RUN YOUR RACE WITH YOUR EYES ON JESUS! Don’t Let the Weight Stop You From Reaching the Finish Line! Scripture : “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”— Hebrews 12:1–2 Thought Of The Day... There comes a time in our walk with God when we have to ask ourselves a serious question: What am I carrying that God never told me to carry? Hebrews 12 tells us that the Christian life is like a race. But this is not a sprint. It is a race that requires faith, endurance, discipline, patience, and focus. The writer says: “Let us lay aside every weight…” Notice that the Bible distinguishes between a weight and sin. Everything weighing you down may not necessarily be sinful, but it still may be keeping you from running effectively. Some weights are fear. Some weights are disappointment. Some weights are unforgiveness. Some weights are people’s opinions. Some weights are past failures. Some weights are relationships that constantly drain your spirit. Some weights are worry about things you cannot control. And sometimes we are asking God to give us strength to carry something when God is saying: “I NEVER TOLD YOU TO CARRY IT. LAY IT DOWN!” First Peter 5:7 says: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” You cannot run freely while trying to carry yesterday’s pain, tomorrow’s worries, and today’s responsibilities all at the same time. Some things have to be laid at the feet of Jesus. LAY ASIDE THE SIN THAT EASILY BESETS YOU Hebrews does not stop with the weights. It says: “…and the sin which doth so easily beset us…” There are some things we need God to carry, but there are other things we need to repent of and put away. David prayed in Psalm 139:23–24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me…” We cannot ask God to bless what He has told us to surrender. We cannot run toward destiny while deliberately holding onto something that keeps pulling us backward. Sometimes spiritual growth requires us to say: “Lord, show me ME.” Not my neighbor. Not my spouse. Not my family. Not the people at church. ME! Show me what needs to change. Show me what needs to go. Show me what I need to surrender. Because I don't want anything interfering with the race You have placed before me. RUN THE RACE GOD SET BEFORE YOU The Scripture says: “…let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Notice it says “the race that is set before us.” You don't have to run somebody else's race. You don't have to compete with somebody else's calling. You don't have to compare your chapter three with somebody else's chapter twenty. Galatians 6:4 says: “But let every man prove his own work…” God has given you a race. Your assignment may be different. Your journey may be different. Your timing may be different. Your obstacles may be different. And your testimony may be different. Stop looking at how quickly somebody else seems to be moving and trust what God is doing in your life. YOU ARE NOT CALLED TO OUTRUN OTHER PEOPLE. YOU ARE CALLED TO FINISH YOUR RACE FAITHFULLY! RUN WITH PATIENCE This may be one of the hardest parts. “…run with patience…” We want God to do it now. We want the prayer answered now. We want the door opened now. We want the healing now. We want the breakthrough now. We want the situation changed now. But sometimes God develops us while we are waiting for what He promised us. Isaiah 40:31 declares: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength…” Patience does not mean you have stopped believing. Patience means: “God, even though I haven't seen it yet, I still trust You.” When you're tired—keep running. When you're disappointed—keep running. When people misunderstand you—keep running. When prayers seem unanswered—keep running. When you cannot see the finish line—keep running. Why? Because God never promised that the race would always be easy. But He promised that He would be with you. KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS Hebrews 12:2 gives us the secret: “Looking unto Jesus…” Your strength will not come from constantly looking at the problem. Your peace will not come from constantly looking at people. Your confidence will not come from constantly looking at circumstances. LOOK TO JESUS! Peter learned this lesson when he walked on water. Matthew 14:29–30 tells us Peter stepped out of the boat and walked toward Jesus. But when he focused on the wind, fear entered and he began to sink. The storm was already there when Peter stepped out. The difference was where Peter was looking. As long as his attention was directed toward Jesus, he was walking through something that should have overwhelmed him. But when his focus shifted from Christ to the crisis, fear began taking over. And somebody needs to hear this today: DON'T LET WHAT IS AROUND YOU BECOME BIGGER THAN THE JESUS WHO IS BEFORE YOU! JESUS IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER Hebrews calls Jesus: “…the author and finisher of our faith.” If Jesus is the Author, He knows your story. If Jesus is the Finisher, He knows how your story ends. Philippians 