A Nugget of Truth. GOD’S WARNING AGAINST QUICK-PROFIT INVESTMENTS, WHAT CAN MONEY STEAL BEFORE IT IS EVER LOST? “He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” — Proverbs 28:20 God does not condemn honest business, careful saving, or wise investment. He warns against speculation—reckless ventures driven by haste, greed, excitement, and the dream of wealth without patient labor. The greatest danger is not an empty account. It is a heart emptied of Christ. Inspiration warns that the feverish desire to become rich quickly is contrary to the faith God’s people profess. --- ① IT AWAKENS A HUNGER MONEY CANNOT SATISFY Speculation whispers: “One more gain—then I will have enough.” But covetousness never says, “Enough.” “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare.” — 1 Timothy 6:9 When money becomes necessary for peace, identity, or security— Christ is no longer treated as sufficient. --- ② IT REPLACES FAITH WITH FINANCIAL EXCITEMENT Faith asks: “Lord, what is Your will?” Greed asks: “How quickly can this multiply?” Soon charts are watched more carefully than Scripture. Prayer becomes hurried. Family worship weakens. Mission is postponed. “Trust… not in uncertain riches, but in the living God.” — 1 Timothy 6:17 Satan need not make us openly deny Christ— only too absorbed in gain to walk closely with Him. --- ③ IT RISKS THE MASTER’S PROPERTY Everything belongs to Christ. We are stewards—not owners. “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” — 1 Corinthians 4:2 Speculation treats God’s entrusted means as though no account must be given. Stewardship asks, “How can this serve Christ?” Greed asks, “How much can this serve me?” Every peso carries a responsibility. --- ④ IT PROMISES FREEDOM—BUT OFTEN CREATES BONDAGE Quick-profit ventures may begin with hope— then produce anxiety, secrecy, debt, sleeplessness, damaged homes, and desperate attempts to recover losses. Inspiration warns that speculative enterprises become a snare and may bring financial and spiritual ruin. Failure can empty the pocket. Success can enthrone greed. The worst bankruptcy is not financial. It is spiritual. --- ⑤ IT TRAINS THE CONSCIENCE TO COMPROMISE When profit rules the heart, conviction becomes negotiable. Truth may be softened. Dishonesty may be excused. Giving may feel like loss. The Sabbath may become inconvenient. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” — Matthew 6:24 Money is a useful servant— but a merciless master. A venture may earn greatly and still destroy the soul. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36 --- ⑥ GOD’S WAY BUILDS BOTH PROVISION AND CHARACTER God’s path is not reckless haste, but: honest labor, patient diligence, careful planning, contentment, generosity, integrity, and trust in His providence. “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” — Proverbs 13:11 Speculation wants the harvest without cultivation— the reward without discipline, the crown without the cross. But God is preparing more than our finances. He is preparing our characters for eternity. --- CHRIST IS THE TREASURE THAT CANNOT COLLAPSE Jesus did not grasp for gain. He surrendered everything to save us. “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” — 2 Corinthians 8:9 He exchanged heaven’s glory for Bethlehem’s poverty— and Calvary’s cross for our eternal life. No earthly return can equal the riches found in Christ. Therefore: Work honestly. Plan wisely. Reject greed-driven risk. Live within your means. Give generously. Seek Christ first. “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” — Matthew 6:20 The safest investment is not the one promising the fastest return. It is the one you can place before Jesus with a clear conscience, manage without covetousness, use to bless others, and explain faithfully in the judgment. Beloved, before asking, “How much can I earn?” Ask: “Will this strengthen my faith and serve Christ—or quietly make money my master?” A fortune gained while faith is lost is not profit. It is eternal bankruptcy.

