THE EASTERN GATE — WHEN THE DOOR OPENS I have walked through Jerusalem many times during my archaeological journey, stood among its ancient stones, explored its history, and watched the city change beneath the light of the Judean sun. Yet there is one place that still causes me to stop. The Eastern Gate. Standing across from that magnificent sealed gateway, I have often simply stared at it in awe. The gate we see today is not the gate through which Solomon walked. Jerusalem is a city built layer upon layer, generation upon generation. Beneath our feet lie the remains of earlier Jerusalems—some excavated, others still hidden in the earth. And the Eastern Gate has its own archaeological mystery. In 1969, James Fleming was examining the area outside the present Golden Gate when the ground beneath him gave way. Below the modern ground level, he observed and photographed an earlier arched structure associated with the gateway. What exactly was it? How old was it? Could still earlier phases of Jerusalem's eastern entrance survive beneath it? Those questions remain debated. Archaeology has not established that Fleming discovered Solomon's gate. Extensive excavation of this extraordinarily sensitive area has never been possible. And perhaps that mystery is partly what makes standing there so remarkable. What we see above the ground is only part of the story. There are stones beneath the stones. There are gates beneath the gate. There is history beneath our feet. But whenever I stand there, my thoughts eventually move beyond archaeology. I look across the Kidron Valley toward the Mount of Olives. I look back toward that sealed entrance in Jerusalem's eastern wall. And I imagine a day archaeology cannot excavate. The coming of the Messiah. Imagine standing there when Yeshua returns to earthly Jerusalem. Imagine the sound of the shofar echoing across the valley. Imagine the King approaching Jerusalem. Imagine those ancient stones witnessing something greater than all the kings, armies, pilgrims and empires that have passed before them. And then I remember something Yeshua once said: “I am the door.” — John 10:9 Suddenly, the image of a sealed gate takes on another meaning. A stone gateway may be closed. But God's Door is open. Yeshua did not describe Himself merely as someone standing beside the entrance or someone pointing toward it. He said: “I am the door.” The message is profoundly simple. THE DOOR IS THE WAY A door separates two places. You stand on one side, but the door provides the entrance to the other. Yeshua presents Himself as the entrance to salvation and life with God. Wealth cannot purchase that entrance. Archaeological knowledge cannot unlock it. Religious status cannot earn it. The invitation is through Him. THE DOOR IS PROTECTION The imagery becomes even richer when we remember the shepherd. In the ancient world, sheep could be gathered into an enclosure where the entrance provided controlled access and protection. Against that background, Yeshua speaks not only about a door but immediately afterward about Himself as the Good Shepherd. The One who provides the entrance is also the One who cares for the sheep. THE DOOR LEADS TO LIFE Yeshua continues: “He will come in and go out and find pasture.” The Door does not lead into imprisonment. It leads to life. To fellowship. To belonging. To walking with the Shepherd. And that is why the Eastern Gate continues to fascinate me. As an archaeologist, I see ancient masonry, buried architectural phases, unanswered questions and thousands of years of Jerusalem's history. As a believer, I see something else. I see an illustration. The world can build walls. Men can close gates. Empires can rise and disappear. Stones can be buried beneath metres of earth. But there is one Door no human being can seal. Yeshua is that Door. Perhaps one day I will no longer have to stand across the Kidron Valley imagining the King coming to Jerusalem. Perhaps those ancient stones will witness the moment themselves. Until then, the sealed Eastern Gate remains there—silent, ancient and mysterious. And every time I look at it, I am reminded: The gate may be shut. But the Door is still open. Yeshua said, “I am the door.”

