• Good evening, brethren.
    1. Evening devotion for today.

    ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
    (COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

    *DATE:*
    MONDAY 17TH AUGUST, 2026.

    *SUB-THEME:*
    YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD'S GRACE.

    *TOPIC:*
    OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS.

    *TEXT:*
    GENESIS 39:11-14.
    11. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside.
    12. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
    13. When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house,
    14. she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed.

    *TOPIC:*
    OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS.

    *THE MESSAGE:*
    Temptation is a common test that comes in various forms and from different sources. Joseph faced a powerful and subtle temptation from Potiphar's wife, yet he refused to yield, relying on God's help. Though his resistance was reciprocated with harsh punishment, he remained faithful. Many young people, though called by God, have fallen into temptation and lost their voices and vitality. Today, many innocent young men and ladies have fallen victims of rape, sexual harassment in places of work or sex for good grades. Some church workers are not exempted from this awful sin. Have you harass or have been harassed sexually? Do not give the enemy a foothold. God's grace is available to all who desire victory. You can overcome temptation and live in freedom through His grace and word.

    *REFLECTION:*
    No temptation will pass your ability to resist.

    *PRAYER:*
    Lord, help me to resist and flee temptation. Amen.

    *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:*
    2 TIMOTHY 2:21.
    "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work."

    *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
    EZEKIEL 4-6.

    ED.ii. GOD'S COVENANT WITH MAN

    "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man: You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." - Genesis 2:15-17

    God's covenant or agreement with man was:

    1) God said that man should cultivate the garden;

    2) God said he had to take care of the garden. Adam's position as the ruler of the garden had to be preserved;

    3) God said they could freely eat from all trees except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they ate from it, they would certainly die.

    The consequence of the fall

    But Adam and Eve broke this agreement. They believed the evil one and preferred to follow him, that creature who had disobeyed God, opposed God and was therefore thrown out of heaven. When this sin occurred, everything seemed lost. God made everything so beautiful and appointed Adam as ruler over this. However, when Adam and Eve sinned, Adam lost his position as ruler. They both became slaves to sin.

    God's rescue plan

    However, no one but God knew that He already had an escape route for man so man could regain his previous position. The Lamb of God, He was chosen before the creation of the world (see 1 Peter 1:20). This plan to save mankind was there before the world was created.

    The reason God allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross was because He wanted to give back to man the position he once had. Now man was able to rule over sin, over the evil one and over this earth. He could walk with God again and come into His presence. The human being is allowed to reign together with God as a Royal child.


    https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

    2. Evening Prayer for today.

    EP.i. Evening Prayer

    He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. ⏤ Psalm 91:4

    God does not want us to worry about the future. He wants us to trust Him today. ⏤ Corrie ten Boom

    Father, we are like little children in this vast world and cannot take care of ourselves. But we are so grateful that we are Your children and that You are our Father. We trust in Your eternal care. We know that You will never let us fall out of Your love and protection. As night falls again, we come close to You. We hide ourselves in the secret place of Your love and protection.

    We ask You to forgive all the sins we’ve committed against You today. Renew our hearts more deeply, so that we may keep Your commandments and live in harmony with Your will in both our thoughts and actions.

    Tonight, Father, we also remember Your other children around us. Some of them are happy; may they not forget You in their joy. Bless all pure happiness and let it lead to a closer relationship with You. Some of Your children are facing challenges. Some are struggling to find their daily bread. Some have sickness in their homes. Others have loved ones who are not living as they should, who do not love You or walk in Your ways, and their hearts are heavy with concern. Some have lost dear ones and are grieving deeply. For all these neighbors, we pray tonight. Bless them all. Give them the grace they need. Send relief and comfort in the way You know is best. And give us the grace to do our part in helping them in Your name, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

    https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/43/evening

    #taptapstudio
    #youdevotion.
    Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* MONDAY 17TH AUGUST, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD'S GRACE. *TOPIC:* OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS. *TEXT:* GENESIS 39:11-14. 11. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. 13. When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14. she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. *TOPIC:* OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS. *THE MESSAGE:* Temptation is a common test that comes in various forms and from different sources. Joseph faced a powerful and subtle temptation from Potiphar's wife, yet he refused to yield, relying on God's help. Though his resistance was reciprocated with harsh punishment, he remained faithful. Many young people, though called by God, have fallen into temptation and lost their voices and vitality. Today, many innocent young men and ladies have fallen victims of rape, sexual harassment in places of work or sex for good grades. Some church workers are not exempted from this awful sin. Have you harass or have been harassed sexually? Do not give the enemy a foothold. God's grace is available to all who desire victory. You can overcome temptation and live in freedom through His grace and word. *REFLECTION:* No temptation will pass your ability to resist. *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to resist and flee temptation. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* EZEKIEL 4-6. ED.ii. GOD'S COVENANT WITH MAN "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man: You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." - Genesis 2:15-17 God's covenant or agreement with man was: 1) God said that man should cultivate the garden; 2) God said he had to take care of the garden. Adam's position as the ruler of the garden had to be preserved; 3) God said they could freely eat from all trees except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they ate from it, they would certainly die. The consequence of the fall But Adam and Eve broke this agreement. They believed the evil one and preferred to follow him, that creature who had disobeyed God, opposed God and was therefore thrown out of heaven. When this sin occurred, everything seemed lost. God made everything so beautiful and appointed Adam as ruler over this. However, when Adam and Eve sinned, Adam lost his position as ruler. They both became slaves to sin. God's rescue plan However, no one but God knew that He already had an escape route for man so man could regain his previous position. The Lamb of God, He was chosen before the creation of the world (see 1 Peter 1:20). This plan to save mankind was there before the world was created. The reason God allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross was because He wanted to give back to man the position he once had. Now man was able to rule over sin, over the evil one and over this earth. He could walk with God again and come into His presence. The human being is allowed to reign together with God as a Royal child. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening Prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. ⏤ Psalm 91:4 God does not want us to worry about the future. He wants us to trust Him today. ⏤ Corrie ten Boom Father, we are like little children in this vast world and cannot take care of ourselves. But we are so grateful that we are Your children and that You are our Father. We trust in Your eternal care. We know that You will never let us fall out of Your love and protection. As night falls again, we come close to You. We hide ourselves in the secret place of Your love and protection. We ask You to forgive all the sins we’ve committed against You today. Renew our hearts more deeply, so that we may keep Your commandments and live in harmony with Your will in both our thoughts and actions. Tonight, Father, we also remember Your other children around us. Some of them are happy; may they not forget You in their joy. Bless all pure happiness and let it lead to a closer relationship with You. Some of Your children are facing challenges. Some are struggling to find their daily bread. Some have sickness in their homes. Others have loved ones who are not living as they should, who do not love You or walk in Your ways, and their hearts are heavy with concern. Some have lost dear ones and are grieving deeply. For all these neighbors, we pray tonight. Bless them all. Give them the grace they need. Send relief and comfort in the way You know is best. And give us the grace to do our part in helping them in Your name, through Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/43/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.
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  • When the Holy Spirit Says “No”

    Sometimes God's protection does not look like an open door.

    Sometimes it looks like a closed door.

    In Acts 16:6–7, Paul and his companions had plans to preach in certain regions. But Scripture says:

    «“They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.”
    — Acts 16:6»

    And again:

    «“The Spirit suffered them not.”
    — Acts 16:7»

    Paul had a plan.

    But the Holy Spirit had a different direction.

    Then Paul received the vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Paul understood that God was calling them there, and they changed their direction (Acts 16:9–10).

    The lesson is powerful:

    The Holy Spirit can protect you by stopping you.

    A closed door may not mean that God has forgotten you.

    A delay may not mean that God has rejected you.

    A change of direction may not be a failure.

    Sometimes God sees what we cannot see.

    We may think:

    “This is the right opportunity.”

    But God may say:

    “Not this way.”

    We may think:

    “I must go here.”

    But the Holy Spirit may redirect our steps.

    This is why Proverbs says:

    «“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
    — Proverbs 3:5»

    And:

    «“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
    — Proverbs 3:6»

    The Christian life is not simply about asking God to bless our plans.

    It is about becoming willing to surrender our plans to God's will.

    Don't be afraid of God's “No.”

    His “No” may be protection.

    His “Wait” may be preparation.

    His redirection may be leading you toward something you cannot yet see.

    Listen to the Holy Spirit.

    Trust God's direction.

    Do not lean entirely on your own understanding.

    Because sometimes the road God closes is the road He is protecting you from.

    And sometimes the path He opens is the path He has prepared for you.

