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Johnny Gass
2026-08-18 10:13:03 -

Guidelines for living.
August 18th, 2026

3 Steps to Finding a New Direction.

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” But you said, “We will not walk in it.” Jeremiah 6:16

Jeremiah the prophet was a man who needs to be rediscovered today. The circumstances surrounding his life and world have so many parallels to life today. How so? Well, for one thing, instability had gripped the world. Jeremiah’s beloved nation was about to be chewed up by the powerful tiger of Babylon. Social structures were failing too. Families were being torn apart; truth and morality had been sacrificed in the process. The priesthood had become politicized. No wonder Jeremiah seemed out of sync with his day—an old prophet who castigated the moral and spiritual decline. No wonder he was publicly scorned and privately castigated.

There is a text in the book which bears his name which needs to be emblazoned on the conscience of every parent: God expects more, something more of His children, than that which satisfies the world.

God spoke to Jeremiah, here’s what He said, “Stand at the crossroads and look; [and] ask for the old paths, [and] ask where the good way is, and walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16). There were three parts to that advice: First, go back to the crossroads, back to the place where you took the wrong path, and look. God is saying, “Hey, you’ve been down the wrong road. You’ve learned that it didn’t bring you the peace or contentment. Now stand there—mentally speaking—take a look down the narrow road, the one that seemed to be less exciting, and realize it was here you went wrong.

Let’s stop for a moment. Is it ever too late to acknowledge that you went wrong? You may think so, but in reality, it is not. A thief on the cross, seeing his life ebb away minute by minute, came to that place; he cried out, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He went back to the crossroads and took the right path. Before you go back to the crossroads—that fork in the road where you went wrong—you must stop what you’re doing and mentally look back. Often, we think, “It’s too late for me.” Not so, friend. Coming to the end of the year is a time for reflection and to go back if you missed the right path.

Step number two in this process is this: “Ask for the old paths where the good way is.” In reality, prayer is asking. It is saying, “God, I went wrong. You know that, and now I admit it. I don’t want the future to be a rerun of the mistakes of the past. Forgive me, show me the right way to go.” Israel had missed God, and in spite of their waywardness, God promised to help them if they would only come back to Him. He said, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). God will do the same for you as well.

Step number three in this process of finding the right direction is this: When you have found the good way, “walk in it.” This is a matter of simple obedience, of putting your feet in a straight line in the direction you know God wants you to go. And with that simple step of obedience comes a great promise. God said, “you will find rest for your soul.”

God did not force them, He invited them. Sadly, Israel rejected God’s invitation. Don’t do it, friend. Going back to the fork in the road requires courage and humility.

Resource Reading: Jeremiah 6:1-30

Guidelines for living. August 18th, 2026 3 Steps to Finding a New Direction. This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” But you said, “We will not walk in it.” Jeremiah 6:16 Jeremiah the prophet was a man who needs to be rediscovered today. The circumstances surrounding his life and world have so many parallels to life today. How so? Well, for one thing, instability had gripped the world. Jeremiah’s beloved nation was about to be chewed up by the powerful tiger of Babylon. Social structures were failing too. Families were being torn apart; truth and morality had been sacrificed in the process. The priesthood had become politicized. No wonder Jeremiah seemed out of sync with his day—an old prophet who castigated the moral and spiritual decline. No wonder he was publicly scorned and privately castigated. There is a text in the book which bears his name which needs to be emblazoned on the conscience of every parent: God expects more, something more of His children, than that which satisfies the world. God spoke to Jeremiah, here’s what He said, “Stand at the crossroads and look; [and] ask for the old paths, [and] ask where the good way is, and walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16). There were three parts to that advice: First, go back to the crossroads, back to the place where you took the wrong path, and look. God is saying, “Hey, you’ve been down the wrong road. You’ve learned that it didn’t bring you the peace or contentment. Now stand there—mentally speaking—take a look down the narrow road, the one that seemed to be less exciting, and realize it was here you went wrong. Let’s stop for a moment. Is it ever too late to acknowledge that you went wrong? You may think so, but in reality, it is not. A thief on the cross, seeing his life ebb away minute by minute, came to that place; he cried out, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He went back to the crossroads and took the right path. Before you go back to the crossroads—that fork in the road where you went wrong—you must stop what you’re doing and mentally look back. Often, we think, “It’s too late for me.” Not so, friend. Coming to the end of the year is a time for reflection and to go back if you missed the right path. Step number two in this process is this: “Ask for the old paths where the good way is.” In reality, prayer is asking. It is saying, “God, I went wrong. You know that, and now I admit it. I don’t want the future to be a rerun of the mistakes of the past. Forgive me, show me the right way to go.” Israel had missed God, and in spite of their waywardness, God promised to help them if they would only come back to Him. He said, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). God will do the same for you as well. Step number three in this process of finding the right direction is this: When you have found the good way, “walk in it.” This is a matter of simple obedience, of putting your feet in a straight line in the direction you know God wants you to go. And with that simple step of obedience comes a great promise. God said, “you will find rest for your soul.” God did not force them, He invited them. Sadly, Israel rejected God’s invitation. Don’t do it, friend. Going back to the fork in the road requires courage and humility. Resource Reading: Jeremiah 6:1-30

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Johnny Gass
2026-08-18 10:11:24 -

Need to know.
THE GRANDEST INVITATION

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." — Revelation 19:7

In our world, wedding invitations carry weight. We check our calendars, coordinate attire, and prepare gifts to honor the couple. Yet the most magnificent celebration in human history—the Marriage Supper of the Lamb—requires a far different kind of preparation.

