TUESDAY 25TH AUGUST 2026 IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL Topic: Learn to Say No Bible Reference My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. Proverbs 1:10 (NKJV) A Short Story Joshua was a serious student who had always wanted to do well in school. He attended church regularly, respected his parents, and had decided that he would not allow anything to destroy his future. However, things began to change when he entered a new group of friends in school. They were confident, popular, and always seemed to be having fun. One Friday afternoon, the group invited Joshua to join them at a party. He knew that some of the things that happened at their parties were not things he should be involved in, so he politely declined. His friends laughed at him and told him that he was behaving like a small boy. Joshua felt embarrassed, especially because some girls were also there. He eventually changed his mind and decided to go with them. At the party, things quickly became different from what Joshua had expected. Some people were drinking, others were taking drugs, and several young people were involved in things he knew were wrong. Joshua wanted to leave, but his friends told him not to spoil the fun. They kept telling him that he needed to relax and stop acting like a church boy. Joshua stayed longer than he planned. Before he left, he had joined in some of the things he had promised himself he would never do. On his way home, he felt terrible. He realised that he had not done those things because he wanted to. He had done them because he was afraid of what his friends would say if he refused. That night, Joshua sat quietly in his room and thought about what had happened. He remembered how easy it was to say no when he was alone, but how difficult it became when people around him were laughing and putting pressure on him. He understood that his greatest problem was not that he did not know what was right. His problem was that he wanted to be accepted. Joshua made a decision that night. He would rather lose a few friends than lose his values, his peace, and his future. He learned that saying no is sometimes the strongest thing a young person can do. Today's Message There are times when your greatest test will not come from an obvious enemy. It will come from a friend saying, Come on, everybody is doing it. Many young people know what is right but struggle to do it because they are afraid of being laughed at, rejected, or called old fashioned. You may face pressure to drink, smoke, sleep with someone, cheat in an examination, join a bad group, waste your money, follow unhealthy trends, lie for a friend, or do something wrong simply because you do not want to feel left out. The pressure may even come through social media, where people make wrong behaviour look normal and attractive. The Bible gives a simple instruction in Proverbs 1:10: do not consent. In other words, do not agree to follow people into what you know is wrong. Scripture does not tell you to debate with temptation for hours. There are situations where the wisest response is simply to say no and walk away. Proverbs 1:10 directly addresses the kind of pressure young people face when others try to persuade them to do what is wrong. Saying no does not mean that you hate people. You can love your friends without following them into sin. You can respect people without copying everything they do. You can be friendly with people who have different choices from yours while still keeping your own convictions. Your faith should not disappear simply because you are around people who do not share it. You also need to understand that every yes has a consequence. When you say yes to cheating, you are saying no to honesty. When you say yes to sexual immorality, you are saying no to purity. When you say yes to drugs, you are saying no to self control. When you say yes to reckless spending, you are saying no to financial discipline. When you say yes to the wrong relationship, you may be saying no to the peace and purpose God wants for your life. The people around you can influence your choices. First Corinthians 15:33 warns that bad company can corrupt good character. This is why you must be careful about the people you allow to have strong influence over your life. Your friends should not constantly make it difficult for you to obey God. You do not need everybody to approve of you. Some people will laugh when you refuse to join them. Some may call you boring. Some may stop inviting you to certain places. Some may even say that you are trying to be too holy. Do not allow the fear of losing people to make you lose yourself. There is strength in being able to say, I cannot do this. There is strength in leaving a conversation that is becoming sinful. There is strength in ending a relationship that is pulling you away from God. There is strength in refusing to cheat when everyone else is cheating. There is strength in walking away from an opportunity that requires you to compromise your values. Your future is more important than temporary acceptance. Learn to say no before you find yourself in a situation where saying no becomes much harder. Decide your values before the pressure comes. Know what you believe. Know what the Bible teaches. Know what kind of person you want to become. When the wrong invitation comes, you will not need to spend too much time thinking about it because you have already made up your mind. Remember this: You do not have to say yes just because somebody asked you. Sometimes your greatest act of courage is simply saying no. What To Do Today 1. Think about one area where you often struggle to say no because of pressure from friends or other people. 2. Decide what your Christian values are in that area and make up your mind not to compromise them. 3. Look carefully at your closest friends. Ask yourself whether they are helping you become a better person or making it harder for you to obey God. 4. Practise saying no to wrong things without feeling guilty. You do not owe anyone an explanation for choosing what is right. Prayer Lord, give me the courage to say no when I am being pressured to do what is wrong. Help me not to live for the approval of people. Give me wisdom to choose my friends carefully and strength to stand by my convictions. Help me to value my future, my character, and my relationship with You more than temporary acceptance. When temptation comes, help me to recognise it and walk away. Let my decisions honour You in every area of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Today, practise saying no to one thing that does not help your spiritual life, character, studies, career, relationships, or future. Remember: Every time you say no to what can destroy you, you are saying yes to the future God has prepared for you. ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist

28 Beleifs # 22 CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with biblical principles in all aspects of personal and social life. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those things that will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the discipline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness.