    “Lord, direct my steps. Close every door that is not from You, and give me the wisdom and courage to follow where Your Spirit leads. Amen.”
    When the Holy Spirit Says “No” Sometimes God's protection does not look like an open door. Sometimes it looks like a closed door. In Acts 16:6–7, Paul and his companions had plans to preach in certain regions. But Scripture says: «“They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.” — Acts 16:6» And again: «“The Spirit suffered them not.” — Acts 16:7» Paul had a plan. But the Holy Spirit had a different direction. Then Paul received the vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Paul understood that God was calling them there, and they changed their direction (Acts 16:9–10). The lesson is powerful: The Holy Spirit can protect you by stopping you. A closed door may not mean that God has forgotten you. A delay may not mean that God has rejected you. A change of direction may not be a failure. Sometimes God sees what we cannot see. We may think: “This is the right opportunity.” But God may say: “Not this way.” We may think: “I must go here.” But the Holy Spirit may redirect our steps. This is why Proverbs says: «“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5» And: «“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:6» The Christian life is not simply about asking God to bless our plans. It is about becoming willing to surrender our plans to God's will. Don't be afraid of God's “No.” His “No” may be protection. His “Wait” may be preparation. His redirection may be leading you toward something you cannot yet see. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Trust God's direction. Do not lean entirely on your own understanding. Because sometimes the road God closes is the road He is protecting you from. And sometimes the path He opens is the path He has prepared for you. “Lord, direct my steps. Close every door that is not from You, and give me the wisdom and courage to follow where Your Spirit leads. Amen.”
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  • BEHIND JESUS

    TEXT: Acts 18:28

    SUPPORTING TEXTS: John 1:1–14; John 4:8, 24; Philippians 3:3

    OBJECTIVES

    At the end of this teaching, participants should be able to:

    1. Understand that God is Spirit and that He has revealed Himself to humanity through Jesus Christ.

    2. Recognize the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ, and understand why God manifested Himself in the flesh.

    3. Explain why Jesus is the only way to salvation and why human religion, morality, or religious tradition cannot save man.

    4. Defend the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and God manifested in the flesh, using Scripture.

    INTRODUCTION

    Acts 18:28 (KJV):

    “For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”

    The subject of Jesus Christ goes beyond what can be seen physically. To understand Jesus, we must look behind Jesus—behind His humanity, His earthly appearance, His birth, His ministry, His death and resurrection—to discover who He truly is.

    The Bible teaches that God is Spirit:

    John 4:24 (KJV):

    “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

    God is also love:

    1 John 4:8:

    “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

    Love cannot be seen with the physical eyes, and the Spirit cannot be seen with the physical eyes. Yet both are real.

    QUESTION

    Have you ever physically seen love? Have you ever physically seen a spirit?

    Although you cannot see love itself, you can see the manifestation of love through actions. Likewise, God, who is Spirit, made Himself known to humanity through Jesus Christ.

    John 1:14 (KJV):

    “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

    Jesus is therefore the visible manifestation of the invisible God.

    Colossians 1:15:

    “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.”

    1. GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF THROUGH MAN

    God revealed Himself through the human life of Jesus Christ so that humanity could know, believe, and receive Him.

    John 1:14:

    “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

    Jesus did not merely come to teach people about God. He came as God manifested in the flesh.

    1 Timothy 3:16:

    “God was manifest in the flesh…”

    Jesus showed mankind what God is like through His character, words, works, compassion, holiness, power and love.

    2. THE BREATH OF MAN IS LIMITED

    Man's physical life is temporary. The breath of man is dependent upon God.

    Isaiah 2:22:

    “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?”

    James 4:14:

    “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

    Man's life is limited, but God's life is eternal.

    3. THE LIFE OF GOD IS ETERNAL

    God does not depend upon another source for His existence. He is the eternal God.

    John 1:4:

    “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

    John 11:25:

    “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life…”

    1 John 5:11:

    “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

    The eternal life of God is revealed to humanity through Jesus Christ.

    4. THE CHARACTER OF MAN IS CORRUPTED BY SIN

    Humanity, because of sin, cannot become its own saviour.

    Jeremiah 17:9:

    “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…”

    Romans 3:23:

    “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

    Man therefore needs salvation from outside himself.

    5. THE CHARACTER OF GOD IS GOOD

    God is holy, righteous, loving and good.

    Psalm 100:5:

    “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

    Psalm 145:9:

    “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”

    Jesus demonstrated the goodness and character of God among humanity.

    Acts 10:38:

    “…who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

    6. MAN CANNOT SAVE HIMSELF — JESUS SAVES

    Religion cannot save man. Human wisdom cannot save man. Good works, by themselves, cannot save man.

    Ephesians 2:8–9:

    “For by grace are ye saved through faith… Not of works…”

    Salvation is found in Jesus Christ.

    Acts 4:12:

    “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

    The God whom humanity could not physically see came near to humanity in Jesus Christ—and Jesus saves.

    THE REASON GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF IN THE FLESH

    1. SO THAT WE COULD SEE HIM

    God became visible through Jesus Christ.

    John 14:9:

    “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father…”

    Jesus is the revelation of the invisible God.

    Colossians 2:9:

    “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

    2. SO THAT WE COULD TOUCH HIM AND KNOW HIM

    John testified that Jesus was physically real.

    1 John 1:1:

    “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes… and our hands have handled…”

    The apostles did not proclaim an imaginary person. They witnessed, heard and physically encountered Jesus Christ.

    3. SO THAT WE COULD FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM

    Jesus did not merely appear to humanity from a distance. He lived among people.

    1 John 1:3:

    “…that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us…”»l

    Jesus also fellowshiped with His disciples.

    Matthew 26:30:

    “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”

    He ate with them, walked with them, taught them and fellowshipped with them.

    4. TO REVEAL THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH THE FLESH

    Jesus demonstrated God's power through miracles, healing, deliverance and authority.

    John 2:11:

    “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory…”

    Acts 2:22:

    “Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs…”

    His works revealed what was behind the humanity—the divine nature and power of God.

    5. TO EXPERIENCE HUMANITY AND IDENTIFY WITH US

    Jesus experienced hunger, thirst, weariness, sorrow, rejection and temptation, yet without sin.

    Hebrews 4:15:

    “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities…”

    Hebrews 2:17:

    “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren…”

    He understands what humanity experiences.

    6. TO SHED HIS BLOOD FOR OUR SALVATION

    The ultimate reason for His manifestation was redemption.

    Matthew 26:28:

    “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

    1 Peter 1:18–19:

    “…ye were not redeemed with corruptible things… But with the precious blood of Christ…”

    Jesus came to die for the sins of humanity and rise again.

    1 Corinthians 15:3–4:

    “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day…”

    YOU CANNOT GET GOD CHEAPLY

    Gold does not usually lie openly on the surface. It must be sought, discovered and refined.

    In the same way, we must look beyond the outward appearance of Jesus to understand who He truly is.

    Jeremiah 29:13:

    “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

    Behind the soil, there may be gold.

    Behind the humanity of Jesus, there is the revelation of God.

    Jesus appeared as a man, but He was more than merely a man.

    John 10:30:

    “I and my Father are one.”

    John 20:28:

    “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”

    The Messiah was hidden behind the humanity of Jesus until He was revealed to those who believed.

    ANY SPIRIT THAT DENIES JESUS CAME IN THE FLESH

    The Bible gives a serious warning concerning any teaching that denies the incarnation.

    1 John 4:2–3:

    “Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God…”

    Jesus truly came in the flesh.

    He was not merely a spiritual appearance. He was genuinely human while being divine.

    WHY ACTS 18:28 IS IMPORTANT

    Acts 18:28:

    “For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”

    Apollos and the early Christian preachers had to convince the Jews from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah.

    Many Jews expected the Messiah to establish an earthly political kingdom and deliver them from their enemies. They struggled to understand the manner in which the Messiah would first come.

    Jesus did not come first as an earthly political ruler. He came as the suffering Servant who would deal with the deeper problem of humanity sin.

    Isaiah 53:5:

    “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…”

    His kingdom is ultimately spiritual and eternal.

    John 18:36:

    “My kingdom is not of this world…”

    Luke 1:32–33:

    “…the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever…”

    Therefore, Jesus did not fit the people's expectation of what the Messiah should look like, but the Scriptures testified concerning Him.

    PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: WHY PEOPLE STILL REJECT JESUS

    Even today, many people reject Jesus because they do not understand what is behind the Gospel.

    Some see religious hypocrisy, fanaticism, scandals, poor leadership or people who claim Christianity but do not demonstrate Christ-like character.

    But the failure of people does not invalidate Jesus.

    We must distinguish between Jesus Christ and the imperfections of people who claim to represent Him.

    Hebrews 12:2:

    “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”

    Our faith must ultimately be placed in Christ, not in imperfect human beings.

    Some people look to God for survival, prosperity, longevity or protection but do not truly know Him.

    They may place their hope in religious traditions, human philosophies or personal beliefs while rejecting God's saving grace.

    But the Gospel points us back to Jesus.

    THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GOD

    Jesus made this clear:

    John 14:6:

    “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

    Peter also declared:

    Acts 4:12:

    “Neither is there salvation in any other…”

    Jesus did not merely claim to know the way. He declared Himself to be the Way.

    His resurrection became one of the greatest proofs of His identity.

    Romans 1:4:

    “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

    The Christian faith is therefore not founded merely on human philosophy but on the person, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    CONCLUSION: WHO IS BEHIND JESUS?

    Behind the humanity of Jesus is the divine revelation of God.

    Jesus is the Word who became flesh.

