Lifeline Today Wednesday August 19 Anger Gives Wrong Label Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NLT) Anger is not sinful. It becomes a sin when it gets uncontrollable. Anger is usually manifested in a couple of ways. It can explode through lashing out at others, or it can implode inside you when you push it down and stuff it. Anger causes wrong labels because it narrows our focus. It makes us judge people or situations too fast. We see only the bad things. We miss the truth. A temporary frustration can give you a permanent, unfair label like "you are toxic," "selfish," or "stupid". A person is usually measured by the size of whatever it takes to make such mad. He is seen as completely bad instead of just human. Therefore, remember God’s Word in Ephesians 4:26 that says: “Do not let the sun go down on your anger” meaning: resolve every issue before the day is over. If your anger is prolonged for just two days, it has turned into sin. This is your day. Wisdom Fountain: "Anger is a wind which blows out the lamp of the mind." Prayer: Lord, I pray You calm my heart and quiet my mind. When anger rises, give me the supernatural grace to pause, breathe, and choose self-control. Guard my lips from harsh words, replace my frustration with Your patience, and help me see every situation through Your eyes in Jesus' name.

Good evening to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. Catawampus. That is my word of the day. Catawampus. It is a beautifully weird word that can be used in a myriad of ways to describe the perfect blend of chaos and dumbness in any given situation. The definition actually is: going badly, awkwardly, or in the wrong direction. Most Mondays are, by definition, catawampus. As you read from last night’s post, mine was extremely catawampus. Today tried to slide sideways but quickly smoothed out. Another vibrant way to describe something going haywire is “off-kilter”. The actual definition of this word is: out of balance. So, if your catawampus is off-kilter … is that good or bad? The purpose of this paper today is to make you laugh with the playfulness of words. We make up words every day depending on how our brains and mouths communicate. Sometimes real words come out; sometimes weird syllables that formulate a weird concoction of letters into a word come out. Most of those situations result in gut-filled laughter and a sense of relief because of the guffaw. What if we approached our off-kilter moments in life in the same manner? Throwing off the stress of the catawampus event and finding the hilarity in the guffaw. If we look, most any stressful situation can find some humor or light, even if it is deemed ‘inappropriate’. Such as, a friend of mine had a falling-out with their dad. They got sick, and when asked if the dad had been notified, I was promptly told no. For whatever the reason, I simply stated that had they called the dad, my friend may have just died on the table, to prove the point that they did not want to speak to him. Dark humor, yes. Somewhat funny in the moment, yes. Appropriate, not really. However, the levity of looking at something bad in a light that can bring a smile … totally worth it. A business deal is heating up. Everyone involved is losing patience. Someone sneezes softly. Another person belts out, “No need to bring in biological warfare.” Inappropriate, yes. Funny, yes. Mowing the yard with my borrowed mower, I missed a stump. Yes, a stump. Did not know or see it there. When the mower locked up and stopped mowing, instantly I saw my retirement check fly out the window. This mower was in my care; I was not careful enough, and instant panic set in … when explaining to the owner, he laughed and said he would like small bills. (FYI the mower was fixable) There are going to be times in life when the situation or circumstance is not good. It is the habit that we have formed to always go dark and negative. That is fine if you only stay there for the moment, but immediately you should be searching for the bright side, the humor, the sarcastic satire. Something that shows you, in your heart, that God is in control and it will all work itself out. Catawampus and off-kilter moments are a part of life. Do not allow them to remain permanent residents in your lane; find that inappropriate giggle line, and give it back to God. You will find that it helps alleviate your stress level and replace it with His love. Be blessed. **Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. – Colossians 3:2

HOW TO GROW SPIRITUALLY Spiritual growth is not automatic. Just as a child must eat, learn, exercise, and develop, a Christian must intentionally develop his or her relationship with God. 1 Peter 2:2 — “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” God does not want us to remain spiritual babies; He wants us to mature in faith, character, wisdom, and obedience. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” — 2 Peter 3:18 *1. Grow Through the Word of God* The Word of God is spiritual food. A believer who consistently studies and meditates on Scripture becomes stronger and better equipped to resist temptation. Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16–17 *Key lesson:* You cannot grow spiritually if you neglect spiritual food. *2. Grow Through Prayer* Prayer builds intimacy with God. The more we communicate with God, the more we understand His will and depend upon His strength. Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Jude 20 Prayer should not only be about asking for things; it should include worship, thanksgiving, confession, listening, and seeking God's direction. *3. Grow Through Obedience* Spiritual maturity is demonstrated by obedience, not merely by knowledge. Jesus said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15 Knowing God's Word without obeying it will not produce genuine spiritual maturity. James 1:22; Deuteronomy 28:1–2 *4. Grow Through Fellowship* God designed believers to grow together. Fellowship with mature Christians encourages us, corrects us, teaches us, and strengthens our faith. Hebrews 10:24–25; Proverbs 27:17; Acts 2:42 Do not isolate yourself from the church and godly fellowship. *5. Grow by Producing Spiritual Fruit* A spiritually mature Christian should increasingly display Christlike character. Galatians 5:22–23 identifies the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The evidence of spiritual growth is not merely how much Bible we know, but how much Christ is seen in our lives. *Conclusion* Spiritual growth requires the Word, prayer, obedience, fellowship, and the Holy Spirit. Do not be satisfied with yesterday's spiritual experience. Keep moving forward. Ephesians 4:15: “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” *Ask yourself:* Am I growing spiritually or remaining at the same level? How much time do I spend in God's Word? Is my prayer life growing? Can people see the fruit of the Spirit in my character? Am I becoming more like Christ? *Final Thought:* “Spiritual growth is not measured by how long you have been saved, but by how much you have become like Christ.” *Prayer* Father, help me to grow deeper in Your Word, stronger in prayer, faithful in obedience, and fruitful through the Holy Spirit.

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 13–14 | Galatians 2 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 13 God’s Mercy in the Midst of Decline 2 Kings 13 unfolds during a period of continued spiritual decline in the northern kingdom of Israel. King Jehoahaz follows the sinful pattern established by Jeroboam, leading the nation away from wholehearted devotion to the Lord. As a result, God allows Syria to oppress Israel, demonstrating once again that persistent disobedience brings painful consequences. Yet even in judgment, God's mercy shines through. When Jehoahaz humbles himself and seeks the Lord, God hears his prayer and provides deliverance. Although the nation has repeatedly turned from Him, the Lord responds because of His covenant compassion. He remembers His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and refuses to abandon His people completely. The chapter reveals that God's discipline is never intended simply to punish but to bring His people back to Himself. His mercy continues reaching toward them despite their repeated failures. The narrative then shifts to the final days of Elisha. As the prophet prepares to leave this world, King Joash visits him seeking guidance. Elisha gives him a symbolic act involving arrows, demonstrating that God is willing to grant victory over Syria. However, when Joash strikes the ground only a few times instead of fully obeying the prophet's instruction, he limits the extent of the victory God intended to give. This moment illustrates that faith often determines the measure of our experience of God's blessings. The Lord was willing to grant complete victory, but the king's halfhearted response reflected limited confidence in God's promise. Even after Elisha's death, God's power continues to be displayed. A man is restored to life after coming into contact with Elisha's bones, demonstrating that the Lord's power did not end with His servant's earthly ministry. God remains alive and active even after His faithful servants have finished their work. Theologically, 2 Kings 13 reveals God's persistent mercy toward undeserving people. It also teaches that God invites wholehearted faith rather than hesitant obedience. The chapter reminds us that God's power never depends upon human personalities but upon His own sovereign presence. This chapter points to Christ, whose resurrection power brings eternal life. Unlike Elisha, whose ministry eventually ended, Jesus lives forever. His resurrection power continues transforming lives, offering complete victory over sin and death to all who trust in Him. For believers today, 2 Kings 13 reminds us that God remains merciful even when we fail. He invites us to seek Him with wholehearted faith and trust His promises completely. In Christ, we are called to pursue Him without reservation, believing that His power is sufficient for every battle and His grace is greater than every failure. 