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🌹🎀🎁💝🌺 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2O26. "FREEDOM FROM SEXUAL ADDICTION" ‘…Help us for the glory of your name…’ Psalms 79:9 NLT FOR FIFTEEN years, Mike Cleveland, airline pilot and founder of ‘Setting Captives Free,’ seemed powerless as his addiction to online pornography devastated his life, his marriage and his family. The spiral of lust enslaved him ‘until there wasn’t a moment of his days free from its tortured domination.’ The cycle of prayers for deliverance, followed by repeated indulgence in porn, XXX DVDs, and sex chat-rooms, plunged him deeper into the darkness of despair and He longed to escape the slimy, secluded underworld of secret soul-destroying sin, but every pathetic attempt left him unchanged, unhinged, and uncertain that freedom was possible for him. Mike turned to self-help books, counsellors and friends without success. His repeated disappointment, when every effort failed, led to increasing guilt and self-incrimination. When his wife insisted on a last-ditch visit to see her pastor (all other remedies had been exhausted), the lights in their bleak prison cell suddenly came on. Mike learned that ‘…deliverance belong(s) to the Lord’ (Jonah 2:9 AMP), and its rules are all dictated by Him. Mike’s old motivations for getting clean—‘saving my marriage for my kids’ sake; I’m a Christian, a seminary graduate and preacher’—were full of ‘loopholes and escape clauses’ and produced one botched disaster after another. His pastor taught him that the only viable motivation for getting clean and staying clean was a commitment to glorifying God in all of his decisions, because God delivers the powerless, ‘For the glory of [His] name.’ When Mike learned, ‘…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God’ (1Corinthians 10:31 NIV), the doors to freedom from years of sexual addiction began to open. Yours can too. Bible In A Year: Lam 1:1 – 3:39, Matt 19:15-30, Ps 119:121-128, Pro 18:13-20. Courtesy : Grace So Amazing Foundation 💝🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🌹🌷🎀💝. MD.ii. [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* THURSDAY, 20TH AUGUST, 2026. *FROM FAME TO SHAME* *TEXT:* JOSHUA 7:1-6. 7 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. 2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. 4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. 6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. *Timeless Truth:*_"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump"_ (1 Corinthians 5:9). *INTRODUCTION* Israel had just experienced a remarkable victory at Jericho. The intimidating walls had fallen, the people had rejoiced, and Joshua’s leadership had received great honour. *"So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noise throughout all the country"* (Joshua 6:27). Yet, within a short time, that fame turned into shame. It is noteworthy that Israel never lost any battle either under Moses or under Joshua. It was natural for them to think that experience is the best teacher. The text shows clearly the danger of leaning only on experience when it comes to spiritual battles. God must continue to lead and the Word of God must remain final. The text teaches us that yesterday’s victory does not guarantee today’s success when there is hidden disobedience. Sin in the camp can turn triumph into tragedy. God desires not only victorious people, but also holy people. *1. Stealing Cursed Properties* a. *"For the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing"*. A glorious and happy journey suddenly turned sour and sorrowful because of sin. Many great men have also fallen from glory to grass just because of a single sin that became public.One man sinned and the whole nation suffered for it. The army that the whole Canaanites dreaded and could not conquer was conquered by the sin of a single rebel. Obviously, the tempter and demons had a field day. Achan was guilty of stealing what did not belong to him. That was disobedience to one of the ten commandments, *"thou shalt not steal"*. He did not just steal what belonged to his neighbours, which was equally sin, he stole classified materials that God called accursed and those that were to be reserved for God in His sanctuary. He did not feign ignorance when caught, he knew it was forbidden. He went deeper in his sin by hiding it from people until the knock of death became real. God had expressly commanded Israel concerning the devoted things of Jericho. *"And ye shall in any wise keep yourself from accursed thing, lest ye make yourself accursed..."* (Joshua 6:1). Achan secretly took what God had forbidden. He thought since nobody saw it, God could not have seen it either. His private sin produced public consequences: *“the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.”