1:6 says: “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God did not bring you this far just to abandon you halfway through the race. There are still chapters God is writing. There are still prayers God is answering. There are still doors God can open. There are still people God wants you to impact. There is still purpose in you. So don't quit because you're tired. Don't quit because it became difficult. Don't quit because somebody walked away. Don't quit because things didn't happen according to your timetable. LAY ASIDE THE WEIGHT. TURN AWAY FROM THE SIN. STOP COMPARING YOUR RACE. RUN WITH PATIENCE. KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS. And when your strength gets low, remember: THE SAME JESUS WHO CALLED YOU TO THE RACE WILL GIVE YOU THE GRACE TO FINISH IT! PRAYER... Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, thank You for reminding us that we are not running this race alone. Lord, reveal every weight that has been slowing us down. Help us release fear, worry, disappointment, bitterness, unforgiveness, painful memories, and every burden You never intended us to carry. Search our hearts, O God. Reveal every sin that easily besets us, and give us the courage to repent, surrender, and walk in obedience. When we become tired, strengthen us. When we become discouraged, encourage us. When we become distracted, redirect our eyes toward Jesus. When we cannot understand what You are doing, give us faith to trust You anyway. Help us stop comparing our journey with others and faithfully run the race You have personally placed before us. We declare that our past will not stop us, our problems will not defeat us, distractions will not derail us, and discouragement will not cause us to quit. Our eyes are on Jesus—the Author and Finisher of our faith! Give us grace to run. Give us patience to endure. Give us strength to continue. And give us faith to finish. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen and Amen! DECLARATION... TODAY I DECLARE: I will lay aside every weight that hinders my walk with God. I will turn away from anything that separates me from His will. I will not compare my race with anyone else's race. I will run with patience when the journey becomes difficult. I will trust God when I cannot understand His timing. I will keep moving when I feel tired. I will keep believing when I cannot see the breakthrough. MY EYES ARE FIXED ON JESUS! He is the Author of my faith. He is the Finisher of my faith. What God has started in me, He is faithful to complete! I WILL NOT QUIT! I WILL NOT GIVE UP! I WILL RUN MY RACE! I WILL KEEP THE FAITH! AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I WILL FINISH STRONG! In Jesus’ name—Amen!

August 26 🌿 “WHO GOD IS TO ME” MY HOPE 📖 Psalm 71:5 (LLV) — “For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You have been my trust since my youth.” Hope is often spoken of as something we wish will happen. “I hope things get better.” “I hope everything works out.” “I hope tomorrow will be easier.” But biblical hope is different. It is not a wish. It is confidence placed in Someone. “For You are my hope, O Lord GOD.” The psalmist does not say, “My hope is that my circumstances will improve.” His hope is God. Then he looks backward. “You have been my trust since my youth.” There is something beautiful about faith that has lived long enough to remember. Years bring memories. Some joyful. Some painful. Some we would gladly live again. Others we are simply grateful to have survived. But when we look back, we can often see something we could not see while we were living through them. God was there. Through doors that opened. Through doors that closed. Through prayers answered as we hoped. Through prayers answered in ways we did not understand. Through beginnings. Through endings. Through laughter. Through tears. God was there. And yesterday's faithfulness becomes today's reason for hope. The psalmist does not pretend the future holds no uncertainty. Later he prays, “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” He knows life changes. Strength fades. Tomorrow contains things we cannot predict. But God does not change with our seasons. The God who held us when we were young does not become less faithful as the years pass. So hope does not require us to know what happens next. Hope says, “I know who will be there.” Perhaps that is why this is the right place to finish our journey. We have called Him: My Rock. My Shepherd. My Light. My Refuge. My Strength. My Keeper. The One who walks with me. My Hiding Place. And now, after remembering all those things, we can look toward whatever comes next and say: You are my hope. A new beginning can face an unknown tomorrow because it remembers a faithful yesterday: I may not know what lies ahead, but I know the God who will be there. Reflection: When I look back over my life, where can I see God's faithfulness giving me reason to trust Him with what still lies ahead? Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have been faithful through every season of my life. Thank You for the times I recognized Your hand and for the times You were working when I could not see it. When tomorrow feels uncertain, help me remember yesterday's faithfulness. You have been my trust, and You remain my hope. Whatever years or days lie ahead, let me face them with confidence—not because I know what they hold, but because I know You will be there. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Here is the uncomfortable question: What if you are one of the "100 lions"? What if you are strong? What if you are gifted? What if you are intelligent? What if you are passionate about God? What if you have been in church for 10, 20 or 30 years? But you are following teaching that never confronts sin, never calls people to repentance, never teaches holiness and never prepares souls for eternity? Strength without truth can become a dangerous combination. https://youtu.be/KEbgJb0bG3g?si=CQFSI4-QwOca_zIB

Morning Prayer for Divine Favour 🙏 As you begin this new day, take a moment to ask God for His favour to go before you. There are places your strength alone cannot take you, doors you cannot open by yourself, and opportunities that only God's grace can bring. In today's prayer, we are asking God to surround us with His favour, guide us to the right opportunities, connect us with the right people, and give us wisdom to follow His will. Scripture for Today: "Surely, Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favour as with a shield." — Psalm 5:12 Today, pray for: 🙏 Divine favour throughout the day 🙏 The right doors and opportunities 🙏 Wisdom and direction 🙏 Favour in your work, business, and career 🙏 Helpful and meaningful connections 🙏 Courage to take the right opportunities 🙏 Discernment to walk away from what is not for you 🙏 Progress according to God's purpose and timing If you are trusting God for divine favour today, comment: “Lord, let Your favour go before me.” 🙏 Share this prayer with someone who needs God's favour, and subscribe to Every Morning with God for daily morning prayers, faith declarations, and encouragement. May God's favour surround you, His wisdom guide you, and His presence go before you today. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. #EveryMorningWithGod #MorningPrayer #DivineFavour #GodsFavor #PrayerForFavour #Psalm512 #DailyPrayer #ChristianPrayer #OpenDoors #DivineOpportunities #Faith #TrustGod #MorningDevotion #JesusChrist #Viral

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 25 | Ephesians 2 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 25 The Fall of Jerusalem and the Hope That Remains 2 Kings 25 concludes the historical record of the books of Kings with the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. It is a heartbreaking chapter, yet it is not merely the story of a nation's defeat. It is the fulfillment of God's long-declared warnings through generations of prophets. What God had patiently announced for centuries now comes to pass exactly as He said. The Babylonian army lays siege to Jerusalem until famine overwhelms the city. Eventually, the walls are breached, and King Zedekiah attempts to flee. He is captured, witnesses the destruction of his family, and is taken into exile. The collapse of Judah's final earthly kingdom illustrates the devastating consequences of persistent rebellion against the Lord. The Babylonians then destroy Jerusalem. The temple is burned, the city walls are torn down, and many of the people are carried away into captivity. The place where God's people had gathered for worship now lies in ruins. The visible symbols of Israel's strength, security, and identity are removed. Yet even as the temple falls, God's presence is not defeated. The Lord is never confined to buildings or earthly kingdoms. His covenant purposes continue beyond what human eyes can see. A small remnant remains in the land under the leadership of Gedaliah, offering a brief opportunity for stability. Yet even this hope is disrupted through violence and fear, causing many to flee to Egypt despite God's repeated warnings. The chapter demonstrates that human hearts remain prone to trust their own plans rather than God's direction. The book closes with an unexpected note of hope. Years after the exile begins, Jehoiachin, a descendant of David, is released from prison and shown kindness by the king of Babylon. Though seemingly small, this closing scene carries profound theological significance. The royal line of David has not been extinguished. God's covenant promise remains alive. The story is not over. This quiet ending points beyond exile to restoration. Though the kingdom has fallen, God's redemptive plan continues moving toward the coming of the Messiah. The final chapter of Kings leaves readers looking forward to the greater King whom God has promised. Theologically, 2 Kings 25 reveals both God's perfect justice and His unwavering faithfulness. His judgment against sin is certain, yet His covenant promises remain secure. Even