Guidelines for living. August 27, 2026 Why You Should Cultivate Excellence in Your Life Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 The greatest accomplishments in life - believe it or not - are made not by the smartest people in the world but by those who didn't know enough to quit. They were the ones who kept trying, kept plodding, kept practicing, who kept investigating until they stumbled onto success. That fact was driven home to me when I was studying in the university. There were two men in my classes who were geniuses. Their IQs were way up there. At the end of a class, they slapped their books shut and generally didn't open them. They were smart. Frankly, I was among those who had to dig it out. People thought I was really gifted; no, I just knew how to work and to study. My parents spent hard earned money and sent me to school to study, not party. I knew why I was there and I made the most of the opportunity. Learning to apply myself was something I happened to grow up with, but everybody didn't have a dad who cut the handles off of brooms, making them short enough for me to use as a kid, or has you work alongside him. But you can learn to work. You can develop discipline yourself. You can set goals and eventually reach them. One of my heroes was Sir Edmund Hillary, who along with his Sherpa guide, Tensing, crested Mount Everest for the first time. Awesome achievement, and that before a lot of high-tech gear which climbers use today. When asked how he accomplished this when others had failed, he replied that when he was tempted to turn back, he took just one more step. William Carey, the father of modern missions, said that his greatest ability was to plod in the face of adversity. When Thomas Edison had tried 10,000 ways to produce an incandescent globe and hadn't succeeded, he was urged to quit. He responded that he had found 10,000 ways that wouldn't work. And he would eventually find one that did. He did! I've sometimes wondered how many determined, stubborn individuals we have today with that same tenacity. The foundation of our modern achievements was laid by thousands of unknown individuals who lived in obscurity and died unknown, who faithfully contributed to what has enabled us to send men to the moon, to circle the globe with communication, and to accomplish great and mighty things through technology and science. They laid the foundation; we have built upon their research, hard work, and trial and error. Their strength and energy, like a gradually falling barometer, were meted out in hard work, years of often-unrecognized service, and yes, blood, sweat and tears. But they did not quit. They did not look for something with less work and more money attached to it. I've been told that in an European Cathedral, high in the rafters where no one ever goes, are some intricate carvings of exquisite beauty, done by a master craftsman whose name has long since been lost to posterity. Why did he take time to do some of his finest work, using an abutment of wood that will never be seen by the public? He valued excellence. He took seriously the admonition of the Bible that instructs: "Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Cultivate excellence. Make it a passion. Refuse to let the world and our culture shove you into the mold of mediocrity. Thank God for teachers who inspire excellence, for mothers who have the patience to bring the best out of their children, for dads who have the patience to teach a little boy how to do something. Do it, friend. Someday, you will be very glad you did. Resource Reading: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10

The Story Behind the Hymns. THE STORY BEHIND "O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED" “O Jesus, I Have Promised” was written by English hymn writer John Ernest Bode (1816–1874), an Anglican clergyman and scholar. Bode wrote the hymn in 1868 for the confirmation service of his own children at Castle Camps, Cambridgeshire, England. The hymn grew out of a deeply personal moment. Bode’s children were publicly affirming their Christian faith and promising to remain faithful to Christ. He wrote the words to express the seriousness of that commitment, not simply as a promise made during confirmation, but as a lifelong decision to follow Jesus. The opening words, “O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end,” immediately establish the hymn’s central message: faithful Christian service. The following verses recognise that keeping such a promise is not always easy. Temptations, distractions and the pressures of life can weaken a believer, which is why the hymn repeatedly turns to Jesus for strength and guidance. Its most familiar lines include the prayer: “ O Jesus, Thou hast promised To all who follow Thee, That where Thou art in glory, There shall Thy servant be.” The hymn became widely known in churches and schools and has remained a beloved hymn of commitment, especially at confirmation services, because of its direct and personal language. “O Jesus, I Have Promised” continues to speak across generations because its message is simple but demanding: to follow Christ faithfully, to resist the distractions of the world, and to depend on Him for the strength to remain true to the promise.

Let's talk about it. YOUR MIND AND HEART NEED GOD’S WORD Just as a plant cannot grow without water, our mind and heart cannot truly flourish without the Word of God. Every day, we are surrounded by voices—opinions, distractions, temptations, fears, and worries. What we continually feed our minds will eventually shape our thoughts, and what fills our hearts will eventually influence our words, choices, and actions. That is why we must intentionally water our lives with God’s Word DAILY. When you are discouraged, read His promises. When you are confused, seek His wisdom. When you are tempted, remember His truth. When you are afraid, hold on to His Word. When you are tired, let His presence renew you. The Bible is not merely a book to display—it is God’s truth to live by. It corrects us when we are wrong, strengthens us when we are weak, guides us when we are lost, and reminds us of who God is when life becomes difficult. A neglected plant withers. A heart neglected from God grows cold. A mind without God’s truth becomes vulnerable to deception. But a life continually nourished by God’s Word becomes stronger in faith. Don’t wait until Sunday to hear from God. Open your Bible every day. Pray. Meditate. Listen. Obey. Water your mind. Water your heart. Water your soul with the Word of God. Because what you feed daily will eventually grow. «“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4» Stay in the Word. Stay in prayer. Stay close to Jesus.