A Nugget of Truth. GOD’S WARNING AGAINST QUICK-PROFIT INVESTMENTS, WHAT CAN MONEY STEAL BEFORE IT IS EVER LOST? “He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” — Proverbs 28:20 God does not condemn honest business, careful saving, or wise investment. He warns against speculation—reckless ventures driven by haste, greed, excitement, and the dream of wealth without patient labor. The greatest danger is not an empty account. It is a heart emptied of Christ. Inspiration warns that the feverish desire to become rich quickly is contrary to the faith God’s people profess. --- ① IT AWAKENS A HUNGER MONEY CANNOT SATISFY Speculation whispers: “One more gain—then I will have enough.” But covetousness never says, “Enough.” “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare.” — 1 Timothy 6:9 When money becomes necessary for peace, identity, or security— Christ is no longer treated as sufficient. --- ② IT REPLACES FAITH WITH FINANCIAL EXCITEMENT Faith asks: “Lord, what is Your will?” Greed asks: “How quickly can this multiply?” Soon charts are watched more carefully than Scripture. Prayer becomes hurried. Family worship weakens. Mission is postponed. “Trust… not in uncertain riches, but in the living God.” — 1 Timothy 6:17 Satan need not make us openly deny Christ— only too absorbed in gain to walk closely with Him. --- ③ IT RISKS THE MASTER’S PROPERTY Everything belongs to Christ. We are stewards—not owners. “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” — 1 Corinthians 4:2 Speculation treats God’s entrusted means as though no account must be given. Stewardship asks, “How can this serve Christ?” Greed asks, “How much can this serve me?” Every peso carries a responsibility. --- ④ IT PROMISES FREEDOM—BUT OFTEN CREATES BONDAGE Quick-profit ventures may begin with hope— then produce anxiety, secrecy, debt, sleeplessness, damaged homes, and desperate attempts to recover losses. Inspiration warns that speculative enterprises become a snare and may bring financial and spiritual ruin. Failure can empty the pocket. Success can enthrone greed. The worst bankruptcy is not financial. It is spiritual. --- ⑤ IT TRAINS THE CONSCIENCE TO COMPROMISE When profit rules the heart, conviction becomes negotiable. Truth may be softened. Dishonesty may be excused. Giving may feel like loss. The Sabbath may become inconvenient. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” — Matthew 6:24 Money is a useful servant— but a merciless master. A venture may earn greatly and still destroy the soul. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36 --- ⑥ GOD’S WAY BUILDS BOTH PROVISION AND CHARACTER God’s path is not reckless haste, but: honest labor, patient diligence, careful planning, contentment, generosity, integrity, and trust in His providence. “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” — Proverbs 13:11 Speculation wants the harvest without cultivation— the reward without discipline, the crown without the cross. But God is preparing more than our finances. He is preparing our characters for eternity. --- CHRIST IS THE TREASURE THAT CANNOT COLLAPSE Jesus did not grasp for gain. He surrendered everything to save us. “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” — 2 Corinthians 8:9 He exchanged heaven’s glory for Bethlehem’s poverty— and Calvary’s cross for our eternal life. No earthly return can equal the riches found in Christ. Therefore: Work honestly. Plan wisely. Reject greed-driven risk. Live within your means. Give generously. Seek Christ first. “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” — Matthew 6:20 The safest investment is not the one promising the fastest return. It is the one you can place before Jesus with a clear conscience, manage without covetousness, use to bless others, and explain faithfully in the judgment. Beloved, before asking, “How much can I earn?” Ask: “Will this strengthen my faith and serve Christ—or quietly make money my master?” A fortune gained while faith is lost is not profit. It is eternal bankruptcy.

📖 TODAY'S BIBLE READING Monday, August 17 📜 OLD TESTAMENT JUDGES 18 — The Danites and Micah's Idol ✝️ NEW TESTAMENT 2 PETER 2 — Warning Against False Teachers 🌿 MAJOR PROPHETS ISAIAH 28 — The Cornerstone of Zion 🌿 Today's Reflection 📜 Judges 18 The Danites take Micah's idols and establish their own form of worship. The chapter shows the danger of spiritual compromise and reminds us that God's people must not replace His truth with what simply seems right in their own eyes. ✝️ 2 Peter 2 Peter gives a strong warning about false teachers who distort the truth and lead others into sin. Believers are called to remain grounded in God's Word, recognize deception, and pursue holy living. 🌿 Isaiah 28 Isaiah confronts the pride and false security of Israel's leaders, but also points to God's sure foundation: the precious cornerstone laid by God in Zion. Our confidence should rest on God's truth rather than human wisdom or temporary security. ✨ KEY VERSE "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation." — Isaiah 28:16 🙏 PRAYER Heavenly Father, establish our lives firmly upon Your truth. Give us discernment to recognize false teaching and the courage to reject anything that draws us away from You. Keep us humble, faithful, and rooted in Christ, our sure foundation. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. WE STUDY. WE PRAY. WE OBEY. WE GROW. UNTIL WE ARE TOTALLY TRANSFORMED. 📖✨🙏 🌿 TODAY'S CHALLENGE Check your foundation today. Let God's Word—not popular opinion, feelings, or human wisdom—guide your decisions, beliefs, and actions.

