Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. 1. MD.i. 😀💝🌺🎁🌹🎀 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY TUESDAY AUGUST 18, 2O26. "DR. JAMES DOBSON ON PARENTING (3)" ‘…Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.’ Ephesians 6:4 NIV WHEN ASKED, ‘How do you suggest parents handle their children’s activities on web sites like Facebook and Twitter?’ Dr. Dobson gave this advice: ‘Parents have to know what technology their kids are using. Sexting is a terrible thing. (‘Sexting’ is the new term for children exposing themselves to one another online, thinking they are safe because they are in the sanctuary of their own home.) Pornography is pervasive, and parents need to keep up with changes in technology and protect their kids. That’s a tough assignment, because kids are ahead of them. Parents often have extremely demanding careers and when they come home they have nothing left to give, so the culture will often take your kids to hell.’ One night a father and his daughter were out on a lake when their small boat was caught in a storm. As he rowed, Dad kept saying to his daughter, ‘Can you see the shore? Can you see the shore?’ After a terrifying hour the little girl pointed over her dad’s shoulder and said, ‘Yes, I see the light. Mum said if we were out after dark she would hang a light in the window.’ When they finally got home a tearful mother hugged her husband and daughter, and thanked God for their safe return. Looking at her, the little girl said, ‘Mum, you never had to worry. We steered by your light!’ Parent, your children are being caught in life’s storms. They are rowing in the dark with no sense of direction. Live for God, and give them a light they can steer by! Bible In A Year: Gen 6:9 – 8:4, Matt 24:37-51. Courtesy : Grace So Amazing Foundation 💝🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🎀💝🌹🌷. MD.ii. [17/08, 9:11 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* TUESDAY, 18TH AUGUST, 2026. *THIRSTING AFTER GOD* *TEXT:* PSALM 42:1-5. 1As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. *Timeless Truth:*_"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;"_ Psalm 63:1). *INTRODUCTION* When a man ceases to experience thirst, he is as good as dead. The same is true in the spiritual. In fact, one of the first experiences of a converted man is thirst for God and spiritual things. Spiritual thirst is a deep longing for God and His presence. Just as the body cannot survive without water, the soul cannot flourish without God. The psalmist expresses an intense desire for the living God despite the pain, tears, discouragement and difficult circumstances surrounding him. His experience teaches us that genuine faith does not mean the absence of trouble; rather, it means learning to seek God even in the midst of trouble. When everything else fails, God remains the only lasting satisfaction for the thirsty soul. *1. Thirsting After God Like a Hart* a. The psalmist declares, *“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”* A thirsty hart desperately seeks water because its survival depends upon it. Many are thirsty for wealth, pleasure, popularity, power and pride of life among others. The thirst makes them pay a heavy price to get what they are looking for. At times they pay the ultimate price. True thirst will always be demonstrated by desperate seeking for how to satisfy and quench the thirst. In the same vein, many commonly seek God's blessings without seeking for the God of the blessings. The psalmist case was different. *"So panteth my soul after thee"*. Who and what you are passionately and desperately seeking for is a reflection of the state of your heart. In the same manner, the believer should have an earnest and persistent longing for God. The psalmist does not merely desire God's gifts; he desires God Himself. b. His greatest hunger is to *“appear before God.”* He was thirsty to become closer to God. Jesus also echoed this when He said, *"seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness"*. Our ultimate purpose for seeking God was to see His glory, be conformed to His image and be always ready for the kingdom of God. Jesus further assured that *"all other things shall be added unto you"*. The psalmist demonstrated his thirst for God when he decided, *"early will I seek thee...to see thy power and thy glory as I have seen thee in the sanctuary"* (Psalm 63:1,2). Our spiritual lives become weak when our desire for God is replaced by the pursuit of worldly pleasures, possessions, recognition or human approval. Genuine revival begins when the soul cries out for God's presence, His Word, His holiness and fellowship with Him. *Question* Is my desire for God as deep and urgent as the thirst of a hart for water? *2. Tearful Afflictions Giving Loss of Hope* a. Incidentally, the psalmist did not prioritize seeking for heavenly blessings above seeking for God just because everything was going well with him. In fact, the psalmist's circumstances have become so painful that his tears have been his food day and night. He was not finding it rosy in life at that time. One would have expected him, as many worshippers do today, to concentrate on seeking God for release from pains and troubles as priority. Worse still, people around him mockingly asked, directly and indirectly, *“Where is thy God?”