Guidelines for living.
August 18th, 2026

3 Steps to Finding a New Direction.

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Resource Reading: Jeremiah 6:1-30

Let's talk about it.
What if the greatest problem in our lives isn't that we have too little time for God?

What if the problem is that 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲?

We still pray.
We still worship.
We still read our Bibles.
We still go to church.
We still serve.

But somewhere along the way, God becomes something we fit into our lives rather than the One around whom our lives are built.

And Numbers 1 gives us a picture that we should not miss.

When Israel was in the wilderness, God gave Moses specific instructions concerning the tabernacle.

The Levites were to camp around it.
And the rest of Israel was to camp according to their tribes and standards.

Why?

Because the tabernacle—the place representing God's dwelling among His people was at the center.

Israel's camp was not randomly arranged.
Their lives were literally organized around the presence of God.

The Lord said:
“𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆...” (v53)

Think about the picture.

The tabernacle was in the middle.
The Levites surrounded it.
The tribes surrounded them.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗼𝗱'𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

That was more than an arrangement of tents.
It was a picture of how God's people were meant to live.

God was not supposed to be somewhere on the edge of Israel's life.

He was not an afterthought.
He was not something they visited when they had time.

𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿.

And perhaps that is where we need to stop and look at our own lives.

Because whatever sits at the center of your life will eventually determine the direction of everything around it.

If comfort is at the center, your decisions will revolve around comfort.
If money is at the center, your life will revolve around gaining and protecting it.
If approval is at the center, your peace will depend on what people think of you.
If success is at the center, your worth will rise and fall with your achievements.

Even ministry can become the center.
Even family can become the center.
Even good things can take the place that belongs to God.

When God is no longer at the center, everything else slowly begins to take a place it was never meant to occupy.

Israel's arrangement in Numbers reminds us of something we often forget:

God was not meant to be placed somewhere within the arrangement of our lives. He is meant to be the center around which our entire lives are ordered.

But here's where the gospel becomes beautiful.

God didn't merely tell Israel to arrange their camp around His presence.

𝗛𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

And then, centuries later, something even greater happened.

John 1:14 says:
“𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝘄𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀.”

The God who dwelt among Israel in the tabernacle came near to us in Jesus.

Christ entered our wilderness.
He came into our brokenness.
He came into our disorder.

And He came not merely to become part of our lives,
but to become the center of them.

God can be in our lives without being at the center of our lives.

You can give Him an hour on Sabbath and still organize the rest of your week around yourself.
You can pray to Him and still make every major decision without Him.
You can serve Him and still build your identity around something else.
You can carry His Word and still arrange your life around your own desires.

So today, don't simply ask:
“Where is God in my life?”

Ask:
“What is my life arranged around?”

What sits at the center?
What determines my priorities?
What controls my decisions?
What gives me my sense of worth?

Because whatever is at the center will eventually shape everything around it.

Israel had a center.
And that center was the dwelling place of God.

We have Christ.

So let Him be more than a part of your life.
Let Him be the One your life revolves around.

Not in the background.
Not on the edge.
Not when you have time.

𝗔𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿.

Because when Christ is at the center,
everything else can finally find its proper place.

Daily Bible Lesson.
THE HIDDEN POWER OF SALT IN THE BIBLE: WHY GOD USED SALT SO OFTEN

Have you ever wondered why salt appears over and over again in the Bible?

It was never just a seasoning.

From Genesis to the New Testament, salt carried deep spiritual meaning. It represented purity, preservation, faithfulness, covenant, wisdom, and even judgment.

Let's explore what God was teaching through salt.

1. ELISHA USED SALT TO HEAL THE WATERS OF JERICHO

2 Kings 2:19–22

After Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha arrived in Jericho.

The people said:

«"The city is pleasant, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive."»

God instructed Elisha:

«"Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it."»

Elisha threw the salt into the spring and declared:

«"Thus says the LORD, 'I have healed these waters; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from them.'" (2 Kings 2:21)»

Immediately the waters became pure.

Notice something important.

The miracle was not in the salt.

The salt was simply an act of obedience through which God demonstrated His power.

Spiritual meaning:

God can cleanse what sin has poisoned.

He can restore what seemed permanently ruined.

When God speaks, even bitter waters become life-giving.

2. EVERY GRAIN OFFERING HAD TO INCLUDE SALT

Leviticus 2:13

God commanded Israel:

«"Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings."»

Why?

Because salt preserves.

It resists corruption.

It symbolized that Israel's worship should never become spiritually corrupt.