15-08-2026 When We Put Our Trust in God Mark 10:24 (AMP) “The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus responded and said to them, ‘Children, how difficult it is for those who have put their trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!’” Jesus wasn’t saying that having possessions makes someone unable to follow God. He was warning us about where our trust rests. It is easy to say, “I trust God,” while secretly finding our security in money, success, relationships, possessions, or our own abilities. Wealth can create the illusion that we are in control—but true security is never found in what we possess. It is found in the One who possesses us. Jesus lovingly calls His disciples “children.” There is something beautiful about that. A child doesn’t need to have everything figured out. A child simply learns to trust the Father. God invites us to live with that same childlike dependence: “Father, everything I have comes from You. Everything I need is found in You. I choose to trust You above everything else.” When God blesses you, hold the blessing with open hands. When things are uncertain, hold onto God with a firm heart. Your worth is not measured by what you have, and your future is not secured by what you can accumulate. God Himself is your greatest treasure. 🙏 Prayer Father, help me never to place my security in riches, possessions, success, or anything temporary. Teach me to trust You completely. Thank You for every blessing You have given me, but help me always to remember that You are more valuable than anything I could ever possess. Give me a childlike heart that depends on You and follows You faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen. ❤️ Today’s Reminder Don’t let what you have become more important than the One who gave it to you. Trust God, treasure Him, and hold everything else with open hands.

Kingdom Carriers | Beyond the Uniform Around midday on Wednesday, I was making my way to the hospital chapel for our weekly time of fellowship and prayer. As I approached, I noticed a gentleman from our security team sitting quietly inside. From a distance, the uniform caught my attention first. But then I noticed something else. He was reading his Bible. I had seen him around the hospital before. We had exchanged greetings in passing, but we had never really stopped to talk. This time I did. I introduced myself, and he told me his name was Tama. I explained that a few of us gather in the chapel every Wednesday around midday for fellowship and prayer, and that he would always be welcome to join us. As others began arriving and our fellowship was about to start, I sensed Tama would soon need to return to his duties. So before he left, I excused myself for a moment and brought him a copy of Kingdom Carriers. He received it gratefully. I watched briefly as he looked at the front cover, turned it over, and began reading the back. Then he returned to his duties. That was it. No long conversation. No dramatic ending. And I don't know what God will do with that brief encounter. But afterwards, one thought stayed with me: At first I saw a uniform. When I stopped, I met a brother. How easily we identify people by what we first see. The uniform. The occupation. The position. The label. But Jesus consistently looked beyond what people did and saw the person standing before Him. Perhaps there are people we pass regularly whose faces we recognise, but whose names we have never learnt. Sometimes a Kingdom encounter doesn't begin with preaching. It begins by stopping long enough to see the person. Wednesday reminded me: There is always more to someone than the uniform they wear. I sowed a small seed. What happens next belongs entirely to God. All glory and honour belong to Him. Grace and peace, Jacob 📘 Kingdom Carriers (Free Download) https://books2read.com/u/mlJqo7 🌍 Website https://www.jacobisaac.co.nz

When you take a look at who God is, and realize how powerful and how amazing He is, you realize that there really isn't anything the enemy can do to bring you down. God is the source of your salvation and your eternal security. Who or what can defeat that? Absolutely no one and nothing can! God is the ultimate light of your life; no form of darkness can prevail in the presence of God. Take courage as you dwell on these facts. God is always with you. ✝️💖

It is human tendency to trust in people rather than God. We find it easier to trust people because of their physical presence, their ability to provide immediate security, and their quick answers. Trusting God is the harder part for many because it requires faith, calls for total dependence, and involves delayed answers since God's timing differs from ours. God is our ultimate security and the One we should trust. Whenever we misplace our trust in our own cleverness, wealth, position, or anyone else we think can guide us and tide us through tough times, we will most often be deeply disappointed. Have a happy day! No matter what comes our way, let's wholeheartedly trust in Jesus, because only He knows what's best, and He will never let us down. 😊 Esther Collins Based on Jeremiah 17:5