.* His memories of former worship and joyful fellowship with God's people intensify his present sorrow. Yet that did not distract his affections towards God. b. At times, affliction can attack not only our circumstances, but also our emotions and confidence. Yet the psalmist's tears reveal that God's children may experience seasons of deep discouragement without being abandoned by God. His pain was real, but it did not have the final word. Even when circumstances seem to contradict God's promises, faith must continue to look toward Him. Seeking God and His righteousness, above all else, should not be diminished as a result of our pains, problems, persecutions and poverty among others. Whatever be our situations, the promises of God that *"all other blessings shall be added"* still stand as long as we keep seeking the face and the glory of God to be reflected in our lives above all else. We must have grace to be tougher than our tough challenges. It is our attitude and the content of our prayers in the time of distress and difficulties that reflect the genuineness of our love for God. Jesus Christ, while on the cross and under intense pains, was still consecrated to soulwinning and intercessory prayers for the sinners and the lost. The will of God and the glory of God was His priority. He has given us examples to follow. *Question* Am I consecrated to seek God and His glory as priority when affliction and tears surround me? *3. Trust in Abiding Grace with a Life of Holiness* When passing through tough times, we must maintain trust in God's abundant grace and continue to live the life that God approves. There is no challenge we pass through that God has not allowed and if God allowed it, then He will see us through as children. The act of faith is in mocking those challenges and still continues seeking the glory of God and heavenly readiness. We must learn how to feed our frustrations and fruitlessness with the word of hope and promises given by God. The psalmist speaks directly to his troubled soul: *“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God.”* He refuses to surrender permanently to despair. Instead, he deliberately redirects his heart toward God. Trusting God's abiding grace means choosing hope when feelings say there is no hope. It also means continuing to live faithfully, before God while waiting for His intervention. A thirsty soul must not only seek God's presence, but also remain committed to a holy life. God's grace sustains us, restores our joy and enables us to praise Him even before our circumstances change. For a child of God, no bad situation is permanent, but temporary and for a moment. *"weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning"*. *Question* Am I deliberately trusting God's abiding grace and maintaining a holy life even when my circumstances are discouraging? *Prayer Points* 1.Father, create within me an unquenchable thirst for Your presence and Your Word 🙏. 2.Lord, strengthen me when tears, afflictions and discouragement threaten my faith 🙏. 3.Father, make me tougher than my challenges and keep me on being engaged in Your service 🙏. 4.Lord, visit and help those brethren who are carrying heavy loads and sustain them by Your grace 🙏. *HYMN:* More of Jesus would I know *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOB 35-38. [17/08, 9:11 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST, 2026``` *DOUSING DESPONDENCY* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️😩😢😭🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🗣️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:PSALM 42:1-5```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance" (PSALM 42:5).*_ *As German bombs fell on England during _World War II,_ the situation became desperate. Hearts were filled with discouragement and thoughts of defeat. Then Winston Churchill's voice echoed over the radio. It inspired the nation and boosted morale among a people on the verge of giving up. On a spiritual level, believers find hope in God too, as they hear the voice that resonates through the pages of His Word. In moments of discouragement, Christians serve as a testimony to those who have never met God or heard His voice.* *David exemplifies this in our devotional text as he expresses acute hunger and "thirst for God, the living God". In his hopelessness, he recalled the exhilarating moments he had in God's house and presence. Reminiscences of the voice of joy and praise filled his soul. Awakened by the testimonies of God's faithfulness and the certainty of blessedness that flows from trust in God, he gladly addresses his soul and jerks back from the abyss of despondency.