THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN IN A CHALLENGING WORLD By Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah Introduction We are living in a world that is changing rapidly. Values are shifting, truth is being questioned, morality is being redefined, and many people are under pressure to compromise their convictions just to fit into society. Yet, the Christian is called to live differently. Jesus never promised His followers a life without challenges. In fact, He said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV). The Christian life is not a promise of the absence of trouble; it is a promise of God's presence in the midst of trouble. We may walk through difficult seasons, but we do not walk through them alone. A challenging world requires Christians who know their God, understand their identity, stand firmly on God's Word, and refuse to allow the darkness around them to extinguish the light within them. 1. THE CHRISTIAN MUST KNOW WHO HE IS One of the greatest dangers in a challenging world is losing your identity. The world constantly tells us who we should become, what we should value, what success should look like, and what standards we should follow. But the believer must derive his identity from God, not from society. 1 Peter 2:9 says: «“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.”» You are not merely a product of your environment. You are God's possession. When you know who you are in Christ, you will not need the approval of everyone around you to feel valuable. Your identity is not determined by your failures, your past, your social status, your possessions, or people's opinions about you. You belong to Christ. 2. THE CHRISTIAN MUST STAND ON GOD'S WORD A changing world needs an unchanging standard. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God's Word gives us direction when culture becomes confusing. It gives us conviction when compromise becomes attractive. It gives us hope when circumstances become discouraging. The Christian who neglects Scripture will eventually become vulnerable to the philosophies of the world. We must therefore become students of the Word. Do not build your life solely on what people say. Build it on what God has said. People can change. Circumstances can change. Governments can change. Economies can change. Relationships can change. But the Word of our God stands forever. 3. THE CHRISTIAN MUST REFUSE TO CONFORM Romans 12:2 says: «“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”» There is a difference between living in the world and becoming like the world. Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:15-16. He did not ask the Father to remove them from the world but to preserve them while they remained in it. This means Christianity is not an escape from society. It is a divine assignment within society. We are called to influence the world without allowing the world to influence our convictions. You can work in a corrupt environment without becoming corrupt. You can live among people who compromise without compromising. You can be surrounded by darkness and still carry light. 4. THE CHRISTIAN MUST DEVELOP SPIRITUAL STRENGTH A challenging world requires spiritual strength. Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Our strength does not come merely from personality, education, wealth, connections, or experience. There are battles that human strength cannot win. Therefore, we must strengthen our relationship with God through prayer, worship, fasting, the study of Scripture, fellowship, and obedience. A weak spiritual life makes a believer vulnerable to temptation, fear, discouragement, bitterness, and compromise. Prayer is not simply an emergency telephone call to God. Prayer is fellowship with our Father. We must learn to seek God not only when we need something from Him but because we desire Him. 5. THE CHRISTIAN MUST LEARN TO FACE TRIALS WITH FAITH Challenges are part of the journey. James 1:2-4 teaches believers to count it joy when they face various trials because testing produces patience and spiritual maturity. This does not mean that pain is pleasant. It means that God can use difficult seasons to produce something valuable in us. Sometimes God changes the situation. Sometimes He gives us grace to endure it. Sometimes He uses the situation to change us. Whatever the case may be, we must refuse to allow adversity to destroy our faith. Your trial is not the end of your story. The fact that you are going through something does not mean that God has abandoned you. David passed through valleys and still testified of God's presence. Daniel faced the lions and discovered that God was with him. The three Hebrew young men entered the fiery furnace, but they were not alone. God remains faithful in the fire. 6. THE CHRISTIAN MUST GUARD HIS HEART Proverbs 4:23 says: «“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”» The world constantly feeds our hearts with fear, hatred, lust, greed, envy, anger, and materialism. If we are not careful, what surrounds us will eventually influence what is within us. That is why believers must guard what they watch, what they listen to, what they celebrate, what they meditate upon, and the relationships they cultivate. Not everything that is popular is profitable. Not everything that is trending is godly. Not every opportunity is an assignment from God. A Christian must learn to say NO when necessary. 