Revelation 19 shifts the cosmic scene from the fall of earthly empires to an outburst of unhindered praise. The long-awaited climax of history arrives not as a political conquest, but as a wedding feast. Jesus, the Lamb who was slain to purchase humanity with His blood, is revealed as the Bridegroom. The Church—every believer across time—is His bride.

This short verse carries three deep spiritual movements for your day:

Rejoice and Be Glad: True Christian joy is grounded in an unshakable future. Whatever hardship or disappointment you face today, it is not the final chapter of your story. The end of history is a feast, not a famine.

Give Him Glory: Salvation is entirely God’s initiative. We do not earn our place at this table; we are invited by grace.

Make Yourself Ready: The bride's readiness is both a gift and a pursuit. In the very next verse, Revelation notes that her fine linen is given to her, representing the righteous acts of God's holy people.

To be ready for the Bridegroom means living today in light of eternity. It means letting love, purity, and devotion shape how you treat others, manage your time, and guard your heart. You are not waiting aimlessly; you are preparing for a wedding.

Take time today to consider what temporary worry or distraction is currently competing for the joy that belongs to your eternal future, and how you can actively make yourself ready in your daily decisions and relationships.

Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting me to Your eternal feast through Jesus Christ, the Lamb. When the cares of this world feel heavy, lift my eyes to the joy that awaits me. Purify my heart today, align my desires with Your kingdom, and help me live with expectant hope. Let my life reflect the grace and righteousness You have so generously given me. Amen.

Need to know. THE GRANDEST INVITATION "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." — Revelation 19:7 In our world, wedding invitations carry weight. We check our calendars, coordinate attire, and prepare gifts to honor the couple. Yet the most magnificent celebration in human history—the Marriage Supper of the Lamb—requires a far different kind of preparation. Revelation 19 shifts the cosmic scene from the fall of earthly empires to an outburst of unhindered praise. The long-awaited climax of history arrives not as a political conquest, but as a wedding feast. Jesus, the Lamb who was slain to purchase humanity with His blood, is revealed as the Bridegroom. The Church—every believer across time—is His bride. This short verse carries three deep spiritual movements for your day: Rejoice and Be Glad: True Christian joy is grounded in an unshakable future. Whatever hardship or disappointment you face today, it is not the final chapter of your story. The end of history is a feast, not a famine. Give Him Glory: Salvation is entirely God’s initiative. We do not earn our place at this table; we are invited by grace. Make Yourself Ready: The bride's readiness is both a gift and a pursuit. In the very next verse, Revelation notes that her fine linen is given to her, representing the righteous acts of God's holy people. To be ready for the Bridegroom means living today in light of eternity. It means letting love, purity, and devotion shape how you treat others, manage your time, and guard your heart. You are not waiting aimlessly; you are preparing for a wedding. Take time today to consider what temporary worry or distraction is currently competing for the joy that belongs to your eternal future, and how you can actively make yourself ready in your daily decisions and relationships. Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting me to Your eternal feast through Jesus Christ, the Lamb. When the cares of this world feel heavy, lift my eyes to the joy that awaits me. Purify my heart today, align my desires with Your kingdom, and help me live with expectant hope. Let my life reflect the grace and righteousness You have so generously given me. Amen.

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Allas Jean Paul
2026-08-18 06:00:00 -

I was sick a rare heart disease, i have seen several doctors, non healed me. My health deteriorated and I started to do treatment at public hospital. One day, while I was 17 met a lady and her friend in a restaurant where I was working, and they invited me to come at their places. I was a bit afraid. Finally, i went to their places and found something which touched my heart, these ladies were giving free tuitions to poor children whose parents cannot afford tuition expenses due to the hardship and poverty.

The ladies were like angels, hearthfully devoted to the success of these children. This is the very first time I saw people devoted to do good without expecting nothing in return. Later I will know why, it was amazing how they were involved in teaching these children even though they were not paid teachers .

This is the beginning of my story.......this is how I met Christ! To be continued

I was sick a rare heart disease, i have seen several doctors, non healed me. My health deteriorated and I started to do treatment at public hospital. One day, while I was 17 met a lady and her friend in a restaurant where I was working, and they invited me to come at their places. I was a bit afraid. Finally, i went to their places and found something which touched my heart, these ladies were giving free tuitions to poor children whose parents cannot afford tuition expenses due to the hardship and poverty. The ladies were like angels, hearthfully devoted to the success of these children. This is the very first time I saw people devoted to do good without expecting nothing in return. Later I will know why, it was amazing how they were involved in teaching these children even though they were not paid teachers . This is the beginning of my story.......this is how I met Christ! To be continued

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Nayana Chiramal
2026-08-17 18:21:51 -

17th August 2026

Today was actually a really good day.

Some days the orders are really good, and today was one of those days. I worked for about one hour in the early afternoon and then around three hours at night, from 6 to 9. So, just four hours in total, and I made around ₹1,200. I honestly wish every day was like this!

But that's not even the highlight of my day. The highlight was what happened tonight.

I was waiting for an order near my home when I got one where the pickup was very close by, but the drop was a little towards the outskirts. The drop location was St. Anthony's Church.

That church is actually special to me because it's one of the churches I had visited before. My brother and I completed our Sacrament of Confirmation there a few years ago.

Since the place was a little far out, I thought there was a chance I might not get an order back home after dropping the passenger. But then I thought, "It's been almost 6–7 months since I've gone to church. If I don't get another order, I'll just stop there, pray for a few minutes and come home."

So I picked up this girl and took her there. And when we reached, I realized the drop was literally right in front of the church!