* *Are you troubled about any ugly situation or setback? Cheer up and look up! Here are gems and clues for you as a Christian pilgrim, who could, at times, be discouraged and cast down. Don't stay down. David didn't. He queried and counselled his soul. First is to know that neither discouragement nor despondency is a sign of weakness. Elijah is one biblical character who fits this description. After defeating the prophets of Baal, he received a death threat from Jezebel. His hope was shattered, and despondency set in. He wanted to die! The Lord did not rebuke him for his feelings but sent an angel to provide for his physical needs. In our times of discouragement, suicide is no option; it only leads to a more serious, endless and interminable suffering in hell. The present challenge or problem has not diminished God's love for us. He desires to lead us to a place of a renewed vision of His power!* *The time to exit the discouragement mode is now! Take the verifiable steps that effectively log you out, which include a deep, interminable longing for God. This is what Isaiah calls "waiting upon the Lord". Second, you will do well to consciously recall and delight in God's past acts of mercy, divine interventions, and faithfulness. Finally, you must deliberately seek the remedy of praise to uplift your downcast, crestfallen, and discouraged heart. Beloved, don't give in to despair! God will certainly lead you in paths of love, light and joy, where you will find new hope.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*God always opens the window of hope for His own in the darkest of times.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *JOB 35-38*📜📜 Dousing Despondency https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 1: ALL YOUR ANXIETY; GHS 3: IMPATIENT HEART, BE STILL; GHS 4: LEAVE IT THERE; GHS 5: NEVER GIVE UP; AND GHS 7: TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna18thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [17/08, 9:11 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST, 2026``` *STAND IN CHRIST'S LIBERTY* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:GALATIANS 5:1-13```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another" (GALATIANS 5:13).*_ *The Christian liberty is the freedom Christ has purchased for the children of God through His death on the Cross of Calvary. The devil fights this liberty in diverse ways. When young Christians fail to understand their liberty in Christ, the devil keeps reminding them about their past sins to create major stumbling blocks to their prayers.* *It is a common strategy of the devil to manipulate them and push them back into their shells. Once you are born again through genuine repentance, you have the liberty to serve God in truth and in Spirit because God does not give us the spirit of fear but He gives us the Spirit of power and of a sound mind.* *When God has forgiven you, you are justified by faith and no longer bound to the yoke of sin. However, this liberty is not a guarantee to continue in sins, believing the erroneous doctrine of eternal security. Apostle Paul warns: "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another" (Galatians 5:13).* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*You have the liberty.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Don't use the Christian liberty to sin.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to understand and enjoy my liberty in Christ.*_ Stand In Christ's Liberty https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday18thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [17/08, 9:11 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST, 2026``` *THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS - 3* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️👿❌🫷🏽🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```MATTHEW 4:8-11```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:10).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Jesus has power and authority over Satan, and He always uses them at the appropriate time. In this situation, Jesus did not hesitate to command Satan to get behind Him. Satan knew that Jesus is over and above him, yet he tempted Christ to bow down in worship to him. Can the master bow to worship his servant? No! Jesus cannot, will not, and did not bow to Satan. As a friend of Jesus, you must know who you are in Christ. You are a joint-heir with Christ. What Jesus has is what you have because of the privilege of sonship. Do not throw your costly apparels (Christian experiences) to the dogs. The things of this world as stated in 1 John 2:15-17 will pass away. Let the love of God and the things of eternal value be uppermost in your heart. Do not yield to the enticement and allurement that your friends are using to deceive you. The fashions of the world may look attractive, but they will soon pass away. Do not follow them. Do not seek to please the world. Strive to please only God. *Jesus has set the example of refusing to bow to Satan in order to show us that we can be victorious. You can do likewise. Become His friend if you are not, follow Him faithfully and consistently, and He will give you the grace to overcome Satan.