Sermon Title: "RIGHT GIVING IN A WRONG SEASON"
Key Texts: 2 Corinthians 9:7, Malachi 3:8-10, Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 12:1-2, Psalm 51:17

INTRODUCTION
Beloved, we are in the last days. Times of hardship. Times where many are pressed on every side.
And in these days, giving has become godly for some... and desperate for others.

God loves a cheerful giver. But the enemy has twisted giving into a trap for the wounded.
Today God is calling us back: Look to God first, not to giving as a formula.

1. GIVING IS GODLY, BUT MOTIVE MATTERS
2 Corinthians 9:7 — “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Giving is worship. It is obedience. It is sowing.
But in this last age, error has entered.
Many are giving not out of faith, but out of fear and desperation. "If I give this, then God must heal me. Then God must pay my rent."

That’s not covenant. That’s bargaining.
And when we bargain with God, we leave ourselves ungodly and still desperate because our eyes are on the gift, not the Giver.

Isaiah 1:11 — “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord.”
God wants the heart before the hand.

2. THE REAL NEED: REPENTANCE AND RELATIONSHIP
Your message says it: “Look to God in repentance, obedience of God's word and be right before God.”

Hardship will come. 2 Timothy 3:1 — “in the last days there will come times of difficulty.”
But the answer is not just to give more. The answer is to return to God.

Joel 2:12-13 — “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

God’s priority is not your offering. It’s you.
When you are right with God, He heals both:
Physical wounds: Psalm 147:3 — “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Spiritual wounds: Psalm 51:17 — “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

3. THE DANGER: USING GOD FOR THE GIFT
You said: “Unfortunately receivers of what they give. Ain't looking to this but after their more giving in. Leaving them ungodly before and desperate in life.”

This is the trap. Using God like an ATM.
Acts 8:20 — Peter told Simon, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!”

When we chase the blessing more than the Blesser, we stay in cycles:
Desperation → Give
No instant result → More desperation → Give more
We become tired, bitter, and far from God.

Jesus warned us: Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

4. GOD’S WAY: HEAL FIRST, THEN GIVE FROM WHOLENESS
God is not against your giving. He is for your healing.

Hebrews 12:1-2 — “Let us lay aside every weight... and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.”

God’s order:
Repentance - Turn from sin and self-reliance
Obedience - Walk in His Word daily
Relationship - Seek His face, not just His hand
Giving - Now give from a place of faith and joy, not fear

When you do this, God restores. Malachi 3:10 — “Bring the full tithe... and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you.”
But notice: the tithe comes after “Return to me” in verse 7.

CLOSING CALL + PRAYER
Church, don’t let hardship push you into error.
Don’t give to manipulate God. Give because you love Him.

If you’ve been giving out of desperation, today is the day to return.

Prayer:
Father, heal us. Heal our finances, but more than that, heal our hearts.
Forgive us for making giving a transaction

Absolutely. Here are 20 prayers for young couples who have been in church before and need to return to church, with KJV Scriptures.

1. Prayer to Return to the Lord

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

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

2. Prayer for a Hunger for God's House

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

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

3. Prayer Against Distractions

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

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

4. Prayer for Their Relationship

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

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

5. Prayer for Conviction

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

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

6. Prayer for a Fresh Start

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

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

7. Prayer Against Discouragement

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

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

8. Prayer for Their Children

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

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

9. Prayer for Godly Friendships

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

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

10. Prayer for Their Priorities

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

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

11. Prayer for Their Schedules

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

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

12. Prayer for Restoration

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

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

13. Prayer for Their Salvation

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

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

14. Prayer for Protection From Temptation

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

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

15. Prayer for Their Homes

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

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

16. Prayer for Forgiveness

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

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

17. Prayer for Joy in Church

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

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

18. Prayer for Courage to Come Back

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

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

19. Prayer for Spiritual Growth

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

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

20. Prayer for Faithfulness

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

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

Prayer:
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for every young couple who has been in church before but has become disconnected. Draw them back into Your presence. Remove every obstacle, distraction, hurt, disappointment, and discouragement. Give them a fresh desire for Your house and Your Word. Strengthen their relationships, bless their homes, protect their families, and lead them back into faithful fellowship with believers. Let them remember where You brought them from and the goodness You have shown them. May their lives become testimonies that encourage other young couples to seek You. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.”