Spiritual meaning:

God desires worship that remains pure, faithful, and sincere.

Our devotion should not spoil with compromise.

3. GOD ESTABLISHED A "COVENANT OF SALT"

Numbers 18:19

God told Aaron:

«"It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD."»

Again in:

2 Chronicles 13:5

God declared that He gave David the kingdom by a covenant of salt forever.

In the ancient world, salt was valuable and enduring.

A covenant sealed with salt symbolized permanence, loyalty, and faithfulness.

Spiritual meaning:

God does not abandon His promises.

What He establishes, He is faithful to keep.

4. JESUS CALLED BELIEVERS "THE SALT OF THE EARTH"

Matthew 5:13

Jesus said:

«"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?"»

Salt preserves food from decay.

Likewise, believers are called to preserve truth in a corrupt world.

We are meant to influence the world—not be influenced by it.

Spiritual meaning:

Christians should slow the spread of moral decay by living holy lives, speaking truth, and reflecting Christ's character.

5. JESUS SAID TO HAVE SALT IN YOURSELVES

Mark 9:50

Jesus taught:

«"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness... Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another."»

This points to inward spiritual character.

Spiritual meaning:

God desires hearts marked by wisdom, humility, holiness, and peace.

6. PAUL COMPARED OUR WORDS TO SALT

Colossians 4:6

Paul wrote:

«"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt."»

Our words should preserve life, bring wisdom, and point people toward Christ.

Instead of spreading bitterness, believers should speak words that heal, encourage, and build others up.

7. SALT WAS ALSO A SIGN OF JUDGMENT

The Bible also uses salt to represent desolation when people reject God.

After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah:

Genesis 19:26

Lot's wife looked back in disobedience and became a pillar of salt.

Her story stands as a warning against longing for the sinful life God has called us to leave behind.

Later, Scripture describes lands under God's judgment as barren and covered with salt.

Deuteronomy 29:23

Judges 9:45

These passages show that the same symbol could represent either blessing or judgment, depending on humanity's response to God.

WHAT DOES SALT REPRESENT IN THE BIBLE?

Salt symbolizes:

• Purity

• Preservation

• Faithfulness

• God's everlasting covenant

• Holiness

• Wisdom

• Gracious speech

• Healing through God's power

• A warning against corruption and disobedience

THE GREATEST LESSON

Salt itself has no supernatural power.

The Bible never teaches that salt possesses mystical or magical abilities.

Whenever God used salt, it was because He chose it as a symbol or as part of an act of obedience.

The power was always God's—not the salt.

Today, God still heals bitter lives.

He restores broken families.

He renews weary hearts.

He preserves those who remain faithful to Him.

The same God who healed the waters of Jericho is still able to transform what seems impossible.

August 18th, 2026
Read; Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD our God, mighty in our midst, not only saves but also rejoices over us with joy. He rests in His love and joys over us with singing. Imagine our Creator singing over His beloved children, much like a parent sings a lullaby. This imagery shows a God who tenderly rocks us, calming our spirits with His presence. His immense love is a comforting embrace, assuring us of His constant care and affection, like a mother's gentle comfort.

Prayer

God, when life's storms come raging at me, help me remember these words and seek safety, solace, and peace in Your protective care. As You reveal more of the grace of Your salvation, help me recognize Your song of love over my life. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.

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!

I was led by the Holy Spirit to write this:

If you have decided to shift from your present place… whether it is your house, office, shop, business, or any other place.. just wait!

Ask yourself: Is this decision based on my own understanding, or is God the One leading me to shift?

If it is a decision made by your own understanding, it may end in confusion, financial loss, failure, loss of valuable things, and even disconnection from divine connections.

But if God is the One leading you there, it is going to be glorious! There will be abundance, an uninterrupted flow of provision, better opportunities, and even greater divine connections than before.

Most importantly, you will experience peace!

Don’t move merely because you think it is the right time to move. Move when God says, “Go.”

Bro. Samuel Joshua
SJ Ministry

By the grace of God, my wife and I were able to visit and pray with a family who recently lost their mother to cancer and has also been displaced. May God comfort them, strengthen them, and surround their family with His peace and love during this difficult time.

Gibson Battle

Align with Yehusha be with Team Yeshua and will fight your Battle : God Fights for the Remnant of Peace

When you make peace with the true Joshua—Jesus Christ—you enter into a covenant that shifts your battles from your hands into God's hands.

In Joshua 10, the Gibeonites were targets simply because they allied themselves with Israel. Similarly, when you align your life with the Lord, the forces of spiritual darkness may target you.