in exile, God preserves hope because His purposes cannot fail. This chapter points directly to Jesus Christ. The preserved line of David ultimately leads to the birth of the Messiah, the eternal King whose kingdom will never be destroyed. Earthly Jerusalem fell because of sin, but Christ establishes a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Through His death and resurrection, He restores what humanity's rebellion had broken and opens the way for all who trust Him to become citizens of His everlasting kingdom. For believers today, 2 Kings 25 reminds us that even the darkest moments of history cannot cancel God's promises. Loss, discipline, and hardship are never the end of God's story. In Christ, hope remains because our King reigns forever. We may experience seasons that feel like exile, but God's faithfulness never changes. His redemptive plan continues, His promises stand secure, and His kingdom will one day be fully established in perfect righteousness and everlasting peace. Ephesians 2 — Saved by Grace and United in the Christ Ephesians chapter 2 reveals the heart of God's redemptive plan by showing how the Christ, the Son of God, rescues sinners, gives them new life, and unites them into one family. After celebrating the spiritual blessings found in the Christ in chapter 1, Paul now explains how those blessings became ours. This chapter moves from humanity's desperate condition apart from God to the glorious transformation accomplished entirely through His grace. Christian living begins by understanding that salvation is God's work from beginning to end. The chapter opens by describing humanity's condition apart from the Christ. Spiritually separated from God and unable to rescue themselves, people naturally follow the patterns of a fallen world and the desires of their sinful nature. This description reminds believers that salvation is never earned because humanity has no ability to bring itself back to God. The redemptive plan begins with God's mercy toward those who were completely unable to save themselves. The turning point of the chapter comes with the overwhelming declaration of God's mercy and love. Because of His great love, God acted through the Christ to give life to those who were spiritually dead. The Son of God accomplished what humanity never could. Christian living is rooted in this reality: believers stand before God because of His grace, not because of their goodness. Every aspect of salvation points back to His mercy. Paul repeatedly emphasizes that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith. It is not the result of human achievement or religious performance. This truth protects the believer from pride and continually directs all glory to the Christ. The redemptive plan leaves no room for boasting because everything necessary for salvation has already been accomplished through the Son of God. The chapter then explains that believers are God's workmanship, created anew in the Christ for lives of faithful service. Good works do not produce salvation, but they naturally flow from it. Christian living is the result of a transformed heart. The Son of God saves His people not only from sin but also for a life that reflects His character and fulfills His purposes. Paul next addresses the separation that once existed between different groups of people. Through the Christ, barriers of hostility have been removed, and those who were once divided have been brought together into one new people. The redemptive plan creates unity where there was once division. The Son of God is the source of true peace because He reconciles people to God and to one another. This reconciliation extends beyond human relationships to the believer's relationship with God Himself. Those who were once far away have been brought near through the sacrifice of the Christ. Access to the Father is now available because of His finished work. Christian living is lived in the confidence of this restored relationship, knowing that believers are welcomed into God's presence through the Son of God. The chapter continues by describing the Church as God's household and His holy temple. Believers are no longer strangers or outsiders but members of God's family. Together they are being built into a dwelling place where God lives by His Spirit. The redemptive plan is not only individual but also corporate. The Christ is building a people who reflect His glory together as one body. The foundation of this spiritual house is firmly established upon the truth of God's Word, with the Christ Himself as the cornerstone. Everything in the believer's life and in the Church must remain aligned with Him. Christian living remains stable only when it is centered on the Son of God. Throughout Ephesians chapter 2, the Christ is revealed as the giver of life, the source of grace, the bringer of peace, and the cornerstone of God's eternal kingdom. Every aspect of the believer's salvation, identity, and purpose is found in Him. The redemptive plan transforms those who were spiritually dead into living members of God's family and joins them together for His glory. For believers today, this chapter reminds us that our salvation is entirely the work of God's grace through the Christ. Christian living is not an attempt to earn God's acceptance but a joyful response to His mercy. We are called to live as God's workmanship, pursuing the good works He has prepared for us while walking in unity with fellow believers. As we remain firmly built upon the Son of God, we become living stones in His spiritual house, displaying His grace and participating in His eternal redemptive plan. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