* b. Achan’s action reminds us that what is obtained through disobedience cannot produce lasting blessings. Hidden sin may remain concealed from people, but nothing is hidden from God. The desire for material gain can lead a person from honour to disgrace, from victory to defeat and from fame to shame. Sin will turn fame to shame overnight no matter how long it can be hidden. There are some shame that can never be taken away. Some people's sins are revealed after death and they bring a lot of shame on themselves and their families. The sin of a single person can bring a whole family, church and nation into unlimited ridicule and defeat. *"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump"*. There must be care and watchfulness against all forms of sins so as to avoid community, church or societal judgment. Partnership and marriage with accursed and demonized people have deadly consequences and should be avoided. *Question* Is there anything in my life that I have acquired or retained contrary to God’s command? *2. Self-Confidence and Pride* a. Israel had so far won all their battles. Jericho had a population of between 1,200 and 3,000 and yet they had to allow God to guide and lead them. As few as they were, the whole army of Israel was involved. The population of Ai was about 12,000. Shouldn't they ask for guidance as usual? They resorted to recommendations of experience without checking up from God. Unconsciously, pride of past successes results in self confidence. The spies returned with confidence, suggesting that only a small force was needed for such a large city. They thought it was their wisdom and might that had earned them a former victory. Their assessment overlooked the most important factor—the presence and favour of God. They trusted their own strength rather than seeking God's direction. Consequently, about three thousand men went to battle and were defeated. b. Success can sometimes produce overconfidence, making us forget that every victory comes from God. *"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will trust the name of the LORD"*. Pride as a result of past victory or success are natural reactions that must be deliberately avoided. Human strength, experience, position, wealth and reputation cannot substitute for dependence upon the Lord. *Question* Am I depending more on my past achievements and personal ability than on God? *3. Supplication with Crying after Defeat* a. The shame and defeat brought Joshua to his knees to do what he should have done before sending 3000 for the battle. If he had prayed, remained spiritually sensitive and heard from God, God would have told him not to proceed on the battle, but to settle the issue on ground first. On the other hand, we must commend Joshua for not being touchy. He could have blamed the spies for underestimating the population of Ai. He could have blamed the defeated soldiers for being careless and not smart enough. Joshua did not do that. He could see abnormality and spiritual implications in the unusual and unexpected defeat. When strange things happen to us contrary to the Word and promise of God, we should learn to see the face of God and hear His Word on the matter. b. Israel’s defeat brought fear, discouragement and deep sorrow. Joshua tore his clothes and fell before the Ark of the LORD with the elders, putting dust upon their heads. His response shows that when God's people experience defeat, they must turn to God in humility and supplication. Prayer should not merely be our response after failure; it should be our posture before every major undertaking. Nevertheless, even in defeat, God can reveal the cause of the problem and lead His people back to restoration. The place of brokenness can become the beginning of renewed obedience. *Question* When I experience failure or defeat, do I genuinely seek God for correction and restoration? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, give me grace to reject every form of disobedience and to flee from every forbidden thing. Keep me from falling into shame and ridicule 🙏. 2.Father, deliver me from pride, self-confidence and dependence on human strength 🙏. 3.Lord, give me a humble and prayerful heart that seeks Your direction before every decision 🙏. 4.Father, wherever Your children have suffered defeat because of disobedience, expose the root cause, forgive, restore and lead them back to victory 🙏. *HYMN:* Yield Not To Temptation *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOB 38-42. [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *UNDERESTIMATING SIN'S DEADLINESS* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🖤⚠️‼️🛑❌⚖️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:JOSHUA 7:1-6```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads" (JOSHUA 7:6).