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

HOW CAN WE TALK WITH JESUS

Talking with Jesus is simply praying. You do not need fancy or big words. Just talk to Him out loud or in your mind like you would talk to a close friend or a loving father. Be honest about your feelings, your worries, and your joys.

Steps to Start a Conversation:

- Find a quiet place: Go somewhere with no distractions so you can focus your mind.

- Be yourself: Do not try to sound holy or perform. Jesus wants your real, honest heart.

- Share what is on your mind: Tell Him what makes you happy, and tell Him what hurts.

- Listen and be still: Prayer is two-way. After you speak, pause, quiet your thoughts, and read the Bible to hear His guidance.

- Adoration: Praise Jesus for who He is and His goodness.

- Confession: Tell Him your mistakes and ask for His forgiveness.

- Thanksgiving: Thank Him for the good things in your life.

- Supplication: Ask Him for help, strength, or healing for yourself and others.

YOUR DAILY DEVOTIONAL

NOBODY PERFORMS IN A CLOSED ROOM! REAL PRAYER LIVES IN THE SECRET PLACE!

WHAT GROWS PRIVATELY SHOWS PUBLICLY!

A DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR 18TH AUGUST 2026.

HAPPY READING AND SHARING.


BLESSINGS..!

https://www.istandinthegap.com/the-secret-place-a-devotional-matthew-6-6/

Good evening, brethren.
1. Evening devotion for today.

ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
(COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

*DATE:*
MONDAY 17TH AUGUST, 2026.

*SUB-THEME:*
YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD'S GRACE.

*TOPIC:*
OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS.

*TEXT:*
GENESIS 39:11-14.
11. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside.
12. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
13. When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house,
14. she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed.

*TOPIC:*
OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS.

*THE MESSAGE:*
Temptation is a common test that comes in various forms and from different sources. Joseph faced a powerful and subtle temptation from Potiphar's wife, yet he refused to yield, relying on God's help. Though his resistance was reciprocated with harsh punishment, he remained faithful. Many young people, though called by God, have fallen into temptation and lost their voices and vitality. Today, many innocent young men and ladies have fallen victims of rape, sexual harassment in places of work or sex for good grades. Some church workers are not exempted from this awful sin. Have you harass or have been harassed sexually? Do not give the enemy a foothold. God's grace is available to all who desire victory. You can overcome temptation and live in freedom through His grace and word.

*REFLECTION:*
No temptation will pass your ability to resist.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, help me to resist and flee temptation. Amen.

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:*
2 TIMOTHY 2:21.
"If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work."

*TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
EZEKIEL 4-6.

ED.ii. GOD'S COVENANT WITH MAN

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man: You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." - Genesis 2:15-17

God's covenant or agreement with man was:

1) God said that man should cultivate the garden;

2) God said he had to take care of the garden. Adam's position as the ruler of the garden had to be preserved;

3) God said they could freely eat from all trees except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they ate from it, they would certainly die.

The consequence of the fall

But Adam and Eve broke this agreement. They believed the evil one and preferred to follow him, that creature who had disobeyed God, opposed God and was therefore thrown out of heaven. When this sin occurred, everything seemed lost. God made everything so beautiful and appointed Adam as ruler over this. However, when Adam and Eve sinned, Adam lost his position as ruler. They both became slaves to sin.

God's rescue plan

However, no one but God knew that He already had an escape route for man so man could regain his previous position. The Lamb of God, He was chosen before the creation of the world (see 1 Peter 1:20). This plan to save mankind was there before the world was created.

The reason God allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross was because He wanted to give back to man the position he once had. Now man was able to rule over sin, over the evil one and over this earth. He could walk with God again and come into His presence. The human being is allowed to reign together with God as a Royal child.


https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

2. Evening Prayer for today.

EP.i. Evening Prayer

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. ⏤ Psalm 91:4

God does not want us to worry about the future. He wants us to trust Him today. ⏤ Corrie ten Boom

Father, we are like little children in this vast world and cannot take care of ourselves. But we are so grateful that we are Your children and that You are our Father. We trust in Your eternal care. We know that You will never let us fall out of Your love and protection. As night falls again, we come close to You. We hide ourselves in the secret place of Your love and protection.

We ask You to forgive all the sins we’ve committed against You today. Renew our hearts more deeply, so that we may keep Your commandments and live in harmony with Your will in both our thoughts and actions.

Tonight, Father, we also remember Your other children around us. Some of them are happy; may they not forget You in their joy. Bless all pure happiness and let it lead to a closer relationship with You. Some of Your children are facing challenges. Some are struggling to find their daily bread. Some have sickness in their homes. Others have loved ones who are not living as they should, who do not love You or walk in Your ways, and their hearts are heavy with concern. Some have lost dear ones and are grieving deeply. For all these neighbors, we pray tonight. Bless them all. Give them the grace they need. Send relief and comfort in the way You know is best. And give us the grace to do our part in helping them in Your name, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/43/evening

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." - Romans 8:37 KJV.

