No matter how complex life or your calling becomes. Never forget, this is the foundation. I tried to do that for all my characters. I made a list of things that the enemy could throw at a person of faith, and tried to imagine the impact emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, and on all those around them.... then wrote it.... then God gave me more and more. But underlying it all, is who they find they REALLY are, their callings and tasks, and the determination to accomplish them. And who they are, will surprise you. I know it did me. God forget to give me a heads up on where it was all going, when he called me to start writing the story. That comes out, and God's hand upon their lives and family lines becomes even MORE evident.... and infuriates their unseen enemy... Alert: book one e-book for free got messed up. I fixed it yesterday, and it looks like its back ready today. I badly need reviews, for Amazon to show the series to a broader audience. If you'll help, please comment below, and show Amazon Christian books are still popular by getting it today, and leaving a review ASAP. I've love for at least 1,000 people to download it today. Free books go with my money management tips too. How much better is it on your budget, to have hours of free entertainment? In the meantime, I'm going to work on building a different webpage where I can sell them there. Who's onboard to help? It's a great saga of the human spirit sold out to God, and how those who fell truly hate us. Will you join me today to make it happen? And ask all your friends too? If so, just put yes in the comment. Then go find your bible and a puppy. When God pours His love into you, it'll give you a place to pass it on. I know. Even as I type, Emma, my chihuahua, is begging to go out. Only love keeps up with her constant demands... lol...

Daily devotion for August 9th Prayer And Preparedness But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Nehemiah 4:9 The enemy mobilizes its forces, escalating the attack, and begins to plan direct violence. When you begin to move with God to change things in your life for the better, you will find that you are met first with derision, and if you keep persisting, someone is going to get very upset with you and attack you in a vicious, perhaps physical, way. But see how Nehemiah reacts, He still relies on prayer (Nehemiah 4:9). But he does more than pray. He posts a guard as well. Prayer and preparedness! This blending of the resources of the spiritual life with those of the material world is a marvelous picture of how believers ought to face threats, recognizing that we need action on both levels. Still the enemy persists, and he launches a propaganda campaign. There was an enormous amount of debris and broken stones that had to be cleared away before they could get to the walls. It must have been very discouraging. The enemy immediately takes advantage of that weakness and discouragement (Nehemiah 4:11). Have you ever faced something like that? Were you ever threatened at work when you tried to correct an immoral or illegal practice that was being carried on around you? Perhaps someone said to you, Keep that up, and you may lose your job here. You may have been threatened with demotion or with eviction from your apartment. You may even have been invited out in the parking lot to face a physical attack. These kinds of things are possible when we begin to right wrongs. Nehemiah's response is very deliberate. First, he carefully looks over the situation and evaluates what is needed. This approach is necessary if we are going to improve our own lives. We must observe exactly where we are under attack. What are we addicted to? A wrong habit, a drug, an attitude of mind? Bitterness of spirit? When we have identified the source of attack, we must post a guard at that point. Then, second, Nehemiah reviews the spiritual resources available to them. They had a power at work in their lives that their enemies knew nothing about. The great and awesome God who was with them would stand with them in their peril. When they remembered this, they became reassured and renewed in courage. The enemy saw that they could achieve nothing with their attacks. One of my favorite passages of the New Testament is found in Paul's second letter to Timothy. Paul is a prisoner in Rome, and Timothy, a rather timid young man, is all alone and feeling discouraged in the great pagan city of Ephesus. The great apostle writes to him this word of advice: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead (2 Timothy 2:8). Timothy was not alone. God was with him. Jesus is risen! He is awesome. He is strong. He is powerful. Reckon upon Him, and you will be able to stand against the most subtle temptation and the most dangerous threats that come against you. Thank You, Father, for how practical and helpful the Scriptures are. Teach me to rely on You both in prayer and preparedness.