7. THE CHRISTIAN MUST BE LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD Jesus said in Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world.” Notice that Jesus did not say, “You will become light someday.” He said, “You are the light.” Light has no argument with darkness. It simply shines. The world does not necessarily need Christians who shout the loudest; it needs Christians whose lives demonstrate the reality of Christ. Your workplace should experience your integrity. Your family should experience your love. Your community should experience your kindness. Your generation should see Christ through your character. We preach with our mouths, but we also preach through our lives. 8. THE CHRISTIAN MUST LOVE PEOPLE IN A HURTING WORLD A challenging world is also a hurting world. People are carrying wounds that we cannot see. Some are fighting silent battles. Some have lost hope. Some have been disappointed by life, relationships, institutions, and even religion. The Christian must therefore become an instrument of God's love. Jesus said in John 13:35: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Our Christianity must not become merely a collection of religious activities. We must love. We must forgive. We must encourage. We must help. We must show compassion. Sometimes the greatest sermon you will preach is the kindness you show to someone who is hurting. 9. THE CHRISTIAN MUST KEEP HIS EYES ON ETERNITY One of the reasons believers compromise is that they become too attached to temporary things. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:18 to focus not merely on the things that are seen, but on the things that are eternal. This world is not our final destination. Our possessions are temporary. Our positions are temporary. Our earthly achievements are temporary. But eternity is forever. Therefore, we must live with eternity in view. Do not gain the whole world and lose your soul. Do not sacrifice your relationship with God for temporary pleasure. Do not exchange eternal treasures for temporary applause. 10. THE CHRISTIAN MUST NEVER GIVE UP Perhaps the greatest testimony in a challenging world is simply refusing to quit. Galatians 6:9 says: «“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”» There may be moments when you feel tired. There may be moments when your prayers seem unanswered. There may be moments when you wonder whether your faith is worth the struggle. But keep going. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep serving. Keep loving. Keep trusting God. Your present struggle does not cancel God's purpose for your life. CONCLUSION The life of a Christian in a challenging world is not always easy, but it is possible by the grace of God. We are called to live differently—not because we are better than others, but because Christ has called us to represent Him. We are called to stand when others fall. To shine when others walk in darkness. To speak truth when falsehood becomes popular. To demonstrate love when hatred increases. To maintain faith when circumstances become difficult. And to remain faithful until the end. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Beloved, the world may be challenging, but God is still faithful. The culture may be changing, but God's Word has not changed. The pressure may be increasing, but God's grace is sufficient. The darkness may be growing, but your light can still shine. Therefore, stand firm. Stay prayerful. Stay in the Word. Stay holy. Stay humble. Stay faithful. And above all, keep your eyes on Jesus. PRAYER Father, in the name of Jesus, give me the grace to live faithfully in this challenging world. Strengthen my heart when I am weak, guide me when I am confused, preserve me when I am tempted, and help me to remain a light wherever You have planted me. Let my life bring glory to Your name. May I never compromise my faith, abandon my calling, or lose sight of eternity. In Jesus' name, amen. — Pastor Jonathan O. Ubah #LifeofaChristian #PJCares

Be a Peacemaker (Matthew 5:9) We live in a world where conflict is everywhere. Arguments happen in families. Friendships break over misunderstandings. People fight over opinions. Social media turns disagreements into battles. Sometimes, even Christians can become so focused on proving themselves right that they forget to show the character of Christ. But Jesus gives us a different calling: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Notice that Jesus didn't say, “Blessed are the people who win every argument.” He said: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Being a peacemaker doesn't mean avoiding every difficult conversation. It doesn't mean pretending that wrong is right. It doesn't mean allowing people to mistreat you. And it doesn't mean remaining silent when something needs to be addressed. Being a peacemaker means choosing a response that seeks reconciliation rather than revenge. Sometimes peace begins with listening. Before responding in anger, listen. Before assuming someone's intentions, ask questions. Before posting something