Podcast:
The s*x talk

‍ Does the s*x talk even make a difference? Why is it so uncommon for parents to have “the talk”? These questions and more will be answering in the is interview.

Tune in now: www.sexedreclaimed.com/podcasts

#sexedreclaimed #onlineschool #onlinecurriculum #kristenmiele #biblicalschool #biblebasedteaching #HealthyConversations #BiblicalWisdom #ResearchDriven #Homeschool #thebirdsandthebees #sexed #parenting

PLEAD THE BLOOD
Pleading the Blood of Jesus is not begging -- but a legal term.
REVELATION 12:10-11 NKJ10 . . . the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
The devil is our accuser. The only successful plea is the Blood of Jesus. Pleading our ignorance, our innocence, or our merits will fail. Only relying on the Blood of our substitute sacrifice, the Lamb of God, will win our case before God the Judge.
When we pray, we should base our prayer on the Blood of Jesus-- the price paid for our needs to be met -- instead of on our need or our worthiness.
When we resist the devil, we cannot resist him based on who we are or what we have done, but only on the price paid for our complete redemption -- the precious Blood of Jesus.
Faith in Jesus' Blood, released in testimony against the devil,will always cause him to flee. We must resist him, steadfast in faith, for as long as it takes.
Our enemy can always be overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We have victory over every evil because of Jesus' shed Blood.
PSALM 107:2 NKJ 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
We must SAY we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb.
Here are some example statements you could use in pleading the Blood.
In the Name of Jesus, I plead the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ against this problem.
I cover my home with the Blood of Jesus to protect all occupants and possessions from all evil.Especially in times of violence we need to cry out for the protection of the Blood for all our household. Parents can put the Blood on their "door" -- taking in all that pertains to them -- and claim salvation and protection for their entire family.
The Blood is the one thing that will keep your family safe in these perilous days. When we awaken in the morning we should call for the Blood to be upon us and all that belongs to us. Before we sleep we should, in the same way, call for the protection of the Blood.
SAY THIS: I plead the Blood of Jesus over all my household and all our possessions.

God bless you!

DAY 25 — Evening

Theme: BUILDING A SAFE HOME: Creating a Marriage Where Love Respect and Peace Can Grow
Reflection
Family relationships can be beautiful, but they can also become complicated when boundaries are unclear.
Tonight, remember that establishing healthy boundaries does not mean rejecting your parents or in-laws. It means protecting the covenant God established between husband and wife.
You can honour family without allowing outside pressure to control your marriage.

God's Word
"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." — Mark 10:9

Heart Check
Have I allowed the opinions or expectations of others to create unnecessary tension between my spouse and me?

Prayer
Lord, give us wisdom to honour our parents, in-laws and extended family while protecting the unity of our marriage. Help us establish boundaries with love, respect and humility. May our home remain united under Your guidance. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Remember
In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

TUESDAY MORNING FAMILY PRAYER!

“Lord, Cover Our Family, Heal Our Bodies, Save Our Souls, and Supply Our Needs!”

