrapped up in church work they neglect the person behind it all—their spiritual energies are exhausted.

Friend, what you are is more important than what you do. Once, Dr. Wilbur Chapman went to his friend, F. B. Meyer, and complained of lacking spiritual energy. Meyer said, “Hey, try exhaling twice without inhaling.” Thinking that this was some kind of new exercise, Chapman tried desperately to exhale to the fullest twice without inhaling. That is impossible. It is also one reason why many Christians are fatigued—perhaps you’re among them.

Let me share with you three guidelines for spiritual renewal.

Guideline #1: Get into the Word, the Bible, and pray every day. Isaiah said, “They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength …” (Isaiah 40:31). That is God’s promise of spiritual renewal for you. To the Romans Paul wrote, “Don’t be conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind …” (Romans 12:2).

Guideline #2: Practice the presence of God in your life. Jesus said, “… Lo, I am with you always …” (Matthew 28:20) and again He said, “… I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Start every day with the realization God is by your side; ask Him never to leave you.

Guideline #3: Renew your spiritual life by confessing and forsaking any wrong in your life. That, friend, is the answer.



Resource Reading: Job 42:1-17

God's Promises
Psalm 37:7-9

New King James Version

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth

For he will never leave you nor forsake you...

KEEPING THE FAITH WHILE GOING THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES!

When Life Gets Hard, Hold On to God Even Tighter

Key Scripture:
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)

Thought Of The Day....
There are seasons in life when keeping the faith is easier said than done.
It is easy to declare, “God is good!” when everything is going well. It is easy to shout when the bills are paid, the family is getting along, your body feels strong, your marriage is peaceful, your children are doing well, and the doors you have been praying for are opening.
But what happens when life gets difficult?
What happens when you pray—and the situation doesn't immediately change?
What happens when the doctor's report concerns you? When your body is hurting and you are tired of hurting? When your finances are stretched beyond what you can see? When there is tension between husband and wife? When your children are struggling or making decisions that keep you awake at night? When relationships in your family become strained?
Can you still trust God when you don't understand what God is doing?
That is where faith becomes more than something we talk about.
Faith becomes something we live.
Hebrews 11:1 declares:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith does not mean pretending everything is okay.
Faith says, “Everything may not be okay right now, but I know the One who is holding me while I go through it.”

FAITH DOESN'T DENY THE DIFFICULTY—IT DECLARES THAT GOD IS GREATER
Sometimes Christians mistakenly believe that having faith means we cannot acknowledge that something hurts.
But David cried.
Job grieved.
Jeremiah wept.
Paul experienced suffering.
Even Jesus wept.
Faith doesn't require you to deny your pain. Faith requires you not to allow your pain to become greater than your confidence in God.
You can have tears in your eyes and still have faith in your heart.
You can say:
“Lord, I'm hurting, but I trust You.”
“Lord, I'm tired, but I'm still following You.”
“Lord, I don't understand, but I still believe You.”
“Lord, I don't know how this is going to work out, but I know You are still God.”
Psalm 34:17 reminds us:
“The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”
Your trouble has God's attention.

WHEN YOUR DIFFICULT TIME IS YOUR HEALTH
Few things test our faith like problems in our bodies.
When sickness comes, procedures are necessary, pain continues, or doctors don't have all the answers, fear can begin whispering:
“What if things get worse?”
But faith responds:
“What if God carries me through?”
Your faith isn't based upon whether you immediately receive the report you desire. Your faith is anchored in the character of the God who promised:
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” — Hebrews 13:5
When your body is weak, God remains strong.
When you don't know what tomorrow holds, God is already standing in your tomorrow.
Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep seeking appropriate medical care. Keep trusting God one day at a time.

WHEN YOUR DIFFICULT TIME IS FINANCIAL!
Financial pressure can affect almost every area of life.
Bills keep coming.
Unexpected expenses happen.
The money doesn't seem to stretch far enough.
You may look at what you have and wonder, “Lord, how am I going to make it?”
Remember what Paul declared:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19
Notice Paul said “my God.”
Your source is bigger than your paycheck.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't budget, plan, save, work, or make wise financial decisions. But after you have done what you can do, don't allow financial pressure to convince you that God has forgotten you.
The same God who provided yesterday is still God today.

WHEN THE DIFFICULT TIME IS IN YOUR MARRIAGE
Sometimes the storm isn't outside the house.
Sometimes the storm is inside the house.
Husband and wife may love each other but still experience seasons of disagreement, disappointment, communication problems, financial stress, hurt feelings, or emotional distance.
During those seasons, the enemy wants you to concentrate exclusively on what is wrong.
But Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us:
“…a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Husband. Wife. God.
Don't allow a difficult chapter to convince you that the entire story is over.
Pray before reacting.
Listen before assuming.
Forgive instead of keeping score.
Communicate instead of withdrawing.
And when needed, seek wise, godly counsel.
Sometimes faith means believing God can heal what has been wounded, restore what has been damaged, and rebuild what has been weakened.