I was honored to discover that Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word was selected as a Daily Finds Featured Title on July 27. Seeing the book featured alongside bestselling Christian authors Ted Dekker & Bill Bright and award-winning biblical fiction author Mesu Andrews was an unexpected encouragement. Every author hopes their work will find readers. Moments like this remind me that Mateo is beginning to do just that. If you'd like to learn more about the story, read reviews, or explore the world of Mateo, I'd love to invite you to visit: https://www.steverhartwigauthor.com/new-page-2 Rediscover Bible History Like Never Before... Through the Eyes of Mateo. #MateoAndTheSecretsOfTheEternalWord #ChristianFiction #BiblicalFiction #BibleAdventure #FaithBasedBooks #ChristianBooks #MiddleGradeBooks #YoungAdultBooks #BookLovers #AmReading #IndieAuthor #SteveRHartwig

Conflict and Courage. The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22. Many envied the popularity and abundant glory of Solomon, thinking that of all men he must be the most happy. But amid all that glory of artificial display the man envied is the one to be most pitied. His countenance is dark with despair. All the splendor about him is but to him mockery of the distress and anguish of his thoughts as he reviews his misspent life in seeking for happiness through indulgence and selfish gratification of every desire.18The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1030. In the midst of prosperity lurks danger. Throughout the ages, riches and honor have ever been attended with peril to humility and spirituality. It is not the empty cup that we have difficulty in carrying; it is the cup full to the brim that must be carefully balanced. Affliction and adversity may cause sorrow, but it is prosperity that is most dangerous to spiritual life. Unless the human subject is in constant submission to the will of God, unless he is sanctified by the truth, prosperity will surely arouse the natural inclination to presumption. In the valley of humiliation, where men depend on God to teach them and to guide their every step, there is comparative safety. But the men who stand, as it were, on a lofty pinnacle, and who, because of their position, are supposed to possess great wisdom—these are in gravest peril. Unless such men make God their dependence, they will surely fall. Whenever pride and ambition are indulged, the life is marred, for pride, feeling no need, closes the heart against the infinite blessings of Heaven. He who makes self-glorification his aim will find himself destitute of the grace of God, through whose efficiency the truest riches and the most satisfying joys are won. But he who gives all and does all for Christ will know the fulfillment of the promise, “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.” 19Prophets and Kings, 59, 60. All the sins and excesses of Solomon can be traced to his great mistake in ceasing to rely upon God for wisdom, and to walk in humility before Him.20The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1031.

If you’ve ever wanted to help support the show in a meaningful way, this is a great opportunity. These Bibles will be used for review on the show, helping me highlight different editions, study tools, translations, and resources that can encourage others in their walk with God. I would truly appreciate your help in getting a few of these for upcoming reviews. Every gift helps make this ministry possible and allows me to continue creating content that informs, inspires, and points people back to Scripture. ❤️ Thank you so much for your support, prayers, and encouragement! 🛒 Check out the Amazon Wishlist https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AAQACSNG7QKZ?ref_=wl_share