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☆☆☆ Looking at this verse with a perfect understanding; "more than a conqueror could only mean that there are 3 categories of conquerors

1. Those who are less than a conqueror. For they cannot or simply refuse to fight.
2. Those who are conquerors because they decided to fight, they fought and won.
3. Then the more than the conquerors group are those of us who didn't have to fight because Jesus has taken over our battles. He fought and won on our behalf.

☆☆☆ No wonder the bible says
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 KJV.
☆☆☆ This verse can also be put this way "casting all your battles upon him for his is fighting for you."
☆☆☆ When the Lord is fighting for you, he will make a total destruction of all your enemies and you will simply become a spectator. Read 2 Kings 19:35, 2 Chronicles 20:20-24.

For you this day I therefore decree, may you not be less than a conqueror in Jesus name.
In the name of Jesus I decree, may you never be comfortable being just a conqueror until you become more than a conqueror.
In the battles of life, I decree and declare, the Lord shall give you total victories in Jesus name.
May you not find yourself stranded in the battles of life.
When and where men have withdrawn from you, may you gain the support of the most high God in Jesus name.
As you walk through life, may you not be alone.
The presence of Jehovah God shall see you through in Jesus name.

You are not alone, God is on your side.

Happy day

Shalom.

Daily Prophetic Prayers and Messages by Pastor, Dr Olutimehin Isaac.

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
The Lord is Near

By Vera Malova

August 17th, 2026

I was raised in northern Kazakhstan, but when we moved to the town of Bor in 1993, I remember the TV ads for Pastor John Carter’s evangelistic meetings across the Volga River in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

Things weren’t going smoothly at home. My husband often took to the bottle, and my eldest son Sasha had started drinking, too. So I was happy when Sasha began attending those meetings every day. They gave him a Bible, and when Sasha brought it home, I began to read it. By the time I reached the New Testament, I’d realized we weren’t living the way God wanted us to, so I read it again.

In the meantime, Sasha was baptized and began inviting me to church. I wanted to support him, but I worked on Saturdays. However, my hands began to ache so badly that I had to go to the hospital and take a break from work. The following Saturday, my son stared at me intently, wondering if I would go to church with him, so I went.

I have a habit of looking people in the eye, and I was amazed to see such kind and affectionate eyes. Everyone was glad to see me, and they all smiled, so I continued going to church and soon decided to be baptized.

On the day before my baptism, my husband came home from work drunk, hit his head, and stopped breathing. My son gave him CPR, but his breathing stopped as soon as he let up.

“Lord, I give my whole family into Your hands!” I cried—and instantly, my husband began breathing again. God literally raised him from the dead!

Although two of my children were baptized, my husband would not surrender to the Lord, threatening and calling me ugly names. Once, in a fit of anger, he began choking me.

Another time, my children attended a youth group while I stayed home, reading my Bible. My husband came in drunk and said, “Aren’t you going to church, too?”

“Yes, I think I will,” I answered.

“Then perhaps you’ll also decide to be baptized!” he snorted.

When I replied that I’d already been baptized, he grabbed a large Kitchen knife and shouted, “Then your life is over!”

His eyes burned with a terrible fire! He lunged at me but suddenly froze in place. He stood there a while, holding the knife and shouting over and over, “You will not live!”

Shaking with fear, I closed my eyes tightly and prayed silently for deliverance. Suddenly, I saw a beautiful rainbow in my mind with fiery letters that read, He will not hurt you!

Throwing the knife down, my husband fell on the sofa, sobbing. My guardian angel had stood between us and protected me! “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11.

As a family, we began praying earnestly for him. My children tried talking to him about God, but he answered, “That’s just how it’s written in your American Bible.”

Lena bought him a Russian Orthodox Bible with a cross on it, blessed by Patriarch Alexy II, and as she read texts from her Bible, he read the same text in his; and whether from the Old or New Testament, every text matched word for word!

Despite being convinced, my husband continued to drink as our family implored for God’s help. Finally, Sasha asked, “Father, why are you resisting?” He replied, “Okay, I will ask God to help me stop drinking.”

He began carrying the Ten Commandments in his pocket and telling his co-workers and friends that they should follow them. He also promised to go to church but never did. Instead, he drank until he lost the feeling in his legs from his knees on down.

One morning I woke up joyful. My eyes were shining when I said to him, “You cannot imagine how good you’d feel if you’d quit drinking,” to which he replied, “Then I’ll quit today.”

Sadly, that was the day he died from his illness.

It’s impossible to live in this world without God because there are problems such as alcoholism that no one else can solve. My son, who led me to God, eventually stopped going to church and began drinking again. But although he got so bad that he started hearing voices, our whole church family prayed for him, and after many years, he came back to the Lord and sobered again.

Don’t think that the Lord is somewhere far away. He is right here with you! We all live in debt to the Lord, and a price has been paid for our life. Jesus paid the price for each of our days, each piece of bread we eat, and each breath we take. He paid it with His precious blood!

Jeremiah 29:11 and 13 say, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.… And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Seek the Lord, for He is near.

