WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST 2026 Topic: Protect Your Heart Bible Reference “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) A Short Story Ruth began talking to someone she met online. At first, their conversations were simple. They talked about school, work, family, and their plans for the future. He always seemed to know what to say, especially when she was having a difficult day. After some time, Ruth became emotionally attached to him. She began checking her phone constantly, waiting for his messages. When he did not reply, her mood changed. When he was happy with her, she felt happy too. Her prayer life slowly began to suffer. She spent more time talking to him than talking to God. She started hiding some of their conversations because she knew her parents and trusted spiritual leaders would not be comfortable with what was happening. One evening, after an argument between them, Ruth sat on her bed and cried. She suddenly realized how much control the relationship had gained over her heart. She remembered something her mother had told her months earlier: “Not everyone who gains access to your heart has the right to remain there.” Ruth picked up her Bible and began to pray. She understood that protecting her heart did not mean refusing to love people. It meant being careful about who she allowed to influence her emotions, decisions, values, and relationship with God. It was difficult, but Ruth decided to create boundaries and step away from the relationship. Today's Message Your heart is valuable. What you repeatedly allow into it will eventually influence how you think, what you desire, and the decisions you make. This is why Proverbs tells us to guard our hearts with diligence. You cannot allow everyone to have unrestricted access to your emotions and expect your spiritual life to remain unaffected. This applies to friendships, relationships, social media, entertainment, conversations, and even the thoughts you repeatedly entertain. Someone may make you feel good and still be taking you away from God's purpose for your life. Something may be popular and still be harmful to your spirit. Guarding your heart is not weakness. It is wisdom. Ask yourself regularly, “What is this relationship, habit, conversation, or content producing in me?” If it is consistently drawing you away from God, you need the courage to create boundaries. What To Do Today 1. Examine the people and influences that have the strongest effect on your decisions. 2. Set boundaries where necessary. 3. Stop entertaining anything that repeatedly weakens your relationship with God. 4. Choose friends who encourage you to become better, not those who constantly pull you backward. Prayer Lord, help me to guard my heart wisely. Give me discernment to recognize influences that are not good for me. Help me to establish healthy boundaries and keep my heart focused on You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Examine one relationship or influence in your life today and honestly ask yourself whether it is drawing you closer to God or pulling you away from Him. ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist https://chat.whatsapp.com/BDs9qaNMQumKTicv7uU7SJ?s=cl&p=a&mlu=0&ilr=0 https://t.me/anthonyijere

Good evening to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. Catawampus. That is my word of the day. Catawampus. It is a beautifully weird word that can be used in a myriad of ways to describe the perfect blend of chaos and dumbness in any given situation. The definition actually is: going badly, awkwardly, or in the wrong direction. Most Mondays are, by definition, catawampus. As you read from last night’s post, mine was extremely catawampus. Today tried to slide sideways but quickly smoothed out. Another vibrant way to describe something going haywire is “off-kilter”. The actual definition of this word is: out of balance. So, if your catawampus is off-kilter … is that good or bad? The purpose of this paper today is to make you laugh with the playfulness of words. We make up words every day depending on how our brains and mouths communicate. Sometimes real words come out; sometimes weird syllables that formulate a weird concoction of letters into a word come out. Most of those situations result in gut-filled laughter and a sense of relief because of the guffaw. What if we approached our off-kilter moments in life in the same manner? Throwing off the stress of the catawampus event and finding the hilarity in the guffaw. If we look, most any stressful situation can find some humor or light, even if it is deemed ‘inappropriate’. Such as, a friend of mine had a falling-out with their dad. They got sick, and when asked if the dad had been notified, I was promptly told no. For whatever the reason, I simply stated that had they called the dad, my friend may have just died on the table, to prove the point that they did not want to speak to him. Dark humor, yes. Somewhat funny in the moment, yes. Appropriate, not really. However, the levity of looking at something bad in a light that can bring a smile … totally worth it. A business deal is heating up. Everyone involved is losing patience. Someone sneezes softly. Another person belts out, “No need to bring in biological warfare.” Inappropriate, yes. Funny, yes. Mowing the yard with my borrowed mower, I missed a stump. Yes, a stump. Did not know or see it there. When the mower locked up and stopped mowing, instantly I saw my retirement check fly out the window. This mower was in my care; I was not careful enough, and instant panic set in … when explaining to the owner, he laughed and said he would like small bills. (FYI the mower was fixable) There are going to be times in life when the situation or circumstance is not good. It is the habit that we have formed to always go dark and negative. That is fine if you only stay there for the moment, but immediately you should be searching for the bright side, the humor, the sarcastic satire. Something that shows you, in your heart, that God is in control and it will all work itself out. Catawampus and off-kilter moments are a part of life. Do not allow them to remain permanent residents in your lane; find that inappropriate giggle line, and give it back to God. You will find that it helps alleviate your stress level and replace it with His love. Be blessed. **Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. – Colossians 3:2