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, please help me to obey You only and not yield to pressure to obey, worship or serve Satan.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Luke 4:1-13* The Temptation Of Jesus - 3 https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk18thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee. ⏤ Isaiah 26:3 Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love, and the future to God's providence. ⏤ St. Augustine Father, days come and go, bringing change and decay, but You remain the same forever. A thousand years in Your sight are like a single day. With You, there is no past or future; all time is present to You. Yet in our small lives, we need daily blessings. The memories of our past sorrows cast shadows on our present, and our fears for the future often cast shadows on our path. We are grateful that You see and know everything—past, present, and future—and that we can safely leave it all in Your hands. Help us to live faithfully in this little day that is ours, leaving the past and future with You, without worrying. So, we ask for Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, enabling us to be true and faithful in all our duties. We ask You, O Lord, to give us the strength and wisdom we need for today’s responsibilities and experiences. Let nothing surprise or dishearten us. Hold our hand through every situation. Give us wisdom to answer every question and make every decision in a way that pleases You. Strengthen us to resist temptation, no matter how subtly it approaches. Increase Your love within us so that we may be patient with everyone we meet, compassionate toward those who are sorrowful, cheerful with those who are discouraged, and helpful to those who are weak. Send us out to do Your work so that everything we do today is for You. Breathe upon us as we wait here in Your presence and give us Your blessing as our Father. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/44/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Day 17 - Evening Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strengthens The Marriage. 🌙 Reflection Tonight, think of something your spouse did today that blessed you. Don't let the day end without saying thank you. 📖 God's Word "Give thanks in all circumstances." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 🌙 Heart Check Did I appreciate my spouse today or simply expect them to serve me? 🙏 Prayer Lord, make gratitude a natural language in our home. Amen. 💎 Marriage Nugget "Appreciation turns ordinary acts of love into treasured memories." Remember In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts

FLY GIRL!!! I thought Nicaragua would be just a short stop—but God had something much greater waiting for me. 🇳🇮🙏 I only had a short time in Nicaragua, but I made every moment count! I hiked through the beautiful mountains, explored a colorful local market, and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at a restaurant outside the city. Adventure is a part of me—it’s simply who I am. I love hiking, exploring new places, meeting people, and experiencing different cultures. Being there brought back so many memories from when I was just 18 years old, working in Mexico’s Yucatán region and other parts of Central America. I remember washing my clothes in a hollowed-out log with pigs wandering beneath my feet—but most of all, I remember the precious children I worked with and loved. Returning to this part of the world felt wonderfully familiar. The people of Nicaragua were incredibly kind. The restaurant owner surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and having the sweet children gathered around made that moment even more precious. We also talked about my returning to their community to teach about God, share His Word, and become involved in ministry. I made some wonderful new connections, and I’m now planning to return on my days off. What began as a short visit may become another opportunity to serve. I’m so excited to see the doors God continues to open while I travel! “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” —Revelation 3:8 God is good—all the time! ❤️🙏 🌍 JennaSummersUS.org 📧 JennaSummers14[gmail].com Mama Jennifer—a true story of faith, survival, and God’s redeeming grace—is available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mama-Jennifer-Jenna-Summers/dp/1961265885 #Nicaragua #CentralAmerica #HikingAdventure #TravelWithPurpose #OpenDoors #Ministry #MamaJennifer #FlyGirl #FaithAboveTheClouds #GodIsGood

Make memories today, tomorrow is not promised to us.