*TODAY'S PROPHETIC DECLARATION - WEDNESDAY, 26TH AUGUST, 2026.* 🌟*HOPE IN THE LORD*🌟 📖 Scripture: “Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.” — Psalm 130:7 (KJV). 🔥*Reflection – Our Hope Is in the Lord* Psalm 130 is a cry from the depths, yet it moves from distress to confident hope. The Psalmist reminds God's people that their hope should not be placed in circumstances, people, possessions, or human strength, but in the Lord. Why can we hope in God? Because mercy belongs to Him, and with Him there is plenteous redemption. God does not merely have enough mercy for a few situations. His mercy is abundant. He is able to redeem what appears lost, restore what has been broken, and bring hope into situations that seem beyond recovery. Today, whatever you are facing, don't allow your circumstances to determine the level of your hope. Put your hope in the Lord. Your situation may change. People may disappoint you. Plans may fail. But God's mercy remains, and His power to redeem is unlimited. 🔊*Prophetic Declaration:* Today, I declare that my hope is in the Lord. I will not put my ultimate confidence in circumstances, human beings, possessions, or my own strength. My trust is in the Almighty God. I declare that the abundant mercy of God speaks over my life today. Where I have fallen short, may His mercy restore me. Where I have made mistakes, may His grace teach and redirect me. Where I have experienced disappointment, may His mercy renew my hope. I proclaim plenteous redemption over every area of my life. May the Lord redeem lost opportunities, wasted seasons, broken dreams, difficult experiences, and every situation that needs His restoring hand. I declare redemption over my family, ministry, work, business, studies, relationships, and destiny. May God bring restoration according to His perfect will. Today, I refuse to surrender to hopelessness. I will not allow yesterday's disappointment to determine tomorrow's expectation. I believe that God is still working, even when I cannot see the full picture. I declare that every season of waiting shall produce spiritual maturity, deeper faith, wisdom, and greater dependence upon God. I proclaim that the Lord shall renew my strength. When I am tired, He shall sustain me. When I am discouraged, He shall lift me. When I am confused, He shall guide me. When I am weak, He shall be my strength. Today, I declare that God's mercy shall follow me. His goodness shall surround me, and His favor shall accompany me wherever He sends me. I declare that no failure, disappointment, delay, or difficult season shall have the final word concerning my life. God's redemption is greater than my past, and His mercy is greater than my mistakes. I receive grace to wait patiently for God's intervention. I will not force doors He has not opened, and I will not abandon my faith because the answer has not yet arrived. My hope shall remain alive because the Lord is faithful. I hope in the Lord. I trust in His mercy. I believe in His redemption. I wait for His timing. I expect His faithfulness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! 🙏🔥 ✅*Action Steps for today:* 1️⃣ Begin with thanksgiving: Thank God for His mercy and unfailing faithfulness. 2️⃣ Read Psalm 130: Meditate on how the Psalm moves from crying out to God toward confident hope. 3️⃣ Declare: “My hope is in the Lord, for with Him there is mercy and abundant redemption.” 4️⃣ Surrender your past: Give God your regrets, failures, disappointments, and painful experiences. Trust Him to redeem your story. 5️⃣ Pray for someone who has lost hope: Ask God to strengthen someone who is going through a difficult season. 6️⃣ Practice patience: If you are waiting for an answer from God, refuse to allow anxiety to make you abandon faith. 7️⃣ End with praise: Thank God in advance for His mercy, redemption, and faithfulness. 