*_ *When COVID-19 ran rampant early in 2020, no one could imagine that it would, under twenty-four months, send more than 7.5 million souls to an unprepared eternity while casualties from related causes would be close to 15 million. In its trail were socioeconomic disasters, unemployment, poverty, depression and pervasive suicide. The root cause of the high mortality was the earlier attempts to cover its tracks. An even more dangerous disease - sin - is on the sprawl in our world. It, too, is impossible to keep under wraps because many people do not recognise its deadliness.* *Our text unfolds the folly and tragic story of Achan, his sin and the consequences. Against God's command, he had taken some of the spoils from Jericho. And worse was his attempt to cover up the sin by hiding the stolen spoil under the earth in his tent. The consequence of this was the humiliating, ignominious defeat of Israel at Ai, the death of thirty-six valiant men, and the sombre, ominous shadow of failure cast over the camp of God's chosen people. This disaster in battle, on the path of Joshua, led to humiliation, self-examination, prayer and faith, and finally to victory.* *Joshua embarked on an awfully painful search and recovery. This is the gist of our text. The magnified leader is now mortified, but he refrained from maligning God. Self-emptied, self-humiliated and broken, Joshua's primary concerns were twofold: loss of innocent Israelites and the tender regard for the honour of God's name. He wailed: "O Lord, what will thou do unto thy great name?" He conceded both justice and wisdom to God. Neither did he blame the spies he sent out for furnishing the nation with supposedly inaccurate security reports. Nor did he castigate the soldiers who were defeated in battle for cowardice. Joshua did not underestimate the deadliness of sin. He wisely resorted to the only window left, namely, mercy, as a solution to the present crisis.* *The only option you have when ensnared in sin is a broken and contrite heart. Confession of sins, self-examination, and genuine repentance void of any excuse or alibi, coupled with a commitment to do restitution wherever it is needful, are the indispensable steps to be saved or restored to fellowship and favour with the Lord.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Confessing sin is good, but forsaking sin is much better.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *DANIEL 1-2*📜📜 Underestimating Sin's Deadliness https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 6: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION; GHS 246: O BROTHER, LIFE'S JOURNEY BEGINNING; AND GHS 133: OUT OF MY BONDAGE* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *CHRISTIAN CLEANSING* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🖤🩸🤍🥼🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:ISAIAH 52:1-3```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean" (ISAIAH 52:1).*_ *Spiritual check-up should be a routine practice for Christians to maintain sanctity. It is your responsibility to cleanse yourself from all the filthiness that is flying all over your community. It starts by watching physically over what you allow into your life, beginning from the books you read, the movies you watch, the friends you keep, and so on.* *Unclean instruments will make you dirty and unacceptable in the sight of God. God wants His children to cleanse themselves and remain pure because He does not want to lose any of them to the devil and to hell, a place of eternal perdition.* *Beloved, you are the holy city of God and "henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean" (Isaiah 52:1). Consciously pray to God for heart cleansing or sanctification experience where your adamic nature would be uprooted.* *Remember that heaven is for only those who are holy. Trust in God because He "is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24).* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*It starts by watching.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Be clean in an unclean generation.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to live a clean life.*_ Christian Cleansing https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *REASONABLE SERVICE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```ROMANS 12:1-3```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 A child who desires to serve God acceptably must offer unto Him a service that is reasonable. This means something that is of highest quality and standard. A reasonable service involves: *(i) Offering your body as a living sacrifice, free of blemish or stain of sin.* *(ii) Living a holy life.