2 Kings 14 The Blessing and Danger of Success 2 Kings 14 records the reigns of Amaziah in Judah and Jeroboam II in Israel, revealing both the blessings of obedience and the dangers that often accompany success. Amaziah begins his reign by doing what is right in the sight of the Lord, though not with complete devotion like David. His early obedience brings stability and military success as God grants him victory over his enemies. However, success gradually gives way to pride. Rather than remaining humble and dependent upon the Lord, Amaziah begins to overestimate his own strength. After experiencing victory, he challenges the northern kingdom to battle. His actions are driven by self-confidence rather than God's direction. The king of Israel wisely warns Amaziah against unnecessary conflict, using a parable to expose the danger of pride. Amaziah ignores the warning, proceeds into battle, and suffers a humiliating defeat. Jerusalem is plundered, its walls are broken down, and the king's confidence is shattered. The chapter reminds us that pride often follows success when gratitude and dependence upon God are neglected. The narrative then shifts to Jeroboam II, whose reign brings territorial expansion and prosperity to Israel. Surprisingly, God grants these blessings despite the nation's continued spiritual rebellion. His kindness reflects His compassion for a suffering people rather than approval of their sinful practices. The Lord delays judgment because of His mercy, giving the nation additional opportunity to repent. Throughout the chapter, God's sovereignty is evident. He raises kingdoms, grants victories, and allows defeats according to His purposes. Human success is never independent of His hand, and earthly prosperity should never be mistaken for spiritual health. Theologically, 2 Kings 14 teaches that success becomes dangerous when it produces pride instead of gratitude. It also reveals God's patience and mercy, demonstrating that He often shows kindness even to those who do not deserve it. Yet His blessings should lead people toward repentance rather than greater self-reliance. This chapter points to Christ, who perfectly modeled humility despite possessing all authority. Unlike Amaziah, Jesus never allowed success or power to produce pride. Instead, He humbled Himself completely, becoming obedient even to death on the cross. His kingdom is established not through self-exaltation but through perfect submission to the Father's will. For believers today, 2 Kings 14 reminds us to remain humble during seasons of blessing and success. Every victory we experience comes from God's gracious hand and should deepen our dependence upon Him rather than increase our confidence in ourselves. In Christ, we are called to walk in humility, giving Him glory for every blessing while continually seeking His wisdom and direction. True greatness is found not in self-exaltation but in faithful obedience to our Lord and King. Galatians 2 — Justified by Faith in the Christ Alone Galatians chapter 2 continues Paul's defense of the true gospel by showing that the message he preached was fully affirmed by the other apostles and centered completely on the Christ, the Son of God. The chapter confronts one of the greatest dangers facing the early church—the temptation to add human works to the finished work of the Christ. Through both personal testimony and direct confrontation, Paul demonstrates that God's redemptive plan has always been based upon grace received through faith rather than human effort. The chapter begins with Paul describing a meeting with the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Rather than discovering disagreement, they recognized that the same gospel had been entrusted to all of them. The unity they shared was not built upon personal preference or tradition but upon the truth of the Christ. This reminds believers that genuine unity is always centered on the Son of God and His gospel. Christian living flourishes where believers are united around the truth rather than divided by human opinions. A significant issue arises concerning attempts to require additional religious practices as necessary for salvation. Paul firmly refuses to compromise because doing so would undermine the freedom believers have received through the Christ. The redemptive plan cannot be improved by human effort. The Son of God has already accomplished everything necessary for salvation through His death and resurrection. To add requirements to His finished work is to diminish the sufficiency of His grace. The chapter then records a public confrontation between Paul and Peter. Peter had been living consistently with the truth of the gospel but later withdrew from fellowship with Gentile believers because of fear of criticism. Paul recognized that this behavior communicated a false message about the gospel itself. Christian living requires consistency between what we believe and how we live. The Christ calls His followers to stand for truth even when doing so is difficult. This confrontation was never about personal rivalry but about protecting the purity of the gospel. The redemptive plan unites believers from every background into one family through the Son of God. Any behavior that rebuilds barriers which the Christ has removed contradicts the very message of salvation. The theological center of the chapter is the declaration that people are justified by faith in the Christ and not by works of the Law. This truth forms the foundation of the Christian life. The Law reveals humanity's need for salvation, but it cannot produce righteousness. Only the Son of God can declare sinners righteous because He alone fulfilled the Law perfectly and bore its penalty on behalf of humanity. Christian living begins with this unshakable foundation of grace. Paul then explains that believers have been united with the Christ in His death and now live through His life. The old life centered