Adam was never born. He has no childhood. No first word. No mother to resemble. No memories before consciousness. He opens his eyes as a fully formed man, and the very first face he has ever seen is the face of God. Think about how impossible that is. The first voice he ever heard was not human. The first relationship he ever knew had no fear. The first love he ever experienced had no conditions. Which means Adam never had to learn who God was. He only had to learn what life felt like after losing what he once knew perfectly. Maybe that's why humanity has spent every generation searching for something it cannot explain. Perhaps every soul carries an echo of a home it never personally remembers but was originally created for. #Lordsbook

"Dear Media Artist... Turn Multiple Church Event Photos into a Professional Collage! 🚨✝️" Church Event is done... You have many Photos... But don't know how to Share them... Posting One by One looks Boring... 😓 That Problem ends TODAY! 💡 One Moment. Many Memories. Beautifully Together! 👑✝️ 🎁 Today's Mission: ✅ Upload your Event Photos... ✅ Create Collage with Gemini... ✅ Share & Bless your Congregation! Does someone need this Tip? 🤔 Tag them! 🏷️ Share it! 🔄 That Church Media Team might need this right now! ❤️✝️ ✍️ Prepared By: R. Shijilin Rajan 👉 https://christianmediaartist.com/artist.php?id=31 📞 WhatsApp: +91 8667481972 🌐 christianmediaartist.com 📲 Join us for Daily Updates: 👉 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAUcNLFCCoekVvWrw18 📩 DM / WhatsApp : +91 8667481972 📞💬 #15DaysAIChallenge #Day14 #ChurchCollage #GoogleGemini #ChristianMediaArtist #CMAcommunity #AIForMinistry #ChurchEventPhotos #CollagePost #TamilChristian #TamilMinistry #TamilGospel #ChristianCreator #MediaMinistry #GodlyContent #Psalm11824 #ChurchSocialMedia #EngageYourCongregation #ChristianCommunity #GodsGlory #TamilBelievers #ChristianYouth #ArtForGod #DigitalMinistry #KingdomImpact

God Is Faithful, Even While You Wait (Lamentations 3:22–23) Waiting is not easy. We live in a world where we want everything immediately. Instant messages. Instant information. Instant results. But God doesn't always work according to our timetable. Sometimes you pray, and the answer doesn't come when you expect it. You ask God for an opportunity, but the door remains closed. You pray for healing, direction, provision, or a breakthrough, yet you continue waiting. And eventually you may begin asking: “God, have You forgotten me?” No. He hasn't. The Bible reminds us: “Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” God's faithfulness doesn't depend on how quickly He answers. He is faithful while you wait. Think about the people in Scripture who had to wait. Abraham waited for God's promise. Joseph endured years of hardship before seeing God's plan unfold. David was anointed king but still had to wait for the right time. The Israelites waited for deliverance. Even Jesus' disciples had seasons where they didn't understand what God was doing. Waiting doesn't always mean God is doing nothing. Sometimes God is preparing you. Sometimes He is preparing the situation. Sometimes He is protecting you from something you cannot see. Sometimes He is teaching you to trust Him rather than the outcome. And sometimes, we simply have to accept that God's wisdom is greater than ours. That can be difficult. We want answers. God may give us peace before He gives us explanations. We want the destination. God may teach us something important on the journey. We want the door to open. God may be asking us to trust Him while it remains closed. Don't allow waiting to make you forget God's past faithfulness. Look back. Remember the prayers He has answered. Remember the doors He opened. Remember the times He protected you. Remember the moments when you thought you couldn't make it, yet somehow God carried you through. Those memories can strengthen your faith for today's waiting season. And while you wait, keep doing what God has already called you to do. Keep praying. Keep serving. Keep learning. Keep working with integrity. Keep loving people. Keep reading His Word. Keep trusting Him. Don't put your entire life on hold while waiting for one prayer to be answered. God can work in your life right now. There is purpose in today's season too. Maybe your waiting season is developing patience. Maybe it is deepening your faith. Maybe it is preparing you for an opportunity you aren't ready for yet. Maybe God is teaching you that your identity is found in Him—not in what you receive from Him. Whatever the reason, don't give up. Your situation may change tomorrow. It may take months. It may take years. But God's character doesn't change. He remains faithful. And the greatest evidence of His faithfulness is Jesus Christ. God did not leave humanity without hope. He sent His Son to make a way for us to be reconciled to Him. If God was faithful enough to provide salvation through Christ, you can trust Him with the rest of your journey. So if you're waiting today, take a deep breath. Pray again. Trust again. And remember: God has not forgotten you. Your waiting season is not wasted when you place it in God's hands. What are you waiting for God to do, and how can you choose to trust Him while you wait? #GodIsFaithful #Lamentations3 #TrustGod #WaitingOnGod #FaithOverFear #GodsTiming #ChristianYouth #JesusSaves #ShareJesus #DailyFaith #Lordsbook #JMSM #KNKA