* During the Olympic Games, a lot of athletes represented their countries and won various medals. However, some of them were disqualified for various reasons, such as doping (the unlawful use of drugs to enhance performance). They failed because they did not present their bodies for the competition in the natural form. Our Bible passage encouraged believers to present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, and be not conformed to this world in their way of life. Just like the athletes who were disqualified for falling short of the standard expected of them, any child who falls short of God's expectation will surely be disqualified from entering the kingdom of God. *For your service to become reasonable and acceptable to God, you need to genuinely repent of your sins and promise Jesus never to go back to sin anymore. Then you can be assured of eternal life. A service becomes reasonable when it is offered with clean hands and a pure heart.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, make my service acceptable in your sight.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Romans 12:4-8* Reasonable Service https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up. ⏤ Psalm 5:3 The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer. ⏤ F.B. Meyer O God, we come to You with nothing but our needs and a meager return of gratitude from our flawed hearts. But we are glad to know that You welcome us even with our needs and sins. Reveal Your love to us so clearly that it kindles our love for You, teaching us to love You more. This morning calls us to praise and thanksgiving. We’ve slept and awakened, preserved and refreshed by Your care. Our lives have been renewed through sleep, and now the sun shines on us again, bringing us joy. Give us a Father’s morning blessing as we step into the duties of this new day. Purify our hearts so that our thoughts and feelings may be pure. Grant us diligence, honesty, truthfulness, and a spirit of service so that we may carry out our tasks in a way that honors Your name. May we learn more and more how to walk with Jesus in the ordinary days, the week-days, so that they too may be brightened by Your grace. Preserve us from foolishness, idle words, and anything that would profane our lives or damage the impression we leave on others. May our daily walk be a living gospel. May we be a blessing to everyone we meet. Keep us from discouraging others. Help us to live in such a way that everyone who knows us will find it easier to be true, holy, and happy. Grant us now a Father’s morning blessing. Then we will be stronger throughout the day, safe amid temptation, and able to live sweetly and for You, through Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/46/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE. *TOPIC:* DOING SOMETHING USEFUL. *TEXT:* EPHESIANS 4:25-28. 25 Therefore, stripping off falsehood, “let each of us speak the truth to his neighbor,” for we belong to one another. Zec 8:16 [Col 3:9] 26 “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set while you are still angry, Psa 4:4 [Mat 5:25] 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity to work. Jas 4:7 1Pe 5:9 28 The thief must no longer steal but must work hard and do what is good with his own hands, so that he might earn something to give to the needy. Act 20:35 1Th 4:11 2Th 3:8 2Th 3:12 *TOPIC:* DOING SOMETHING USEFUL. *THE MESSAGE:* No one is created for a life of waste, rebellion, or indulgence in destructive habits like drugs, immorality, theft, or idleness. This passage encourages believers to live productive, truthful, and purposeful lives as taught in the scriptures. God desires fruitfulness, not wastefulness or sinful living. To be useful, you must shun lies, embrace the truth, and engage in honest work. Hard work brings rewards, growth, and opens doors of opportunity, keeping you from the grip of poverty, unfruitfulness, and shame. It is disheartening to see young people spending their time on social media, pursuing fruitless ventures, and missing numerous opportunities. Usefulness involves taking initiative, being creative, and serving both God and others with diligence and integrity. Embrace a mindset of diligence and purpose today! *REFLECTION:* Be useful to your Creator and community. *PRAYER:* Lord, help me to be productive. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* EZEKIEL 12-15. ED.ii. WHAT WAS I BORN FOR? "'You are a king, then!' said Pilate. Jesus answered: 'You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.'" - John 18:37 Jesus knew what He was born for. There are many people who do not know why they are here on earth. I believe, however, that man was created quite uniquely. So how can you think we were put on earth without a purpose and just for fun? It is good to think about: What was I born for? Is this what God has for me? There is only One who can give you the right answer to that and it is God. He knows exactly why you were born. God's children save themselves from a lot of difficulties when they consult Him; God wants to speak as well as answer them. The purpose of our existence God did not create us to only build a life here on earth and then die. No, God created mankind to