God Is Bigger Than What You're Worried About The problem that's keeping you up at night is not bigger than the God who holds your future. Worry has a way of making our problems feel bigger than they really are. We replay worst-case scenarios, try to figure everything out, and carry burdens that were never meant to rest on our shoulders. Before long, our fears begin to feel greater than our faith. But the size of your problem doesn't change the size of your God. The One who created the universe, parted the Red Sea, and raised Jesus from the dead is more than able to handle whatever you're facing today. Give Your Worries to God “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 God never asked you to carry every burden by yourself. He invites you to bring every fear, every uncertainty, and every anxious thought to Him. The moment you surrender your worries to God is the moment you make room for His peace. What feels too heavy for you is never too heavy for Him.

Doing the Proverbs 4 Walk We make multiple decisions each day, and that's why we need to learn to do the Proverbs 4 Walk. "We're always making a decision to give up something that we value less for something we value more." Paul Richard, President, Consumer Financial Education Institute Have you noticed grocery stores put staples like milk and eggs at the back so we have to go through the store to get them? To avoid temptation, we can go prepared with a list and keep our eyes straight ahead instead of glancing at the aisles of temptation along the way. Satan employs this tactic too. He lines our life path with costly choices and distractions: immoral sex, selfishness, fear, anger, resentment, envy, etc. He'd like to divert, delay, or derail us, making us spend all we have before we reach YHWH's goals for our lives. To avoid temptation, we can do the Proverbs 4 walk: "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet.…" Proverbs 4:25-26 What are some practical ways you walk in the Proverbs 4 path? Some helpful truths about temptation: YHWH always provides a way out. Let’s take it! 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And YHWH is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." It’s all a matter of whom we submit to, YHWH or Satan. James 4:7: "Submit yourselves, then, to YHWH. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." When we give in to temptation, we have no one to blame but ourselves. James 1:14: "Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away."

***The Mark of the Beast*** This is what I see the Bible says of the mark of the beast: Revelation 13:16-18 KJV And *he (the beast of Revelation 13:11) causeth all*, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, *to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads*: [17] And *that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name*. [18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding *count the number of the beast*: for *it is the number of a man*; and his number is *Six hundred threescore and six.* Here the beast of Rev 13:11 causes all but those whose names are written on the Lambs book of Life to receive a mark on their hands and their foreheads. Revelation 13:8 KJV And *all that dwell upon the earth shall worship* him, *whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world*. Now where else in the Bible does it speak of receiving a mark on the forheads or in the arms? If this mark is spoken of in the Bible, then the Bible must provide the answer as to what this mark is. When we examine the scriptures it points us to these scriptures: Job 10:14 KJV *If I sin, then thou markest me*, and *thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity*. Hebrews 10:26-27 KJV For *if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins*, [27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. We find that Job says that if a man sins, God will mark him and shall not aquit him of his iniquities. Paul later says that if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for our sins. Does the Bible give evidence of someone who sinned wilfullyagainst the Lord and received a mark? Yes, it does. Genesis 4:5-16 KJV But* unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect*. And *Cain was very wroth*, and his countenance fell. [6] *And the LORD said* unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? [7] *If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door*. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. [8] And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that *Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him*. [9] And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? [10] And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. [11] And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; [12] When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. [13] And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. [14] Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; *and from thy face shall I be hid*; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. [15] And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And *the LORD set a mark upon Cain*, lest any finding him should kill him. [16] *And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD*, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. God warned Cain and told him that if he doeth well, he would be accepted and if he did not do well, sin lies at the door. Cain did not take heed to God but rose up against his brother, who had the better sacrifice, and slew him. He sinned willfully after he had received the knowledge of the truth. And God put a mark upon Cain. And after Cain received that mark, it says that Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and that He was hid from the face of the Lord. In other words, the Lord had turned His face from dealing with Cain. Now, here is an interesting fact, the number of the beast is 666. There is only one Scripture in the Bible with the number 666: John 6:66 KJV _From that time *many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him*._ It speaks of those disciples of Jesus who, having come face to face with the Truth, chose to walk away from Him and to disbelieve Him. Like Cain, they went out from the Presence of the Lord and were hid from the face of the Lord. I do not think it a coincidence that the verse that speaks of this occurrence is the verse that bears the number of the beast. I believe this is God vindicating what the mark of the beast really is.