However, the shadow of Jesus in this text reveals a powerful truth: God assumes your enemies as His own.

He does not leave you to defend yourself. When you call upon Him in times of attack, the Lord responds with swift, supernatural deliverance.

He will disrupt the enemy's plans, cause confusion in their camps, and even move the laws of nature to ensure your complete victory.

Key Bible Verses from Joshua 10

The Call for Help: "The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: 'Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.'" (Joshua 10:6)


The Divine Assurance: "The Lord said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.'" (Joshua 10:8).


The Divine Intervention: "The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely... As they fled before Israel... the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites." (Joshua 10:10-11)


Warfare PrayerHeavenly Father, Almighty God, and Precious Holy Spirit,I come before You today under the covenant of peace established through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Yeshua).
Because I have surrendered my life to You, I thank You that my battles are no longer mine alone, but they belong to the Lord.

According to Your Word in Joshua 10, when the enemy gathers against me because of my alignment with You, I cry out for Your urgent help.
Do not abandon your servant, Lord! Come quickly to my defense.

I pray that You throw every demonic alliance, every spirit of fear, and every weapon formed against my health, my family, or my destiny into total confusion.

Let Your supernatural power fight on my behalf. Hurl down Your divine judgment against the spiritual forces of wickedness that attempt to steal my peace.

Give me the assurance that not one of my enemies will be able to withstand Your presence.

Let the sun and moon stand still, and let time work in my favor as You fulfill Your promises in my life.
Thank You for complete victory and for being my shield and deliverer.In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray.Amen.

Sermon Title: "FEED MY SHEEP, NOT YOUR AGENDA"
Key Texts: Ezekiel 34:1-10, John 21:15-17, 1 Peter 5:2-4, Hebrews 12:14, 2 Timothy 4:3-4

INTRODUCTION
The Lord is asking the same question today He asked Peter: “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.” John 21:17
But in this last age, many shepherds have left the sheep to chase the world.
And many sheep have left holiness to chase prosperity.
Both are losing the eternal gift.

1. WARNING TO SHEPHERDS: YOU LEFT THE HEART OF THE LORD
Ezekiel 34:2-4 — “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed... and you have not sought the lost.”

God’s heart for His people is:
Feed them the Word, not opinions
Heal the broken, not use them
Seek the lost, not ignore them

But some shepherds today have “given into the world and its things.”
Jeremiah 23:1 — “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.

Why? Because it’s not sanctified. Ministry without holiness becomes business.
John 10:13 — The hireling sees the wolf and flees because he cares nothing for the sheep.

God’s warning: Ezekiel 34:10 — “I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand.”

2. WARNING TO THE CHURCH: YOU LEFT HOLINESS FOR PROSPERITY
The message says: “saved church not clinging to holiness bcos jealous, hatred, gossip and not obeying the word... itching ears for prosperity gospel instead of soul eager for sanctification gospel.”

This is exactly what Paul warned:
2 Timothy 4:3-4 — “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

Holiness is being traded for hype.
Hebrews 12:14 — “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Signs of a church that left holiness:
Jealousy and hatred - Galatians 5:19-21 works of the flesh
Gossip - Proverbs 16:28 separates close friends
Disobedience to the Word - James 1:22 “be doers of the word”
Prosperity over the Cross - 1 Peter 2:2 “long for the pure spiritual milk”

When we chase blessings more than the Blesser, we lose the eternal gift: sanctification and seeing God.

3. GOD’S CALL BACK: RETURN TO THE SHEPHERD
1 Peter 5:2-4 — “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you... And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

To Shepherds:
Repent. Return to feeding, not fleecing. Acts 20:28 — “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock.”

To the Church:
1 Peter 1:15-16 — “As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
Holiness is not legalism. It is love. It is being set apart for God.

Psalm 51:10 — “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

CLOSING PRAYER
Father, forgive us.
Forgive shepherds who fed themselves and left Your sheep. Put back in us the heart of the Lord for Your people.
Forgive Your church for chasing prosperity and ignoring sanctification. Create in us clean hearts.
Let us hunger for Your Word, not myths. Let us love holiness, not gossip and jealousy.
Make us a people ready for Jesus. In His Name, Amen.

SHEPHERDS AND HOLINESS:

Message:
This is a warning and a call. Ezekiel 34: shepherds, return to the heart of the Lord for His people. Don’t feed yourself and leave the sheep.
Church, Hebrews 12:14 — pursue holiness. Don’t trade sanctification for prosperity. Jealousy, gossip, disobedience