After I dropped her, she asked me if I could wait for 10–15 minutes because she wanted to take a ride back with me to the same place where I picked her up.

I asked her what she was going to do there, and she said she was going to the church and would probably take about 10 minutes.

It was already around 7:30 at night, so I told her that the church was probably closed. She said she didn't know it was closed and didn't know what to do.

I told her that maybe the gate would still be open and that she could at least go in front of the church and pray, even if she couldn't go inside. And I told her, "If you're going to the church, I'll come with you."

So both of us went inside the church campus. Just as I thought, the church was closed, but we stood outside the church and prayed together.

After that, she booked another ride back, and I got the order and accepted it.

While we were coming back, she started telling me her story.

She had come to Bangalore from Chennai only about a week ago for a job. She doesn't really know anyone here except a couple of girls who are staying with her in her PG.

She told me that she had been feeling really low that day. She just wanted to go somewhere and pray, so she searched on Google for a church. St. Anthony's Church came up, and she simply booked a Rapido to go there. She hadn't even checked properly where the church was or how far it was.

And while coming there, she actually got scared because the area was quite far out. There were farms and very few people around, it was dark, and there weren't many streetlights. She was wondering where we were going and whether she had somehow ended up going to a completely different place.

She kept telling me how happy and grateful she was that she got me as her rider. She started calling me "Akka" and was really comfortable talking to me.

I was able to give her some advice, share some godly wisdom and also share a few of my testimonies with her. Most importantly, I got the opportunity to talk to her about Jesus.

I told her that I genuinely believe it was God's plan that we met today.

Because of her, I ended up going to a church after almost 6–7 months. I had been thinking about going to church for a long time, and today, without even planning it, I actually stepped into a church campus and prayed.

While we were coming back, she was telling me more about herself, and I noticed that she had a speech difficulty. She was stuttering while talking. After a while, she actually told me herself, "I have stuttering, that's why I talk like this."

So while I was encouraging her, I told her that God has great plans for her and that she should always walk in obedience to Him, listen to His guidance, and follow His will for her life. I told her that there will always be things and people that try to take us away from God's path, but we should keep listening to God and choose His way.

Then I told her about Moses.

I told her that Moses also had difficulty speaking. When God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses himself felt that he wasn't capable and didn't know how he could do it. But God still chose him and used him to do something incredibly great.

I told her, "God doesn't need us to be perfect for Him to use us. He can use people who feel broken, weak, unworthy or inadequate, and He can use them in mighty ways so that His glory can be seen through their lives."

When I told her that, she was actually quite amazed. I don't think she knew much about the story of Moses, because she was really surprised to hear it.

I felt that this was something she really needed to hear at that moment. I wanted her to understand that whatever she may see as a weakness in herself doesn't mean that God cannot use her. God has a purpose for her, and He can still do great things through her life.

I also gave her my number and told her that if she ever needs any help or gets stuck with anything, she can call me and I'll help her if I can.

When I dropped her back, I also told her that she doesn't have to travel so far just to go to church. I showed her a few churches closer to where she stays.

I even invited her for future Bible reading and Bible studies, and she said she'd be interested. So let's see how that goes.

Honestly, this was the highlight of my entire day.

I truly believe this wasn't just a random Rapido ride. I believe God brought our paths together for a reason.

I went out today thinking I was just going to work and earn some money, but God gave me an opportunity to meet someone, encourage her, talk to her about Jesus, and even get myself back into a church after so many months.

So yeah… this is what happened today.

17th August 2026 Today was actually a really good day. 😊 Some days the orders are really good, and today was one of those days. I worked for about one hour in the early afternoon and then around three hours at night, from 6 to 9. So, just four hours in total, and I made around ₹1,200. I honestly wish every day was like this! 😂 But that's not even the highlight of my day. The highlight was what happened tonight. I was waiting for an order near my home when I got one where the pickup was very close by, but the drop was a little towards the outskirts. The drop location was St. Anthony's Church. That church is actually special to me because it's one of the churches I had visited before. My brother and I completed our Sacrament of Confirmation there a few years ago. Since the place was a little far out, I thought there was a chance I might not get an order back home after dropping the passenger. But then I thought, "It's been almost 6–7 months since I've gone to church. If I don't get another order, I'll just stop there, pray for a few minutes and come home." So I picked up this girl and took her there. And when we reached, I realized the drop was literally right in front of the church! After I dropped her, she asked me if I could wait for 10–15 minutes because she wanted to take a ride back with me to the same place where I picked her up. I asked her what she was going to do there, and she said she was going to the church and would probably take about 10 minutes. It was already around 7:30 at night, so I told her that the church was probably closed. She said she didn't know it was closed and didn't know what to do. I told her that maybe the gate would still be open and that she could at least go in front of the church and pray, even if she couldn't go inside. And I told her, "If you're going to the church, I'll come with you." So both of us went inside the church campus. Just as I thought, the church was closed, but we stood outside the church and prayed together. After that, she booked another ride back, and I got the order and accepted it. While we were coming back, she started telling me her story. She had come to Bangalore from Chennai only about a week ago for a job. She doesn't really know anyone here except a couple of girls who are staying with her in her PG. She told me that she had been feeling really low that day. She just wanted to go somewhere and pray, so she searched on Google for a church. St. Anthony's Church came up, and she simply booked a Rapido to go there. She hadn't even checked properly where the church was or how far it was. And while coming there, she actually got scared because the area was quite far out. There were farms and very few people around, it was dark, and there weren't many streetlights. She was wondering where we were going and whether she had somehow ended up going to a completely different place. 😂 She kept telling me how happy and grateful she was that she got me as her rider. She started calling me "Akka" and was really comfortable talking to me. I was able to give her some advice, share some godly wisdom and also share a few of my testimonies with her. Most importantly, I got the opportunity to talk to her about Jesus. I told her that I genuinely believe it was God's plan that we met today. Because of her, I ended up going to a church after almost 6–7 months. I had been thinking about going to church for a long time, and today, without even planning it, I actually stepped into a church campus and prayed. While we were coming back, she was telling me more about herself, and I noticed that she had a speech difficulty. She was stuttering while talking. After a while, she actually told me herself, "I have stuttering, that's why I talk like this." So while I was encouraging her, I told her that God has great plans for her and that she should always walk in obedience to Him, listen to His guidance, and follow His will for her life. I told her that there will always be things and people that try to take us away from God's path, but we should keep listening to God and choose His way. Then I told her about Moses. I told her that Moses also had difficulty speaking. When God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses himself felt that he wasn't capable and didn't know how he could do it. But God still chose him and used him to do something incredibly great. I told her, "God doesn't need us to be perfect for Him to use us. He can use people who feel broken, weak, unworthy or inadequate, and He can use them in mighty ways so that His glory can be seen through their lives." When I told her that, she was actually quite amazed. I don't think she knew much about the story of Moses, because she was really surprised to hear it. I felt that this was something she really needed to hear at that moment. I wanted her to understand that whatever she may see as a weakness in herself doesn't mean that God cannot use her. God has a purpose for her, and He can still do great things through her life. I also gave her my number and told her that if she ever needs any help or gets stuck with anything, she can call me and I'll help her if I can. When I dropped her back, I also told her that she doesn't have to travel so far just to go to church. I showed her a few churches closer to where she stays. I even invited her for future Bible reading and Bible studies, and she said she'd be interested. So let's see how that goes. 😊 Honestly, this was the highlight of my entire day. I truly believe this wasn't just a random Rapido ride. I believe God brought our paths together for a reason. ❤️ I went out today thinking I was just going to work and earn some money, but God gave me an opportunity to meet someone, encourage her, talk to her about Jesus, and even get myself back into a church after so many months. So yeah… this is what happened today. ❤️