August 16 🌿 “WHO GOD SAYS I AM” I AM NOT CONDEMNED 📖 Romans 8:1 (LLV) — “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Sometimes we are better at remembering our failures than remembering God's grace. We confess our sin. We ask for forgiveness. We believe Christ paid the price. And yet, somewhere inside, we continue to pronounce ourselves guilty. We replay the moment. We hear the accusation. We wonder how God could possibly look at us the same way again. Then Paul gives us one of Scripture's great declarations of freedom: “There is now no condemnation.” Not less condemnation. Not condemnation held back until our next failure. No condemnation. Why? Not because we have no sin. Not because our failures do not matter. But because we are “in Christ Jesus.” Jesus has already stood in our place. The judgment our sin deserved fell upon Him. The price has been paid. Yesterday, we called it redemption. Today, we discover what redemption means for the redeemed. We are free from condemnation. There is an important difference between conviction and condemnation. The Holy Spirit convicts us when we sin. Conviction says, “This is wrong. Come back to God.” Condemnation says, “You are wrong. There is no way back.” One leads us toward our Father. The other drives us away from Him. God corrects His children, but He does not cast away those who belong to Christ. So when an old failure returns to accuse us, we do not have to argue our innocence. We simply remember where we stand. In Christ. Forgiven. Redeemed. No longer condemned. A new beginning does not deny yesterday's sin; it trusts what Christ has done with it: there is now no condemnation for me because I am in Christ Jesus. Reflection: Am I still condemning myself for something God has already forgiven, instead of accepting the freedom Christ purchased for me? Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that my standing before You rests upon Christ and not upon my own perfection. When memories of past failures accuse me, remind me of what You have declared: there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Convict me when I wander, correct me when I need it, but help me never confuse Your loving correction with condemnation. Teach me to walk in the freedom Christ purchased for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

August 15 🌿 “WHO GOD SAYS I AM” I AM COMPLETELY FORGIVEN 📖 Ephesians 1:7 (LLV) — “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Some things are difficult to let go. Especially our own failures. We may believe that God forgives sin, yet continue carrying the weight of sins He has already forgiven. We remember what we did. What we said. The person we hurt. The opportunity we wasted. And sometimes we replay those moments again and again. But Paul does not say that in Christ we might receive forgiveness. He says, “In Him we have redemption.” We have it. Now. Redemption means a price has been paid to set someone free. And Paul tells us the price. “Through His blood.” Our forgiveness was not cheap. It cost Christ everything. At the cross, Jesus carried the judgment our sin deserved so that we could receive what we could never earn. Forgiveness. Freedom. Grace. And notice how Paul describes that grace: “According to the riches of His grace.” God does not forgive reluctantly, measuring out just enough grace to cover yesterday's failure. His grace is rich. Abundant. More than enough. That means we do not need to keep paying for something Christ has already paid for. We confess our sin. We turn from it. We learn from our failures. We make things right where we can. But we do not have to live chained to yesterday. Christ has redeemed us. God has forgiven us. Grace has opened the door. And when memories of forgiven failures return, we can answer them with what God has already said: “In Him we have redemption.” A new beginning receives what grace has already provided: Because of Christ, my sin may be part of my past, but forgiveness is part of my identity. Reflection: Am I still punishing myself for something I have confessed and God has already forgiven? Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the redemption I have through Jesus Christ. Thank You that my forgiveness rests not upon my ability to make up for my failures, but upon the finished work of Your Son. Help me confess honestly, turn from sin faithfully, and then accept the grace You freely give. When the past tries to condemn me again, remind me that in Christ I am redeemed and forgiven. In Jesus' name, Amen.