    John 1:1–3:

    “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him…”

    And then:

    John 1:14:

    “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

    Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

    Colossians 1:15:

    “Who is the image of the invisible God…”

    The fullness of God dwells in Him.

    Colossians 2:9:

    “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

    He existed before Abraham.

    John 8:58:

    “Before Abraham was, I am.”

    He is one with the Father.

    John 10:30:

    “I and my Father are one.”

    Thomas called Him God.

    John 20:28:

    “My Lord and my God.”

    And the Father Himself speaks concerning the Son:

    Hebrews 1:8:

    “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever…”

    Therefore, when we look at Jesus, we must look beyond the physical appearance of the man and understand the divine truth revealed through Him.

    Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh.
    Jesus Christ is the revelation of God.
    Jesus Christ is the Messiah.
    Jesus Christ is the Saviour.
    Jesus Christ is the Way to the Father.
    And in Him is eternal life.

    FINAL CHALLENGE

    Do not stop at what you see on the surface.

    Look behind Jesus.

    Look beyond His humanity and discover His divine identity through the Scriptures.

    John 20:31:

    “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

    The goal is not merely to know about Jesus. The goal is to know Jesus, believe in Him, and receive the salvation and eternal life that are found in Him.
    BEHIND JESUS TEXT: Acts 18:28 SUPPORTING TEXTS: John 1:1–14; John 4:8, 24; Philippians 3:3 OBJECTIVES At the end of this teaching, participants should be able to: 1. Understand that God is Spirit and that He has revealed Himself to humanity through Jesus Christ. 2. Recognize the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ, and understand why God manifested Himself in the flesh. 3. Explain why Jesus is the only way to salvation and why human religion, morality, or religious tradition cannot save man. 4. Defend the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and God manifested in the flesh, using Scripture. INTRODUCTION Acts 18:28 (KJV): “For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” The subject of Jesus Christ goes beyond what can be seen physically. To understand Jesus, we must look behind Jesus—behind His humanity, His earthly appearance, His birth, His ministry, His death and resurrection—to discover who He truly is. The Bible teaches that God is Spirit: John 4:24 (KJV): “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” God is also love: 1 John 4:8: “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” Love cannot be seen with the physical eyes, and the Spirit cannot be seen with the physical eyes. Yet both are real. QUESTION Have you ever physically seen love? Have you ever physically seen a spirit? Although you cannot see love itself, you can see the manifestation of love through actions. Likewise, God, who is Spirit, made Himself known to humanity through Jesus Christ. John 1:14 (KJV): “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” Jesus is therefore the visible manifestation of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” 1. GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF THROUGH MAN God revealed Himself through the human life of Jesus Christ so that humanity could know, believe, and receive Him. John 1:14: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” Jesus did not merely come to teach people about God. He came as God manifested in the flesh. 1 Timothy 3:16: “God was manifest in the flesh…” Jesus showed mankind what God is like through His character, words, works, compassion, holiness, power and love. 2. THE BREATH OF MAN IS LIMITED Man's physical life is temporary. The breath of man is dependent upon God. Isaiah 2:22: “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” James 4:14: “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Man's life is limited, but God's life is eternal. 3. THE LIFE OF GOD IS ETERNAL God does not depend upon another source for His existence. He is the eternal God. John 1:4: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 11:25: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life…” 1 John 5:11: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” The eternal life of God is revealed to humanity through Jesus Christ. 4. THE CHARACTER OF MAN IS CORRUPTED BY SIN Humanity, because of sin, cannot become its own saviour. Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Man therefore needs salvation from outside himself. 5. THE CHARACTER OF GOD IS GOOD God is holy, righteous, loving and good. Psalm 100:5: “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 145:9: “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” Jesus demonstrated the goodness and character of God among humanity. Acts 10:38: “…who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” 6. MAN CANNOT SAVE HIMSELF — JESUS SAVES Religion cannot save man. Human wisdom cannot save man. Good works, by themselves, cannot save man. Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith… Not of works…” Salvation is found in Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The God whom humanity could not physically see came near to humanity in Jesus Christ—and Jesus saves. THE REASON GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF IN THE FLESH 1. SO THAT WE COULD SEE HIM God became visible through Jesus Christ. John 14:9: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father…” Jesus is the revelation of the invisible God. Colossians 2:9: “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” 2. SO THAT WE COULD TOUCH HIM AND KNOW HIM John testified that Jesus was physically real. 1 John 1:1: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes… and our hands have handled…” The apostles did not proclaim an imaginary person. They witnessed, heard and physically encountered Jesus Christ. 3. SO THAT WE COULD FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM Jesus did not merely appear to humanity from a distance. He lived among people. 1 John 1:3: “…that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us…”»l Jesus also fellowshiped with His disciples. Matthew 26:30: “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” He ate with them, walked with them, taught them and fellowshipped with them. 4. TO REVEAL THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH THE FLESH Jesus demonstrated God's power through miracles, healing, deliverance and authority. John 2:11: “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory…” Acts 2:22: “Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs…” His works revealed what was behind the humanity—the divine nature and power of God. 5. TO EXPERIENCE HUMANITY AND IDENTIFY WITH US Jesus experienced hunger, thirst, weariness, sorrow, rejection and temptation, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities…” Hebrews 2:17: “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren…” He understands what humanity experiences. 6. TO SHED HIS BLOOD FOR OUR SALVATION The ultimate reason for His manifestation was redemption. Matthew 26:28: “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” 1 Peter 1:18–19: “…ye were not redeemed with corruptible things… But with the precious blood of Christ…” Jesus came to die for the sins of humanity and rise again. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4: “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day…” YOU CANNOT GET GOD CHEAPLY Gold does not usually lie openly on the surface. It must be sought, discovered and refined. In the same way, we must look beyond the outward appearance of Jesus to understand who He truly is. Jeremiah 29:13: “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Behind the soil, there may be gold. Behind the humanity of Jesus, there is the revelation of God. Jesus appeared as a man, but He was more than merely a man. John 10:30: “I and my Father are one.” John 20:28: “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.” The Messiah was hidden behind the humanity of Jesus until He was revealed to those who believed. ANY SPIRIT THAT DENIES JESUS CAME IN THE FLESH The Bible gives a serious warning concerning any teaching that denies the incarnation. 1 John 4:2–3: “Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God…” Jesus truly came in the flesh. He was not merely a spiritual appearance. He was genuinely human while being divine. WHY ACTS 18:28 IS IMPORTANT Acts 18:28: “For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” Apollos and the early Christian preachers had to convince the Jews from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah. Many Jews expected the Messiah to establish an earthly political kingdom and deliver them from their enemies. They struggled to understand the manner in which the Messiah would first come. Jesus did not come first as an earthly political ruler. He came as the suffering Servant who would deal with the deeper problem of humanity sin. Isaiah 53:5: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…” His kingdom is ultimately spiritual and eternal. John 18:36: “My kingdom is not of this world…” Luke 1:32–33: “…the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever…” Therefore, Jesus did not fit the people's expectation of what the Messiah should look like, but the Scriptures testified concerning Him. PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: WHY PEOPLE STILL REJECT JESUS Even today, many people reject Jesus because they do not understand what is behind the Gospel. Some see religious hypocrisy, fanaticism, scandals, poor leadership or people who claim Christianity but do not demonstrate Christ-like character. But the failure of people does not invalidate Jesus. We must distinguish between Jesus Christ and the imperfections of people who claim to represent Him. Hebrews 12:2: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” Our faith must ultimately be placed in Christ, not in imperfect human beings. Some people look to God for survival, prosperity, longevity or protection but do not truly know Him. They may place their hope in religious traditions, human philosophies or personal beliefs while rejecting God's saving grace. But the Gospel points us back to Jesus. THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GOD Jesus made this clear: John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Peter also declared: Acts 4:12: “Neither is there salvation in any other…” Jesus did not merely claim to know the way. He declared Himself to be the Way. His resurrection became one of the greatest proofs of His identity. Romans 1:4: “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” The Christian faith is therefore not founded merely on human philosophy but on the person, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. CONCLUSION: WHO IS BEHIND JESUS? Behind the humanity of Jesus is the divine revelation of God. Jesus is the Word who became flesh. John 1:1–3: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him…” And then: John 1:14: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15: “Who is the image of the invisible God…” The fullness of God dwells in Him. Colossians 2:9: “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” He existed before Abraham. John 8:58: “Before Abraham was, I am.” He is one with the Father. John 10:30: “I and my Father are one.” Thomas called Him God. John 20:28: “My Lord and my God.” And the Father Himself speaks concerning the Son: Hebrews 1:8: “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever…” Therefore, when we look at Jesus, we must look beyond the physical appearance of the man and understand the divine truth revealed through Him. Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh. Jesus Christ is the revelation of God. Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Jesus Christ is the Saviour. Jesus Christ is the Way to the Father. And in Him is eternal life. FINAL CHALLENGE Do not stop at what you see on the surface. Look behind Jesus. Look beyond His humanity and discover His divine identity through the Scriptures. John 20:31: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” The goal is not merely to know about Jesus. The goal is to know Jesus, believe in Him, and receive the salvation and eternal life that are found in Him.
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  • "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

    This verse is a beautiful picture of God's blessing, favor, protection, and abundance. In biblical times, anointing someone's head with oil was a sign of honor, refreshment, and hospitality. David uses this imagery to show how God cares for and blesses His people even in difficult circumstances.
    "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." This verse is a beautiful picture of God's blessing, favor, protection, and abundance. In biblical times, anointing someone's head with oil was a sign of honor, refreshment, and hospitality. David uses this imagery to show how God cares for and blesses His people even in difficult circumstances.
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  • HEALING,& DELIVERANCE, PRAYER! JST BELIEVE AND TYPE AMEN & SEE GLORY OF GOD NOW!