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Jones Ofori-Attah

toegevoegd een foto
2026-08-17 13:28:23 -

God can use dreams for many purposes. Here are four biblical ways He speaks through them.

1 –God Can Impart Through Dreams

In 1 Kings 3:5–12, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and invited him to ask for whatever he desired. Solomon asked for an understanding heart so that he could lead God’s people well and distinguish between right and wrong. The Lord was pleased with his request and gave him extraordinary wisdom.

Solomon did not merely dream about God—he encountered God in his dream. What happened while he slept resulted in a genuine impartation that affected his waking life.

There have been times when I sensed the Holy Spirit’s presence intensely in a dream and then awakened with that same sense of His presence in the room. A dream can become a genuine place of encounter. God can impart wisdom, courage, direction, or spiritual strength through it.

2 –God Can Reveal the Future Through Dreams

Genesis 41 records Pharaoh’s troubling dreams and Joseph’s God-given interpretation. The dreams revealed that seven years of prosperity would be followed by seven years of famine. Because God revealed what was coming, Egypt was able to prepare.

God can reveal future events through dreams. Sometimes, He may show you something before it happens; at other times, He may confirm what He has already been speaking to your heart.

Years ago, at about age ten, I had a dream in which I saw an old man carrying a load in a "Ghana Must Go" bag. I took the load from the old man and walked with him for a distance. At a point , he asked me to put the load down, and when I did, he opened the bag; it was full of Bibles. He gave me one of them and told me to cherish it. He then said he could carry on from that point. He moved a distance away and vanished into thin air. In another dream at a different time, I was given Genesis 17:1–4. In a third dream, a well-built man in a white robe came to me and gave me a briefcase, telling me to guard it well, as everything in it was for me. I opened it and found a Bible and a white handkerchief with a dove drawn at the center, inscribed with the words "Holy Spirit."

When I shared these dreams, I was told God would use me. Since then, God has used dreams to show me what lies ahead, what is present, and even what is in the past that needs to be unraveled.

3 –God Can Reveal Important Information

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him it was safe to return to Israel with Mary and Jesus (Matthew 2:19–20). The dream provided the information Joseph needed for a decision in that moment.

Daniel also declared, “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future” (Daniel 2:28, NLT).

The Holy Spirit may reveal a missing piece of information, bring clarity to something you have been sensing, or expose a matter that needs prayer. But dreams must never make you paranoid or suspicious of everyone around you. Do not make accusations or major decisions based on a dream alone. Remain discerning, levelheaded, prayerful, and submitted to Scripture.

4 –God Can Warn Through Dreams

God may use a dream to warn you about physical danger, spiritual attack, a damaging decision, or a difficult season ahead. Sometimes a warning calls you to act; other times, it simply calls you to pray and prepare.

In Genesis 15:12–14, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came over him. God warned him that his descendants would be oppressed for 400 years, but He also promised to judge the nation that enslaved them and bring His people out with great wealth.

This passage corrects a common misconception: a dream from God will not always feel pleasant. A warning may produce a serious or even troubling emotional response. The presence of a negative emotion does not automatically prove that a dream is not from God. The more important questions are whether the message agrees with Scripture and whether it ultimately leads you toward faith, obedience, prayer, and redemption.

God bless you!

God can use dreams for many purposes. Here are four biblical ways He speaks through them. 1 –God Can Impart Through Dreams In 1 Kings 3:5–12, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and invited him to ask for whatever he desired. Solomon asked for an understanding heart so that he could lead God’s people well and distinguish between right and wrong. The Lord was pleased with his request and gave him extraordinary wisdom. Solomon did not merely dream about God—he encountered God in his dream. What happened while he slept resulted in a genuine impartation that affected his waking life. There have been times when I sensed the Holy Spirit’s presence intensely in a dream and then awakened with that same sense of His presence in the room. A dream can become a genuine place of encounter. God can impart wisdom, courage, direction, or spiritual strength through it. 2 –God Can Reveal the Future Through Dreams Genesis 41 records Pharaoh’s troubling dreams and Joseph’s God-given interpretation. The dreams revealed that seven years of prosperity would be followed by seven years of famine. Because God revealed what was coming, Egypt was able to prepare. God can reveal future events through dreams. Sometimes, He may show you something before it happens; at other times, He may confirm what He has already been speaking to your heart. Years ago, at about age ten, I had a dream in which I saw an old man carrying a load in a "Ghana Must Go" bag. I took the load from the old man and walked with him for a distance. At a point , he asked me to put the load down, and when I did, he opened the bag; it was full of Bibles. He gave me one of them and told me to cherish it. He then said he could carry on from that point. He moved a distance away and vanished into thin air. In another dream at a different time, I was given Genesis 17:1–4. In a third dream, a well-built man in a white robe came to me and gave me a briefcase, telling me to guard it well, as everything in it was for me. I opened it and found a Bible and a white handkerchief with a dove drawn at the center, inscribed with the words "Holy Spirit." When I shared these dreams, I was told God would use me. Since then, God has used dreams to show me what lies ahead, what is present, and even what is in the past that needs to be unraveled. 3 –God Can Reveal Important Information After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him it was safe to return to Israel with Mary and Jesus (Matthew 2:19–20). The dream provided the information Joseph needed for a decision in that moment. Daniel also declared, “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future” (Daniel 2:28, NLT). The Holy Spirit may reveal a missing piece of information, bring clarity to something you have been sensing, or expose a matter that needs prayer. But dreams must never make you paranoid or suspicious of everyone around you. Do not make accusations or major decisions based on a dream alone. Remain discerning, levelheaded, prayerful, and submitted to Scripture. 4 –God Can Warn Through Dreams God may use a dream to warn you about physical danger, spiritual attack, a damaging decision, or a difficult season ahead. Sometimes a warning calls you to act; other times, it simply calls you to pray and prepare. In Genesis 15:12–14, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came over him. God warned him that his descendants would be oppressed for 400 years, but He also promised to judge the nation that enslaved them and bring His people out with great wealth. This passage corrects a common misconception: a dream from God will not always feel pleasant. A warning may produce a serious or even troubling emotional response. The presence of a negative emotion does not automatically prove that a dream is not from God. The more important questions are whether the message agrees with Scripture and whether it ultimately leads you toward faith, obedience, prayer, and redemption. God bless you!

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Encourage Godwin
2026-08-17 05:12:17 -

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH 2026.

TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II

MEMORISE
Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: - (Deuteronomy 7:12)

BIBLE READING: GENESIS 20:1-18 (KJV)

1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.

4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?

5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.

6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.

8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.

10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?

11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.

14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.

17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

18 For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

MESSAGE

Years ago, a highly influential man in an Islamic nation, where church planting was prohibited, invited one of our missionaries to establish a church within his compound. When the church started, his wife said to him, "With your position in government and your influence in this nation, you allowed a church be established in your compound?" He looked at his wife and said, "Don't you dare say a word against these people!" I believe that it was easy for the RCCG to plant a church in that nation, and indeed many nations in the world today, because of God's covenant with its founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi.

One of the gains of being in a covenant with God is that you will keep getting greater results than your peers as long as you keep fulfilling your part of the covenant. God will keep giving you results that are beyond your efforts. What other people struggle to get will come to you easily because of His covenant with you.

In Exodus 19:5, God said, "If you will keep my covenant, I will make you a peculiar treasure." This means that people will take a look at you and wonder why God loves you so much. Several times, when I wake up at night and reflect on all the good things God is doing in RCCG, I usually say, "Lord, how can you love us this much?" Some people might claim that it is because we fast and pray, but believe me, some people fast more than we do. I recall vividly that when I became the General Overseer, I had some of my friends join me in a 36-hour non-stop prayer session. We thought this was a remarkable feat until we heard of a man who prayed non-stop for so much longer! I may not have spent as many hours in prayer at a stretch as that person, yet what God has done for RCCG is unprecedented and truly remarkable. Indeed, there are immense gains in being in a covenant with the Almighty God.

Another gain of being in a covenant with God is protection. When a king took Abraham's wife, God intervened by appearing in the king's dream. He went the extra mile to protect her and instructed the king to ask Abraham to pray for him, as we see in today's Bible reading. Beloved, there are immeasurable blessings that flow from being in covenant with God.

KEY POINT
Being in a covenant with God gives you access to tremendous benefits and makes difficult things easy.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR JEREMIAH 44 - 46

HYMN 19 - ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee! Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

2. Not the labours of my hands, can fulfill thy law's demands could zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone, thou must save and thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling naked, come to thee for dress, helpless, look to thee fir grace foul to the fountain fly wash me saviour or I die.

4. While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyelids close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS

DATE: MONDAY AUGUST 17TH 2026

*THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II

‎PRAYER POINTS

1.Father, thank You for Your covenant to build Your church and never to allow the gate of hell to prevail over it.

2.Father, thank You for the spread of the gospel across the nations of the earth. Thank You for raising men and women to bare the light of the gospel even to the inter lands.

3.Father, thank You for divinely positioning men and women to favour the advancement of Your gospel across the world.

4.Father, please help me never to go out Your covenant for my life. Help me to keep fulfilling my part of the covenant so I can keep enjoying greater results than my peers, in Jesus' name.

5.Father, please keep me in Your covenant, and grant me results that are beyond my efforts. Make easy for me what other people struggle to get, in Jesus' name.

6.Father, please help me to keep Your covenant, and make me a wonder to nations, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, please show me Your mercy and let it continue to speak for me such that I will constantly enjoy unprecedented and truly remarkable blessings of Your covenant, in Jesus' name.

8.Father, please keep me in Your covenant and let me and my household enjoy divine protection everywhere we go, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, please help me to hearken to Your judgements, to keep and to do them, so I can abide in Your covenant and enjoy Your mercies, in Jesus' name.

10.Father, please establish me and my household in Your covenant so we can have access to Your immeasurable blessings and benefits, in Jesus' name.

11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.
‎
Help him to continue to enjoy the gains of Your covenant with him, 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)
‎#GodBlessOThese

prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH 2026. TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II MEMORISE Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: - (Deuteronomy 7:12) BIBLE READING: GENESIS 20:1-18 (KJV) 1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. 4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? 5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. 6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. 7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. 8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. 10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? 11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake. 12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother. 14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. 15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. 16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved. 17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. 18 For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife. MESSAGE Years ago, a highly influential man in an Islamic nation, where church planting was prohibited, invited one of our missionaries to establish a church within his compound. When the church started, his wife said to him, "With your position in government and your influence in this nation, you allowed a church be established in your compound?" He looked at his wife and said, "Don't you dare say a word against these people!" I believe that it was easy for the RCCG to plant a church in that nation, and indeed many nations in the world today, because of God's covenant with its founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi. One of the gains of being in a covenant with God is that you will keep getting greater results than your peers as long as you keep fulfilling your part of the covenant. God will keep giving you results that are beyond your efforts. What other people struggle to get will come to you easily because of His covenant with you. In Exodus 19:5, God said, "If you will keep my covenant, I will make you a peculiar treasure." This means that people will take a look at you and wonder why God loves you so much. Several times, when I wake up at night and reflect on all the good things God is doing in RCCG, I usually say, "Lord, how can you love us this much?" Some people might claim that it is because we fast and pray, but believe me, some people fast more than we do. I recall vividly that when I became the General Overseer, I had some of my friends join me in a 36-hour non-stop prayer session. We thought this was a remarkable feat until we heard of a man who prayed non-stop for so much longer! I may not have spent as many hours in prayer at a stretch as that person, yet what God has done for RCCG is unprecedented and truly remarkable. Indeed, there are immense gains in being in a covenant with the Almighty God. Another gain of being in a covenant with God is protection. When a king took Abraham's wife, God intervened by appearing in the king's dream. He went the extra mile to protect her and instructed the king to ask Abraham to pray for him, as we see in today's Bible reading. Beloved, there are immeasurable blessings that flow from being in covenant with God. KEY POINT Being in a covenant with God gives you access to tremendous benefits and makes difficult things easy. AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR JEREMIAH 44 - 46 HYMN 19 - ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME 1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee! Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Cleanse me from its guilt and power. 2. Not the labours of my hands, can fulfill thy law's demands could zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone, thou must save and thou alone. 3. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling naked, come to thee for dress, helpless, look to thee fir grace foul to the fountain fly wash me saviour or I die. 4. While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyelids close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee. PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DATE: MONDAY AUGUST 17TH 2026 *THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II ‎PRAYER POINTS 1.Father, thank You for Your covenant to build Your church and never to allow the gate of hell to prevail over it. 2.Father, thank You for the spread of the gospel across the nations of the earth. Thank You for raising men and women to bare the light of the gospel even to the inter lands. 3.Father, thank You for divinely positioning men and women to favour the advancement of Your gospel across the world. 4.Father, please help me never to go out Your covenant for my life. Help me to keep fulfilling my part of the covenant so I can keep enjoying greater results than my peers, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please keep me in Your covenant, and grant me results that are beyond my efforts. Make easy for me what other people struggle to get, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to keep Your covenant, and make me a wonder to nations, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please show me Your mercy and let it continue to speak for me such that I will constantly enjoy unprecedented and truly remarkable blessings of Your covenant, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please keep me in Your covenant and let me and my household enjoy divine protection everywhere we go, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me to hearken to Your judgements, to keep and to do them, so I can abide in Your covenant and enjoy Your mercies, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please establish me and my household in Your covenant so we can have access to Your immeasurable blessings and benefits, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to continue to enjoy the gains of Your covenant with him, 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) ‎#GodBlessOThese prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you.

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Mike Warwicke
2026-08-16 11:18:29 -

DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP

DBF-001-023

Today’s Scripture

John 2:2 (ESV)

“Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.”

Opening the Scriptures

Yesterday we entered a wedding celebration in Cana. Today John gives us another simple detail: Jesus and His disciples had been invited.

Nothing miraculous has happened yet.

Jesus is simply present among ordinary people during an ordinary event in their lives.

Yet the disciples who came with Him were beginning an extraordinary journey. They had left their former lives to follow Jesus, but they still had much to learn about the One they were following.

Soon they would witness something at this wedding that would deepen their understanding of who Jesus truly is.

For now, they simply went where Jesus went.

That is a simple but important picture of discipleship.

Living God’s Word Today

Following Jesus does not mean inviting Him into selected areas of our lives while keeping control of everything else.