eventually go to heaven to be with Him forever. That is the main reason why He created us. However, that is not God's only purpose. On earth we are on our way to our ultimate goal and while we are here, we must consult the Lord: 'Lord, what do You want me to do? What is the earthly purpose for which You want to use me?' Go and consult God about the earthly job you should practice and what you can do for Him, so you will know: This is the reason why I was born! Find ways to bless others. Make yourself available to people who need comfort and support. 'Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me' (Matthew 25:40). Allow yourself to say at the end of your life: 'Lord, I have done what You wanted me to do.' https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening prayer for today. EP.i. Morning Prayer Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do,] forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ⏤ Philippians 3:13-14 Prayer is the acid test of devotion. ⏤ Samuel Chadwick O Lord, You’ve taught us through Your apostle to forget what lies behind and to reach forward to what lies ahead. Give us the grace to let go of the past and press on toward the goal of our high calling. Help us to cast aside every weight and the sins that so easily trip us up, and to run with endurance the race set before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. This world pulls us back, holding us from aspiring heavenward. May we have the strength to resist these earthly temptations and instead be drawn toward the blessings of a heavenly life. Help us to live more and more for the things that are unseen and eternal. Earthly things, though sweet and beautiful, are temporary—like flowers that are fragrant today but wilted tomorrow. May these fleeting blessings remind us of You and turn our thoughts to You. Let us not rest in these temporary joys or build our hopes on them. Instead, teach us to rest in You and build our hopes on the enduring rock of Your eternity. Then, no matter what earthly disaster or loss comes our way, we will be safe and secure in You, our unchanging God. As we step into the world today, fill our hearts with thoughts of Your love and grace. Go before us, lead us, and help us follow You wherever You guide. Give us wisdom to respond rightly in every situation. Grant us courage to face difficulties and overcome obstacles. And give us gentle hearts so we may be a blessing to others. We ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/45/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

I started doing drugs at 17 years ago I started going to celebrate recovery meetings three years ago three times a night and then after the last year and a half i went for one night a week and I recently went to rehab for 3 months and I have been clean and sober for almost 6 months now and it's because of Jesus the grace of God and rehab and understand people like those at celebrate recovery meetings. Your story counts.

𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄'𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐃 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐘 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐕𝐄! Good afternoon, children of God. I come to return all the glory back to God of heaven and earth, our Lord Jesus Christ. I want to thank God for saving my life from premature death. It happened—it was—it happened last week. It all started exactly Sunday last week, after the service. I no understand myself again. It was like a joke. The thing get start—continued getting deteriorated, to the extent that I was hospitalized on Tuesday. Being hospitalized, I was not responding to treatment. But the servant of God kept praying with me, and kept checking on me. So, we kept going. It reached—I think, was it on Wednesday? I—I just started giving up on myself. All the—my husband beside me, the stress he's going through, and my family, I look at everything, I say, "Is it not better I should just—let me just go. Let me just go. Let me just go." So, after one of the injection, I slept off. I could not understand—know—I allow my husband to go out of the—by my side. So, I just closed my eye. After closing my eye, I found myself on—in a new city. There was nobody. I was just going—I just keep going, don't even know where I'm going to. So, inside the revelation, I now saw the man of God of this commission who asked me, "Where are you going?" I told him, "I don't even know where I'm going, but I just want to go. Let me rest." He told me to come back. He said I should come back. "Why do you want me to come back?" He said I should just come back. So, God used his face. He stretched his hand, and I hold his hand. Holding his hand, I turned back. Turning back, I open my eye and now saw myself, I was still on the hospital bed. I say, "Wow, was it a play or a joke? Does it