💖 God can transform your heart and give you a new spirit to follow Him. 📲 Share this with someone who needs hope for a fresh start. #Ezekiel362627 #NewHeart #NewSpirit #GodTransforms #HeartTransformation #SpiritualRenewal #HolySpirit #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

2 Timothy 1:7 TPT For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.

Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Isaiah 40:31: "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." ....... Lord, I pray for a renewed strength today, as I hope in you; make me soar on wings like eagles, make me run and not grow weary, make me walk and not faint, in Jesus name, Amen!

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 13–14 | Galatians 2 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 13 God’s Mercy in the Midst of Decline 2 Kings 13 unfolds during a period of continued spiritual decline in the northern kingdom of Israel. King Jehoahaz follows the sinful pattern established by Jeroboam, leading the nation away from wholehearted devotion to the Lord. As a result, God allows Syria to oppress Israel, demonstrating once again that persistent disobedience brings painful consequences. Yet even in judgment, God's mercy shines through. When Jehoahaz humbles himself and seeks the Lord, God hears his prayer and provides deliverance. Although the nation has repeatedly turned from Him, the Lord responds because of His covenant compassion. He remembers His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and refuses to abandon His people completely. The chapter reveals that God's discipline is never intended simply to punish but to bring His people back to Himself. His mercy continues reaching toward them despite their repeated failures. The narrative then shifts to the final days of Elisha. As the prophet prepares to leave this world, King Joash visits him seeking guidance. Elisha gives him a symbolic act involving arrows, demonstrating that God is willing to grant victory over Syria. However, when Joash strikes the ground only a few times instead of fully obeying the prophet's instruction, he limits the extent of the victory God intended to give. This moment illustrates that faith often determines the measure of our experience of God's blessings. The Lord was willing to grant complete victory, but the king's halfhearted response reflected limited confidence in God's promise. Even after Elisha's death, God's power continues to be displayed. A man is restored to life after coming into contact with Elisha's bones, demonstrating that the Lord's power did not end with His servant's earthly ministry. God remains alive and active even after His faithful servants have finished their work. Theologically, 2 Kings 13 reveals God's persistent mercy toward undeserving people. It also teaches that God invites wholehearted faith rather than hesitant obedience. The chapter reminds us that God's power never depends upon human personalities but upon His own sovereign presence. This chapter points to Christ, whose resurrection power brings eternal life. Unlike Elisha, whose ministry eventually ended, Jesus lives forever. His resurrection power continues transforming lives, offering complete victory over sin and death to all who trust in Him. For believers today, 2 Kings 13 reminds us that God remains merciful even when we fail. He invites us to seek Him with wholehearted faith and trust His promises completely. In Christ, we are called to pursue Him without reservation, believing that His power is sufficient for every battle and His grace is greater than every failure. 2 Kings 14 The Blessing and Danger of Success 2 Kings 14 records the reigns of Amaziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel, revealing both the blessings of obedience and the dangers that often accompany success. Amaziah begins his reign by doing what is right in the sight of the Lord, though not with complete devotion like David. His early obedience brings stability and military success as God grants him victory over his enemies. However, success gradually gives way to pride. Rather than remaining humble and dependent upon the Lord, Amaziah begins to overestimate his own strength. After experiencing victory, he challenges the northern kingdom to battle. His actions are driven by self-confidence rather than God's direction. The king of Israel wisely warns Amaziah against unnecessary conflict, using a parable to expose the danger of pride. Amaziah ignores the warning, proceeds into battle, and suffers a humiliating defeat. Jerusalem is plundered, its walls are broken down, and the king's confidence is shattered. The chapter reminds us that pride often follows success when gratitude and dependence upon God are neglected. The narrative then shifts to Jeroboam II, whose reign brings territorial expansion and prosperity to Israel. Surprisingly, God grants these blessings despite the nation's continued spiritual rebellion. His kindness reflects His compassion for a suffering people rather than approval of their sinful practices. The Lord delays judgment because of His mercy, giving the nation additional opportunity to repent. Throughout the chapter, God's sovereignty is evident. He raises kingdoms, grants victories, and allows defeats according to His purposes. Human success is never independent of His hand, and earthly prosperity should never be mistaken for spiritual health. Theologically, 2 Kings 14 teaches that success becomes dangerous when it produces pride instead of gratitude. It also reveals God's patience and mercy, demonstrating that He often shows kindness even to those who do not deserve it. Yet His blessings should lead people toward repentance rather than greater self-reliance. This chapter points to Christ, who perfectly