on self has been crucified, and a new life has begun through faith in the Son of God. This is one of the clearest descriptions of the believer's new identity. The redemptive plan not only forgives sin but creates an entirely new way of living through the power of the Christ. The chapter concludes by affirming that if righteousness could be achieved through human effort, the death of the Christ would have been unnecessary. But because salvation comes entirely through God's grace, the cross stands as the complete and sufficient work of the Son of God. Every believer rests securely in what He has accomplished rather than in personal performance. Throughout this chapter, the Christ remains the center of everything. He is the source of justification, the foundation of unity, the giver of spiritual life, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The gospel neither begins with grace and continues through works nor mixes divine grace with human achievement. From beginning to end, salvation is the work of the Son of God. For believers today, this chapter calls us to stand firmly upon the truth of the gospel. Christian living is rooted in faith, not performance; in grace, not legalism; and in the finished work of the Christ, not our own efforts. We are reminded that our identity is found entirely in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. As we live by faith in Him, we experience the freedom, unity, and transformation that His redemptive plan was designed to produce. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

What happens when people keep asking God for direction while refusing to obey what He has already said? https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/17/ezekiel-20-when-god-confronts-a-history-of-rebellion/ Ezekiel 20 takes us through Israel’s painful history of rebellion—from Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land. Again and again, God’s people turned toward idols and rejected His commands. Yet one phrase keeps appearing: God acted for the sake of His name. This chapter is a powerful reminder that God’s patience should never be mistaken for permission. His grace does not make sin insignificant—it should lead us to repentance. The question Ezekiel 20 leaves us with is deeply personal: Are we genuinely seeking God, or are we asking Him to approve a life we have not fully surrendered to Him? Read the new blog as we explore Ezekiel 20: When God Confronts a History of Rebellion and discover what this chapter teaches about obedience, idolatry, judgment, grace, and the faithfulness of God. #Ezekiel20 #BibleStudy #BookOfEzekiel #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #Repentance #Obedience #GodsGrace #GodsFaithfulness #OldTestament #AGuyAndHisBible

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional. Lessons From a Bow and Arrow. By Bobby Davis August 18th, 2026 “You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men.” Jeremiah 32:19 After growing up in South America, I felt pretty lost as a teenager, when my family returned to the United States. I spoke English, as I do now, but everything else was completely unfamiliar. Since I didn’t understand American sports, I looked for something I could get involved with, and for some reason, I chose archery. Before long, I learned all the right techniques and follow-through, but the part I lacked in was experience. Practice does not make perfect, but it does make permanent—so I practiced a lot. I got better, and realized that every single shot had to be carefully executed in order to hit the target. I learned many lessons from archery—persistence, the rewards of practice, and patience. But it was much later in life before I was able to see how really valuable those lessons were. You see, I’m rather impatient at times—with other people, and with myself. I’m not sure why that is, since my parents are really models of patience that I should have learned from. I remember a time when the big family Christmas present was a garage door opener. How excited I was to unpack the pieces. I spread them all over the garage floor, and tried to follow the directions. However, it seems that it was manufactured in a foreign country, and the directions didn’t make sense. But there were pictures, so I began assembly without actually trying very hard to decipher the written directions. And that didn’t turn out well. At times, my father would ask me, “Don’t you think you should do this or that first?” and I would impatiently tell him that I knew what I was doing. That man has the patience of a saint, because not only did he let me try to assemble it, but he also disassembled every piece when I gave up, and started over. Finally, it was done, and we put it up and tried it out. Believe it or not, over 40 years later, that garage door opener still works (although he did have to replace a fuse). Sometimes I’m impatient with God. And that archery experience comes back again. Consider these wise words from one of my favorite authors, Oswald Chambers. “A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer,” he writes. “God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says – ‘I cannot stand any more.’ “God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly.” Although I’m not much of an archer anymore, I know that if I’m an arrow in the hands of the Master Archer, He will never miss.