WHEN YOUR DIFFICULT TIME INVOLVES YOUR CHILDREN
There is a special kind of pain that comes when your children are struggling.
You raised them.
You prayed for them.
You taught them.
You tried to guide them.
Yet there comes a time when you cannot make every decision for them.
That's when you have to remember:
Your children may get beyond your reach, but they can never get beyond God's reach.
Proverbs 22:6 says:
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Keep praying.
Keep loving.
Keep speaking truth.
Keep setting healthy boundaries.
And keep trusting God with the parts of their lives that you cannot control.
God knows exactly where your children are.

DON'T LET A HARD SEASON MAKE YOU FORGET A FAITHFUL GOD
One of the enemy's strategies during difficult seasons is to make you forget everything God has already brought you through.
Remember the prayers He has already answered.
Remember the doors He has already opened.
Remember the times you thought you weren't going to make it—but somehow God carried you through.
David faced Goliath with confidence because he remembered the lion and the bear.
Sometimes today's battle requires you to remember yesterday's deliverance.
Psalm 77:11 declares:
“I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.”
If God carried you before, He has not lost His ability to carry you now.

YOUR DIFFICULT SEASON HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE!
Psalm 30:5 declares:
“…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Notice Scripture says weeping may endure.
That means you may cry for a season.
You may struggle for a season.
You may have questions for a season.
You may feel overwhelmed for a season.
But seasons change.
Don't make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances.
Don't abandon your faith because life became difficult.
Don't stop praying because the answer hasn't arrived.
Don't stop worshiping because you're hurting.
Don't stop believing because you cannot see what God is doing.
Galatians 6:9 declares:
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Your responsibility is not to figure everything out.
Your responsibility is to keep trusting the One who already has.

WHEN YOU CAN'T SEE HIS HAND, TRUST HIS HEART
You may not understand this season.
You may not understand why God allowed it.
You may not know when circumstances will change.
But one thing remains certain:
God has not abandoned you.
Isaiah 43:2 says:
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee…”
God didn't say if you go through the waters.
He said when.
But He also promised:
“I will be with thee.”
That's the promise.
You are going through it.
You're not building your house in it.
You're not making your permanent residence in it.
You're going THROUGH it!
So keep praying.
Keep worshiping.
Keep believing.
Keep standing.
Keep trusting.
And above everything else—
KEEP THE FAITH!
Because the same God who kept you before the storm is the God who will keep you in the storm, and He will still be God when you come out of the storm!

PRAYER...
Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, acknowledging that You are our refuge, our strength, our provider, our healer, our defender, and our ever-present help in trouble.
Father, someone reading this devotional is going through a difficult season right now.
For some, it is their health.
For others, it is their finances.
For someone else, it is their marriage, their children, or another family relationship.
Some are fighting battles they haven't told anyone about. They smile publicly while crying privately. They encourage everybody else while secretly wondering, “Lord, when will my situation change?”
Father, strengthen them!
Where there is fear, release faith.
Where there is confusion, release peace.
Where there is weakness, release strength.
Where there is discouragement, release hope.
Where there is sickness, we ask for healing and sustaining grace.
Where there is financial pressure, provide wisdom, resources, opportunities, and provision.
Where marriages are struggling, bring communication, forgiveness, understanding, restoration, and renewed love.
Where parents are concerned about their children, remind them that their children are still in Your hands.
Father, silence every voice of fear telling us that our situation is hopeless.
Remind us that You are still God!
We may not understand the process, but we trust the Potter.
We may not understand the storm, but we trust the One who commands the winds and the waves.
We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow.
Give us faith that will stand when circumstances tell us to quit.
Give us faith that will worship while we're waiting.
Give us faith that will pray when we're tired.
Give us faith that declares like Job:
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” — Job 13:15
Father, don't merely bring us out of this difficult season—bring us out stronger, wiser, closer to You, and with a testimony that will strengthen somebody else.
We declare that trouble will not destroy our faith.
Pressure will not steal our praise.
Waiting will not cancel our worship.
And difficulty will not separate us from our God.
We will stand.
We will pray.
We will believe.
WE WILL KEEP THE FAITH!
In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
AMEN AND AMEN!

DECLARATION OF FAITH...
I DECLARE that I will KEEP THE FAITH!
I may be pressed, but I will not be destroyed.
I may be confused, but I will not lose my confidence in God.
I may cry, but I will keep believing.
I may hurt, but I will keep worshiping.
My health will not steal my faith.
My finances will not steal my faith.
Problems in my marriage or family will not steal my faith.
Concern for my children will not steal my faith.
I declare that GOD IS STILL WITH ME!
God is still providing.
God is still healing.
God is still restoring.
God is still opening doors.
God is still making ways.
God is still working—even when I cannot see Him working!
THIS DIFFICULT SEASON WILL NOT BE THE END OF MY STORY!
I will come through this season with stronger faith, deeper worship, greater wisdom, and a powerful testimony!
I will walk by FAITH and not by sight.
I will trust God when I understand Him, and I will trust Him when I don't.
And until my change comes…
I WILL PRAY!
I WILL STAND!
I WILL WORSHIP!
I WILL BELIEVE!
AND I WILL KEEP THE FAITH!
IN JESUS' NAME — AMEN!

Acts 21:

"1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,"