Return to God and be Uplifted!
Repentance brings a change of attitude concerning God. The sinner naturally vilifies God. Even when he speaks of His love, he has no conception of God’s justice and wrath. True repentance brings a sense of the Holy God who cannot look upon sin. It impacts a change of mind concerning sin itself upon a person.
The unrepentant delight in sin. A child of God may be tempted to sin and even fall into sin, but his bosom aches when he does so. A true child of God who has repented cannot enjoy sin and continuously longs for deliverance. Before every child of God, there is a vision both of what he is and what he ought to be. He cries with the poet; “O that a man might arise in me that I might ease to be.”
Repentance gives the sinners a change of mind concerning him. Before our salvation, we all had a good opinion of ourselves. Like the Pharisees, we often thanked God that, “we were not as other men, extortionist, unjust, adulterers, or even as the publican" (Luke 18:11). But, every one that exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted (Verse 14). Where there is true repentance, though, men often despair of themselves, and like the publication, their cry is, “God be merciful to me a sinner”. They echo Paul’s exasperated plea: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death" (Romans 7:24). For Christ came not to call the righteousness, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32).
Repentance affects the motions and will, and also creates a change of feeling. We must beware here lest we are deceived. The old time evangelist who specialized in death-bed stories often created mere human emotion filling the mourners' bench with weeping people. These mourners often had a remorse for their evil doings, deeply regretting they had not been better men and women when they were told about meeting their “mother” in heaven. But remorse in not repentance, though I must say remorse is a very common experience for those who commit sin. Someone has called remorse the “echo of lost virtue”.
Remorse is the attitude of mind and heart for some evil done. Repentance, however, goes deeper. Repentance creates a sorrow for what we are rather that remorse for what we have done. Therefore says the Hebrews writer, “Leaving the principles of the doctrines of Christ (Messiah), let us go into perfection by not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works” (Hebrews 6:1).
Christian repentance is not merely the pangs of an injured conscience. Christian repentance follows the Holy Spirit’s convicting work deep within our soul (John 16:7 and 8). It lays strong hold upon the human will and brings the sinners into conformity with the will of God. It is heeding God’s call from a life of destruction (Mark 1:15). Repentance does not mean merely shedding tears over our wrong doings. It ends in faith in Christ, the Saviour. The Church must preach and teach until these conditions are obtained in the ministries. Then our revival shall have come. For this is the will of God for all mankind (Acts 17:30).
Today what the Church and the continents at large need is repentance. The call of the pulpit to the pew must be repentance. And that of the crusades to the nations must similarly be repentance, and this must eventuate in confession of sins. The scripture, therefore, tells us: “Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God” (Jeremiah3:13).That will move our God to come down and heal our many wounds. We are reminded that, “The Lord’s hands is not shortened, that it cannot save neither is His ear heavy that it cannot hear, but your iniquity have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear” (Isaiah59:1 and 2). He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confess and forsake them shall have mercy (Proverbs 28:13). “For as many as the Lord loves, He rebukes and chastens; be zealous therefore and repent!” (Revelation 3:19).
The repentance must not only be among the lowly citizens but must spring from the governors trickling to the governed. “Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man which built his house upon a rock. And everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them not shall be likened to a foolish man which built his house upon the sand,” declares the Lord Jesus Christ (Mathew 7:24 and 26).