🔥*Prayer:* Heavenly Father, Thank You because You are my hope and my Redeemer. I thank You because Your mercy is abundant and Your power to redeem is beyond measure. Lord, I place my complete hope in You today. Forgive me for the times I have allowed circumstances to become greater than my confidence in You. Let Your mercy speak over every area of my life. Where I have made mistakes, restore me. Where I have experienced loss, comfort me. Where I have become discouraged, renew my hope. Redeem my time, my opportunities, my efforts, my relationships, and every good purpose You have ordained for my life. Remember my family, ministry, work, business, studies, and destiny. Let Your perfect will be accomplished in each area. Give me patience while I wait for Your intervention. Help me trust You even when I cannot understand what You are doing. Lord, let my life become a testimony of Your abundant mercy and redemption. Turn difficult seasons into testimonies and use every experience to draw me closer to You. My hope is in You, Lord. I will trust Your mercy, wait for Your timing, and believe in Your redemption. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen. 🙏🕊️ 🌿*Blessing for today:* May the Lord fill your heart with unshakable hope today. May His abundant mercy speak over you, your household, and everything that concerns you. May God redeem every wasted season, restore every good thing according to His will, and transform every difficult experience into a testimony of His faithfulness. May He strengthen you while you wait, guide you when you are uncertain, and give you peace when circumstances are beyond your control. May your family, ministry, work, business, studies, relationships, and destiny experience God's redeeming power. 🌟 Your hope will not die. 🕊️ God's mercy will sustain you. 🔥 His redemption is abundant. 🙏 Your waiting will not be wasted. 🙌 Your testimony shall glorify God. 🌟 “LET ISRAEL HOPE IN THE LORD: FOR WITH THE LORD THERE IS MERCY, AND WITH HIM IS PLENTEOUS REDEMPTION.” — PSALM 130:7. Keep your hope in the Lord. His mercy is abundant, His redemption is plentiful, and His faithfulness never fails. Good morning beloved and do have a blessed, hopeful, peaceful, and testimony-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

This is a portion of Scripture that offers comfort and promises God’s abiding presence, strength, and help during times of fear and anxiety, for our God is faithful and righteous. We are commanded "do not be afraid" because we have no reason to worry or fear; all we need to do is place our full trust in our Lord Jesus without hesitation, confident that God is always with us. If you do not know how you will get through the day, God is right there beside you to provide the strength and help needed to overcome whatever you are facing in life. Let us always fix our eyes on what God is doing in our lives; He will surely take away all hardships and fears. God’s promises never change. Yet, we often blame God for the events of our lives, when in reality, we are the ones responsible for remaining stuck in problems so overwhelming that we hardly know what to do. Nevertheless, God’s faithfulness is great and steadfast, for He keeps His promises. God says, "For I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand"—meaning, it is God who holds us. and in this verse It means God offers personal support, divine strength, and active protection so a person will not fall or give in to fear during hard times. God is with us! #GodNeverChange #HeIsFaithfulAndMighty #LordsBook

Wednesday, 26th August, 2026 TITLE: "ABIDE IN GOD: DWELL IN HIS PRESENCE, REMAIN IN HIS STRENGTH" ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S) Psalm 91:1–2 (KJV) "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." John 15:4 (KJV) "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." QUOTE TO REFLECT ON "Your strength, safety, and fruitfulness begin with remaining close to God." DAY'S REFLECTION The Christian life is not designed to be lived independently of God. We need His presence, strength, guidance, and grace every day. Psalm 91:1 gives us a beautiful picture of this relationship: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." The word "dwelleth" means to live, remain, or make one's home in a place. It is more than visiting occasionally. God desires us to develop a consistent relationship with Him rather than seeking Him only when trouble comes. The "secret place" speaks of intimate fellowship with God—a place of prayer, worship, meditation on His Word, and communion with Him. To "abide under the shadow of the Almighty" speaks of resting in His presence and depending on His power and protection. The psalmist therefore confidently declares, "He is my refuge and my fortress." A refuge is a place of safety, while a fortress provides protection against attack. The writer's confidence was not in his circumstances but in his relationship with God: "my God; in him will I trust." Jesus gives us the same principle in John 15:4: "Abide in me, and I in you." He uses the relationship between a branch and a vine to explain spiritual dependence. A branch cannot produce fruit by itself. It must remain connected to the vine. Likewise, we cannot produce lasting spiritual fruit through human effort alone. We need continuous connection with Christ. To abide means to remain, continue, dwell, and stay connected. Life experience teaches us that disconnection brings weakness. A phone may be fully functional, but without connection