modeled humility despite possessing all authority. Unlike Amaziah, Jesus never allowed success or power to produce pride. Instead, He humbled Himself completely, becoming obedient even to death on the cross. His kingdom is established not through self-exaltation but through perfect submission to the Father's will. For believers today, 2 Kings 14 reminds us to remain humble during seasons of blessing and success. Every victory we experience comes from God's gracious hand and should deepen our dependence upon Him rather than increase our confidence in ourselves. In Christ, we are called to walk in humility, giving Him glory for every blessing while continually seeking His wisdom and direction. True greatness is found not in self-exaltation but in faithful obedience to our Lord and King. Galatians 2 — Justified by Faith in the Christ Alone Galatians chapter 2 continues Paul's defense of the true gospel by showing that the message he preached was fully affirmed by the other apostles and centered completely on the Christ, the Son of God. The chapter confronts one of the greatest dangers facing the early church—the temptation to add human works to the finished work of the Christ. Through both personal testimony and direct confrontation, Paul demonstrates that God's redemptive plan has always been based upon grace received through faith rather than human effort. The chapter begins with Paul describing a meeting with the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Rather than discovering disagreement, they recognized that the same gospel had been entrusted to all of them. The unity they shared was not built upon personal preference or tradition but upon the truth of the Christ. This reminds believers that genuine unity is always centered on the Son of God and His gospel. Christian living flourishes where believers are united around the truth rather than divided by human opinions. A significant issue arises concerning attempts to require additional religious practices as necessary for salvation. Paul firmly refuses to compromise because doing so would undermine the freedom believers have received through the Christ. The redemptive plan cannot be improved by human effort. The Son of God has already accomplished everything necessary for salvation through His death and resurrection. To add requirements to His finished work is to diminish the sufficiency of His grace. The chapter then records a public confrontation between Paul and Peter. Peter had been living consistently with the truth of the gospel but later withdrew from fellowship with Gentile believers because of fear of criticism. Paul recognized that this behavior communicated a false message about the gospel itself. Christian living requires consistency between what we believe and how we live. The Christ calls His followers to stand for truth even when doing so is difficult. This confrontation was never about personal rivalry but about protecting the purity of the gospel. The redemptive plan unites believers from every background into one family through the Son of God. Any behavior that rebuilds barriers which the Christ has removed contradicts the very message of salvation. The theological center of the chapter is the declaration that people are justified by faith in the Christ and not by works of the Law. This truth forms the foundation of the Christian life. The Law reveals humanity's need for salvation, but it cannot produce righteousness. Only the Son of God can declare sinners righteous because He alone fulfilled the Law perfectly and bore its penalty on behalf of humanity. Christian living begins with this unshakable foundation of grace. Paul then explains that believers have been united with the Christ in His death and now live through His life. The old life centered on self has been crucified, and a new life has begun through faith in the Son of God. This is one of the clearest descriptions of the believer's new identity. The redemptive plan not only forgives sin but creates an entirely new way of living through the power of the Christ. The chapter concludes by affirming that if righteousness could be achieved through human effort, the death of the Christ would have been unnecessary. But because salvation comes entirely through God's grace, the cross stands as the complete and sufficient work of the Son of God. Every believer rests securely in what He has accomplished rather than in personal performance. Throughout this chapter, the Christ remains the center of everything. He is the source of justification, the foundation of unity, the giver of spiritual life, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The gospel neither begins with grace and continues through works nor mixes divine grace with human achievement. From beginning to end, salvation is the work of the Son of God. For believers today, this chapter calls us to stand firmly upon the truth of the gospel. Christian living is rooted in faith, not performance; in grace, not legalism; and in the finished work of the Christ, not our own efforts. We are reminded that our identity is found entirely in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. As we live by faith in Him, we experience the freedom, unity, and transformation that His redemptive plan was designed to produce. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

Women's meeting Today I visited a village, the name of that village is Toba Road Check no 318 JB. I am truly grateful to God for using me to share His Word. It is a great privilege and blessing to serve Him and be a part of His work. All glory and honor belong to God alone.🙏❤️😇👏🤗. Please all of you pray for us so that God will give us a church building. If God gives you the strength, you can share your blessings with us. Amen. GOD BLESS YOU ALL 🙏.