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional.
Rip Off the Mask

By Shelley Quinn

August 14th, 2026

“Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.” Psalm 34:13

Finishing a brief therapy session, I slumped down on the side of my hospital bed. A charge nurse popped into my room to ask how I was doing.

“Great,” I smiled. “How was your son’s game?”

After our quick exchange I turned back to my therapist who sat on the window ledge, shaking his head.

“You are your own worst enemy, Shelley!”

My puzzled look prompted his further explanation. “I know you well enough now to know that when your pain becomes intolerable, you breathe in short gasps and perspiration beads on your forehead. But, you smile and gloss over your condition with a friendly word. Most people can’t be cheery when they’re suffering, and—hey—medical personnel are trained to determine treatment by reading facial expressions.”

He had worked with me earlier that month during my first week of hospitalization, following a five-hour spinal surgery. I suffered several complications—including nerve damage in my groins and an irreparable rotator cuff tear. Now, I had been readmitted because I couldn’t walk.

He called it correctly—brutal pain surged through my back, groins, and shoulder. His gentle rebuke echoed words from my distant past, when a spinal surgeon called me “my own worst enemy” for the same reason.

I’m a “grin-and-bear it” kind of gal. Not wanting to be perceived as a whiner, I mask the truth with a smile, using verbal camouflage to hide my brokenness.

Don’t pity me—you likely hide behind the same deflection technique. Have you ever arrived at church heavy-hearted, and when someone asked how you’re doing, you replied, “Doing great! Happy Sabbath!”? Later, you headed home with the same sadness, and no one had the opportunity to pray for you. Or you laugh off hurt feelings following a cutting remark, and never privately confront the abuser. Or a loved one asks, “Is something wrong?” and you hide your frustration with “No! I’m fine.”

People are not mind readers! Our words define us. When we express ourselves honestly, we become visible. When we hide behind a mask of verbal camouflage, we are invisible to others. Some of us wall in our pain, and—sadly—we often feel as if no one really cares.

Verbal camouflage is deceitful.

I get it! We don’t want to wear our feelings on our sleeves. But we need to figure out an honest response to the casual question, “How are you?” If you’re not doing fine—don’t lie about it. While you don’t want to gush out unwanted details, a simple, “I’ll get better!” or “I’m trusting the Lord!” or “I’m blessed, no matter what!” are some of the possible responses. If the person is unknown to you, or too busy to stop for discovery, they’ll go on. If, however, they respond, “Tell me about it!” you will know God placed that person in your path to comfort you.

Let’s rip off the mask and get real!

FAITHFULNESS IN OBSCURITY POSITIONS YOU UNDER WATCHFUL EYES.

A DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR 17TH AUGUST 2026.

HAPPY READING AND SHARING.


BLESSINGS..!

https://www.istandinthegap.com/watchful-owner-a-daily-devotional-ruth-2-5/

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2026
TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT I

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

MEMORISE: "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do." Deuteronomy 29:9

BIBLE READING: DEUTERONOMY 28:1-14
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

MESSAGE:
In Proverbs 31:1-9, one of the things King Lemuel's mother taught him was that there were certain things that kings should not do. She told him that kings should not give their strength to women, nor should they follow the ways that destroy kings, nor should they drink wine or strong drink. If a fellow does the things that kings shouldn't do, it is expected that such a person would either never become a king or would be dethroned if he or she is already a king.

To fully enjoy the gains of any covenant with God, you must be ready to fulfil its terms and conditions by surrendering totally to Him and obeying all His instructions. Once you decide to serve God with all your life and do whatever He says, sooner or later, people will come to you and say, "Tell us your secret; how are you flourishing in every area of your life?!"

Many people attribute the remarkable progress of RCCG to my academic background; however, they are unaware that we are reaping the benefits of the founder's covenant with God. God called the founder of the church, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, a man who never attended school, and told him that if he could meet certain conditions, He would establish a church through him that would spread around the world. God helped Pa Akindayomi, and before his death, he fulfilled all the conditions that God gave him. Today, the RCCG is present in over 195 nations worldwide.

The church is where it is today because of God's covenant with my Father in the Lord. God cannot be mocked. Anyone who obeys the terms of His covenant will reap its gains. In today's memory verse, Moses told the Israelites that if they kept God's commandments, they would prosper in all that they did.

Prosperity is a major gain that those who keep God's covenant will enjoy. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all enjoyed abundant prosperity as a result of God's covenant with Abraham. Father Abraham was described as a man who was blessed in all things (Genesis 24:1), Isaac was described as being very great (Genesis 26:13), and Jacob was described as a prosperous man (Genesis 30:43).

Beloved, God has given His children all things to enjoy richly (1 Timothy 6:17). However, you must fulfil the terms and conditions of God's covenant with His children to truly enjoy prosperity in all areas of your life. May your life reflect the gains of God's covenant abundantly, in Jesus' name.

KEY POINT:
Anyone who obeys the terms of God's covenant wil reap its gains.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 40-43

HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of His word,
what a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2 Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smiles quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3 Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly Repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and Obey.

4 But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favour He shows,
For the joy He bestows,
Are for them,
Who will trust and obey.

5 Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side
In the way;
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey..