Sermon Title: "RIGHT GIVING IN A WRONG SEASON" Key Texts: 2 Corinthians 9:7, Malachi 3:8-10, Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 12:1-2, Psalm 51:17 INTRODUCTION Beloved, we are in the last days. Times of hardship. Times where many are pressed on every side. And in these days, giving has become godly for some... and desperate for others. God loves a cheerful giver. But the enemy has twisted giving into a trap for the wounded. Today God is calling us back: Look to God first, not to giving as a formula. 1. GIVING IS GODLY, BUT MOTIVE MATTERS 2 Corinthians 9:7 — “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Giving is worship. It is obedience. It is sowing. But in this last age, error has entered. Many are giving not out of faith, but out of fear and desperation. "If I give this, then God must heal me. Then God must pay my rent." That’s not covenant. That’s bargaining. And when we bargain with God, we leave ourselves ungodly and still desperate because our eyes are on the gift, not the Giver. Isaiah 1:11 — “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord.” God wants the heart before the hand. 2. THE REAL NEED: REPENTANCE AND RELATIONSHIP Your message says it: “Look to God in repentance, obedience of God's word and be right before God.” Hardship will come. 2 Timothy 3:1 — “in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” But the answer is not just to give more. The answer is to return to God. Joel 2:12-13 — “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” God’s priority is not your offering. It’s you. When you are right with God, He heals both: Physical wounds: Psalm 147:3 — “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Spiritual wounds: Psalm 51:17 — “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” 3. THE DANGER: USING GOD FOR THE GIFT You said: “Unfortunately receivers of what they give. Ain't looking to this but after their more giving in. Leaving them ungodly before and desperate in life.” This is the trap. Using God like an ATM. Acts 8:20 — Peter told Simon, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!” When we chase the blessing more than the Blesser, we stay in cycles: Desperation → Give No instant result → More desperation → Give more We become tired, bitter, and far from God. Jesus warned us: Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” 4. GOD’S WAY: HEAL FIRST, THEN GIVE FROM WHOLENESS God is not against your giving. He is for your healing. Hebrews 12:1-2 — “Let us lay aside every weight... and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.” God’s order: Repentance - Turn from sin and self-reliance Obedience - Walk in His Word daily Relationship - Seek His face, not just His hand Giving - Now give from a place of faith and joy, not fear When you do this, God restores. Malachi 3:10 — “Bring the full tithe... and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you.” But notice: the tithe comes after “Return to me” in verse 7. CLOSING CALL + PRAYER Church, don’t let hardship push you into error. Don’t give to manipulate God. Give because you love Him. If you’ve been giving out of desperation, today is the day to return. Prayer: Father, heal us. Heal our finances, but more than that, heal our hearts. Forgive us for making giving a transaction

TODAY'S WORD Text: Isaiah 40:31 “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” MESSAGE: RENEWED FOR THE RACE The last days are tiring. Many are weary. But God has not called you to run dry. 1. STRENGTHENING: Waiting on God is not wasting time. It’s refueling. When you pray, worship, and sit in His Word, He puts new strength in you. Like an eagle, you’ll rise above the storms. 2. ENCOURAGING: You will NOT faint. You will NOT quit. The same God who sustained you at St. Joseph P.3-P.7 will sustain you at Parents Joy P.1-P.4. He does not grow tired Isaiah 40:28. 3. SANCTIFICATION: To "wait on the Lord" means to set yourself apart from distractions and fix your eyes on Him Hebrews 12:1-2. Sanctification is choosing His presence over panic, His peace over pressure. PRAYER: Father, I wait on You today. Renew my strength. Lift me on eagles’ wings. Help me to run this race and not grow weary, and to walk in holiness until Jesus comes. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Encourage one another and build each other up.”

Conflict and Courage. Isaiah 6:1-10 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15. In the vision that came to Isaiah in the temple court, he was given a clear view of the character of the God of Israel. “The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy,” had appeared before him in great majesty; yet the prophet was made to understand the compassionate nature of his Lord.... In beholding his God, the prophet ... had not only been given a view of his own unworthiness; there had come to his humbled heart the assurance of forgiveness, full and free; and he had arisen a changed man. He had seen his Lord. He had caught a glimpse of the loveliness of the divine character. He could testify of the transformation wrought through beholding Infinite Love. Henceforth he was inspired with longing desire to see erring Israel set free from the burden and penalty of sin. “Why should ye be stricken any more?” the prophet inquired. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” ... The God whom they had been claiming to serve, but whose character they had misunderstood, was set before them as the great Healer of spiritual disease.... The heart of Infinite Love yearns after those who feel powerless to free themselves from the snares of Satan; and He graciously offers to strengthen them to live for Him. “Fear thou not,” He bids them; “for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” ... Have you, reader, chosen your own way? Have you wandered far from God? Have you sought to feast upon the fruits of transgression, only to find them turn to ashes upon your lips? ... Return to your Father's house. He invites you, saying, “Return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” “Come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live.” 25Prophets and Kings, 314-320.

Amazing Facts. Daily Devotionals How do you help people who have had negative experiences with the church? August 17th, 2026 In Luke chapter 15, Jesus tells a parable about a missing sheep. In the story, the shepherd searches relentlessly until he finds it. Then he lays it on his shoulders and lovingly carries it back home. The Lord wants us to follow His example and send out search parties to look for the lost sheep among us. These missing sheep are our neighbors, friends, and family who have wandered away from the flock. Here are some specific ways you can help someone who has left the church: First, pray for them. God promises, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Prayer is powerful. Invite them back! The biggest issue facing former members is how to reconnect with the church. They could be waiting for the invitation, so you can be the one to help them find a path back. In some cases, a friendly phone call or visit might be all that is needed. Remember to treat missing members the way you would want to be treated. Offer a warm, no-pressure invitation. Be loving and nonjudgmental, and leave room for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts. We should also “receive one another, just as Christ received us” (Romans 15:7). Be prepared to receive with open arms those who return, as the father received the prodigal son (Luke 15:20). The shepherd in Jesus’ story called his friends and neighbors in for a celebration. He told them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” At the end of the parable, Jesus says, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). Shouldn’t we feel the same way? Imagine how a person would feel if the entire church turned out to celebrate their return! Key Bible Texts And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. (Isaiah 58:12 KJV)

The Kitchen Newsletter Good day, Welcome to The Kitchen, where we explore, prepare and serve the contents in the Body of the Word as the delicacies of God—to create the form of the Father on the earth, to make the earth in His likeness, and to take charge of the economic destinies of nations for God. Relax, and let's journey through the scriptures to see the Body of the Word. What if the descriptions of the body of Jesus Christ in Scripture are not merely descriptions of what John or Ezekiel saw—but windows into the invisible God? John was on Patmos when he heard a voice behind him. He turned, and what he saw was extraordinary: a figure like the Son of Man, standing among seven golden lampstands. His hair was white like wool, His eyes were like blazing fire, His feet like bronze glowing in a furnace, His voice like rushing waters, and His face like the sun in all its brilliance. John did not encounter an idea. He encountered a Person. He encountered Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, in the appearance of a man and with a body (Revelation 1:1–2, 12–17; Ezekiel 1:26). This gives us a remarkable way of reading Scripture: the Body of the Word is a revelation of the invisible God. Hebrews 1:3 calls Christ “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” Paul similarly speaks of “the light of the knowledge of God’s glory” in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Therefore, when Scripture describes the eyes, face, feet, voice, garments, or other details of the Word, these descriptions are not empty imagery. They invite us to inquire into the Person they reveal. Consider the eyes. John says: “His eyes were like blazing fire.” — Revelation 1:14 Why blazing fire? Hebrews 12:29 tells us, “Our God is a consuming fire.” The image therefore takes us beyond the physical description of eyes. It begins to tell us something about the nature, passion, desire and activity of God. The Body of the Word becomes a language through which the invisible God makes Himself known. And this is where the subject becomes particularly provocative. The Father has a hunger. We often speak about our hunger for God. But what if Scripture also teaches us to consider the hunger of God? Isaiah speaks of the tongue of the Lord as a consuming fire (Isaiah 30:27). Jesus declares: “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” — John 6:33 And: “I am the bread of life.” — John 6:35 Then He makes the statement even more striking: “This bread is my flesh.” — John 6:51 The bread placed continually before God in the tabernacle was called the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30). So the Body of the Word is not merely something we study. In this revelation, the Body of the Word is the food of God—the object of the Father’s intense desire. The dining table becomes a powerful picture. Song of Solomon 7:2 speaks of a rounded goblet, blended wine and a mound of wheat. The imagery presents the Body as a place of nourishment and abundance. What if our understanding of the Body of the Word is itself part of the Father’s desire? What if the question is not merely, “How much do I know about God?” But: “What does God desire to find in me?” This takes us directly to the image of the blazing eyes. The eye is described by Jesus as the lamp of the body (Matthew 6:22). The blazing eyes of the Word therefore present another dimension of the Body: the lamp of God. A lamp searches. A lamp illuminates. A lamp reveals what is hidden. Psalm 11:5 says that the Lord examines the righteous, while Psalm 14:2 says that He looks down from heaven to see whether there is anyone who understands and seeks Him. Notice the connection. The blazing eyes are not merely looking at us. They are looking for something in us. They are looking for understanding. The Father is looking for the knowledge of the Body of the Word in the hearts and minds of His people. That changes the way we think about revelation. Psalm 119:130 says: “The unfolding of your words gives light and understanding to the simple.” The Word contains depths that must be unfolded. And when the details of the Body of the Word are unfolded, they bring light—the revelation knowledge of the Father (Psalm 119:130; 2 Corinthians 4:6). This is also why Jesus said: “These are the Scriptures that testify about me.” — John 5:39 The Scriptures are not merely information about religious subjects. They testify about a Person. The descriptions of the Body of the Word therefore become places of investigation. The eyes speak. The face speaks. The feet speak. The garments speak. The voice speaks. And through these descriptions, we begin to encounter dimensions of the Person of the Word—and consequently dimensions of the Father. The emotions of God are also revealed. Isaiah 59:17 describes God clothing Himself with zeal “as a cloak.” A garment covers and expresses the person wearing it. If the garments of God are described through Scripture, and Scripture testifies about the Word, then the imagery of God's garments becomes another doorway into understanding His Person. The Body of the Word, therefore, becomes a profound vocabulary for understanding the emotions of God. His zeal. His longing. His desire. His hunger. His compassion. His grief. His expectation. His pleasure. His intensity. These are not abstract theological categories. They are dimensions of the Person of God that Scripture progressively reveals. And who searches these depths for us? The Holy Spirit. Jesus says in John 16:13–15 that the Spirit of truth will take what belongs to Christ and make it known to us. Paul adds: “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” — 1 Corinthians 2:10 The Body of the Word is therefore not a closed mystery. It is a treasury to be searched. The Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God and unfolds them so that we can know the Father more precisely. This is why revelation is more than acquiring information. Revelation is discovering what is already contained in the Person of the Word. And perhaps this explains one of the great spiritual questions of our time: Why does God seem to be searching the hearts of His people? Because the Father is looking for a place where the Body of theWord can be understood. He is looking for hearts that can become tables upon which His food is received. He is looking for minds that can accommodate the revelation of His Son. He is looking for people who will not merely quote Scripture, but will allow Scripture to reveal the Person of Christ. The blazing eyes of the Word are still searching. And the question is: What are they looking for in us? Perhaps the answer is simpler—and more demanding—than we imagined: Understanding. An understanding of the Body of the Word. An understanding of the Father. An understanding deep enough to shape how we live, how we build, how we govern, how we work, and ultimately how we participate in the economic destinies of nations. The Father wants His form reproduced on the earth through people who have seen, understood and received the revelation of the Body of the Word. This is why we must return to Scripture—not merely to read it, but to unfold it. Because somewhere within the details is light. And somewhere within the light is the knowledge of the Father. And somewhere within that knowledge is the revelation of the Person of the Word. I am Omodolapo Ogunye. Listen to The Kitchen Podcast by Omodolapo Ogunye on Audible, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts. Please share and spread the Revelation Knowledge of the Body of the Word. celebrating the Body of the Word #foodmoneyshow #bodyoftheword #marketplace #moneymindset #money #worldwide

Monday, 17th August, 2026 TITLE: "STRENGTHENED BY GOD'S SPIRIT, NOT BY HUMAN POWER" ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S) Ephesians 3:16 (KJV) "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;" Zechariah 4:6 (KJV) "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." QUOTE TO REFLECT ON "What human strength cannot accomplish, God's Spirit can." DAY'S REFLECTION Every journey has moments when our natural strength feels insufficient. We may have responsibilities to carry, challenges to overcome, or assignments that seem greater than our ability. At such times, God reminds us that we were never meant to depend entirely on ourselves. Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:16 that believers would be "strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." The inner man refers to our spiritual life—our heart, faith, character, and relationship with God. God does not only strengthen us outwardly; He strengthens us from within so that we can remain faithful even when circumstances are difficult. To be strengthened means to receive divine ability, courage, endurance, and spiritual stability. Sometimes God changes the situation; at other times, He strengthens us to stand firmly in the situation until His purpose is accomplished. Zechariah 4:6 gives us the same principle: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit." Human might can represent resources, influence, position, or physical strength, while power can represent human ability and effort. These things have their place, but they are not the ultimate source of spiritual victory. God was teaching Zerubbabel that the work before him would be accomplished through dependence on the Holy Spirit. Likewise, some assignments in our lives cannot be completed successfully through human effort alone. We need God's direction, strength, wisdom, and enabling grace. Life experience teaches us that determination can take us far, but there are situations where determination alone is not enough. When our strength is exhausted, God's strength remains available. When our resources are limited, God's resources are unlimited. Therefore, do not face today's responsibilities saying, "I cannot do this." Instead, say, "Lord, strengthen me by Your Spirit." Depend on Him in prayer, surrender your plans to Him, and allow His Spirit to empower you. Your victory does not depend solely on how strong you are. It depends on the God who strengthens you. MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S) Isaiah 40:29 (KJV) "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Philippians 4:13 (KJV) "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS) 1. God strengthens us from the inside through His Spirit. 2. Human ability has limits, but God's power has no limits. 3. Spiritual victory comes through dependence on God, not self-reliance. 4. Weakness can become an opportunity to experience God's strength. 5. Prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit are essential for fulfilling God's purposes. EVERYDAY ACTION Begin today by surrendering your plans to God and asking His Spirit to strengthen and guide you. PRAYER Heavenly Father, strengthen me by Your Spirit in my inner man. Help me not to depend on human strength alone, but to trust Your power and guidance in everything I do. In Jesus' name, Amen. DECLARATION I am strengthened by the Spirit of God. I will not depend on human power alone. The Lord gives me strength, wisdom, courage, and grace to fulfil His purpose for my life. Not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit. Amen. Devotion by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo 📞 +233 544 295 158 Follow us on WhatsApp 👇👇👇 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P

📖 TODAY'S BIBLE READING Monday, August 17 📜 OLD TESTAMENT JUDGES 18 — The Danites and Micah's Idol ✝️ NEW TESTAMENT 2 PETER 2 — Warning Against False Teachers 🌿 MAJOR PROPHETS ISAIAH 28 — The Cornerstone of Zion 🌿 Today's Reflection 📜 Judges 18 The Danites take Micah's idols and establish their own form of worship. The chapter shows the danger of spiritual compromise and reminds us that God's people must not replace His truth with what simply seems right in their own eyes. ✝️ 2 Peter 2 Peter gives a strong warning about false teachers who distort the truth and lead others into sin. Believers are called to remain grounded in God's Word, recognize deception, and pursue holy living. 🌿 Isaiah 28 Isaiah confronts the pride and false security of Israel's leaders, but also points to God's sure foundation: the precious cornerstone laid by God in Zion. Our confidence should rest on God's truth rather than human wisdom or temporary security. ✨ KEY VERSE "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation." — Isaiah 28:16 🙏 PRAYER Heavenly Father, establish our lives firmly upon Your truth. Give us discernment to recognize false teaching and the courage to reject anything that draws us away from You. Keep us humble, faithful, and rooted in Christ, our sure foundation. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. WE STUDY. WE PRAY. WE OBEY. WE GROW. UNTIL WE ARE TOTALLY TRANSFORMED. 📖✨🙏 🌿 TODAY'S CHALLENGE Check your foundation today. Let God's Word—not popular opinion, feelings, or human wisdom—guide your decisions, beliefs, and actions.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. Isaiah 1: 18

Isaiah 60:15 Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.

THE PILGRIMS GUIDE MONDAY AUGUST 17, 2026 THE MIRACULOUS FILLINGS FROM GOD A WORD FROM THE WORD: "And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts." 2 Kings 3:16-17 KJV. From the context of our foundational Scripture we saw that Jehoshaphat the King of Judah, in alliance with King Jehoram of Israel, were stranded in the wilderness with their troops, who could not find any water as they prepared for war against Edom. They were afraid that severe thirst would kill them and their men even before the fight with Edom. They consulted Elisha the prophet of God who got a word from God for them. What was needed was water, it did not matter whether it will come without rain or without a river providing it. There are miraculous things that will happen for those who know how to seek God and follow His direction. God wants to instruct and direct His children. He says 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.' (Psalm 32:8 ESV). As you listen to Him, He will guide you into outstanding results, even if it requires breaking protocols. PRAYER BULLETS: ABBA Father, thank You for Your promises. Guide me, O Shepherd of my soul into the miraculous, even to the breaking of protocols. FURTHER READING: Isaiah 48:17; Proverbs 3:5-6; Ephesians 3:20. _________________________________________ ©️ Amaobi Nwachukwu 2026. If you're blessed by this, please, do share with others. And if you'll like to partner with us, kindly check page 3 of our hard copy edition or better still send us a WhatsApp message or call on +234 8098421967. #ThePilgrimsGuide.