A Nugget of Truth. THE LAW OF GOD WILL BE THE STANDARD OF JUDGMENT Christ did not teach His followers to run from the Scriptures. He repeatedly appealed to the Word of God. Jesus said, “Have ye not read in the scriptures?” (Matthew 21:42). He also declared, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Paul did the same. He said, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31). He also taught that “the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). The apostles did not teach believers that God’s Law had become meaningless. John wrote, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3). He further declared, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). So why does much of Christianity today suddenly declare that God’s Law is no longer binding? Could it be because people want Christ without His commandments? Grace without obedience? Faith without transformation? We must be careful. We cannot reject a commandment simply because we do not want to obey it. And when the world stands before God in judgment, human opinions will not be the standard. The Bible says, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:12). Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 gives the solemn conclusion: “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment.” Judgment is coming. The question is not, “What does my church say?” The question is: What has God said? The Law does not save us. Christ saves us. But the grace that saves us does not teach us to despise the Law of the God who saved us. When God judges, His Word—not our traditions, preferences, or excuses—will have the final authority. Do not run from God’s Law because you are uncomfortable with one of its commandments. Search the Scriptures. Test everything by the Word of God. Christ is our Savior. His Word is our standard. And judgment is certain. Amazing Love

Daily Bible Lesson. IF THE DEAD ARE ALREADY IN HEAVEN OR HELL… WHY IS THE RESURRECTION SO IMPORTANT? 1 Corinthians 15 is one of the clearest chapters in the Bible about the resurrection of the dead. Paul repeatedly points to a future resurrection when Jesus Christ returns. This raises an important question: If the dead are already consciously enjoying heaven—or suffering in hell—immediately after death, why does the Bible place such enormous emphasis on a future resurrection? Let’s examine the biblical picture. 1. THE RESURRECTION IS CONNECTED TO CHRIST'S SECOND COMING “Afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.” — 1 Corinthians 15:23 Paul gives a clear sequence: Christ was raised first. Christ's people are raised at His coming. The resurrection is therefore connected with the Second Coming. “The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” — 1 Corinthians 15:52 This points to a great future resurrection event—not something that happens individually every time a believer dies. 2. THE RESURRECTION IS CENTRAL TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH Paul does not treat the resurrection as a minor detail. “If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” — 1 Corinthians 15:14 “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” — 1 Corinthians 15:17 Paul's message follows this powerful sequence: Christ died Christ was raised Believers will be raised Death will ultimately be destroyed “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” — 1 Corinthians 15:26 3. WHEN DO WE RECEIVE IMMORTALITY? Paul says: “This mortal must put on immortality.” — 1 Corinthians 15:53 Notice the context: immortality is associated with the resurrection. The Bible's emphasis is not simply that a person dies and immediately receives the final reward. Paul directs our attention toward the resurrection, when God's people are changed and receive immortality. The resurrection is not an afterthought—it is central to the Christian hope. 4. THE BIBLE DESCRIBES DEATH AS SLEEP The Bible repeatedly uses sleep as a description of death. Jesus and Lazarus “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.” — John 11:11 Jesus then made it unmistakably clear: “Lazarus is dead.” — John 11:14 Daniel 12:2 “Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13–16 Paul speaks of those who are asleep and then describes their resurrection when Christ returns. Ecclesiastes 9:5 “The dead know not any thing.” Psalm 146:4 When a person dies, “his thoughts perish.” Together, these passages provide a biblical basis for understanding death as an unconscious state awaiting the resurrection. 5. THE BIBLICAL SEQUENCE BECOMES VERY CLEAR DEATH The person rests in the grave. CHRIST RETURNS The trumpet sounds. THE DEAD IN CHRIST RISE 1 Thessalonians 4:16 THEY ARE CHANGED 1 Corinthians 15:51–53 THEY RECEIVE IMMORTALITY 1 Corinthians 15:53–54 DEATH IS DEFEATED 1 Corinthians 15:54–55 This makes Paul's argument especially powerful: The Christian hope is not merely, “When I die, I go to heaven.” The great biblical hope is: JESUS IS COMING AGAIN! THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE! 6. WHAT ABOUT PASSAGES THAT SEEM TO TEACH IMMEDIATE LIFE AFTER DEATH? There are passages that Christians interpret differently, including: Luke 23:43 — “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Philippians 1:23 — Paul speaks of departing and being with Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:8 — “Absent from the body… present with the Lord.” These passages should not be ignored. However, Christians who believe in the sleep of death understand these verses alongside the many passages that explicitly describe death as sleep and emphasize the future resurrection. Questions involving punctuation, translation, context, and the meaning of being “with Christ” have contributed to different interpretations. The safest approach is to study the whole Bible rather than build a doctrine on one verse. 