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY! “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 (KJV) Heavenly Father, in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, we come before You on this Tuesday morning with grateful hearts. Thank You for waking us up and giving us another day that we did not earn but received because of Your grace and mercy. Your Word declares, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24. Father, before we ask You for anything, we thank You for everything. Thank You for life. Thank You for strength. Thank You for our families. Thank You for keeping us through dangers seen and unseen. Thank You for the doors You opened, the doors You closed, and even the things You protected us from that we never knew were coming. Lord, as our families begin this Tuesday, go before us. Order our steps, direct our decisions, guard our hearts, protect our homes, and keep Your hand upon every member of our family. Your Word says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6. HEAL OUR FAMILY, LORD Father, this morning we bring before You every family member who is battling sickness—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You know every diagnosis. You know every symptom. You know every pain. You know every sleepless night. You know every private struggle. You know every burden that has become too difficult to explain to others. Father, touch them right now. Your Word declares, “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved.” — Jeremiah 17:14. Lord, stretch forth Your healing hand. Where there is sickness, bring healing. Where there is pain, bring relief. Where there is weakness, bring strength. Where there is fear, bring faith. Where there is confusion, bring clarity. Where there is discouragement, restore hope. Where there are troubled minds, release Your supernatural peace. You promised in Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Father, guard the minds of our family members. Give peace to those overwhelmed by life's pressures. Strengthen those carrying emotional burdens in silence. Remind them that they are seen by You, loved by You, and never beyond the reach of Your hand. Your Word says, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3. So, Lord, heal, deliver, restore, and set free! We stand upon Psalm 107:20:“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Send Your Word into every hospital room, rehabilitation center, doctor's office, nursing facility, and every home where healing is needed. Give physicians wisdom. Give nurses compassion. Give caregivers strength. Give families patience. And give those who are sick the courage to keep believing You one day at a time. SAVE OUR FAMILY, LORD Father, our greatest prayer is not simply that our family will be healthy, prosperous, or successful. Our greatest prayer is that our family will know Jesus Christ. We lift before You every family member who has not surrendered their life to Christ. Draw them by Your Spirit. Let somebody who has been running from You begin running toward You. Let somebody who has questioned You begin seeking You. Let somebody who has never prayed begin calling upon Your name. Let somebody ask the same question asked in Acts 16:30: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And let the answer ring clearly: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” — Acts 16:31. 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. And Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” — John 14:6. Lord, let our children know Jesus. Let our grandchildren know Jesus. Let husbands and wives know Jesus. Let our brothers and sisters know Jesus. Let our extended families know Jesus. Break destructive generational patterns and establish a new spiritual legacy—a legacy of faith, prayer, worship, obedience, integrity, forgiveness, and love. May generations after us be able to say, “Our family served the Lord!” PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILY, LORD Father, we lift every family member who is looking for employment. You know every application submitted, every résumé sent, every interview completed, and every person waiting for someone to call them back. Open the right doors. Give them favor with hiring managers and decision-makers. Lead them to positions where their gifts, abilities, and experience will be appreciated. For those already employed who need promotion, advancement, better opportunities, increased wages, raises, improved benefits, or greater financial stability, we ask You to make a way. Your Word declares, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge.” — Psalm 75:6–7. Bless the work of our hands, Lord. Let integrity speak for us. Let excellence distinguish us. Let favor surround us. And when You elevate us, keep us humble enough to remember Who opened the door. PROVIDE FOR THOSE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY Father, we especially pray for family members facing financial pressure. Some are trying to stretch a paycheck. Some are worried about rent or mortgage payments. Some are facing medical bills. Some are dealing with debt. Some need groceries. Some are facing unexpected expenses. Some are working but still struggling to make ends meet. But today we stand upon Philippians 4:19: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Father, You are our Source. Provide what our families need. Give us wisdom to manage what You provide. Teach us to be disciplined, generous, responsible, and faithful stewards. Give our families creative ideas, opportunities, strategies, and open doors. Where there has been lack, provide. Where there has been financial confusion, give wisdom. Where there has been debt, give us a plan and discipline. Where there has been financial fear, replace it with faith and responsible action. Lord, supply every need according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. PROTECT OUR FAMILY THIS TUESDAY Father, as our family members leave their homes today, cover them. Protect those driving to work. Protect those traveling. Protect our children and grandchildren. Protect those working long hours. Protect those caring for loved ones. Protect those going to medical appointments. Protect our homes while we are away. Your Word declares, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” — Psalm 91:11. Lord, keep us from accidents, danger, violence, and circumstances we cannot see coming. Bring everyone safely home. STRENGTHEN THE LOVE IN OUR FAMILY Father, help us to remember that before careers, money, possessions, accomplishments, titles, and recognition, our greatest responsibility is to love You and love one another. Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” — Matthew 22:37. Lord, You come first. Before our plans—You. Before our ambitions—You. Before our possessions—You. Before everything else—You. And because we love You, teach us how to love one another. Your Word declares, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” — 1 John 4:11. Heal broken relationships within our family. Remove bitterness. Destroy unforgiveness. Break down walls caused by pride. Help us apologize when we are wrong. Help us forgive when we have been hurt. Help us communicate with grace. Help us stop allowing small disagreements to create permanent separation. Let husbands and wives love one another. Let parents and children understand one another. Let brothers and sisters support one another. Let generations respect and learn from one another. Lord, make our families stronger, closer, healthier, and more Christ-centered. OUR TUESDAY FAMILY DECLARATION... This Tuesday morning, we declare: Our family belongs to God! We declare healing over our sick. We declare peace over troubled minds. We declare deliverance for those who are bound. We declare salvation for those who do not yet know Jesus. We declare employment for those seeking jobs. We declare favor and increase for those needing advancement. We declare provision for those struggling financially. We declare restoration over broken relationships. We declare protection over our homes and families. We declare love where there has been division. And above everything else, we declare: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15. Father, we may not know everything this Tuesday will bring, but we know Who holds this Tuesday in His hands. Therefore, we trust You. Order our steps. Guard our hearts. Renew our minds. Strengthen our bodies. Provide for our needs. Protect our families. Save our loved ones. Restore our relationships. And let everything we say and do bring glory to Your name. We seal this prayer with Ephesians 3:20: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” We believe You can do it. We believe You are working even when we cannot see it. And we believe that the hand of God is upon our family! In the mighty, healing, delivering, saving, providing, protecting, and matchless name of Jesus Christ, we pray. AMEN, AMEN, AND AMEN!

THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN IN A CHALLENGING WORLD By Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah Introduction We are living in a world that is changing rapidly. Values are shifting, truth is being questioned, morality is being redefined, and many people are under pressure to compromise their convictions just to fit into society. Yet, the Christian is called to live differently. Jesus never promised His followers a life without challenges. In fact, He said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV). The Christian life is not a promise of the absence of trouble; it is a promise of God's presence in the midst of trouble. We may walk through difficult seasons, but we do not walk through them alone. A challenging world requires Christians who know their God, understand their identity, stand firmly on God's Word, and refuse to allow the darkness around them to extinguish the light within them. 1. THE CHRISTIAN MUST KNOW WHO HE IS One of the greatest dangers in a challenging world is losing your identity. The world constantly tells us who we should become, what we should value, what success should look like, and what standards we should follow. But the believer must derive his identity from God, not from society. 1 Peter 2:9 says: «“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.”» You are not merely a product of your environment. You are God's possession. When you know who you are in Christ, you will not need the approval of everyone around you to feel valuable. Your identity is not determined by your failures, your past, your social status, your possessions, or people's opinions about you. You belong to Christ. 2. THE CHRISTIAN MUST STAND ON GOD'S WORD A changing world needs an unchanging standard. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God's Word gives us direction when culture becomes confusing. It gives us conviction when compromise becomes attractive. It gives us hope when circumstances become discouraging. The Christian who neglects Scripture will eventually become vulnerable to the philosophies of the world. We must therefore become students of the Word. Do not build your life solely on what people say. Build it on what God has said. People can change. Circumstances can change. Governments can change. Economies can change. Relationships can change. But the Word of our God stands forever. 3. THE CHRISTIAN MUST REFUSE TO CONFORM Romans 12:2 says: «“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”» There is a difference between living in the world and becoming like the world. Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:15-16. He did not ask the Father to remove them from the world but to preserve them while they remained in it. This means Christianity is not an escape from society. It is a divine assignment within society. We are called to influence the world without allowing the world to influence our convictions. You can work in a corrupt environment without becoming corrupt. You can live among people who compromise without compromising. You can be surrounded by darkness and still carry light. 