hurtful, pause. Before repeating someone's mistake to others, consider whether your words will help or destroy. The Bible reminds us that a gentle answer can turn away anger. Your words have power. You can use them to heal or to wound. To build or to tear down. To reconcile or to divide. Think about your relationships today. Is there someone you're angry with? Someone you haven't spoken to? Someone you need to forgive? Someone you need to apologize to? Maybe you've been waiting for the other person to make the first move. But sometimes following Jesus means having the courage to take the first step. Say: “I'm sorry.” Say: “Can we talk?” Say: “I forgive you.” Say: “Let's work this out.” Those words don't make you weak. They can demonstrate the strength of Christ working in you. Jesus Himself is our greatest example. He came to reconcile sinful humanity to God. The cross shows us that God doesn't simply ignore broken relationships. He made a way for reconciliation. And if we have received God's grace, we should become people who extend grace to others. So don't be the person who adds fuel to every argument. Don't spread gossip. Don't celebrate someone else's failure. Don't use social media to attack people. Don't allow pride to destroy relationships that could be restored. Instead, be the person who brings calm into chaotic situations. Be the person who listens. Be the person who encourages forgiveness. Be the person who speaks truth with love. Be the person who points people toward Christ. And remember: You cannot control how everyone responds to you. Your responsibility is to control your own response and pursue peace wherever it is possible. As Romans 12:18 teaches, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Sometimes peace will require boundaries. Sometimes it will require distance. Sometimes reconciliation won't be possible immediately. But even then, you can refuse to allow hatred to control your heart. Pray for those who hurt you. Give the situation to God. Choose grace over revenge. Choose wisdom over anger. Choose peace over pride. In a world that is quick to fight, be someone who brings the peace of Christ. Is there a relationship or conflict where you can take one step toward peace today? #BeAPeacemaker #Matthew59 #Peace #ChristianLiving #FaithInAction #Forgiveness #LoveLikeJesus #ChristianYouth #JesusSaves #ShareJesus #DailyFaith #Lordsbook #JMSM # KNKA

ANGRY SNAKE A carpenter went home after shutting down his workshop. When he was gone, a poisonous snake entered his workshop. The snake was hungry and hoped to find its supper lurking somewhere within. It slithered from one and to another. Finally it bumped into an axe and got very slightly injured. In angry and revenge, the snake bit the snake with full force. What could a snake’s bite do to the metallic axe? Instead the snake’s mouth started bleeding. Out of fury and arrogance, the snake tried its best to strangle and kill the metallic axe - The object that was causing it the pain by wrapping itself around the axe. The next day the carpenter opened the workshop. He found the dead snake wrapped around the blades of the axe. Here the snake did not die because of someone’s fault. But it faced these consequences merely because of its own anger and wrath. Sometimes when angry, we try to cause harm to others. But as time passes by, we realise that we caused more harm to ourselves. It is not necessary that we react to everything. Step back and ask ourselves if the matter is really worth responding to.

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: 3 PLACES IN YOUR HOME THAT NEED PRAYER Theme: When You Pray Over Your House, You Build a Spiritual Wall Around Your Family Your home is more than a building. It is a place where destinies are formed, children are raised, marriages are strengthened, decisions are made, and spiritual battles are sometimes fought. You can lock your doors physically and still leave your home spiritually exposed. That is why prayer must not only happen in the church. Your home must become an altar. Joshua declared: «“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15» Joshua did not say, “As for me, I will serve the Lord.” He said, “Me and my house.” There are places in your house that should not only be cleaned, decorated, or furnished—they should be covered in prayer. Today, we are looking at three places in your home that need prayer. 1. YOUR BEDROOM — PRAY OVER YOUR REST, MARRIAGE AND PRIVATE LIFE The bedroom is a place of rest, intimacy, vulnerability, and sometimes deep emotional battles. It is where you sleep after the activities of the day. It is also where many people experience anxiety, fear, disturbing thoughts, marital tensions, and spiritual heaviness. Bible Verse «“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” — Psalm 4:8» Notice the connection: Sleep + peace + God's protection. Before you sleep, don't only check your phone. Check your spiritual atmosphere. Pray over your bed. Pray for peaceful sleep. Pray over your marriage. Pray against fear and anxiety. Pray for your thoughts. Pray that your home will be a place of peace. For Married Couples The bedroom should not become a battlefield of bitterness. Husbands and wives should learn to pray