Heavenly Father,
On this Tuesday morning, we come before Your throne with grateful hearts. Before we ask You for anything, we thank You for everything. Thank You for waking us up this morning. Thank You for life, strength, grace, mercy, and another opportunity to call upon Your holy name.
Your Word declares:
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 (KJV)
Father, this morning we place our entire family into Your hands. Every mother, father, husband, wife, son, daughter, grandchild, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, and extended family member—we cover them in prayer.
Lord, go where we cannot go. Touch those we cannot reach. Speak to hearts when our words are not enough. Protect our families from dangers seen and unseen, and let Your presence rest upon every household represented in our family.
Your Word says:
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” — Proverbs 18:10 (KJV)
Father, be our strong tower!
LORD, HEAL OUR FAMILY!
Father, we lift before You every family member who is struggling physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.
Some are dealing with sickness in their bodies. Some are carrying pain that others cannot see. Some are fighting battles in their minds. Some are exhausted, discouraged, overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally drained.
But God, You know exactly where they are and exactly what they need!
You declared:
“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD.” — Jeremiah 30:17 (KJV)
So, Father, we ask You to restore health!
Touch minds that are troubled.
Touch bodies that are hurting.
Touch hearts that are broken.
Strengthen those who are weak.
Comfort those who are grieving.
Encourage those who feel discouraged.
Give rest to those who are weary.
Lord Jesus, heal, deliver, restore, and set free!
Your Word declares:
“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” — Psalm 107:20 (KJV)
Father, send Your Word into every situation!
Where there is sickness, send healing.
Where there is bondage, send deliverance.
Where there is confusion, send clarity.
Where there is fear, send peace.
Where there is despair, send hope.
Where there is weakness, send strength.
We stand upon Your Word and believe that nothing is too hard for You!
LORD, SAVE OUR FAMILY!
Father, our prayer is not only for physical healing—we are crying out for souls to be saved!
We lift every family member who does not yet know Jesus Christ personally.
Lord, draw them to You.
Remove spiritual blindness. Break down hardened hearts. Remove every distraction, excuse, false teaching, and influence that keeps them from surrendering completely to Christ.
Jesus said:
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” — John 6:44 (KJV)
Father, draw our family!
Let somebody become hungry for Your Word.
Let somebody become tired of living without You.
Let somebody realize that possessions, accomplishments, relationships, and money cannot fill the place that belongs to Jesus.
Let the question rise within their hearts:
“What must I do to be saved?”
And just as Paul and Silas answered:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” — Acts 16:30–31 (KJV)
Father, let salvation come into our households!
Your Word declares:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” — Romans 10:13 (KJV)
Let our family members call upon Jesus!
Let them repent.
Let them believe.
Let them surrender.
Let them be transformed.
We are praying not merely that they will know about Jesus, but that they will know Jesus and develop a genuine relationship with Him.
Lord, save our sons and daughters. Save our grandchildren. Save our siblings. Save our extended family. Let there be a spiritual awakening throughout our bloodline.
LORD, OPEN DOORS OF EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL PROVISION!
Father, we lift every family member searching for employment.
Some have submitted applications and are waiting.
Some are looking for better opportunities.
Some need promotions.
Some need pay increases.
Some are working but still struggling to make ends meet.
Some are carrying financial burdens that nobody else knows about.
Father, open doors that no man can shut!
Your Word says:
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” — Revelation 3:8 (KJV)
Lord, send the right opportunities.
Give favor during interviews.
Give wisdom when making career decisions.
Give courage to walk through new doors.
Let résumés reach the right people.
Let applications receive favorable responses.
Let promotions come.
Let increases come.
Let opportunities come that exceed expectations.
And Father, for every family member struggling financially, remind us that You are our Source.
Your Word declares:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
We stand on that promise!
Provide food.
Provide shelter.
Provide transportation.
Provide employment.
Provide resources.
Provide wisdom to manage what You place into our hands.
And Father, teach us not only to pray for provision but to walk in wisdom concerning our finances.
Your Word says:
“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” — Proverbs 10:22 (KJV)
We declare that lack will not destroy our faith! We trust You as our Provider.
LORD, BRING LOVE AND UNITY INTO OUR FAMILY!
Father, strengthen our marriages. Strengthen relationships between parents and children. Restore broken relationships between brothers and sisters. Heal old wounds, misunderstandings, disappointments, and offenses.
Where pride has entered, bring humility.
Where anger has entered, bring forgiveness.
Where communication has broken down, bring understanding.
Where distance has developed, bring reconciliation according to Your will.
Your Word declares:
“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” — Colossians 3:14 (KJV)
Teach us to love one another with the love of Christ.
But Father, above everything else, teach our family to love YOU FIRST!
Jesus said:
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” — Mark 12:30 (KJV)
May our homes be places where You are honored.
May prayer live in our homes.
May Your Word live in our homes.
May forgiveness live in our homes.
May peace live in our homes.
May love live in our homes.
And may Jesus Christ always remain at the center of our families.
Father, as we go throughout this Tuesday, order our steps. Protect us traveling to work, school, appointments, and wherever this day may take us.
Keep Your hand upon our children and grandchildren.
Watch over our elderly family members.
Strengthen our caregivers.
Comfort those who are grieving.
Encourage those who are discouraged.
Restore those who have fallen.
Save those who are lost.
Heal those who are sick.
Provide for those who are struggling.
And unite our families through the love of Jesus Christ.
We declare the words of Psalm 133:1 (KJV):
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

TUESDAY FAMILY DECLARATION...
Today, we declare that our family belongs to God!
We declare healing over the sick, peace over troubled minds, deliverance over those in bondage, salvation over the lost, employment for those seeking work, increase for those needing provision, and restoration over our relationships.
We declare that Jesus Christ will be lifted up in our homes.
We will love God first and love one another.
We declare that God is our Healer, our Deliverer, our Savior, our Provider, our Protector, and our Keeper!
And we believe that the God who began a good work in our family is faithful to complete it!
In the mighty, matchless, healing, saving, delivering, and providing name of JESUS CHRIST, we pray.
AMEN, AMEN, AND AMEN!