🔥 PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTIONS ORGANIZED LIGHT IN AN ORGANIZED DARKNESS Mandachi's Lessons To Church Leaders & Organizers LEAD THOUGHT «"In a world where evil organized itself like a corporation, the good people cannot afford to stay disorganized forever." — Stephan Mandachi» LEAD SCRIPTURES 1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV) "Let all things be done decently and in order." Exodus 18:21 (KJV) "Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men... and place such over them..." Luke 14:28 (KJV) "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost?" 🔥 INTRODUCTION One of the most sobering realities of our generation is this: Many believers are highly spiritual but poorly organized. Many churches possess genuine fire but lack sustainable systems. Many ministries have vision but no structure. Many leaders have passion but no process. Meanwhile, the forces of darkness understand something many kingdom workers ignore: ORGANIZATION MULTIPLIES POWER. Stephan Mandachi observed that some of the world's most dangerous criminal organizations have evolved beyond mere gangs into sophisticated corporations. They deploy management systems, logistics structures, accounting frameworks, performance reviews, succession plans, strategic planning, and resource management. Think about it. If darkness understands organization, should light remain disorganized? If cartels can build structures to spread destruction, should the Church not build greater structures to spread salvation? The God of the Bible is not the Author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). He is a God of order (Genesis 1:1-31), systems (Numbers 2:1-34), administration (Exodus 18:17-26), and divine organization. The Early Apostolic Church changed the world not merely because it possessed power, but because it possessed organized power (Acts 6:1-7). The lesson is simple: Fire Without Structure Eventually Burns Out. Structure Without Fire Eventually Dies Out. Kingdom impact requires both. 🔥 MANDACHI'S LESSONS TO CHURCH LEADERS & ORGANIZERS 1. THE POWER OF STRUCTURE Exodus 18:21-26 Acts 6:1-7 Titus 1:5 Moses nearly collapsed under leadership pressure until Jethro introduced structure. The Apostles appointed deacons to ensure operational efficiency. Paul instructed Titus to establish order within churches. Wisdom: Vision without structure becomes frustration. --- 2. THE POWER OF SPECIALIZATION Romans 12:4-8 1 Corinthians 12:4-31 Ephesians 4:11-12 Not everyone is called to do everything. God created specialized gifts, offices, and functions. The body advances when each member serves within divine design. Wisdom: Everybody cannot be the pastor, accountant, usher, media team, and administrator simultaneously. --- 3. THE POWER OF DOCUMENTATION Habakkuk 2:2 Deuteronomy 31:24-26 Revelation 1:19 God repeatedly instructed His servants to write. What is not documented is difficult to preserve. Great visions die when they exist only in memory. Wisdom: A ministry without records is a ministry preparing to repeat avoidable mistakes. --- 4. THE POWER OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Luke 16:10 Matthew 25:14-30 1 Corinthians 4:2 God rewards faithful stewardship. Kingdom resources must be measured, monitored, and managed. Waste is not spirituality. Faithfulness is. Wisdom: What is not managed eventually vanishes. --- 5. THE POWER OF ACCOUNTABILITY 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 Proverbs 27:17 Galatians 2:11-14 Even apostles submitted to accountability. Kingdom leaders require honest evaluation. Unchecked authority eventually becomes dangerous authority. Wisdom: Correction is not opposition; it is protection. --- 6. THE POWER OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT 2 Timothy 2:2 Mark 3:14 Ephesians 4:11-13 Jesus invested heavily in training His disciples. Great organizations develop people intentionally. Strong ministries produce leaders. Weak ministries produce dependents. Wisdom: Your greatest asset is not your building; it is your people. --- 7. THE POWER OF SUCCESSION PLANNING Joshua 1:1-2 2 Kings 2:9-15 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Moses prepared Joshua. Elijah prepared Elisha. Paul prepared Timothy. Every lasting work thinks beyond one generation. Wisdom: A ministry that cannot survive its founder was never truly built. 🔥 WISDOM NOTES 🔥 Satan rarely attacks only through power; he often attacks through organization. 🔥 Many ministries pray against problems that better systems would solve. 🔥 Disorder consumes energy that should be spent advancing the Kingdom. 🔥 Excellence is not worldliness; excellence is stewardship. 🔥 The Holy Spirit is not an excuse for poor planning. 🔥 Revival may attract crowds, but systems help disciple them. 🔥 God anoints people, but He also values processes. 🔥 A disorganized ministry can lose what prayer obtained. 🔥 FINAL THOUGHTS The lesson from Mandachi's observation is not admiration for evil organizations. The lesson is understanding the power of organized effort. No cartel invented systems. God did. No mafia invented hierarchy. God did. No corporation invented administration. God did. The Kingdom of God contains the greatest organizational blueprint ever conceived. The Tabernacle had structure. Israel had structure. The Early Church had structure. Heaven itself operates with order, ranks, assignments, books, records, thrones, elders, angels, and responsibilities. The future belongs not merely to passionate leaders. The future belongs to leaders who combine: 🔥 Fire with structure. 🔥 Vision with systems. 🔥 Prayer with planning. 🔥 Power with administration. When light becomes properly organized, darkness begins to retreat. 🔥 PRAYER LINES 🔥 Father, deliver me from every spirit of confusion and disorder! 🔥 Lord, grant me wisdom to build enduring systems! 🔥 Let every vision You have given me receive divine structure! 🔥 Raise competent and faithful workers around my assignment! 🔥 Father, help me to steward resources with excellence! 🔥 Grant me the grace to build for generations yet unborn! 🔥 Let every kingdom project under my care flourish through wisdom and order! 🔥 Lord, make me both spiritual and strategic! 🔥 Let the Church arise in divine organization and effectiveness! 🔥 May revival fire and kingdom order work together in my life and ministry! In Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen! 🔥🔥🔥 #ChurchLeadership #KingdomAdministration #ChristianLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #KingdomExcellence #MinistryLeadership #StrategicLeadership #FaithAndLeadership #ChurchGrowth #LeadershipMatters #OrganizedForImpact #KingdomBuilders #MissionDriven #ServantLeadership #LeadershipWisdom N/B:This quote highlights a genuine biblical principle: zeal is powerful, but when zeal is combined with order, stewardship, delegation, accountability, and long-term planning, its impact multiplies. The book of Acts is a remarkable example of Spirit-filled ministry operating alongside wise organization. 🔥📖👑