🐞 Miss Tillia’s Garden 🌳 🎂 The Birthday Girl Who Forgot to Have Fun 🥳 🎉 Lily had been waiting for her birthday party for what felt like a hundred years. Actually, it had only been eleven months and twenty-nine days. But when you are a child waiting for your birthday, eleven months and twenty-nine days is practically forever. And today was finally the day! Lily had planned everything. There were colorful balloons tied to the garden fence, flowers arranged around the picnic tables, games waiting to be played, and a beautiful birthday cake sitting safely beneath a little cake cover. She had even made a special sign. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LILY! She stood back and admired everything. “Perfect!” Then she frowned. She walked over to the balloons. “Are you all tied tightly?” She tugged one. The balloon bounced. “Good.” She checked the cake. “Still there.” She checked the games. “Still there.” Miss Tillia watched as Lily checked everything in the garden. “Lily,” she called, “your party doesn't begin for another hour.” “I know!” “You've checked everything three times.” “Only three?” Miss Tillia laughed. Lily giggled and went back to work. Soon the first guests arrived. “Happy birthday!” Each of them handed her a present which she immediately put on the table she had set up just for presents. “Thank you!” Lily hugged her friends. Then looked over their shoulders. “Did everyone get their party hat?” She handed one to each child. “Okay! Now the games are over here." She watched as all her friends began to play. "When we're done playing, we can enjoy a snack. The food is over there. Don't forget the lemonade." Everyone looked at the table with little sandwiches and chips. "And we're going to have cake after presents, but don't touch the cake yet because—” She stopped. All of her friends were staring at her. “What?” “You're not playing.” “Of course I am!” “No, you've been telling everybody else what to do, but you haven't been joining us.” Lily looked around. “Oh.” She hurried over to the first game. “Is everybody ready?” They played a beanbag toss. Lily watched carefully. “That's one point!” She straightened the beanbags. “That's two!” She picked up one that had rolled away. “Okay, everybody throw again!” She noticed one of the balloons had come loose. “Oh no!” She ran after it. She tied it back up. Then she noticed the lemonade pitcher was getting empty. She filled it. Then she noticed one of the children had dropped a napkin. She picked it up. Then she checked the cake. Then the presents. Then the games. Then the balloons. Then the cake again. Miss Tillia's leaves began to wiggle. Not from the wind. From laughter. “Lily,” Miss Tillia said, “when was the last time you had fun?” Lily blinked. “I am having fun.” “Are you?” “Yes.” “Then why haven't I seen you smile?” Lily opened her mouth. Nothing came out. She looked around the garden. Everyone was laughing. Her friends were playing. Someone had put a party hat on a garden statue. Two children were racing to see who could carry the most balloons. And one little boy was trying very hard to eat a cookie without getting the powdered sugar on his nose. He failed. Everybody laughed. Lily smiled. Then she looked at the cake. “The cake!” She started toward it. Miss Tillia's branches suddenly stretched across the path. Lily stopped. “Miss Tillia?” “You forgot something.” “What?” “Your birthday.” “My birthday is right here!” “No, dear. Your party is right here.” Miss Tillia's leaves fluttered. “But the birthday girl seems to be missing.” Lily looked around. “I’m right here!” Miss Tillia shook her branches. “Nope.” Lily giggled. “What do I have to do to find her?” Miss Tillia pointed one branch toward the children. “Stop checking.” Lily looked at the party. “But what if something goes wrong?” “Something probably will.” Lily's eyes widened. “What?!” Miss Tillia laughed. “That's what makes parties interesting!” Just then—POP! A balloon burst. Everyone jumped. Then they laughed. A little later, someone spilled lemonade. Everyone grabbed napkins. Then they laughed. One of the games didn't work the way Lily had planned. So the children invented a new game. And it was much sillier than Lily's original one. Lily finally stopped trying to fix everything. She ran. She played. She laughed. She got frosting on her nose. She accidentally stepped on a balloon and jumped when it popped. She even wore the party hat that had somehow ended up upside down. For the first time that day, she wasn't checking the cake. She wasn't checking the presents. She wasn't checking the games. She wasn't checking whether everyone else was having fun. She was having fun too. When it was finally time for cake, Lily stood beside Miss Tillia and looked around at her friends. “This isn't exactly how I planned it.” Miss Tillia's leaves rustled. “No.” Lily smiled. “It's better.” Miss Tillia's leaves danced happily. “And what did you learn today, birthday girl?” Lily thought for a moment. “That making everything perfect isn't as important as being there to enjoy it.” Miss Tillia laughed. “And?” Lily grinned. “And sometimes the best parts of a party are the things that go wrong!” Just then, the little boy with the frosting-covered nose sneezed. ACHOO! A tiny puff of powdered sugar flew through the air. Everyone laughed. Lily laughed the hardest. Miss Tillia's branches swayed above them. Because sometimes the happiest memories aren't the ones where everything goes perfectly. They're the ones where everyone is together... laughing, playing, making a mess... and enjoying the moment they were given. And Lily? She finally remembered that she wasn't just the one who planned the party. She was the birthday girl. And birthday girls are supposed to have fun too! #misstilliasgarden #christianwriter #christianfiction #christianfantasy #stacyfrantz