Almighty God is calling to the people today as He did to former Israel that, “Therefore also now, says the Lord, Turn even to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning. And rend your heart and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repent Him of the evil. Who knows if He will return and leave a blessing behind Him, even a meat offering and drink offering unto the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bride-groom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord weep between the porch and the altar and let them say: Spare your people O Lord and give not your heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them; wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Then the Lord will be so jealous for His land and pity His people. Yes the Lord will answer and say unto His people, Behold I will send you corn, and wine and oil, and you shall be satisfied therewith; and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen but I will remove far off from you northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face towards the east sea and his hinder part towards the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up and his savor shall come up because he has done great things. Fear not O land; be glad and rejoice; for the Lord will do great things. And I will restore to you the years that locusts has eaten, the cankerworm and the caterpillar and the palmerworm my great army which I sent among you. And you shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that has dealt wondrously with you, and my people shall never be ashamed" (Joel 2:12-21: 25 and 26).
The Lord’s northern army is the destruction God brings upon a people as a result of their wickedness. Indeed righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 13:34). For the Lord God of Israel, the Creator of the heavens and the earth loves righteousness and judgement (Psalm 33:5). He stresses that judgement is his strange work (Isaiah 28:21). The reason being that when his judgements are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness (Isaiah 26:9). When a nation leaves wickedness and turns to the Lord, such a people receive pardon and sure favour from the Lord God Almighty. The psalmist thus wrote: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance” (Psalms 33:12).
The Lord delights in the humility of a people. This makes Him hear our plea and smile back at us with a pardon. And this humility must start in His sanctuary. He says: “If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Therefore every Christian by and far, let us rally in repentance for the healing of our lands. For repentance turns away God’s wrath.
Nineveh found itself in a similar situation many African nations are in today. Plagued with wickedness in diverse places and faced with imminent judgment, the Almighty God used Jonah to deliver a message of judgment to the people of Nineveh: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing but He reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). Unlike most of our folks who hear and turn the head the other way, the Ninevehs believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest-including the king-to the least of them. And God saw their works that they turned from their evil way, and God repented them of the evil that he had said He would bring upon them, and He did it not (Jonah 3).
Repentance touches the core of God’s heart. Humble yourself and return to the Lord your Creator. Repentance automatically brings healing. The Lord says, “Wash you, and make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, cease to do evil. Learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, and judge the fatherless plead for the widow. Come now and let us reason together; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:16-19).
The Living God is the healer of nations. The psalmist has declared of Him: “God be merciful to us, and cause His face to shine upon us. That your way may be known upon the earth, your saving health among all nations” (Psalm 67:1 and 2). Perhaps this ought to be the prayer on everyone’s lips now.
Stay awake O Christian in the truth!
The good LORD has always extended this gracious invitation to man over the millennia. And, therefore, if it is your desire to know Him as He truly is - the Lord of lords and King of kings, the Savior, and Redeemer of mankind, then pray this prayer of repentance unto salvation: “Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you with all the sins I have committed and I beg you to forgive me. I confess that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. Please cleanse my body, soul, and spirit with your precious blood. I need your help Lord, and I ask you to come and live in my heart. I want to serve you, obey your commands and do what is right. I want to live for you every day, please lead and guide me by your Spirit into righteousness. Thank you, O Lord for hearing and answering my prayer. Amen!”
Welcome now to this grand and mighty army of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on earth. Read the Bible often, and join a congregation near you where Christ Jesus is preached and the Almighty Godhead: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, is worshiped in Spirit and in Truth for your own spiritual growth and strength.
The Almighty God make you the apple of His eyes as I solemnly declare of Him: “After He has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you - for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye - I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them” (Zachariah 2:8). The peace and love of Christ Jesus the Lord be with you now and forever.