to its power source, its battery eventually runs down. Similarly, believers who neglect prayer, God's Word, worship, and fellowship with Christ can become spiritually weak and vulnerable. Abiding in Christ does not mean that problems will never come. It means that when problems come, we do not face them alone. We have a refuge. We have a fortress. We have the presence of the Almighty. Today, do not merely visit God's presence—dwell there. Do not only seek Christ when you need something—abide in Him daily. Stay connected to Christ, and let His presence become your place of strength, peace, protection, and fruitfulness. MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S) Psalm 16:8 (KJV) "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." Philippians 4:13 (KJV) "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS) 1. God's presence should be our permanent dwelling place, not an occasional refuge. 2. Trusting God brings confidence in the midst of uncertainty. 3. Spiritual strength comes from remaining connected to Christ. 4. Like a branch depends on the vine, we depend on Jesus for spiritual fruitfulness. 5. Prayer and God's Word help us maintain intimate fellowship with Christ. 6. Abiding in Christ produces stability, peace, strength, and lasting fruit. EVERYDAY ACTION Spend intentional time with God today through prayer and His Word, and consciously depend on Christ in every decision. PRAYER Heavenly Father, help me dwell in Your presence and abide in Christ every day. Be my refuge and fortress, strengthen my faith, and make my life fruitful for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen. DECLARATION I dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. The Lord is my refuge and fortress. I remain connected to Christ, and His strength, peace, and life flow through me. I will bear lasting fruit for His glory. Amen. Devotion by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo 📞 +233 544 295 158 Follow us on WhatsApp 👇👇👇 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P

It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:6–8 ɴᴋᴊᴠ There is another thing connected with my waiting for God’s Son from heaven. I have not yet got the Person I love with me, and while waiting for Him I am going through the world tired and worn with the spirit and character of everything around me. The more I am in communion with God, the more keenly shall I feel the spirit of the world to be a weariness to me, although God still upholds my soul in fellowship and communion with Himself. Therefore, Paul says, in 2 Thessalonians 1, “to give you who are troubled rest with us.” I get rest to my spirit now in waiting for Christ, knowing that when He comes He will have everything His own way; for the coming of the Lord, which will be trouble to the world, will be to the saints’ full and everlasting rest. It is not right to be weary of the service and conflict. Oh, no! Rather let me be victorious every day, but still it is not rest to be fighting. I shall know it all better when I am in the glory, my soul will be enlarged, and more capable of enjoying what God really is; but it is the same kind of joy that I have now, as I shall have when He comes to be glorified in His saints. J. N. Darby Jesus, our Lord, with joy we waitTo see Thy blessed face;Though weak on earth our present state,Our strength is in Thy grace. T. Ruse https://gbv-online.org/calendar/773/date/2026-08-26

Lifeline Today Wednesday August 26 Pursue Purity Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 One major attribute that will attract people to you is the state of your heart; how pure it is. Moral purity is like an aroma, a fragrance that releases the beauty of God’s holiness. If we are to succeed by faith, we must also live a corresponding life of purity and holiness. Purity is vital to faith. There cannot be faith in the heart unless there is holiness in the life. You pursue purity by exposing your conscience constantly to the Word of God. As you do, your heart grows strong and insists on doing right, condemns wrongdoing, causes remorse over sin and rewards righteousness with peace. Your inward purity which is reflected in your outward action singles you out for favour where others are rejected. Purity has to do with moral discipline that starts from self. No matter how gifted you are, your gift will never reach their maximum potential without the application of self-discipline. This is your day. Wisdom Fountain: "Keep your heart pure. A pure heart is necessary to see God in each other. If you see God in each other, there is love for each other, then there is peace." Prayer: Heavenly Father, create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Purify my thoughts, my motives, and my desires. Help me to turn my eyes away from worthless things and guard my words. Give me the strength to resist temptation and to run from things that lead me away from You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so my actions bring honour to Your name in Jesus' name.