4. THE CHRISTIAN MUST DEVELOP SPIRITUAL STRENGTH A challenging world requires spiritual strength. Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Our strength does not come merely from personality, education, wealth, connections, or experience. There are battles that human strength cannot win. Therefore, we must strengthen our relationship with God through prayer, worship, fasting, the study of Scripture, fellowship, and obedience. A weak spiritual life makes a believer vulnerable to temptation, fear, discouragement, bitterness, and compromise. Prayer is not simply an emergency telephone call to God. Prayer is fellowship with our Father. We must learn to seek God not only when we need something from Him but because we desire Him. 5. THE CHRISTIAN MUST LEARN TO FACE TRIALS WITH FAITH Challenges are part of the journey. James 1:2-4 teaches believers to count it joy when they face various trials because testing produces patience and spiritual maturity. This does not mean that pain is pleasant. It means that God can use difficult seasons to produce something valuable in us. Sometimes God changes the situation. Sometimes He gives us grace to endure it. Sometimes He uses the situation to change us. Whatever the case may be, we must refuse to allow adversity to destroy our faith. Your trial is not the end of your story. The fact that you are going through something does not mean that God has abandoned you. David passed through valleys and still testified of God's presence. Daniel faced the lions and discovered that God was with him. The three Hebrew young men entered the fiery furnace, but they were not alone. God remains faithful in the fire. 6. THE CHRISTIAN MUST GUARD HIS HEART Proverbs 4:23 says: «“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”» The world constantly feeds our hearts with fear, hatred, lust, greed, envy, anger, and materialism. If we are not careful, what surrounds us will eventually influence what is within us. That is why believers must guard what they watch, what they listen to, what they celebrate, what they meditate upon, and the relationships they cultivate. Not everything that is popular is profitable. Not everything that is trending is godly. Not every opportunity is an assignment from God. A Christian must learn to say NO when necessary. 7. THE CHRISTIAN MUST BE LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD Jesus said in Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world.” Notice that Jesus did not say, “You will become light someday.” He said, “You are the light.” Light has no argument with darkness. It simply shines. The world does not necessarily need Christians who shout the loudest; it needs Christians whose lives demonstrate the reality of Christ. Your workplace should experience your integrity. Your family should experience your love. Your community should experience your kindness. Your generation should see Christ through your character. We preach with our mouths, but we also preach through our lives. 8. THE CHRISTIAN MUST LOVE PEOPLE IN A HURTING WORLD A challenging world is also a hurting world. People are carrying wounds that we cannot see. Some are fighting silent battles. Some have lost hope. Some have been disappointed by life, relationships, institutions, and even religion. The Christian must therefore become an instrument of God's love. Jesus said in John 13:35: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Our Christianity must not become merely a collection of religious activities. We must love. We must forgive. We must encourage. We must help. We must show compassion. Sometimes the greatest sermon you will preach is the kindness you show to someone who is hurting. 9. THE CHRISTIAN MUST KEEP HIS EYES ON ETERNITY One of the reasons believers compromise is that they become too attached to temporary things. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:18 to focus not merely on the things that are seen, but on the things that are eternal. This world is not our final destination. Our possessions are temporary. Our positions are temporary. Our earthly achievements are temporary. But eternity is forever. Therefore, we must live with eternity in view. Do not gain the whole world and lose your soul. Do not sacrifice your relationship with God for temporary pleasure. Do not exchange eternal treasures for temporary applause. 10. THE CHRISTIAN MUST NEVER GIVE UP Perhaps the greatest testimony in a challenging world is simply refusing to quit. Galatians 6:9 says: «“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”» There may be moments when you feel tired. There may be moments when your prayers seem unanswered. There may be moments when you wonder whether your faith is worth the struggle. But keep going. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep serving. Keep loving. Keep trusting God. Your present struggle does not cancel God's purpose for your life. CONCLUSION The life of a Christian in a challenging world is not always easy, but it is possible by the grace of God. We are called to live differently—not because we are better than others, but because Christ has called us to represent Him. We are called to stand when others fall. To shine when others walk in darkness. To speak truth when falsehood becomes popular. To demonstrate love when hatred increases. To maintain faith when circumstances become difficult. And to remain faithful until the end. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Beloved, the world may be challenging, but God is still faithful. The culture may be changing, but God's Word has not changed. The pressure may be increasing, but God's grace is sufficient. The darkness may be growing, but your light can still shine. Therefore, stand firm. Stay prayerful. Stay in the Word. Stay holy. Stay humble. Stay faithful. And above all, keep your eyes on Jesus. PRAYER Father, in the name of Jesus, give me the grace to live faithfully in this challenging world. Strengthen my heart when I am weak, guide me when I am confused, preserve me when I am tempted, and help me to remain a light wherever You have planted me. Let my life bring glory to Your name. May I never compromise my faith, abandon my calling, or lose sight of eternity. In Jesus' name, amen. — Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah #LifeofaChristian #PJCares