together. A marriage that prays together is inviting God into its battles. Deep Spiritual Insight The enemy wants to disturb your peace because he knows that a tired, fearful and confused person is easier to discourage. But God gives His beloved sleep. «“He giveth his beloved sleep.” — Psalm 127:2» Prayer “Father, let Your peace fill this bedroom. Let everyone who sleeps here experience divine rest. Protect our minds, our marriage, our bodies and our dreams. Let every atmosphere of fear, confusion and unrest disappear, in Jesus' name.” 2. YOUR LIVING ROOM — PRAY OVER YOUR FAMILY'S WORDS, RELATIONSHIPS AND DECISIONS The living room is where families gather. People talk there. Arguments can happen there. Children learn there. Guests enter there. Important decisions are sometimes made there. Therefore, your living room needs an altar of prayer. Bible Verse «“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15» The home should have a spiritual identity. Ask yourself: What atmosphere dominates my home? Is it prayer? Is it love? Is it anger? Is it television? Is it social media? Is it gossip? Is it constant quarrelling? Your home will eventually reflect what you consistently permit. A Biblical Example: Cornelius In Acts 10, we meet Cornelius, a man whose household was connected to God. His home became a place where God's presence and instruction were welcomed. The Bible says: «“He was a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house.” — Acts 10:2» Notice the phrase: “With all his house.” One person's spiritual commitment can influence an entire household. Practical Application Make your living room a place where: - The Bible is read. - Children are taught God's Word. - Family prayer happens. - Thanksgiving is offered. - Forgiveness is practiced. - Christian conversations are encouraged. You don't need a large prayer meeting. Sometimes, ten minutes of sincere family prayer can change the atmosphere of a home. Prayer “Lord, let this home be filled with love, wisdom, unity and Your Word. Let our conversations bring grace. Let our decisions be guided by You. Remove bitterness, hatred and unnecessary conflict from this family, in Jesus' name.” 3. YOUR FRONT DOOR / GATE — PRAY OVER WHAT ENTERS AND LEAVES YOUR HOME Your door represents access. People enter through it. Things enter through it. Influences enter through it. And although we should not become superstitious about physical objects, we should understand the spiritual principle of guarding what we allow into our lives and homes. Bible Verse «“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” — Proverbs 4:23» Your home needs boundaries. Not everything should enter your home. Not every conversation should enter your home. Not every relationship should enter your home. Not every piece of entertainment should enter your home. Not every influence should have access to your children. Psalm 101:3 David said: «“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.”» This is a powerful principle for the modern home. Today, your front door is not the only entrance into your house. Your phone is a door. Your television is a door. The internet is a door. Social media is a door. What are you allowing to enter? Practical Spiritual Watchfulness Pray: “Lord, give us discernment concerning what we allow into this home.” Don't only pray for God to protect your family. Teach your family what to reject. A REAL-LIFE PICTURE Imagine a father who locks his doors every night. He checks the windows. He installs security lights. He even has security personnel around his compound. But inside the house, nobody prays. There is constant hatred between husband and wife. The children consume anything they find online. The television is always on, but the Bible is rarely opened. The family eats together but hardly prays together. The house may be physically secure but spiritually neglected. The answer is not fear. The answer is Christ-centered living and consistent prayer. 5 PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS 1. Establish a family prayer time. It doesn't have to be one hour. Start with 10–15 minutes daily. 2. Pray in every room. Walk through your home occasionally and pray—not because the walls have magical power, but because your family belongs to God. 3. Watch what enters through your screens. Ask: “Is this content helping my family spiritually or poisoning our atmosphere?” 4. Teach your children to pray. Don't make prayer only the responsibility of the pastor. Teach your children to call upon God themselves. 5. Make your home an altar, not merely a residence. A Christian home should have evidence of Christ. Let there be Scripture. Let there be forgiveness. Let there be worship. Let there be prayer. Let there be love. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. What atmosphere currently dominates my home? 2. Do we pray together as a family? 3. What are we allowing into our home through our phones and entertainment? 4. Is there unresolved bitterness in my household? 5. If Jesus physically visited my home today, would I be comfortable with everything He would see and hear? 6. Am I building a house or building a godly legacy? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Father, let Your presence fill my home and let Your peace rule in every room, in Jesus' name. 2. Every power working against the unity and peace of my household, be defeated in Jesus' name. 3. Lord, protect every member of my family from evil influences and destructive relationships. 4. Father, give our children wisdom and protect them from ungodly influences. 5. Every atmosphere of fear, confusion, hatred and unnecessary conflict in my home, I command it to end, in Jesus' name. 6. Lord, restore every broken relationship in my household. 7. Let my home become a place where Your Word is honoured, Your name is worshipped and Your presence is welcomed. 8. Father, let no member of my household be lost spiritually. Draw us all closer to Christ. 9. Give every parent in this house wisdom to lead this family according to Your Word. 10. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! CALL TO ACTION Beloved, don't wait until there is a crisis before you pray over your home. Don't wait until your marriage is collapsing. Don't wait until your child has been badly influenced. Don't wait until fear has taken over. Build the altar before the battle comes. Tonight, when you enter your bedroom, pray. When you sit in your living room, pray. When you pass through your door, pray. And remember: Your house may have beautiful furniture, expensive electronics and modern decorations—but the greatest decoration a Christian home can have is the presence of God. Joshua made a decision: «“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15» Make that decision today. Let your bedroom become a place of peace. Let your living room become a place of unity. Let your home become a place of prayer. Let your family become a testimony of God's faithfulness. PRAY OVER YOUR HOME. PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY. BUILD THE ALTAR. AND LET CHRIST BE THE HEAD OF YOUR HOUSE. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen. If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my sela/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks https://afrikdp.com/author/umohedem-9128 CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/share/1AVbtZtLvC/

Don Francisco’s “He’s Alive” A Story of Fear, Forgiveness, and Resurrection There is something almost haunting about the beginning of Don Francisco’s “He’s Alive.” It doesn’t begin with celebration. It begins in the dark. Peter is hiding. The doors are shut. The windows are fastened. Outside is the world that has just killed Jesus, and inside is a frightened group of men who don’t know what will happen next. Peter cannot sleep. Every sound must seem dangerous. Every shadow beyond the door could mean soldiers. But Peter is carrying something heavier than fear. He is carrying shame. Only days before, he had stood beside Jesus and promised that he would never leave Him. Yet when the pressure came, Peter denied knowing Him. Not once. Three times. And now Jesus is dead. Peter has to live with the knowledge that the last thing he did while Jesus was alive was fail Him. Then, before sunrise, Mary comes. She brings news that sounds impossible. The stone has been moved. The tomb is empty. Jesus’ body is gone. Peter and John run. They reach the tomb and find the evidence for themselves, the stone rolled away, the burial cloths lying there, but no Jesus. John begins to understand. Peter doesn’t. And that is one of the most beautiful things about Francisco’s song. Peter doesn’t instantly become a man of triumphant faith. He is confused. He has seen Jesus die. He knows what death looks like. An empty tomb is astonishing, but Peter’s heart is still trying to catch up with what his eyes have seen. So he returns. And there, alone with his thoughts, the resurrection becomes something far more frightening. Because if Jesus really is alive… Peter is going to have to face Him. And what would Jesus say? Would He remind Peter of the promises he had made? Would He ask why Peter had denied Him? Would He turn away? Would He condemn him? Peter has every reason to believe that he deserves it. And then, in the beautiful dramatic imagination of Francisco’s song, something happens that Peter could never have expected. Jesus appears. Alive. Not as a memory. Not as a ghost. Not as someone Peter wishes he could see. Jesus is standing there. And Peter looks at Him. The man Peter thought he had lost forever is alive. But there is something even more astonishing. Jesus isn’t there to punish him. He doesn’t come with anger. He doesn’t come with a list of Peter’s failures. He comes with love. Peter falls before Him, overwhelmed by the impossible reality of it all. The Savior he denied is standing before him. And instead of condemnation, Peter finds forgiveness. Instead of judgment, he finds mercy. Instead of the end of his story, he discovers that God has written another chapter. And suddenly Peter understands. The empty tomb wasn’t simply proof that Jesus had conquered death. It was proof that Peter’s failure wasn’t the end either. Jesus is alive. And because He is alive, Peter can be forgiven. Peter can get up. Peter can breathe again. Peter can live again. And that is what makes Don Francisco’s “He’s Alive” so much more than an Easter song. It is a song about what the resurrection