DAY 25 - Morning
Theme: BUILDING A SAFE HOME: Creating a Marriage Where Love, Respect and Peace Can Grow

Reflection
Honour Family Without Losing Your Marriage

Good morning,
Family is a blessing.
Parents matter.
In-laws matter.
Extended family matters.
But marriage also creates a new primary family unit.
Sometimes the challenge is not that in-laws are bad people. The challenge is boundaries.
A mother may mean well but become too involved.
A father may offer advice that creates tension.
A sibling may expect more than the couple can reasonably give.
The answer is not disrespect.
It is healthy boundaries expressed with honour.
Jesus taught us to honour our parents, but marriage also carries the principle of leaving and cleaving.

God's Word
"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife." — Genesis 2:24

Today's Love Action
Discuss with your spouse one family boundary that would protect your marriage while still showing honour to your families.

Let's Talk
How can couples honour extended family without allowing outside pressure to divide them?

Prayer
Lord, give us wisdom to honour our families while protecting the unity of our marriage. Help us establish boundaries without bitterness or disrespect. Amen.

From My Counselor's Chair
A boundary is not a wall against family. It is a clear line that helps relationships remain healthy.

Marriage Nugget
"Honour your family, but don't sacrifice your marriage on the altar of people-pleasing."

Remember
In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

WHY SHOULD YOU HONOUR MEN? — AND WHAT IF YOUR MIRACLE IS CONNECTED TO IT?
‎Sometimes the person carrying the answer to your next season doesn't look like a miracle.
‎In Part 1 of The Wisdom Table, Vessel of Grace takes us into one of the most overlooked biblical principles: HONOUR.
‎We explore a provocative question:
‎Could familiarity make you lose access to what God placed in someone?
‎From the wedding at Cana to Jesus' warning about honouring a prophet, this episode challenges the way we see pastors, mentors, parents, leaders, teachers—and even ordinary people God may use to influence our lives.
‎But there's a deeper question:
‎How do you recognize the people you should honour?
‎This isn't about worshipping people or blindly submitting to everyone. It's about discernment, humility and recognizing value where God has placed it.
‎ The Wisdom Table
‎Where faith meets wisdom, and conversations reveal truth.
‎Watch Part 1. Then ask yourself: “Have I done an honour check?”
‎
‎subscribe to my YouTube channel to uncover this kingdom mysteries and a deeper walk in faith. https://www.youtube.com/@thewisdomtable-w4w

TUESDAY 25TH AUGUST 2026
IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL

Topic: Learn to Say No

Bible Reference

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Proverbs 1:10 (NKJV)

A Short Story

Joshua was a serious student who had always wanted to do well in school. He attended church regularly, respected his parents, and had decided that he would not allow anything to destroy his future. However, things began to change when he entered a new group of friends in school. They were confident, popular, and always seemed to be having fun.

One Friday afternoon, the group invited Joshua to join them at a party. He knew that some of the things that happened at their parties were not things he should be involved in, so he politely declined. His friends laughed at him and told him that he was behaving like a small boy. Joshua felt embarrassed, especially because some girls were also there. He eventually changed his mind and decided to go with them.

At the party, things quickly became different from what Joshua had expected. Some people were drinking, others were taking drugs, and several young people were involved in things he knew were wrong. Joshua wanted to leave, but his friends told him not to spoil the fun. They kept telling him that he needed to relax and stop acting like a church boy.

Joshua stayed longer than he planned. Before he left, he had joined in some of the things he had promised himself he would never do. On his way home, he felt terrible. He realised that he had not done those things because he wanted to. He had done them because he was afraid of what his friends would say if he refused.

That night, Joshua sat quietly in his room and thought about what had happened. He remembered how easy it was to say no when he was alone, but how difficult it became when people around him were laughing and putting pressure on him. He understood that his greatest problem was not that he did not know what was right. His problem was that he wanted to be accepted.

Joshua made a decision that night. He would rather lose a few friends than lose his values, his peace, and his future. He learned that saying no is sometimes the strongest thing a young person can do.

Today's Message

There are times when your greatest test will not come from an obvious enemy. It will come from a friend saying, Come on, everybody is doing it. Many young people know what is right but struggle to do it because they are afraid of being laughed at, rejected, or called old fashioned.

You may face pressure to drink, smoke, sleep with someone, cheat in an examination, join a bad group, waste your money, follow unhealthy trends, lie for a friend, or do something wrong simply because you do not want to feel left out. The pressure may even come through social media, where people make wrong behaviour look normal and attractive.

The Bible gives a simple instruction in Proverbs 1:10: do not consent. In other words, do not agree to follow people into what you know is wrong. Scripture does not tell you to debate with temptation for hours. There are situations where the wisest response is simply to say no and walk away. Proverbs 1:10 directly addresses the kind of pressure young people face when others try to persuade them to do what is wrong.

Saying no does not mean that you hate people. You can love your friends without following them into sin. You can respect people without copying everything they do. You can be friendly with people who have different choices from yours while still keeping your own convictions. Your faith should not disappear simply because you are around people who do not share it.

You also need to understand that every yes has a consequence. When you say yes to cheating, you are saying no to honesty. When you say yes to sexual immorality, you are saying no to purity. When you say yes to drugs, you are saying no to self control. When you say yes to reckless spending, you are saying no to financial discipline. When you say yes to the wrong relationship, you may be saying no to the peace and purpose God wants for your life.

The people around you can influence your choices. First Corinthians 15:33 warns that bad company can corrupt good character. This is why you must be careful about the people you allow to have strong influence over your life. Your friends should not constantly make it difficult for you to obey God.

You do not need everybody to approve of you. Some people will laugh when you refuse to join them. Some may call you boring. Some may stop inviting you to certain places. Some may even say that you are trying to be too holy. Do not allow the fear of losing people to make you lose yourself.

There is strength in being able to say, I cannot do this. There is strength in leaving a conversation that is becoming sinful. There is strength in ending a relationship that is pulling you away from God. There is strength in refusing to cheat when everyone else is cheating. There is strength in walking away from an opportunity that requires you to compromise your values.

Your future is more important than temporary acceptance.

Learn to say no before you find yourself in a situation where saying no becomes much harder. Decide your values before the pressure comes. Know what you believe. Know what the Bible teaches. Know what kind of person you want to become. When the wrong invitation comes, you will not need to spend too much time thinking about it because you have already made up your mind.

Remember this: You do not have to say yes just because somebody asked you.

Sometimes your greatest act of courage is simply saying no.

What To Do Today

1. Think about one area where you often struggle to say no because of pressure from friends or other people.

2. Decide what your Christian values are in that area and make up your mind not to compromise them.

3. Look carefully at your closest friends. Ask yourself whether they are helping you become a better person or making it harder for you to obey God.

4. Practise saying no to wrong things without feeling guilty. You do not owe anyone an explanation for choosing what is right.

Prayer

Lord, give me the courage to say no when I am being pressured to do what is wrong. Help me not to live for the approval of people. Give me wisdom to choose my friends carefully and strength to stand by my convictions. Help me to value my future, my character, and my relationship with You more than temporary acceptance. When temptation comes, help me to recognise it and walk away. Let my decisions honour You in every area of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Challenge

Today, practise saying no to one thing that does not help your spiritual life, character, studies, career, relationships, or future.

Remember: Every time you say no to what can destroy you, you are saying yes to the future God has prepared for you.

Anthony Ijere
Christian Author and Revivalist

𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐬𝐨
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺;
𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘥’𝘴 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘺.”

We live in a generation flooded with information but starving for truth. Thousands of voices are accessible in seconds, yet trust is hard to find. Even believers may settle for hearing sermons without helping others grow. Whether new or seasoned in faith, the question isn't just if we are learning—but if we are helping others learn to follow Christ.

Jesus ends the Great Commission in 🕮 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟐𝟖:𝟐𝟎: "𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘰𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶..." It doesn't end when someone believes. Christ called disciples to teach others to obey all He commanded. The work of the Gospel is not merely making converts—it is making disciples. We don't just bring lost people to Christ; we help them grow in Christ.