It is human tendency to trust in people rather than God. We find it easier to trust people because of their physical presence, their ability to provide immediate security, and their quick answers. Trusting God is the harder part for many because it requires faith, calls for total dependence, and involves delayed answers since God's timing differs from ours. God is our ultimate security and the One we should trust. Whenever we misplace our trust in our own cleverness, wealth, position, or anyone else we think can guide us and tide us through tough times, we will most often be deeply disappointed. Have a happy day! No matter what comes our way, let's wholeheartedly trust in Jesus, because only He knows what's best, and He will never let us down. 😊 Esther Collins Based on Jeremiah 17:5

*THE PEOPLE WHO ALMOST FOLLOWED JESUS · PART 01* > The Rich Young Ruler — When One Thing Is Too Much to Surrender > Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”” He ran to Jesus. He knelt before Jesus. He asked Jesus about eternal life. And then he walked away. That may be one of the most sobering encounters in the Gospels. The rich young ruler did not mock Jesus. He did not argue with Jesus. He did not reject Jesus from a distance. He ran to Him. He knelt before Him. He called Him “Good Teacher.” And he asked one of the most important questions anyone could ever ask: “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”, Mark 10:17 Everything about the encounter looked promising. This man seemed ready to become a disciple. Until Jesus touched the one thing he was unwilling to surrender. Jesus Put His Finger on the Rival Jesus told him: > ”Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor… and come, follow me.”, Mark 10:21 WEB Jesus was not merely asking for a donation. He was exposing a throne. Something possessed this man more deeply than he possessed it. His wealth had become the place where he found security, identity, comfort, and control. Then came the moment of decision. Jesus said: Follow Me. And the man had to decide which treasure he wanted more. Mark tells us: > “But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.”, Mark 10:22 WEB He came running. He left grieving. He wanted eternal life. He wanted Jesus. But apparently, he wanted his possessions more. Almost a Disciple Think about how close he came. He stood face-to-face with Jesus. Jesus personally invited him to follow. Mark even tells us something remarkable: Jesus looked at him and loved him. This was not rejection from Jesus. It was an invitation from Jesus. But love did not remove the cost of discipleship. Jesus loved him enough to confront the very thing keeping him from wholehearted surrender. And the man walked away. What Is Your “One Thing”? It is easy to read this story and think only about money. But the deeper question is much more dangerous. What would Jesus have to touch in your life before you began reconsidering whether you really wanted to follow Him? Your money? Your career? Your comfort? Your reputation? A relationship? Your plans for retirement? Your possessions? Your political identity? Your right to control your own future? Your unwillingness to forgive? Your unwillingness to go where Jesus sends you? We can sing, pray, attend church, read Scripture, give offerings, and speak passionately about Jesus, until Jesus asks for the one thing we have quietly decided He cannot have. And then we discover who is really Lord. Following Jesus Means an Open Hand The issue is not whether every Christian must sell everything. The issue is whether Jesus could ask anything of us and still receive our yes. A disciple does not hand Jesus a contract filled with exceptions. “Jesus, I will follow You, but not there.” “I will obey You, but not with my money.” “I will serve You, but don't interfere with my comfort.” “I will make disciples, but don't ask me to rearrange my life.” “I surrender everything, except this.” That is exactly where this story confronts us. The rich young ruler did not reject religion. He rejected surrender. And Jesus allowed him to walk away. The Question We Cannot Avoid Throughout this series, we will meet people who came astonishingly close to following Jesus, but something stopped them. For this man, it was possessions. For someone else, it will be fear. For another, reputation. For another, delay. For another, the approval of people. But every story forces us to ask the same question: What kept them from fully following Jesus, and could the same thing be keeping us? Today, make it even more personal: What would make you walk away if Jesus asked for it? And perhaps the harder question: Is there anything in your life you have already decided Jesus cannot have? Because the thing you refuse to surrender may reveal the thing you are actually following. Jesus is still saying: “Come, follow me.” The question is not whether we admire Him. The question is whether we will surrender everything to follow Him.