feels like to someone who knows they have failed. It is about the moment when shame tells you that you are finished… and Jesus tells you that you are not. Francisco originally tried to tell the resurrection story through Thomas, but the song came together when he began telling it through Peter. Francisco has explained that Peter’s guilt and shame were something he personally understood. That choice changed everything. Because Peter wasn’t a perfect disciple. He was impulsive. He was courageous one moment and frightened the next. He promised more than he could deliver. He failed Jesus at the very moment he thought he would be strongest. And yet Jesus came back for him. That’s the heart of “He’s Alive.” Not simply that the tomb was empty. Not simply that death had been defeated. But that the same Jesus Peter believed he had betrayed beyond repair was standing before him with forgiveness. The song takes the greatest event in Christianity and tells it through the eyes of a broken man. And perhaps that’s why it has endured. Because somewhere inside Peter, many of us recognize ourselves. We know what it is to make promises we couldn’t keep. We know what it is to look backward and wish we could change something. We know what guilt feels like. We know what it is to wonder whether we have gone too far. And then comes the message of the resurrection: You are not finished. The stone was rolled away. The grave was empty. Jesus was alive. And Peter, the man who thought he had failed beyond forgiveness was given another chance. That is why the final declaration carries so much weight. He’s alive. Not merely alive in history. Not merely alive in doctrine. But alive in such a way that Peter’s story can continue. And perhaps that is the quiet miracle at the center of Don Francisco’s song… Jesus didn’t erase Peter’s past. He redeemed it. And the man who once stood outside a fire denying that he knew Jesus could now stand in the light knowing that Jesus still knew him. He was alive. Peter was forgiven. And the story wasn’t over. #ChristianMusic #CCM #DonFrancisco #HesAlive #JesusMovement #ChristianMusicHistory #GospelMusic #Resurrection #JesusChrist #ChristianSongwriting

THE POWER OF THE TONGUE Speak Life • Guard Your Words ANCHOR SCRIPTURE Proverbs 21:23 (KJV) “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” 1. WORDS HAVE POWER Your words can build or destroy, encourage or hurt, heal or discourage. Think before you speak. 2. GUARD YOUR MOUTH Avoid: Gossip • Lies • Insults • Anger • Negative declarations Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue...” 3. SPEAK TO BUILD Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) “...that which is good to the use of edifying...” Before you speak, ask: Is it true? Is it necessary? Will it build? 4. CONTROL YOUR TONGUE When angry—pause. When hurt—don't speak from the wound. When blessed—give thanks. 5. SPEAK FAITH, NOT DEFEAT Don't keep saying: “I can't.” “I'm finished.” Say: “God is my strength.” “I will not give up." “God is with me.” Faith-filled words don't deny reality; they refuse to surrender to defeat. KEY LESSON 1. Think before speaking. 2. Guard your tongue. 3. Speak truth. 4. Build others. 5. Control your anger. 6. Speak life. FINAL CHARGE Your tongue is small, but its impact is great. Don't use your mouth to destroy what you are praying for. Speak wisely. Speak graciously. Speak life. PRAYER Father, help me to control my tongue and use my words wisely. Let my words bring encouragement, healing and hope. Keep me from destructive speech, and let everything I say honour You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Prepared by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo +233544295158

Psalm 37:1-9 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. [2] For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. [3] Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. [4] Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. [6] He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. [7] Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. [8] Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret-it only causes harm. [9] For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional. The Lord is Near By Vera Malova August 17th, 2026 I was raised in northern Kazakhstan, but when we moved to the town of Bor in 1993, I remember the TV ads for Pastor John Carter’s evangelistic meetings across the Volga River in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Things weren’t going smoothly at home. My husband often took to the bottle, and my eldest son Sasha had started drinking, too. So I was happy when Sasha began attending those meetings every day. They gave him a Bible, and when Sasha brought it home, I began to read it. By the time I reached the New Testament, I’d realized we weren’t living the way God wanted us to, so I read it again. In the meantime, Sasha was baptized and began inviting me to church. I wanted to support him, but I worked on Saturdays. However, my hands began to ache so badly that I had to go to the hospital and take a break from work. The following Saturday, my son stared at me intently, wondering if I would go to church with him, so I went. I have a habit of looking people