Picture a relay race where the runner crosses the finish line still clutching the baton, refusing to pass it on. The race stops with him—no matter how fast he ran. Faith works the same way. Truth received but never taught dies with the one who held it. Christ calls us to pass the baton, generation after generation, until He returns.

Scripture commands us to pass truth on: “𝘎𝘰 𝘺𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴” (𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟐𝟖:𝟏𝟗). Paul told Timothy, “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥...𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘯, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴” (𝟐 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝟐:𝟐). We are urged to “𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥” (𝟐 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑:𝟏𝟖), as Scripture is “𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘧, 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯” (𝟐 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝟑:𝟏𝟔). God’s Word transforms lives.

Teaching isn't just for pastors. Parents teach children, mature believers encourage younger ones, Sunday school teachers disciple classes, and one believer opens Scripture with another. Don't be a spiritual reservoir that only receives but never releases. What God teaches us through His Word must become truth we share. We aren't called to collect sermons alone—we are called to multiply disciples.

Before Christ commanded us to teach others, He first taught us the truth that leads to salvation. He declared, "𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦" (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟒:𝟔). He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures (𝟏 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟑–𝟒). The risen Christ is not merely the subject of our teaching—He is the Saviour at the center of it. We teach His Word because we have first been transformed by His grace.

Who is spiritually starving while you feast on the Word? You have been hoarding the Bread of life (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟔:𝟑𝟓) instead of breaking it for others. You don't need Christ merely to give you something to teach—you need Him because He is the Truth you are called to know, live, and proclaim. Learn His Word. Live His Word. Teach His Word. What God has faithfully taught us was never meant to end with us.

𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your truth through Your Word. Forgive us for receiving biblical instruction without faithfully passing it on. Help us grow in wisdom and grace, and give us opportunities to teach others faithfully, patiently, and clearly. May every disciple we influence become more like Christ. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Remember, a dose of God’s Word a day will keep you going all day!
𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝...
_____________________________________________________
All scripture references were taken from the KJV Bible.
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COMMUNISTS EXECUTED THEM FOR THEIR FAITH. THEIR HIDDEN BABY SURVIVED IN A RICE BASKET.

John and Betty Stam met at Moody Bible Institute, both individually feeling called to serve as missionaries in China, and married there in 1933 through the China Inland Mission. In September 1934, their daughter Helen Priscilla was born, and just two months later, the young family settled into a new post in Anhui Province, in the small town of Jingde. Two weeks after arriving, Communist soldiers unexpectedly overran the town and took the entire family prisoner.

John wrote a letter to mission headquarters that night, informing them of the Communists' $20,000 ransom demand, knowing full well the mission's strict policy against ever paying ransoms. He closed the letter with the words, "The Lord bless and guide you, and as for us, may God be glorified whether by life or by death." The next morning, the couple was marched to a hill outside the nearby town of Miaoshou to be executed, a Chinese medicine seller who pleaded on his knees for their release, and who was later found to own a Bible and hymnbook, executed alongside them for his own faith.

Before the couple was led away, Betty found a way to hide their three month old daughter, tucking her into a sleeping bag with a change of clothes and money pinned inside her diaper. Two days later, a Chinese evangelist named Dr. Lo found baby Helen alive, concealed her in a rice basket, and carried her to safety, eventually delivering her to Betty's parents, who were still serving as missionaries elsewhere in China. Helen grew up, became a teacher, and raised her own family in the eastern United States. News of the Stams' deaths spread around the world and, in the decades since, has continued to inspire generations of believers to serve overseas despite the risk.

Do you think you could have found the peace John wrote about, in that same letter, facing what he faced?

Sunday 24 August 2026
Portland Metro Church Assembly of God
Church Services Notes: God gave them over to their desires
By Pastor Jon H.
(Bible verses King James version)

Romans 1:24-32- Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

1. The problem of the free will.

2. God abandoned them…

3. Three stages of God's abandonment to spiritual
and moral impurity.

4. When people trade truth for a lie.
Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

5. God's plan for sexual relationships.
Romans 1:26,27 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

6. The homosexual sins and desires
Romans 1:28-32- And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

7. How do we know that sin deserves punishment?
Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.