Tuesday, 18th August, 2026 TITLE: "FORGETTING THE PAST, PRESSING TOWARD THE PRIZE" ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S) Philippians 3:13–14 (KJV) "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Hebrews 12:1–2 (KJV) "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." QUOTE TO REFLECT ON "Do not let yesterday hold you back from what God has prepared for tomorrow." DAY'S REFLECTION Life is a journey, and every journey has a past, a present, and a future. Some people remain trapped by past failures, disappointments, regrets, or even past successes. But Paul teaches us an important principle in Philippians 3:13–14: keep moving forward. Paul says, "forgetting those things which are behind." This does not mean literally erasing the past from our memory. Rather, it means refusing to allow the past to control our present or determine our future. Past failures should teach us, not imprison us. Past successes should encourage us, not make us complacent. The phrase "reaching forth" speaks of stretching forward with determination. Paul was focused on what was before him. He understood that spiritual growth requires continual progress. The Christian life is not about becoming comfortable with yesterday's achievements; it is about continually pursuing God's purpose. Paul says, "I press toward the mark." To press means to pursue with determination despite difficulties. The mark is the goal or destination toward which he was moving. This teaches us that reaching God's purpose requires focus, perseverance, and discipline. Hebrews 12:1 uses the picture of a race. Runners cannot successfully complete a race while carrying unnecessary weights. Likewise, there are attitudes, habits, relationships, distractions, and sins that can slow our spiritual progress. We must be willing to lay them aside. The writer then gives us the secret of endurance: "Looking unto Jesus." Our eyes must remain fixed on Christ. People can disappoint us, circumstances can change, and our own strength can fail, but Jesus remains the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus Himself endured the cross because He focused on the joy that was set before Him. In the same way, we must look beyond temporary difficulties toward the eternal purpose God has prepared for us. Today, do not allow yesterday's failure to cancel tomorrow's opportunity. Learn from the past, release what must be released, remove every unnecessary weight, and keep your eyes on Jesus. The race is not over. Keep running. Keep believing. Keep pressing forward. MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S) Isaiah 43:18–19 (KJV) "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." 1 Corinthians 9:24 (KJV) "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS) 1. The past should be a lesson, not a prison. 2. Spiritual progress requires letting go of unnecessary weights. 3. God's purpose requires determination and perseverance. 4. We must keep our eyes on Jesus rather than becoming distracted by circumstances. 5. The Christian journey is a race that requires patience and endurance. 6. There is a God-given prize ahead for those who faithfully continue. EVERYDAY ACTION Release one past burden, remove one distraction, and take one purposeful step toward God's will today. PRAYER Heavenly Father, help me release the past and press forward with faith. Remove every weight that slows me down and keep my eyes fixed on Jesus until I fulfil Your purpose. In Jesus' name, Amen. DECLARATION I will not be controlled by my past. I press forward toward God's purpose and keep my eyes on Jesus. Every weight is removed, my faith is strengthened, and I will finish my race faithfully and receive the prize in Christ Jesus. Amen. Devotion by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo 📞 +233 544 295 158 Follow us on WhatsApp 👇👇👇 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P

*Learning to Live Humbly* Have you ever met an angry Christian? You may have come across Christians who seem to grumble, complain, or even speak harshly about other people. Maybe we’ve even been that person at times in our own life. If we're not careful, we can easily become self-righteous within Christianity. After all, we know the truth and others may not. We might see how tempting it can be to look down on others, demean them, or consider them as worse off than ourselves. But this misses the point of the Gospel of Jesus. The Gospel tells us that all of us begin at the same starting point. And it’s only by Grace through faith that we come to Salvation and learn the truth about God’s love for us. That doesn’t make us any better than other Christians! In fact, as Paul says in *Ephesians 4:2,* we should actually be humble and gentle with others, rather than harsh and critical. He says we are to be patient with one another, helping each other in every way possible so we can all grow together. These ideas aren’t original to Paul. They actually came from how Jesus lived His life. As followers of Jesus, we too should strive to be gentle, humble, and patient with everyone in our lives. Regardless of whether they look or think a different way, every person deserves dignity, patience, and love. Let's take some time today to consider a few ways that we can grow in patience, humility, and love with others. It could be slowing down long enough for people to know we care, saying something encouraging to someone, or admitting that we’ve made a mistake. Let's make the decision today to live in humility and grace with others. *Prayer For Love* Father God, Your Word inspires us to be humble and gentle; to lead with patience and unconditional love. But we can't live that way without Your help. Teach us how to extend grace and forgiveness to those around us. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.