in the eye, and I was amazed to see such kind and affectionate eyes. Everyone was glad to see me, and they all smiled, so I continued going to church and soon decided to be baptized. On the day before my baptism, my husband came home from work drunk, hit his head, and stopped breathing. My son gave him CPR, but his breathing stopped as soon as he let up. “Lord, I give my whole family into Your hands!” I cried—and instantly, my husband began breathing again. God literally raised him from the dead! Although two of my children were baptized, my husband would not surrender to the Lord, threatening and calling me ugly names. Once, in a fit of anger, he began choking me. Another time, my children attended a youth group while I stayed home, reading my Bible. My husband came in drunk and said, “Aren’t you going to church, too?” “Yes, I think I will,” I answered. “Then perhaps you’ll also decide to be baptized!” he snorted. When I replied that I’d already been baptized, he grabbed a large Kitchen knife and shouted, “Then your life is over!” His eyes burned with a terrible fire! He lunged at me but suddenly froze in place. He stood there a while, holding the knife and shouting over and over, “You will not live!” Shaking with fear, I closed my eyes tightly and prayed silently for deliverance. Suddenly, I saw a beautiful rainbow in my mind with fiery letters that read, He will not hurt you! Throwing the knife down, my husband fell on the sofa, sobbing. My guardian angel had stood between us and protected me! “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11. As a family, we began praying earnestly for him. My children tried talking to him about God, but he answered, “That’s just how it’s written in your American Bible.” Lena bought him a Russian Orthodox Bible with a cross on it, blessed by Patriarch Alexy II, and as she read texts from her Bible, he read the same text in his; and whether from the Old or New Testament, every text matched word for word! Despite being convinced, my husband continued to drink as our family implored for God’s help. Finally, Sasha asked, “Father, why are you resisting?” He replied, “Okay, I will ask God to help me stop drinking.” He began carrying the Ten Commandments in his pocket and telling his co-workers and friends that they should follow them. He also promised to go to church but never did. Instead, he drank until he lost the feeling in his legs from his knees on down. One morning I woke up joyful. My eyes were shining when I said to him, “You cannot imagine how good you’d feel if you’d quit drinking,” to which he replied, “Then I’ll quit today.” Sadly, that was the day he died from his illness. It’s impossible to live in this world without God because there are problems such as alcoholism that no one else can solve. My son, who led me to God, eventually stopped going to church and began drinking again. But although he got so bad that he started hearing voices, our whole church family prayed for him, and after many years, he came back to the Lord and sobered again. Don’t think that the Lord is somewhere far away. He is right here with you! We all live in debt to the Lord, and a price has been paid for our life. Jesus paid the price for each of our days, each piece of bread we eat, and each breath we take. He paid it with His precious blood! Jeremiah 29:11 and 13 say, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.… And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Seek the Lord, for He is near.

August 16, 2026 (day 228/365) SUNDAY GOD'S WORD FOR THE DAY “The Strength of Humility” Numbers 12:3 “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any person who was on the face of the earth.” This is the Word of God. Numbers 12 shows how jealousy and pride led Miriam and Aaron to speak against Moses. Yet Moses did not defend himself with anger; he remained humble and left the matter in God's hands. Humility does not mean weakness. It means trusting God enough not to fight for our own position or recognition. When others are honored, we can rejoice rather than become jealous. May God give us humble hearts that rejoice in others, avoid jealousy, and trust Him with our place and purpose. Amen. Have a blessed day with the Lord. -- Pastor Emmanuel Serto

🌿 Mystical Gardens Tale 🌿 The Cooling Waters Jill had decided that summer had officially become personal. The heat had been unbearable for days. Not the pleasant kind of summer warmth that made people want to sit outside with a cold drink. This was the kind of heat that seemed to crawl beneath your skin and stay there. Jill woke up irritated. She stepped outside and immediately began sweating. “Wonderful,” she muttered. “It's going to be another one of those days.” Her car wouldn't start. “Of course it won't.” The air conditioner at work wasn't working properly. “Of course it isn't.” Someone had left a door open, letting hot air into the building. “Who does that?” Then someone accidentally bumped into her in the hallway. “Watch where you're going!” The woman stopped and stared at Jill. “I'm sorry.” Jill walked away without answering. She didn't notice the hurt look on the woman's face. By lunchtime, Jill was ready to scream. The restaurant was crowded. Someone's child was crying. A