    Praise God...

    Uganda+Nations all. I thx God that l received fresh grace of being a faithful servant &a true witness of Jesus appointed by Jesus/ son to testify to what I have seen him. in the visions l saw of this last age. Acts 26:16, Joel 2:28-31, heb1:1-2.

    Noticing living ones in this last age Abt the visions, l saw with their divine warning,& revelation. So that they prepare & live pure through faith in Christ Jesus. Eg Red7 vision in the sky Green 7 vision on the wall & skeleton vision l saw after they vanished.Acts 26:16, Acts1:8.

    Let's pray!

    Whoever is willing to have healing, deliverance, forgiveness now, type AMEN , to this prayer & see God's power working now in thy life.

    Remember to give testimony after seeing the miracle done in thy life.
    PRAYER FOR HEALING, AND DELIVERANCE:

    "Father, l come in the blood of Jesus Red7 vision, the blood that presents me clean now & daily before thy throne. Heb10:22, col1:22, with no condemnation. Rom8:1.

    I stand on Heb12:24, to Jesus the mediator of the covenant.

    And to the sprinkled blood of Jesus that speaks a BETTER word, than the blood of Abel. Let that blood speak forgiveness, Healing, Deliverance, protection & victory over lives of all those who've come in faith in thy name. Right now.

    Your word says in isa53:5, " By His stripes we are healed."

    Luke 10:19, "l have given you authority over all the power of the enemy."

    Mark16:17, "in my Name they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover."

    And John 14:13-14, "whatever you ask in my name, this l will do."

    Lord, l speak to every sick body now, to have healing now& be made whole from crown of its head to the soles of its feet. Body be healed now, Mind be renewed. Rom 12:2, spirit be set free now. John 8:36,

    Every sickness & disease, tormenting thy life or body , now, l command it now in Jesus name to leave now. And be set free. Now. "For a prayer of faith will save the one who is sick it's written." James5:15.

    Holy Spirit, Green 7, fill every broken place with life. Rom 8:11, Jesus, you are the Healer . Touch now, manifest your power. & Thy name & father be glorified now amongst all who believe now& receive miracle by typing Amen. Let every blind see now, deaf hear now, & crippled stand up now & Walk in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

    Lord , l thank you to whoever receives a miracle, in Jesus name.

    And, l come against every evil spirit in you. l bind it & l command it that unclean spirit, spirit of fear, infirmity, torment, oppression, to come out of you now & Go in Jesus name. You have no right here. The blood of Jesus , Red7, vision has washed them. That body is the temple of the holy spirit. Green 7 vision. 1cor6:19.

    For, mark16:17, " in my name they will cast out demons."

    And Acts16:18, Paul said, " l command you in the name of Jesus to come out of her!"

    Holy Spirit, Green 7 vision, fill every empty place now. Flood with your peace and power. Jesus, set free and make them whole. In Jesus name AMEN

    Key moments:

    If you've seen miracle, remember to obey. John 5:14, "sin no more , that nothing worse may happen."

    Follow up: keep believing, some miracles are instant. Some grows/ progressive. mark8:24-25
    HEALING,& DELIVERANCE, PRAYER! JST BELIEVE AND TYPE AMEN & SEE GLORY OF GOD NOW! Praise God... Uganda+Nations all. I thx God that l received fresh grace of being a faithful servant &a true witness of Jesus appointed by Jesus/ son to testify to what I have seen him. in the visions l saw of this last age. Acts 26:16, Joel 2:28-31, heb1:1-2. Noticing living ones in this last age Abt the visions, l saw with their divine warning,& revelation. So that they prepare & live pure through faith in Christ Jesus. Eg Red7 vision in the sky Green 7 vision on the wall & skeleton vision l saw after they vanished.Acts 26:16, Acts1:8. Let's pray! Whoever is willing to have healing, deliverance, forgiveness now, type AMEN 🙏 , to this prayer & see God's power working now in thy life. Remember to give testimony after seeing the miracle done in thy life. PRAYER FOR HEALING, AND DELIVERANCE: "Father, l come in the blood of Jesus Red7 vision, the blood that presents me clean now & daily before thy throne. Heb10:22, col1:22, with no condemnation. Rom8:1. I stand on Heb12:24, to Jesus the mediator of the covenant. And to the sprinkled blood of Jesus that speaks a BETTER word, than the blood of Abel. Let that blood speak forgiveness, Healing, Deliverance, protection & victory over lives of all those who've come in faith in thy name. Right now. Your word says in isa53:5, " By His stripes we are healed." Luke 10:19, "l have given you authority over all the power of the enemy." Mark16:17, "in my Name they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover." And John 14:13-14, "whatever you ask in my name, this l will do." Lord, l speak to every sick body now, to have healing now& be made whole from crown of its head to the soles of its feet. Body be healed now, Mind be renewed. Rom 12:2, spirit be set free now. John 8:36, Every sickness & disease, tormenting thy life or body , now, l command it now in Jesus name to leave now. And be set free. Now. "For a prayer of faith will save the one who is sick it's written." James5:15. Holy Spirit, Green 7, fill every broken place with life. Rom 8:11, Jesus, you are the Healer . Touch now, manifest your power. & Thy name & father be glorified now amongst all who believe now& receive miracle by typing Amen. Let every blind see now, deaf hear now, & crippled stand up now & Walk in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Lord , l thank you to whoever receives a miracle, in Jesus name. And, l come against every evil spirit in you. l bind it & l command it that unclean spirit, spirit of fear, infirmity, torment, oppression, to come out of you now & Go in Jesus name. You have no right here. The blood of Jesus , Red7, vision has washed them. That body is the temple of the holy spirit. Green 7 vision. 1cor6:19. For, mark16:17, " in my name they will cast out demons." And Acts16:18, Paul said, " l command you in the name of Jesus to come out of her!" Holy Spirit, Green 7 vision, fill every empty place now. Flood with your peace and power. Jesus, set free and make them whole. In Jesus name AMEN 🙏 Key moments: If you've seen miracle, remember to obey. John 5:14, "sin no more , that nothing worse may happen." Follow up: keep believing, some miracles are instant. Some grows/ progressive. mark8:24-25
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  • OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

    DATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH 2026.

    TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II

    MEMORISE
    Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: - (Deuteronomy 7:12)

    BIBLE READING: GENESIS 20:1-18 (KJV)

    1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

    2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

    3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.

    4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?

    5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.

    6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

    7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.

    8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

    9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.

    10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?

    11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

    12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

    13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.

    14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

    15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

    16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.

    17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

    18 For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

    MESSAGE

    Years ago, a highly influential man in an Islamic nation, where church planting was prohibited, invited one of our missionaries to establish a church within his compound. When the church started, his wife said to him, "With your position in government and your influence in this nation, you allowed a church be established in your compound?" He looked at his wife and said, "Don't you dare say a word against these people!" I believe that it was easy for the RCCG to plant a church in that nation, and indeed many nations in the world today, because of God's covenant with its founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi.

    One of the gains of being in a covenant with God is that you will keep getting greater results than your peers as long as you keep fulfilling your part of the covenant. God will keep giving you results that are beyond your efforts. What other people struggle to get will come to you easily because of His covenant with you.

    In Exodus 19:5, God said, "If you will keep my covenant, I will make you a peculiar treasure." This means that people will take a look at you and wonder why God loves you so much. Several times, when I wake up at night and reflect on all the good things God is doing in RCCG, I usually say, "Lord, how can you love us this much?" Some people might claim that it is because we fast and pray, but believe me, some people fast more than we do. I recall vividly that when I became the General Overseer, I had some of my friends join me in a 36-hour non-stop prayer session. We thought this was a remarkable feat until we heard of a man who prayed non-stop for so much longer! I may not have spent as many hours in prayer at a stretch as that person, yet what God has done for RCCG is unprecedented and truly remarkable. Indeed, there are immense gains in being in a covenant with the Almighty God.

    Another gain of being in a covenant with God is protection. When a king took Abraham's wife, God intervened by appearing in the king's dream. He went the extra mile to protect her and instructed the king to ask Abraham to pray for him, as we see in today's Bible reading. Beloved, there are immeasurable blessings that flow from being in covenant with God.

    KEY POINT
    Being in a covenant with God gives you access to tremendous benefits and makes difficult things easy.

    AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

    BIBLE IN ONE YEAR JEREMIAH 44 - 46

    HYMN 19 - ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME

    1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee! Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

    2. Not the labours of my hands, can fulfill thy law's demands could zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone, thou must save and thou alone.