Christ is not a guest whom we welcome when convenient and ignore when His presence interferes with our plans.

He is Lord.

The disciples were learning that following Jesus meant going where He led them. That same principle remains true for us.

We follow Christ when His Word agrees with what we want, and we follow Him when His Word confronts what we want.

We follow Him in church, but also in our homes.

We follow Him when people are watching and when nobody sees us.

We follow Him when obedience is comfortable and when obedience costs us something.

There is another important warning here. Inviting Jesus into our lives does not mean that He has come to fulfill all our personal desires. At Cana, Jesus was not present to become a servant of human wishes. What would soon happen would reveal His glory and His divine authority.

That distinction matters.

Christianity is not about adding Jesus to the life we have already chosen.

It is about surrendering ourselves to the Christ who calls us to follow Him.

The disciples did not yet understand everything about Jesus.

Neither do we.

But discipleship begins with trusting Him enough to follow.

Today, do not merely ask Christ to accompany your plans.

Open His Word and ask whether your plans are following His will.

Question for Today:
Are you asking Jesus to follow your plans, or are you willing to follow His?

Respond: “Lord Jesus, I will follow You.”

DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP DBF-001-023 Today’s Scripture John 2:2 (ESV) “Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.” Opening the Scriptures Yesterday we entered a wedding celebration in Cana. Today John gives us another simple detail: Jesus and His disciples had been invited. Nothing miraculous has happened yet. Jesus is simply present among ordinary people during an ordinary event in their lives. Yet the disciples who came with Him were beginning an extraordinary journey. They had left their former lives to follow Jesus, but they still had much to learn about the One they were following. Soon they would witness something at this wedding that would deepen their understanding of who Jesus truly is. For now, they simply went where Jesus went. That is a simple but important picture of discipleship. Living God’s Word Today Following Jesus does not mean inviting Him into selected areas of our lives while keeping control of everything else. Christ is not a guest whom we welcome when convenient and ignore when His presence interferes with our plans. He is Lord. The disciples were learning that following Jesus meant going where He led them. That same principle remains true for us. We follow Christ when His Word agrees with what we want, and we follow Him when His Word confronts what we want. We follow Him in church, but also in our homes. We follow Him when people are watching and when nobody sees us. We follow Him when obedience is comfortable and when obedience costs us something. There is another important warning here. Inviting Jesus into our lives does not mean that He has come to fulfill all our personal desires. At Cana, Jesus was not present to become a servant of human wishes. What would soon happen would reveal His glory and His divine authority. That distinction matters. Christianity is not about adding Jesus to the life we have already chosen. It is about surrendering ourselves to the Christ who calls us to follow Him. The disciples did not yet understand everything about Jesus. Neither do we. But discipleship begins with trusting Him enough to follow. Today, do not merely ask Christ to accompany your plans. Open His Word and ask whether your plans are following His will. Question for Today: Are you asking Jesus to follow your plans, or are you willing to follow His? Respond: “Lord Jesus, I will follow You.”

1

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God's Mighty Word Ministry toegevoegd een foto
2026-08-15 10:30:00 -

Your daily dose of divine encouragement is here.

7:30 AM for your morning boost.
7:30 PM for your evening's peace.

No matter where you are—Europe, India, Africa, or North America—you are invited to join us. Let’s come together and refresh our spirits.

Discover more encouragement: www.godsmightyword.org

#GodsMightyWord #DailyDevotion #MorningEncouragement #NightPeace #Faith #BibleVerse #GodsWord #SpiritualGrowth #TuneIn #LiveBroadcast

✝️ 🎙️ Your daily dose of divine encouragement is here. 🕢 7:30 AM for your morning boost. 🕢 7:30 PM for your evening's peace. 🌍 No matter where you are—Europe, India, Africa, or North America—you are invited to join us. Let’s come together and refresh our spirits. 🌐 Discover more encouragement: www.godsmightyword.org #GodsMightyWord #DailyDevotion #MorningEncouragement #NightPeace #Faith #BibleVerse #GodsWord #SpiritualGrowth #TuneIn #LiveBroadcast

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Hem Bk toegevoegd een foto
2026-08-14 06:35:32 -

we invited to you.

we invited to you.

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Samuel Oketcho
2026-08-13 13:12:47 -

*THE PEOPLE WHO ALMOST FOLLOWED JESUS · PART 01*
> The Rich Young Ruler — When One Thing Is Too Much to Surrender

> Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!””

He ran to Jesus. He knelt before Jesus. He asked Jesus about eternal life. And then he walked away.
That may be one of the most sobering encounters in the Gospels.
The rich young ruler did not mock Jesus.
He did not argue with Jesus.
He did not reject Jesus from a distance.
He ran to Him.
He knelt before Him.
He called Him “Good Teacher.”
And he asked one of the most important questions anyone could ever ask:
“What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”, Mark 10:17
Everything about the encounter looked promising.

This man seemed ready to become a disciple.
Until Jesus touched the one thing he was unwilling to surrender.
Jesus Put His Finger on the Rival
Jesus told him:
> ”Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor… and come, follow me.”, Mark 10:21 WEB

Jesus was not merely asking for a donation.
He was exposing a throne.
Something possessed this man more deeply than he possessed it.
His wealth had become the place where he found security, identity, comfort, and control.

Then came the moment of decision.
Jesus said:
Follow Me.
And the man had to decide which treasure he wanted more.
Mark tells us:
> “But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.”, Mark 10:22 WEB

He came running.
He left grieving.
He wanted eternal life.
He wanted Jesus.
But apparently, he wanted his possessions more.
Almost a Disciple
Think about how close he came.
He stood face-to-face with Jesus.
Jesus personally invited him to follow.