man at the next table was talking too loudly. The waitress brought Jill the wrong drink. “This isn't what I ordered.” “I apologize. I'll get you another one.” “And could you please get it right this time?” The waitress's smile disappeared. Jill didn't notice. Or perhaps she did, but she was too irritated to care. Everything seemed to bother her. A phone ringing. A dog barking. Someone chewing too loudly. A car driving too slowly. A person looking at her for what Jill was certain was too long. “What are you looking at?” she snapped. The man quickly looked away. By late afternoon, Jill was exhausted. And angry. Mostly angry. She couldn't even explain why anymore. All she knew was that everything was getting on her nerves. Then, on her way home, Jill saw something she hadn't seen before. A narrow path between two old trees. It hadn't been there yesterday. Jill stopped. She stared at it. Beyond the trees was a faint green glow. Normally, she would have walked away. But today she was hot, tired, frustrated, and completely out of patience and whatever was there had to be better than here, so she stepped onto the path. Within moments, the world changed. The heat disappeared. Jill stopped walking. A cool breeze brushed across her face. She closed her eyes. “Oh…” She hadn't realized how badly she needed that. The garden stretched out before her. Tall trees formed a canopy overhead. Little streams wound between moss-covered stones. Flowers opened beneath the shade, and somewhere nearby, water trickled over smooth rocks. There were no car horns. No ringing phones. No barking dogs. No crying children. No voices demanding anything from her. Just quiet. Beautiful, peaceful quiet. Jill sat beside the stream and dipped her hands into the cool water. For the first time all day, her shoulders relaxed. She took a deep breath. Then another. And suddenly, something uncomfortable happened... She began remembering. The woman in the hallway. “Watch where you're going!” The waitress. “Could you please get it right this time?” The man at the restaurant. “What are you looking at?” Her coworker. “Who does that?” One memory after another came rushing back. Jill lowered her head. “Oh no.” She hadn't simply been having a bad day. She had been handing that bad day to everyone around her. She had taken her frustration, her discomfort, and her exhaustion and thrown them at people who hadn't caused any of it. The garden remained silent. But Jill had the strange feeling that the giant tree at the center of the garden was watching her. “I was miserable,” she whispered. A leaf drifted down beside her. Jill picked it up. “I was hot. I was tired. Everything was going wrong.” She sighed. “But that doesn't mean I had to make everybody else miserable too.” The breeze moved gently through the branches. Jill smiled sadly. “You know what's worse?” She looked toward the path. “I don't even know if any of them deserved an apology from me.” She paused. “Of course they do.” For the first time that day, Jill laughed at herself. She had spent hours thinking everyone else was the problem. But the garden had given her something the heat never could. Perspective. Jill stood. “I can't undo what I said.” She looked toward the great tree. “But I can go back and do better.” The garden seemed to grow a little brighter. Jill stepped onto the path. The heat returned when she reached the other side. But something inside her had changed. The temperature hadn't changed. Her circumstances hadn't changed. Her car was still broken. The air conditioner still wasn't working. Tomorrow might be just as hot. But Jill wasn't going to let the heat decide who she was. The next morning, she found the woman from the hallway. “I'm sorry,” Jill said. The woman looked surprised. “For yesterday. You didn't deserve the way I spoke to you.” Then Jill found the waitress. She apologized there too. And when someone accidentally bumped into her later that afternoon, Jill felt irritation rising inside her. She opened her mouth. Then stopped. She took a breath. “It's okay,” she said. The person smiled. And Jill smiled back. That evening, Jill returned to the garden. She sat beneath the great tree with her feet beside the cool stream. “Thank you,” she whispered. She finally understood something the garden had been trying to teach her. Sometimes we are uncomfortable. Sometimes we are tired. Sometimes the world seems to be working against us. And sometimes we have every reason to be frustrated. But our circumstances may explain why we're hurting without giving us permission to hurt someone else. The garden could cool Jill's skin. But only she could choose to cool the anger in her heart. And that choice was worth far more than a cool breeze. Seed from the Garden “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1 You may not be able to control the heat, the noise, the traffic, the broken air conditioner, or the things other people do. But you can choose what you do with the frustration those things create inside you. Before you hand your bad day to someone else, stop. Breathe. Cool down. And remember: They may not be the reason you're hurting. Don't make them pay for it. #christianwriter #christianfiction #christianfantasy #stacyfrantz #MysticalGardens