7. WHY DOES THE TEACHING OF DEATH AS SLEEP MATTER? It keeps the resurrection central. Paul makes the resurrection absolutely essential to Christian faith. It teaches that immortality is God's gift. “This mortal must put on immortality.” — 1 Corinthians 15:53 It gives greater meaning to the Second Coming. “The dead in Christ shall rise first.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16 It warns against attempts to communicate with the dead. Deuteronomy 18:10–12; Isaiah 8:19 If the dead are unconscious, claims that deceased relatives are communicating with the living cannot automatically be accepted as genuine communication with the dead. It gives comfort through the resurrection hope. “Sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Why? Because those who have died in Christ will rise again when Jesus returns! THE GREAT BIBLICAL HOPE The ultimate hope of Scripture is not death. It is not the grave. It is not merely an immortal soul escaping the body. The great hope is: JESUS CHRIST'S RETURN THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD THE GIFT OF IMMORTALITY THE DESTRUCTION OF DEATH ETERNAL LIFE WITH CHRIST “This mortal shall have put on immortality… then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” — 1 Corinthians 15:54 IN SHORT If the dead are already enjoying the complete reward of heaven immediately after death, the resurrection remains important—but it raises a significant question: Why does Paul place such extraordinary emphasis on the future resurrection as the moment when the dead are raised, changed, receive immortality, and experience final victory over death? Understanding the biblical teaching of death as sleep makes Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 15 especially straightforward: The dead are resting. They are awaiting the voice of Christ. Jesus will return. The dead in Christ will awake. They will be changed. Death will be swallowed up in victory. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16 THAT IS THE CHRISTIAN HOPE! Not merely that we die and go somewhere… But that JESUS IS COMING—AND THE DEAD WILL RISE!

Pride and carnality among choirs have become the reason why their ministrations are now more like entertainment to sinners. Where are those days when choir ministrations touched lives, broke yokes, brought sinners to tears, and led souls to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ? Oh Lord, send revival among Your children! Restore the fire, the passion, and the power of genuine worship. Let our ministrations once again carry Your presence and transform lives. In Jesus Christ name Amen

August 27, 2026 (day 239/365) THURSDAY GOD'S WORD FOR THE DAY “God Is Greater Than Our Understanding” Job 12:13 “With God are wisdom and might; He has counsel and understanding.” This is the Word of God. Job 12 reminds us that God possesses wisdom and understanding far beyond human knowledge. Job was suffering deeply, yet he recognized that God remained sovereign and wise even when he could not understand what was happening. There are times when life brings questions for which we have no answers. We may wonder why God allows certain things to happen or why our prayers seem unanswered. In such moments, we may not understand God's ways, but we can still trust His wisdom. Our limited understanding sees only a small part of the story, while God sees the beginning, the middle, and the end. Faith means trusting Him even when we cannot see the whole picture. May God give us humble hearts that trust His wisdom, especially when we do not understand His ways, and help us rest confidently in His sovereign care. Amen. Have a blessed day with the Lord. -- Pastor Emmanuel Serto

https://youtu.be/y4D8EdKpxTM?si=UIYr4Nxak0jpPhi6 An open letter to Pa Adeboye from an RCCG member addresses the growing concerns regarding church business practices and the lack of direct accessibility to leadership. This candid discussion explores the tension between traditional ministry values and modern institutional structures within the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Many congregants are seeking transparency on how church resources are managed and why communication channels to the General Overseer remain largely restricted. This video examines the challenges of maintaining a personal connection to leadership in a massive global organization while ensuring accountability remains a top priority for all members.