*TODAY'S PROPHETIC DECLARATION - THURSDAY, 13TH AUGUST, 2026.* 🌟*YOU SHALL HAVE CONFIDENCE BECAUSE THERE IS HOPE*🌟 📖 Scripture: “And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.” — Job 11:18 (KJV). 🔥*Reflection – Hope Gives Us Confidence* Job 11:18 reminds us that hope in God produces confidence and security. When our trust is placed in the Lord, we do not have to live continually controlled by fear about tomorrow. There may be uncertainties concerning our future, family, ministry, work, business, studies, or personal plans, but the believer's confidence rests in the faithfulness of God. Our circumstances may change, but God remains constant. Hope does not mean that we deny difficulties. Rather, it means that we face them knowing that God is with us and that our future is ultimately in His hands. Today, lift your eyes above your present circumstances. There is hope. There is a future. There is a God who is able to sustain you and lead you safely through every season. 🔊*Prophetic Declaration:* Today, I declare that I shall have confidence because there is hope. My future is not controlled by fear, uncertainty, or the plans of people; it is safely held in the hands of Almighty God. I declare that every spirit of anxiety, discouragement, hopelessness, and fear concerning tomorrow is broken by the grace of God. I receive a renewed mind, a courageous heart, and unwavering confidence in the promises of the Lord. Today, I shall rest securely because God is my Refuge and my Defender. I refuse to allow the challenges around me to steal my peace. The Lord shall give me grace to sleep peacefully, work faithfully, and live confidently. I declare that my family shall have hope. My ministry shall have hope. My work and business shall have hope. My studies shall have hope. Every dream and legitimate aspiration that aligns with God's purpose shall receive fresh strength and divine direction. I proclaim that every season of uncertainty shall give way to clarity. Every closed door that God does not want for me shall remain closed, while every door appointed by His perfect will shall open at the right time. Today, I receive the courage to plan, build, work, pray, and pursue God's purpose with confidence. I shall not abandon my assignment because of temporary difficulties. I know that God is able to establish the work of my hands. I declare that the Lord shall protect me from evil and surround me with His favor. I shall dwell in safety under His mighty hand. My going out and coming in shall be preserved, and His peace shall guard my heart and mind. I proclaim that my tomorrow shall not be worse than today. By God's grace, I am moving forward into greater spiritual maturity, greater wisdom, greater fruitfulness, and greater opportunities to serve Him. I declare that hope shall rise again in every area of my life. Where I have experienced disappointment, God shall give me renewed expectation. Where I have experienced delay, He shall teach me to trust His timing. Where I have experienced weakness, He shall renew my strength. I have hope. I have confidence. I have a future. I have a faithful God. Therefore, I shall rest securely in Him. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! 🙏🔥 ✅*Action Steps for today:* 1️⃣ Begin your day by thanking God because your future is in His hands. 2️⃣ Read Job 11:13–20 and meditate on the connection between faith, hope, confidence, and security. 3️⃣ Declare: “I shall have confidence because there is hope. My future is secure in God's hands.” 4️⃣ Identify one area where fear has been controlling you and consciously surrender it to God in prayer. 5️⃣ Encourage someone who is discouraged today by reminding them that there is still hope in God. 6️⃣ Make one positive, faith-filled step toward a God-honoring goal you have been postponing. 7️⃣ End the day with thanksgiving, trusting God with everything concerning your future. 🔥*Prayer:* Heavenly Father, Thank You because my future is in Your hands. Thank You for giving me hope even when circumstances appear uncertain. Remove every fear, anxiety, discouragement, and hopelessness from my heart. Give me confidence to face today and courage to look forward to tomorrow. Secure my family, ministry, work, business, studies, and every area of my life. Guide my decisions and order my steps according to Your perfect will. Where I have experienced disappointment, restore my hope. Where I have experienced delay, give me patience. Where I have experienced failure, give me courage to rise again. Help me to trust You completely and to remember that my life is not without purpose. Establish the work of my hands and lead me into the future You have prepared for me. Because there is hope, I will not fear. Because You are with me, I will not be shaken. Because You are faithful, I will move forward with confidence. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🕊️ 🌿*Blessing for today:* May the Lord fill your heart with renewed hope and confidence today. May every fear concerning your future disappear, and may divine peace take its place. May God secure your household, establish your plans according to His will, protect your going out and coming in, and give you courage to pursue your God-given purpose. May every season of uncertainty become an opportunity to experience God's faithfulness. May hope rise again in every area of your life, and may your future be brighter by His grace. There is hope for you. There is a future before you. God is not finished with you! 🌟 Have confidence. 🌿 Rest in God's promises. 🔥 Keep moving forward. 🙏 Your hope is in the Lord. Good morning beloved and do have a blessed, peaceful, and hope-filled day🙏🕊️ Shalom! *Remember: Your confession is your possession.* *©️ Postulant C. O. Oyadosu.* _Please share with others, thank you and God bless you 🙏_ For counseling, prayers and partnership or you want to share your testimonies with us; please call or Whatsapp: +2348063128703 Or Email: clementoyadosu[gmail].com