    3. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling naked, come to thee for dress, helpless, look to thee fir grace foul to the fountain fly wash me saviour or I die.

    4. While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyelids close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.



    PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS

    DATE: MONDAY AUGUST 17TH 2026

    *THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II

    ‎PRAYER POINTS

    1.Father, thank You for Your covenant to build Your church and never to allow the gate of hell to prevail over it.

    2.Father, thank You for the spread of the gospel across the nations of the earth. Thank You for raising men and women to bare the light of the gospel even to the inter lands.

    3.Father, thank You for divinely positioning men and women to favour the advancement of Your gospel across the world.

    4.Father, please help me never to go out Your covenant for my life. Help me to keep fulfilling my part of the covenant so I can keep enjoying greater results than my peers, in Jesus' name.

    5.Father, please keep me in Your covenant, and grant me results that are beyond my efforts. Make easy for me what other people struggle to get, in Jesus' name.

    6.Father, please help me to keep Your covenant, and make me a wonder to nations, in Jesus' name.

    7.Father, please show me Your mercy and let it continue to speak for me such that I will constantly enjoy unprecedented and truly remarkable blessings of Your covenant, in Jesus' name.

    8.Father, please keep me in Your covenant and let me and my household enjoy divine protection everywhere we go, in Jesus' name.

    9.Father, please help me to hearken to Your judgements, to keep and to do them, so I can abide in Your covenant and enjoy Your mercies, in Jesus' name.

    10.Father, please establish me and my household in Your covenant so we can have access to Your immeasurable blessings and benefits, in Jesus' name.

    11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.

    Help him to continue to enjoy the gains of Your covenant with him, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name

    ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name.

    ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name.

    ‎14.Your personal petitions.
    ‎(Philippians 4:6)

    ‎15.In Jesus name I pray.
    ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16)
    ‎#GodBlessOThese

    prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you.
    OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH 2026. TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II MEMORISE Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: - (Deuteronomy 7:12) BIBLE READING: GENESIS 20:1-18 (KJV) 1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. 4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? 5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. 6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. 7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. 8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. 10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? 11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake. 12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother. 14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. 15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. 16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved. 17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. 18 For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife. MESSAGE Years ago, a highly influential man in an Islamic nation, where church planting was prohibited, invited one of our missionaries to establish a church within his compound. When the church started, his wife said to him, "With your position in government and your influence in this nation, you allowed a church be established in your compound?" He looked at his wife and said, "Don't you dare say a word against these people!" I believe that it was easy for the RCCG to plant a church in that nation, and indeed many nations in the world today, because of God's covenant with its founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi. One of the gains of being in a covenant with God is that you will keep getting greater results than your peers as long as you keep fulfilling your part of the covenant. God will keep giving you results that are beyond your efforts. What other people struggle to get will come to you easily because of His covenant with you. In Exodus 19:5, God said, "If you will keep my covenant, I will make you a peculiar treasure." This means that people will take a look at you and wonder why God loves you so much. Several times, when I wake up at night and reflect on all the good things God is doing in RCCG, I usually say, "Lord, how can you love us this much?" Some people might claim that it is because we fast and pray, but believe me, some people fast more than we do. I recall vividly that when I became the General Overseer, I had some of my friends join me in a 36-hour non-stop prayer session. We thought this was a remarkable feat until we heard of a man who prayed non-stop for so much longer! I may not have spent as many hours in prayer at a stretch as that person, yet what God has done for RCCG is unprecedented and truly remarkable. Indeed, there are immense gains in being in a covenant with the Almighty God. Another gain of being in a covenant with God is protection. When a king took Abraham's wife, God intervened by appearing in the king's dream. He went the extra mile to protect her and instructed the king to ask Abraham to pray for him, as we see in today's Bible reading. Beloved, there are immeasurable blessings that flow from being in covenant with God. KEY POINT Being in a covenant with God gives you access to tremendous benefits and makes difficult things easy. AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR JEREMIAH 44 - 46 HYMN 19 - ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME 1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee! Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Cleanse me from its guilt and power. 2. Not the labours of my hands, can fulfill thy law's demands could zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone, thou must save and thou alone. 3. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling naked, come to thee for dress, helpless, look to thee fir grace foul to the fountain fly wash me saviour or I die. 4. While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyelids close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee. PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DATE: MONDAY AUGUST 17TH 2026 *THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II ‎PRAYER POINTS 1.Father, thank You for Your covenant to build Your church and never to allow the gate of hell to prevail over it. 2.Father, thank You for the spread of the gospel across the nations of the earth. Thank You for raising men and women to bare the light of the gospel even to the inter lands. 3.Father, thank You for divinely positioning men and women to favour the advancement of Your gospel across the world. 4.Father, please help me never to go out Your covenant for my life. Help me to keep fulfilling my part of the covenant so I can keep enjoying greater results than my peers, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please keep me in Your covenant, and grant me results that are beyond my efforts. Make easy for me what other people struggle to get, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to keep Your covenant, and make me a wonder to nations, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please show me Your mercy and let it continue to speak for me such that I will constantly enjoy unprecedented and truly remarkable blessings of Your covenant, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please keep me in Your covenant and let me and my household enjoy divine protection everywhere we go, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me to hearken to Your judgements, to keep and to do them, so I can abide in Your covenant and enjoy Your mercies, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please establish me and my household in Your covenant so we can have access to Your immeasurable blessings and benefits, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to continue to enjoy the gains of Your covenant with him, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎#GodBlessOThese prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you.
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  • FOOLISH JEWS
    The Jews are foolishly being deceived by themselves and the Devil to run with the old agreement or old covenant patterns that have been fulfilled in the personality of the Messiah that came and they failed to realize it which was why they were dispersed and trampled upon all over the world(Luke 21:20 - 24,20:16,17,18,19,Mark 13:2)
    God's ultimate plan is for the universal church on earth to have a unified worship in Israel but the reality is that the Jews are still foolish fools who read the scriptures without understanding which was why God called them DENSE(Matthew 23) for they have eyes to see but do not see and have ears to hear but do not hear. They are blind guards. The Holy Scriptures in Isaiah 55:5 says,"You shall call a nation you do not know and nations who do not know you shall run to you because of the LORD your YHWH for HE has glorified you(God coming as human in flesh to bestow all what it takes) and verse 3/4 says," Incline your ears and come to ME(Leaving the old covenant and modernizing and upgrading).Hear, and your soul shall live; and I (YHWH) will make an everlasting covenant (New Covenant that is only on Christ the Messiah alone and no other) the sure mercies of David (Matthew 2:1-6, check chapter 1 on genealogy) with you which is the sure mercies of David(which is the plan from of old because even David could not keep the laws but walked in fleshly lusts and sin).I Indeed I(YHWH) have given HIM (CHRIST or Yahshua)as a witness to the people.A leader and commander for the people". The truth was that Christ prophesied about the dispersions, pulling down of Jerusalem and coming back plus the failures and the successes if the truth is realized that God cannot go back to the old method to give the Jews power and protection but only gathering and taking care of the universal church rather than Rome,the Idolatrous. Yahshuanisim is the only survival for the Jews as most of the talks of Jesus Christ are prophecies of that time and present but they thought that HE was raving mad but part of those words have come to pass. The curses declared by the Master are prophecies and every word HE uttered were fullfiled. Some thought that HIS curses,for example to that woman HE called a dog shouldn't be, but that woman knew so to be true, for she was truly a dog(metaphorically and spiritually Matt 15:25,27).
    Jews think that the way they want and go is the way God wanted them to go without realizing that they should have been the Body that gathers all diverse believers of non denominational believers for the Time for all in Christ the Messiah which was why a space was provided in the old pattern or old covenant temple for gentiles and when Jews realize this then that's when a new wave of universal outbreak in Yahshanism will expand. Jerusalem or Israel should be a kingdom like America but unlike it in impurity meant to gather Yahshuans (believers in the Messiah Yah is My Ishua(Yahshua, Immanuel, Jesus Christ, Yeshua or whatever the name of the Son of Man is called) from all over the world together, which is the Rome of our Time or of the current time.
    FOOLISH JEWS The Jews are foolishly being deceived by themselves and the Devil to run with the old agreement or old covenant patterns that have been fulfilled in the personality of the Messiah that came and they failed to realize it which was why they were dispersed and trampled upon all over the world(Luke 21:20 - 24,20:16,17,18,19,Mark 13:2) God's ultimate plan is for the universal church on earth to have a unified worship in Israel but the reality is that the Jews are still foolish fools who read the scriptures without understanding which was why God called them DENSE(Matthew 23) for they have eyes to see but do not see and have ears to hear but do not hear. They are blind guards. The Holy Scriptures in Isaiah 55:5 says,"You shall call a nation you do not know and nations who do not know you shall run to you because of the LORD your YHWH for HE has glorified you(God coming as human in flesh to bestow all what it takes) and verse 3/4 says," Incline your ears and come to ME(Leaving the old covenant and modernizing and upgrading).Hear, and your soul shall live; and I (YHWH) will make an everlasting covenant (New Covenant that is only on Christ the Messiah alone and no other) the sure mercies of David (Matthew 2:1-6, check chapter 1 on genealogy) with you which is the sure mercies of David(which is the plan from of old because even David could not keep the laws but walked in fleshly lusts and sin).I Indeed I(YHWH) have given HIM (CHRIST or Yahshua)as a witness to the people.A leader and commander for the people". The truth was that Christ prophesied about the dispersions, pulling down of Jerusalem and coming back plus the failures and the successes if the truth is realized that God cannot go back to the old method to give the Jews power and protection but only gathering and taking care of the universal church rather than Rome,the Idolatrous. Yahshuanisim is the only survival for the Jews as most of the talks of Jesus Christ are prophecies of that time and present but they thought that HE was raving mad but part of those words have come to pass. The curses declared by the Master are prophecies and every word HE uttered were fullfiled. Some thought that HIS curses,for example to that woman HE called a dog shouldn't be, but that woman knew so to be true, for she was truly a dog(metaphorically and spiritually Matt 15:25,27). Jews think that the way they want and go is the way God wanted them to go without realizing that they should have been the Body that gathers all diverse believers of non denominational believers for the Time for all in Christ the Messiah which was why a space was provided in the old pattern or old covenant temple for gentiles and when Jews realize this then that's when a new wave of universal outbreak in Yahshanism will expand. Jerusalem or Israel should be a kingdom like America but unlike it in impurity meant to gather Yahshuans (believers in the Messiah Yah is My Ishua(Yahshua, Immanuel, Jesus Christ, Yeshua or whatever the name of the Son of Man is called) from all over the world together, which is the Rome of our Time or of the current time.
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  • TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS.