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: REFUEL, RECHARGE, RELOAD, PART 1 MEMORIZE: "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." Hebrews 12:24 (KJV) BIBLE READING: LEVITICUS 17:11, MATTHEW 26:27-29 LEVITICUS 17:11 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. MATTHEW 26:27-29 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. MESSAGE: God created man such that he would constantly need refuelling. That is why He made sure that every day would be followed by a night so that, if you have worked very hard during the day, you can sleep and refuel your energy at night. Also, after you have eaten breakfast and worked for some time, you are expected to take a break for lunch to refuel. The Almighty God created hunger to remind you that you are running low on energy, so you can go ahead and recharge by eating. In the same way batteries must be recharged from time to time so they can remain effective, you must constantly recharge yourself spiritually so that you will not become spiritually ineffective. Whenever you begin to run low on spiritual energy, there will be a hunger in your spirit, and you will feel the need to refill. When that hunger comes, please don't ignore it. Start fasting and praying immediately to recharge your spiritual energy. If you allow the hunger to persist, you will become weak, and this may cause you to faint in the day of adversity (Proverbs 24:10). God, in His infinite mercy, has also provided the Holy Communion as a very effective way for Christians to refuel spiritually. The wine of the Holy Communion represents the blood of Jesus, and since the life of the flesh is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11), then the life of Jesus is in His blood. You cannot drink the blood of Jesus worthily and remain weak. People who belong to occult groups understand the power of blood. When members of the occult want to receive more power, they are asked to make sacrifices that involve blood. The greater the power they seek, the greater the sacrifices required. In most cases, those who rise to the highest levels of such groups are asked to drink the blood of their victims for quicker and greater empowerment. As children of God, when we partake of the Holy Communion, we partake of the blood of our risen Lord. Today's memory verse tells us that the blood of Jesus speaks better things than that of Abel. When you are weak, the blood of Jesus will speak strength and might into you. Beloved, never wait until you are completely drained of your spiritual strength. Whenever you find yourself getting weak spiritually, partake of the Holy Communion to recharge yourself, and you will receive fresh energy from the endless life of Christ. KEY POINT: Partaking of the Holy Communion will refuel your spiritual energy. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: EZEKIEL 13 - 15 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMNAL 8 - I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR 1. I need thee every hour most gracious Lord; no tender voice like thine can peace afford. CHORUS: I need thee, oh, I need thee; Every hour I need thee! Oh, bless me now my saviour; I come to thee! 2. I need thee every hour, stay thou near by; temptations lose their power when thou art nigh. CHORUS: 3. I need thee every hour in joy or pain; come quickly and abide or life is vain. CHORUS: 4. I need Thee every hour Teach me Thy will; And Thy rich promises In me fulfill. CHORUS: 5. I need Thee every hour, Most Holy one; Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son! CHORUS: ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY, 27TH AUGUST, 2026 REFUEL, RECHARGE, RELOAD I Prayer Point ‎ 1.Father, thank You for giving us the day, to work, and the night, for rest. Thank You for providing food and water to satisfy our hunger and thirst. 2.Father, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in our weakness, and to fill us when we feel empty. 3.Father, please help me to constantly recharge myself spiritually, so I won't become spiritually ineffective, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me never to ignore the need to refill when I'm running low on spiritual energy, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please help me constantly recharge my spiritual batteries through regular fasting and prayers, in Jesus' name. 6.Holy Spirit, refuel my spiritual tank, and satisfy my hunger and thirst so I won't become weak and faint in the day of adversity, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, thank You for the power in the Holy Communion to refuel us spiritually; thank You for the life transforming power in the blood of Jesus, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please help me to constantly drink the blood of Jesus worthily, so I won't remain weak, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, by the reason of the blood of Jesus which is the greatest sacrifice, I receive power to rise to the very highest level of greater spiritual empowerment and exploit, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, as I partake of the Holy Communion, let the blood of Jesus speak strength and might into me, in Jesus'name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Please grant him grace to remain spiritually refueled, recharged and reloaded for Your use, 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) #GodBlessOurNation These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.