Mark even tells us something remarkable:
Jesus looked at him and loved him.
This was not rejection from Jesus.
It was an invitation from Jesus.
But love did not remove the cost of discipleship.
Jesus loved him enough to confront the very thing keeping him from wholehearted surrender.
And the man walked away.
What Is Your “One Thing”?
It is easy to read this story and think only about money.

But the deeper question is much more dangerous.
What would Jesus have to touch in your life before you began reconsidering whether you really wanted to follow Him?

Your money?
Your career?
Your comfort?
Your reputation?
A relationship?
Your plans for retirement?
Your possessions?
Your political identity?
Your right to control your own future?
Your unwillingness to forgive?
Your unwillingness to go where Jesus sends you?

We can sing, pray, attend church, read Scripture, give offerings, and speak passionately about Jesus,
until Jesus asks for the one thing we have quietly decided He cannot have.
And then we discover who is really Lord.

Following Jesus Means an Open Hand
The issue is not whether every Christian must sell everything.
The issue is whether Jesus could ask anything of us and still receive our yes.

A disciple does not hand Jesus a contract filled with exceptions.
“Jesus, I will follow You, but not there.”
“I will obey You, but not with my money.”
“I will serve You, but don't interfere with my comfort.”
“I will make disciples, but don't ask me to rearrange my life.”
“I surrender everything, except this.”

That is exactly where this story confronts us.
The rich young ruler did not reject religion.
He rejected surrender.
And Jesus allowed him to walk away.
The Question We Cannot Avoid
Throughout this series, we will meet people who came astonishingly close to following Jesus, but something stopped them.

For this man, it was possessions.

For someone else, it will be fear.

For another, reputation.

For another, delay.

For another, the approval of people.

But every story forces us to ask the same question:

What kept them from fully following Jesus, and could the same thing be keeping us?

Today, make it even more personal:

What would make you walk away if Jesus asked for it?

And perhaps the harder question:

Is there anything in your life you have already decided Jesus cannot have?

Because the thing you refuse to surrender may reveal the thing you are actually following.

Jesus is still saying:

“Come, follow me.”

The question is not whether we admire Him.

The question is whether we will surrender everything to follow Him.

*THE PEOPLE WHO ALMOST FOLLOWED JESUS · PART 01* > The Rich Young Ruler — When One Thing Is Too Much to Surrender > Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”” He ran to Jesus. He knelt before Jesus. He asked Jesus about eternal life. And then he walked away. That may be one of the most sobering encounters in the Gospels. The rich young ruler did not mock Jesus. He did not argue with Jesus. He did not reject Jesus from a distance. He ran to Him. He knelt before Him. He called Him “Good Teacher.” And he asked one of the most important questions anyone could ever ask: “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”, Mark 10:17 Everything about the encounter looked promising. This man seemed ready to become a disciple. Until Jesus touched the one thing he was unwilling to surrender. Jesus Put His Finger on the Rival Jesus told him: > ”Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor… and come, follow me.”, Mark 10:21 WEB Jesus was not merely asking for a donation. He was exposing a throne. Something possessed this man more deeply than he possessed it. His wealth had become the place where he found security, identity, comfort, and control. Then came the moment of decision. Jesus said: Follow Me. And the man had to decide which treasure he wanted more. Mark tells us: > “But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.”, Mark 10:22 WEB He came running. He left grieving. He wanted eternal life. He wanted Jesus. But apparently, he wanted his possessions more. Almost a Disciple Think about how close he came. He stood face-to-face with Jesus. Jesus personally invited him to follow. Mark even tells us something remarkable: Jesus looked at him and loved him. This was not rejection from Jesus. It was an invitation from Jesus. But love did not remove the cost of discipleship. Jesus loved him enough to confront the very thing keeping him from wholehearted surrender. And the man walked away. What Is Your “One Thing”? It is easy to read this story and think only about money. But the deeper question is much more dangerous. What would Jesus have to touch in your life before you began reconsidering whether you really wanted to follow Him? Your money? Your career? Your comfort? Your reputation? A relationship? Your plans for retirement? Your possessions? Your political identity? Your right to control your own future? Your unwillingness to forgive? Your unwillingness to go where Jesus sends you? We can sing, pray, attend church, read Scripture, give offerings, and speak passionately about Jesus, until Jesus asks for the one thing we have quietly decided He cannot have. And then we discover who is really Lord. Following Jesus Means an Open Hand The issue is not whether every Christian must sell everything. The issue is whether Jesus could ask anything of us and still receive our yes. A disciple does not hand Jesus a contract filled with exceptions. “Jesus, I will follow You, but not there.” “I will obey You, but not with my money.” “I will serve You, but don't interfere with my comfort.” “I will make disciples, but don't ask me to rearrange my life.” “I surrender everything, except this.” That is exactly where this story confronts us. The rich young ruler did not reject religion. He rejected surrender. And Jesus allowed him to walk away. The Question We Cannot Avoid Throughout this series, we will meet people who came astonishingly close to following Jesus, but something stopped them. For this man, it was possessions. For someone else, it will be fear. For another, reputation. For another, delay. For another, the approval of people. But every story forces us to ask the same question: What kept them from fully following Jesus, and could the same thing be keeping us? Today, make it even more personal: What would make you walk away if Jesus asked for it? And perhaps the harder question: Is there anything in your life you have already decided Jesus cannot have? Because the thing you refuse to surrender may reveal the thing you are actually following. Jesus is still saying: “Come, follow me.” The question is not whether we admire Him. The question is whether we will surrender everything to follow Him.

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