    SERMON TOPIC:

    5 THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN MAN SHOULD NEVER COMPROMISE.

    A Christian man is not measured by how loud he speaks, how successful he becomes, how much money he makes, or how many people respect him.

    A Christian man is measured by what he refuses to compromise when nobody is watching.
    We live in a generation where compromise is often called wisdom, holiness is called extremism, and standing for truth is considered foolishness.
    But there are moments when a man must say:
    “I may lose the opportunity, but I will not lose my integrity.
    I may lose the money, but I will not lose my testimony.
    I may stand alone, but I will not deny my God.”
    Joseph was tempted, but he refused.
    Daniel was pressured, but he refused.
    Job was tested, but he held on.
    The question today is not, “What are you willing to gain?”
    The question is:
    “What are you unwilling to lose?”

    KEY TEXT

    Proverbs 4:23 — “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
    Your heart is the control center of your life. When the heart is compromised, character eventually follows. When character falls, destiny can be damaged.
    1. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
    Matthew 6:33 — “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…”
    God must remain first.
    Not your career.
    Not your business.
    Not your relationship.
    Not your political connection.
    Not money.
    Not popularity.
    A Christian man who puts everything before God may gain the world but lose his spiritual direction.

    Biblical Example: Daniel

    Daniel was surrounded by a culture that wanted to reshape his identity.
    Yet Daniel 1:8 says:
    “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…”
    Notice the phrase: “purposed in his heart.”
    Daniel decided before the pressure came.
    That is wisdom.
    Don't wait until temptation comes before deciding what you believe.

    Spiritual Insight
    Private convictions produce public strength.
    If your relationship with God is strong in private, you will have the courage to stand for Him in public.

    Practical Action Steps

    - Maintain a consistent prayer life.
    - Study God's Word daily.
    - Attend fellowship.
    - Make decisions according to biblical principles.
    - Never allow success to replace your devotion to God.
    2. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR INTEGRITY
    Proverbs 10:9 — “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely…”
    Integrity means who you are when nobody is watching.
    A man may deceive people, but he cannot deceive God.
    Don't lie because the truth may cost you.
    Don't steal because others are doing it.
    Don't manipulate people because you have power.
    Don't falsify documents because you want quick success.
    Don't betray someone's trust for personal gain.

    Biblical Example: Joseph

    Joseph was in Egypt when Potiphar's wife tempted him.
    Nobody from his family was there.
    Nobody from his community was watching.
    Joseph could have said, “Nobody will know.”
    Instead, he said:
    “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” — Genesis 39:9
    Joseph understood something powerful:
    Sin is not primarily about who is watching you. It is about who you belong to.

    Spiritual Insight
    Your character is building your future even when nobody applauds you.
    Never sacrifice a permanent testimony for a temporary pleasure.
    3. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR PURITY
    1 Thessalonians 4:3 — “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…”
    Sexual temptation is one of the areas where many men have destroyed marriages, ministries, businesses, reputations and destinies.
    A Christian man must understand that not every attractive opportunity is a divine opportunity.
    You need boundaries.
    You need discipline.
    You need accountability.
    You need the fear of God.

    Joseph's Example
    Joseph didn't negotiate with temptation.
    He didn't say:
    "Let me think about it."
    He ran.
    Genesis 39:12: “And he left his garment in her hand, and fled…”
    Sometimes the most spiritual thing a man can do is run away.
    Run from compromising relationships.
    Run from pornography.
    Run from secret affairs.
    Run from conversations that weaken your convictions.
    Run from environments designed to destroy your purity.

    Spiritual Insight
    You cannot repeatedly feed your flesh and expect your spirit to remain strong.
    What you watch affects what you desire.
    What you desire influences what you pursue.
    What you pursue eventually shapes your character.
    4. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
    A Christian man must learn to take responsibility.
    1 Timothy 5:8 says:
    «“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith…”»
    Biblical manhood is not about domination.
    It is about responsibility, sacrifice, protection, leadership and service.
    A Christian man should not run away from responsibility.
    Be responsible with:
    - Your family
    - Your finances
    - Your words
    - Your spiritual life
    - Your work
    - Your commitments
    - Your children
    - Your calling

    Biblical Example:

    Joshua
    Joshua declared:
    “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15
    Joshua didn't say, “As for me, whatever my family decides.”
    He took spiritual responsibility.

    Spiritual Insight
    Leadership begins with responsibility before it becomes authority.
    Don't demand to be respected as a leader while refusing to carry responsibility.
    5. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR FAITH IN TIMES OF PRESSURE
    Anybody can praise God when everything is working.
    But what happens when the prayer has not yet been answered?
    What happens when business is struggling?
    What happens when people misunderstand you?
    What happens when your friends abandon you?
    What happens when obedience becomes expensive?
    That is when genuine faith is revealed.
    Job 13:15:
    “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…”
    Job lost much, but he refused to lose his faith.

    Biblical Example:

    The Three Hebrew Men
    Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were commanded to bow before Nebuchadnezzar's image.
    They refused.
    Daniel 3:17–18 shows their confidence:
    «“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… But if not… we will not serve thy gods.”»
    That is powerful faith.
    They were essentially saying:
    “Even if God does not answer the way we expect, we will still remain faithful.”

    Spiritual Insight
    Faith is not proven when God gives you what you want; faith is proven when you continue trusting Him when you don't understand what He is doing.

    REAL-LIFE LESSON

    Imagine a Christian man who receives a lucrative business opportunity.
    The money is excellent.
    But he discovers that the business requires him to falsify records and deceive customers.
    He has two choices:
    Profit with compromise or obedience with integrity.
    The world may tell him:
    "Everybody does it."
    But heaven asks:
    “Will you remain faithful?”
    Sometimes obedience will cost you money.
    Sometimes integrity will cost you opportunities.
    Sometimes holiness will make you unpopular.
    But remember:
    Anything you gain by compromising your relationship with God is too expensive.

    FIVE THINGS TO REMEMBER

    1. Your relationship with God
    Never replace God with success.
    2. Your integrity
    Never exchange character for temporary gain.
    3. Your purity
    Never sacrifice holiness for temporary pleasure.
    4. Your responsibility
    Never run away from what God has entrusted to you.
    5. Your faith
    Never abandon God because the journey becomes difficult.

    PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS

    This week:
    1. Examine your heart.
    Ask God to reveal areas of compromise.
    2. Identify your greatest temptation.
    Don't pretend it doesn't exist.
    3. Set boundaries.
    Remove people, places, habits or media that continually pull you away from God.
    4. Strengthen your spiritual life.
    Pray, study Scripture and maintain fellowship.
    5. Find a trustworthy spiritual accountability partner.
    6. Make one difficult decision based on biblical conviction rather than convenience.
    7. Teach the next generation by your example.

    QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

    1. What am I currently tempted to compromise?
    2. Is God truly first in my life?
    3. Who am I when nobody is watching?
    4. Have I allowed money or success to weaken my convictions?
    5. Are there relationships that are pulling me away from God?
    6. Am I taking responsibility for what God has entrusted to me?
    7. Would my private life agree with my public testimony?
    8. If obedience costs me something, will I still obey God?

    POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS

    1.
    Father, give me the grace to remain faithful to You when nobody is watching.
    2.
    Lord, strengthen my character and make me a man of integrity.
    3.
    Every power pushing me toward compromise, be broken in Jesus' name.
    4.
    Father, deliver me from every secret temptation that can destroy my testimony.
    5.
    Give me strength to flee from every appearance of evil.
    6.
    Lord, make me a responsible spiritual leader in my family and generation.
    7.
    When pressure comes, give me the courage to stand for truth.
    8.
    Father, let my private life and public testimony agree.
    9.
    Give me grace to finish my Christian journey faithfully.
    10.
    Lord Jesus, let my life become an altar that brings glory to Your name.

    CALL TO ACTION

    Christian man, the world does not need another man who can simply make money.
    It needs men who can be trusted.
    Men who can pray.
    Men who can stand for truth.
    Men who can keep their word.
    Men who can control their desires.
    Men who can protect their families.
    Men who can say NO when everyone else is saying YES.
    Men who will choose righteousness when compromise appears profitable.
    Men who will choose Christ when the world offers them another throne.
    Remember:
    Joseph refused compromise and preserved his destiny.
    Daniel refused compromise and maintained his influence.
    The three Hebrew men refused compromise and experienced God's presence in the fire.
    Your greatest victory may not be what you acquire.
    Your greatest victory may be what you refuse to surrender.
    So today, make a decision:
    “I will not compromise my God.
    I will not compromise my integrity.
    I will not compromise my purity.
    I will not compromise my responsibility.
    I will not compromise my faith.”

    Because a man who stands with God may stand alone for a moment, but he will never stand without God.
    Stand firm. Stay pure. Walk faithfully. Finish well.
    “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” — Ephesians 6:10
    Amen.

    Try and attend Church service today.
    You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below

    https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1

    https://selar.com/m/umoedem

    https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks

    Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
    TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS. SERMON TOPIC: 5 THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN MAN SHOULD NEVER COMPROMISE. A Christian man is not measured by how loud he speaks, how successful he becomes, how much money he makes, or how many people respect him. A Christian man is measured by what he refuses to compromise when nobody is watching. We live in a generation where compromise is often called wisdom, holiness is called extremism, and standing for truth is considered foolishness. But there are moments when a man must say: “I may lose the opportunity, but I will not lose my integrity. I may lose the money, but I will not lose my testimony. I may stand alone, but I will not deny my God.” Joseph was tempted, but he refused. Daniel was pressured, but he refused. Job was tested, but he held on. The question today is not, “What are you willing to gain?” The question is: “What are you unwilling to lose?” KEY TEXT Proverbs 4:23 — “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Your heart is the control center of your life. When the heart is compromised, character eventually follows. When character falls, destiny can be damaged. 1. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD Matthew 6:33 — “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…” God must remain first. Not your career. Not your business. Not your relationship. Not your political connection. Not money. Not popularity. A Christian man who puts everything before God may gain the world but lose his spiritual direction. Biblical Example: Daniel Daniel was surrounded by a culture that wanted to reshape his identity. Yet Daniel 1:8 says: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” Notice the phrase: “purposed in his heart.” Daniel decided before the pressure came. That is wisdom. Don't wait until temptation comes before deciding what you believe. Spiritual Insight Private convictions produce public strength. If your relationship with God is strong in private, you will have the courage to stand for Him in public. Practical Action Steps - Maintain a consistent prayer life. - Study God's Word daily. - Attend fellowship. - Make decisions according to biblical principles. - Never allow success to replace your devotion to God. 2. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR INTEGRITY Proverbs 10:9 — “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely…” Integrity means who you are when nobody is watching. A man may deceive people, but he cannot deceive God. Don't lie because the truth may cost you. Don't steal because others are doing it. Don't manipulate people because you have power. Don't falsify documents because you want quick success. Don't betray someone's trust for personal gain. Biblical Example: Joseph Joseph was in Egypt when Potiphar's wife tempted him. Nobody from his family was there. Nobody from his community was watching. Joseph could have said, “Nobody will know.” Instead, he said: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” — Genesis 39:9 Joseph understood something powerful: Sin is not primarily about who is watching you. It is about who you belong to. Spiritual Insight Your character is building your future even when nobody applauds you. Never sacrifice a permanent testimony for a temporary pleasure. 3. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR PURITY 1 Thessalonians 4:3 — “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…” Sexual temptation is one of the areas where many men have destroyed marriages, ministries, businesses, reputations and destinies. A Christian man must understand that not every attractive opportunity is a divine opportunity. You need boundaries. You need discipline. You need accountability. You need the fear of God. Joseph's Example Joseph didn't negotiate with temptation. He didn't say: "Let me think about it." He ran. Genesis 39:12: “And he left his garment in her hand, and fled…” Sometimes the most spiritual thing a man can do is run away. Run from compromising relationships. Run from pornography. Run from secret affairs. Run from conversations that weaken your convictions. Run from environments designed to destroy your purity. Spiritual Insight You cannot repeatedly feed your flesh and expect your spirit to remain strong. What you watch affects what you desire. What you desire influences what you pursue. What you pursue eventually shapes your character. 4. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY A Christian man must learn to take responsibility. 1 Timothy 5:8 says: «“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith…”» Biblical manhood is not about domination. It is about responsibility, sacrifice, protection, leadership and service. A Christian man should not run away from responsibility. Be responsible with: - Your family - Your finances - Your words - Your spiritual life - Your work - Your commitments - Your children - Your calling Biblical Example: Joshua Joshua declared: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 Joshua didn't say, “As for me, whatever my family decides.” He took spiritual responsibility. Spiritual Insight Leadership begins with responsibility before it becomes authority. Don't demand to be respected as a leader while refusing to carry responsibility. 5. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR FAITH IN TIMES OF PRESSURE Anybody can praise God when everything is working. But what happens when the prayer has not yet been answered? What happens when business is struggling? What happens when people misunderstand you? What happens when your friends abandon you? What happens when obedience becomes expensive? That is when genuine faith is revealed. Job 13:15: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…” Job lost much, but he refused to lose his faith. Biblical Example: The Three Hebrew Men Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were commanded to bow before Nebuchadnezzar's image. They refused. Daniel 3:17–18 shows their confidence: «“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… But if not… we will not serve thy gods.”» That is powerful faith. They were essentially saying: “Even if God does not answer the way we expect, we will still remain faithful.” Spiritual Insight Faith is not proven when God gives you what you want; faith is proven when you continue trusting Him when you don't understand what He is doing. REAL-LIFE LESSON Imagine a Christian man who receives a lucrative business opportunity. The money is excellent. But he discovers that the business requires him to falsify records and deceive customers. He has two choices: Profit with compromise or obedience with integrity. The world may tell him: "Everybody does it." But heaven asks: “Will you remain faithful?” Sometimes obedience will cost you money. Sometimes integrity will cost you opportunities. Sometimes holiness will make you unpopular. But remember: Anything you gain by compromising your relationship with God is too expensive. FIVE THINGS TO REMEMBER 1. Your relationship with God Never replace God with success. 2. Your integrity Never exchange character for temporary gain. 3. Your purity Never sacrifice holiness for temporary pleasure. 4. Your responsibility Never run away from what God has entrusted to you. 5. Your faith Never abandon God because the journey becomes difficult. PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS This week: 1. Examine your heart. Ask God to reveal areas of compromise. 2. Identify your greatest temptation. Don't pretend it doesn't exist. 3. Set boundaries. Remove people, places, habits or media that continually pull you away from God. 4. Strengthen your spiritual life. Pray, study Scripture and maintain fellowship. 5. Find a trustworthy spiritual accountability partner. 6. Make one difficult decision based on biblical conviction rather than convenience. 7. Teach the next generation by your example. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. What am I currently tempted to compromise? 2. Is God truly first in my life? 3. Who am I when nobody is watching? 4. Have I allowed money or success to weaken my convictions? 5. Are there relationships that are pulling me away from God? 6. Am I taking responsibility for what God has entrusted to me? 7. Would my private life agree with my public testimony? 8. If obedience costs me something, will I still obey God? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Father, give me the grace to remain faithful to You when nobody is watching. 2. Lord, strengthen my character and make me a man of integrity. 3. Every power pushing me toward compromise, be broken in Jesus' name. 4. Father, deliver me from every secret temptation that can destroy my testimony. 5. Give me strength to flee from every appearance of evil. 6. Lord, make me a responsible spiritual leader in my family and generation. 7. When pressure comes, give me the courage to stand for truth. 8. Father, let my private life and public testimony agree. 9. Give me grace to finish my Christian journey faithfully. 10. Lord Jesus, let my life become an altar that brings glory to Your name. CALL TO ACTION Christian man, the world does not need another man who can simply make money. It needs men who can be trusted. Men who can pray. Men who can stand for truth. Men who can keep their word. Men who can control their desires. Men who can protect their families. Men who can say NO when everyone else is saying YES. Men who will choose righteousness when compromise appears profitable. Men who will choose Christ when the world offers them another throne. Remember: Joseph refused compromise and preserved his destiny. Daniel refused compromise and maintained his influence. The three Hebrew men refused compromise and experienced God's presence in the fire. Your greatest victory may not be what you acquire. Your greatest victory may be what you refuse to surrender. So today, make a decision: “I will not compromise my God. I will not compromise my integrity. I will not compromise my purity. I will not compromise my responsibility. I will not compromise my faith.” Because a man who stands with God may stand alone for a moment, but he will never stand without God. Stand firm. Stay pure. Walk faithfully. Finish well. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” — Ephesians 6:10 Amen. Try and attend Church service today. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com
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  • Absolutely. Here are 20 prayers for young couples who have been in church before and need to return to church, with KJV Scriptures.