J. Warner reviews evidence from ancient non-Christian historians and sources—including Thallus, Tacitus, Mara bar Serapion, Phlegon, and Pliny the Younger—that confirm the historical existence, crucifixion, and remarkable influence of Jesus. He demonstrates how these unfriendly witnesses provide valuable corroboration for key biblical claims about Jesus, supporting the reliability of the Gospel accounts. https://coldcasechristianity.com/videos/historians-that-vouched-for-jesus-video/ #EvidentialFaith #ChristianApologetics #ReasonableFaith #ColdCaseChristianity #JWarnerWallace #ForensicFaith #ChristianWorldview #InvestigateChristianity #EvidenceForGod #FaithAndReason

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. Ya know, I love our God. There are so many reasons, but to start off with, yesterday. A wonderful prayer meeting in the morning. Clear skies to get to our appointment. A few scattered showers throughout the day but then guided us to get home before the ‘storm’ hit us here. We drove through a little bit of the start of one, but got out quickly, then home, where within 20 minutes it let loose here. My yard no longer looks like a green and brown checkerboard. The doctor did not try to turn my husband’s leg into a pretzel to make it seem like he was more flexible and less disabled. I was able to get the preface finished for the next book and the best part of my day … other than waking up with Folgers in my cup … getting to sing my version of Happy Birthday to my best friend and to my sister. They just happened to share the day and I got to loudly and proudly share my awesome singing voice with them. Today is another blessing. We are up early to head to our son’s. His air conditioning went out a couple of days ago, and the company he called did what most companies do … tried to sell him a whole new unit. Now, to be honest, that would not be a bad idea … however … he does not have that kind of money just lying around. So, with a little research and checking with a friend, we believe that we have the parts to duct tape and wire the old one back together. To make sure that we beat the heat … at least in theory … we beat the birds up this morning. They are just now starting to sing. Going to backtrack a little, I just saw another blessing from yesterday, I was able to secure six new dates for July to set up for my books. One is in a bookstore in Wabash, and the others so far are festivals/flea markets. I will be posting another flyer as I did for June’s events, once the other four I will contact reply. I could easily just focus on the dodging of the rain yesterday, the cooler temperatures, or even the pain that my husband was in to make arguments for a bad day. That would be very easy to do. But even as I am typing this, more and more blessings are flooding my mind. Our mileage checks arrived. A plan for my husband’s birthday was formed. Good beta reviews were made on the preface I typed. The list seems literally endless. And let's just top this off with I got on the scale this morning, and I am down another pound from this weekend. (after Saturday I was expecting 10 because of the sauna conditions but I will take 1) Blessings are all around us. From what the enemy deems as negative (rain or heat) that are actually blessings. I could be upset that I did not fall asleep as soon as I wanted, but nevertheless, I am up and spry and ready for today. Blessings are everywhere. You just have to be willing to see them. He tells us that He will not leave us, and He hasn’t, but sometimes we won't allow ourselves to enjoy His presence as though we feel like we are not worthy. He is the one who determines who is worthy … He loves us … even though we are faulty. When you go outside today, take a couple of minutes and just embrace Him. It will make your day so much better. I promise. Be blessed. **Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. –Psalm 33:3

There is something called "polish to death." I have carried that habit throughout my academic and professional life. At times it frustrated people around me, but it also taught me to pursue excellence. Looking back, I believe God was using those years to prepare me for His work. My latest book, Trump and Jesus, has gone through nine full reviews in the last 20 days. Excellence takes time. Release Date: July 4, 2026.

I’ve been thinking about what it really means to live out your faith every day — not just on Sundays. What if your job, your Tuesday commute, or your lunch break became part of your mission field? That’s exactly what HigherMission Ministries teaches. I’ve seen how practical training and close mentorship help people move from fear to confidence. Real workshops. Real mentorship. Real community. You learn to discover your life purpose and use your profession to serve others — one conversation at a time. Want to be a more effective disciple-maker? Join a small group, try an online course, or sign up for mentorship. Share what you learn. Strengthen your church. Change your community. Your mission field is waiting. Read more and get started: https://www.highermissionministries.org/post/reviews-of-highermission-ministries. #DiscipleMaking #FaithAtWork #ServeWithPurpose #HigherMission https://wix.to/iUHgKQK