Verse for Saturday, August 15
Psalm 147:3
3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

‍ Divorce inflicts deep wounds, but God's desire is healing, faithfulness, and restoration.

#Divorce #Healing #Restoration #Faith #LordsBook

*SEED OF LIFE*
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
• Psalm 37:7

Nothing wounds the soul like the sharp doubt of unbelief. When trial comes, as it will, do not worry or complain. Silence in the soul makes the voice of God more distinct. Remember that the everlasting arms are underneath us. He leads us into the haven of gracious experience.
• In Heavenly Places,p.269

*•A Point to Ponder•*
Trusting in God does not mean believing that He will do what we want, but rather believing that He will do everything that He knows is good.(FrontierOfHopeMinistry)

OOOOH..... Pastor Jesse is dropping Truth Bombs like Ted Cruz, Ted Kennedy, and President Trump in the political theater, on Celerity Pastor culture.

Pastor Jesse is spraying truth like a soldier with a M240B on those corrupt Pretenders of holiness.

He's slaughtering the entertaining Nephilim of Christian dominionism.

Check this out...!

**Fake Ministers & Gaslighting**

Some ministers say, *“Don’t bleed on everyone.”* They use this as a spiritual phrase. But let’s be real—that’s not Christianity, that’s stoicism dressed up as faith.

Gaslighting is designed to make you feel ashamed, afraid, or too weak to speak up. But think about it: Jesus, the prophets, and the martyrs couldn’t control where their blood fell when they were beaten. When someone else is causing the harm, you don’t get to choose where the blood lands.

Spiritually speaking, abusive leaders try to silence you and deny your reality. If you’re in physical abuse, you should leave. If you’re in spiritual abuse, you should also leave—but don’t stay silent. Share your story. Bleed spiritually.

The Bible itself is 66 books of people “bleeding out” their side of the story. So why should it be wrong for you to do the same? Gaslighters especially target ministers, making them afraid to show wounds or emotions. But being wounded or emotional doesn’t make you unfit to lead—it makes you human.

Think of a warrior in battle: it’s almost impossible not to get cut or wounded. But while fighting, the warrior isn’t worried about where the blood flies—he’s focused on the fight. In the same way, keep fighting the good fight of faith.

And remember: Jesus, the greatest leader of all, was beaten over 40 times with the cat of nine tails. He wasn’t concerned about whether His blood spattered on anyone. He was focused on truth, sacrifice, and love.

Don’t let fake ministers silence you. Your story matters.

OOOOH..... Pastor Jesse is dropping Truth Bombs like Ted Cruz, Ted Kennedy, and President Trump in the political theater, on Celerity Pastor culture.

Pastor Jesse is spraying truth like a soldier with a M240B on those corrupt Pretenders of holiness.

He's slaughtering the entertaining Nephilim of Christian dominionism.

Check this out...!

**Fake Ministers & Gaslighting**

Some ministers say, *“Don’t bleed on everyone.”* They use this as a spiritual phrase. But let’s be real—that’s not Christianity, that’s stoicism dressed up as faith.

Gaslighting is designed to make you feel ashamed, afraid, or too weak to speak up. But think about it: Jesus, the prophets, and the martyrs couldn’t control where their blood fell when they were beaten. When someone else is causing the harm, you don’t get to choose where the blood lands.

Spiritually speaking, abusive leaders try to silence you and deny your reality. If you’re in physical abuse, you should leave. If you’re in spiritual abuse, you should also leave—but don’t stay silent. Share your story. Bleed spiritually.

The Bible itself is 66 books of people “bleeding out” their side of the story. So why should it be wrong for you to do the same? Gaslighters especially target ministers, making them afraid to show wounds or emotions. But being wounded or emotional doesn’t make you unfit to lead—it makes you human.

Think of a warrior in battle: it’s almost impossible not to get cut or wounded. But while fighting, the warrior isn’t worried about where the blood flies—he’s focused on the fight. In the same way, keep fighting the good fight of faith.

And remember: Jesus, the greatest leader of all, was beaten over 40 times with the cat of nine tails. He wasn’t concerned about whether His blood spattered on anyone. He was focused on truth, sacrifice, and love.

Don’t let fake ministers silence you. Your story matters.