    1. Prayer to Return to the Lord

    Heavenly Father, draw these young couples back to You. Remind them of the joy, peace, and fellowship they experienced in Your house. Give them a desire to return and seek You again.

    Scripture: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” — James 4:8 KJV

    2. Prayer for a Hunger for God's House

    Lord, place within their hearts a renewed hunger for Your Word, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers.

    Scripture: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” — Psalm 122:1 KJV

    3. Prayer Against Distractions

    Father, remove the distractions, busy schedules, entertainment, and other things that keep these couples from attending church.

    Scripture: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” — Matthew 6:33 KJV

    4. Prayer for Their Relationship

    Lord, strengthen their relationships with one another as they grow closer to You. Let their relationship be built upon Your Word.

    Scripture: “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” — Psalm 127:1 KJV

    5. Prayer for Conviction

    Holy Spirit, gently convict their hearts when they stay away from church. Give them understanding that gathering with believers is important for their spiritual growth.

    Scripture: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” — Hebrews 10:25 KJV

    6. Prayer for a Fresh Start

    Father, let these couples know that they can come back to You regardless of how long they have been away. Give them grace for a new beginning.

    Scripture: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

    7. Prayer Against Discouragement

    Lord, remove discouragement, disappointment, and hurt that may have caused them to stop attending church. Heal their hearts and restore their trust.

    Scripture: “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3 KJV

    8. Prayer for Their Children

    Father, if these couples have children, let them understand the importance of bringing their families into the house of God and teaching their children Your ways.

    Scripture: “Train up a child in the way he should go.” — Proverbs 22:6 KJV

    9. Prayer for Godly Friendships

    Lord, surround these couples with faithful Christian friends who will encourage them to return to church and continue walking with You.

    Scripture: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” — Proverbs 27:17 KJV

    10. Prayer for Their Priorities

    Father, help them put You first in their lives, their homes, their relationships, their finances, and their plans for the future.

    Scripture: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” — Matthew 6:33 KJV

    11. Prayer for Their Schedules

    Lord, help them arrange their schedules so they can attend church faithfully. Open doors concerning work and other responsibilities.

    Scripture: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

    12. Prayer for Restoration

    Father, restore whatever has been lost spiritually. Restore their desire to pray, worship, read the Bible, and fellowship with believers.

    Scripture: “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” — Psalm 51:12 KJV

    13. Prayer for Their Salvation

    Lord, strengthen the salvation of those who know You and draw those who have never truly surrendered their lives to Christ into a saving relationship with You.

    Scripture: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” — Acts 16:31 KJV

    14. Prayer for Protection From Temptation

    Father, protect these couples from temptations and influences that would pull them farther away from You.

    Scripture: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV

    15. Prayer for Their Homes

    Lord, let their homes become places of prayer, love, forgiveness, peace, and the presence of God.

    Scripture: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 KJV

    16. Prayer for Forgiveness

    Father, if they have become distant because of mistakes, sin, or disappointment, help them receive Your forgiveness and return to You with humble hearts.

    Scripture: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” — 1 John 1:9 KJV

    17. Prayer for Joy in Church

    Lord, let them rediscover the joy of worship, hearing Your Word, fellowshipping with believers, and serving others in Your house.

    Scripture: “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” — Psalm 100:2 KJV

    18. Prayer for Courage to Come Back

    Father, give them courage to walk through the doors of the church again, even if they feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, or unsure.

    Scripture: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not.” — Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV

    19. Prayer for Spiritual Growth

    Lord, help these young couples grow spiritually and become examples of godly relationships to other young people.

    Scripture: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” — 2 Peter 3:18 KJV

    20. Prayer for Faithfulness

    Heavenly Father, establish these couples in Your house. Give them consistency and faithfulness in attending church, praying together, studying Your Word, and serving You.

    Scripture: “Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV

    Prayer:
    “Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for every young couple who has been in church before but has become disconnected. Draw them back into Your presence. Remove every obstacle, distraction, hurt, disappointment, and discouragement. Give them a fresh desire for Your house and Your Word. Strengthen their relationships, bless their homes, protect their families, and lead them back into faithful fellowship with believers. Let them remember where You brought them from and the goodness You have shown them. May their lives become testimonies that encourage other young couples to seek You. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.”
    Absolutely. Here are 20 prayers for young couples who have been in church before and need to return to church, with KJV Scriptures. 1. Prayer to Return to the Lord Heavenly Father, draw these young couples back to You. Remind them of the joy, peace, and fellowship they experienced in Your house. Give them a desire to return and seek You again. Scripture: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” — James 4:8 KJV 2. Prayer for a Hunger for God's House Lord, place within their hearts a renewed hunger for Your Word, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. Scripture: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” — Psalm 122:1 KJV 3. Prayer Against Distractions Father, remove the distractions, busy schedules, entertainment, and other things that keep these couples from attending church. Scripture: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” — Matthew 6:33 KJV 4. Prayer for Their Relationship Lord, strengthen their relationships with one another as they grow closer to You. Let their relationship be built upon Your Word. Scripture: “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” — Psalm 127:1 KJV 5. Prayer for Conviction Holy Spirit, gently convict their hearts when they stay away from church. Give them understanding that gathering with believers is important for their spiritual growth. Scripture: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” — Hebrews 10:25 KJV 6. Prayer for a Fresh Start Father, let these couples know that they can come back to You regardless of how long they have been away. Give them grace for a new beginning. Scripture: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 7. Prayer Against Discouragement Lord, remove discouragement, disappointment, and hurt that may have caused them to stop attending church. Heal their hearts and restore their trust. Scripture: “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3 KJV 8. Prayer for Their Children Father, if these couples have children, let them understand the importance of bringing their families into the house of God and teaching their children Your ways. Scripture: “Train up a child in the way he should go.” — Proverbs 22:6 KJV 9. Prayer for Godly Friendships Lord, surround these couples with faithful Christian friends who will encourage them to return to church and continue walking with You. Scripture: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” — Proverbs 27:17 KJV 10. Prayer for Their Priorities Father, help them put You first in their lives, their homes, their relationships, their finances, and their plans for the future. Scripture: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” — Matthew 6:33 KJV 11. Prayer for Their Schedules Lord, help them arrange their schedules so they can attend church faithfully. Open doors concerning work and other responsibilities. Scripture: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV 12. Prayer for Restoration Father, restore whatever has been lost spiritually. Restore their desire to pray, worship, read the Bible, and fellowship with believers. Scripture: “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” — Psalm 51:12 KJV 13. Prayer for Their Salvation Lord, strengthen the salvation of those who know You and draw those who have never truly surrendered their lives to Christ into a saving relationship with You. Scripture: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” — Acts 16:31 KJV 14. Prayer for Protection From Temptation Father, protect these couples from temptations and influences that would pull them farther away from You. Scripture: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV 15. Prayer for Their Homes Lord, let their homes become places of prayer, love, forgiveness, peace, and the presence of God. Scripture: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 KJV 16. Prayer for Forgiveness Father, if they have become distant because of mistakes, sin, or disappointment, help them receive Your forgiveness and return to You with humble hearts. Scripture: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” — 1 John 1:9 KJV 17. Prayer for Joy in Church Lord, let them rediscover the joy of worship, hearing Your Word, fellowshipping with believers, and serving others in Your house. Scripture: “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” — Psalm 100:2 KJV 18. Prayer for Courage to Come Back Father, give them courage to walk through the doors of the church again, even if they feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, or unsure. Scripture: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not.” — Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV 19. Prayer for Spiritual Growth Lord, help these young couples grow spiritually and become examples of godly relationships to other young people. Scripture: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” — 2 Peter 3:18 KJV 20. Prayer for Faithfulness Heavenly Father, establish these couples in Your house. Give them consistency and faithfulness in attending church, praying together, studying Your Word, and serving You. Scripture: “Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV Prayer: “Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for every young couple who has been in church before but has become disconnected. Draw them back into Your presence. Remove every obstacle, distraction, hurt, disappointment, and discouragement. Give them a fresh desire for Your house and Your Word. Strengthen their relationships, bless their homes, protect their families, and lead them back into faithful fellowship with believers. Let them remember where You brought them from and the goodness You have shown them. May their lives become testimonies that encourage other young couples to seek You. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.”
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  • “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.”
    ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭
    *Trust God. God is my Protection and my Guide. Supplies all I need to Live for Him. I Pray for my Life, my Family, my job. You Keep me Secure Lord. I Thank You Forever!
    “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.” ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ *Trust God. God is my Protection and my Guide. Supplies all I need to Live for Him. I Pray for my Life, my Family, my job. You Keep me Secure Lord. I Thank You Forever!
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