mean I was really going?" That was how I woke up, and still continued. So, I—when he later called, I told him the revelation I had. He prayed with me, said, "Why did I want to give up?" Since I started working on myself again, that was how I started receiving—I started responding to treatment. Gradually, I was discharged. I was discharged on Friday. After my discharge, I reached home, I was just managing. I cannot eat, I cannot drink, but they forced me that I have to be taking something. I claimed today that, "Yes, I can take something," so that they should let me go, that I realized that the body is non-more of the medical. Let me go home and think and pray, and struggle to pray. So, reaching home, yesterday afternoon, I ate, but I started having another pain again. And there was this condition attached to me seeing the doctor that must be stable before the next procedure. I started having severe pain that I cannot even explain—I don't want to say it out. When I checked the time, it was already some minutes after eight. I say, "Ah, okay. Let me go online." Coming online now, I met they already started prayer. So, I joined the prayer. Joining the prayer, I was hitting my tummy and that of my waist. 'Cause I say, "This time around, I'm not in the hospital. Let's face it. I'm in the house. Let's face it squarely." I followed the prayer. When I started the prayer, sleeping was coming. The sleeping was so deep. Me that I hardly slept sometimes like that, the sleep, since I started being on drugs, sleeping was coming, I was struggling with the sleeping, I was praying. I say I must pray. Even when they do the—share the grace, I don't even know. When I—when I check again, I say, "Okay," I continue again. I was hitting it. I was telling the pain to go back to the sender. Since that yesterday night till now, I've not taken anything. God brought relief! Not even a single paracetamol I've not taken, and I cannot find the pain. I just want to say, "Thank you, Jesus, for taking over." Now that is the area I got to learn that, "Okay, any power that don't want to let me be, let's face it." And God took over. I just want to say, "Thank you, Jesus, for healing me." May His name alone be praised. I cover my testimony with the blood of Jesus, and this affliction and every other one, they will not come back again, in Jesus' name. Amen. God bless you, sir.

I'm struggling with anger, sadness and unforgiveness because of my mother. A couple of months ago she told me for the hundredth time she didn't love me and I've always done something to make her dislike me. From the time I was an infant to 62 years of age I've been a horrible person according to her. I took myself to church at 4, I made stash A's and B's, my teachers and neighbors loved me, I have always been the person God said to be. My mother has abused me in every way,, she's talked about me to the people who respected me, like the police cheif and officers, she told them I was on drugs and not to trust me, she reported me to children family services so much they were going to file charges against her, she tried to take my child away from me, she moved her father into her home that had molested my siblings, cousins, myself and only God knows who else, she tried to keep me from going to college by taking my car away over asking for $30 to help with my loan. She's told me that she was going to get an abortion with me, that she didn't want any of her kids but most of all me. She's been cruel my whole life and damaging to my soul. I've tried to by the daughter Hod said to be but I can't anymore. She had me ready to kill myself 2 months ago and I can't live like that. I've cut her out of my life. But I feel bad that I've disappointed God. please pray for me. My health is awful, my home is falling apart and I am beyond btoke.I was injured on the job where I broke my neck and back and can't work or fix my home. I need help. And I don't ask for help because I have been rejected from birth and learned to take care of myself. Please, pray for me. I know God loves me but life is really hard right now.

Need to know. 5 DANGEROUS WAYS YOU OPEN DOORS TO THE ENEMY, WITHOUT REALIZING IT. WARNING! THIS IS A BIBLICAL TEACHING. The Bible warns believers to be spiritually alert because we are in a spiritual battle. «"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." — 1 Peter 5:8» Satan cannot force anyone to sin, but he tempts people into habits that can pull them away from God and harden their hearts. 1. INTOXICATION Anything that takes away your self-control can make you spiritually vulnerable. Whether it's alcohol or drugs, intoxication clouds judgment and can lead to other sins. «"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." — Ephesians 5:18» «"Be sober-minded; be watchful." — 1 Peter 5:8» God calls His people to live with clear minds and self-control. 2. SEXUAL IMMORALITY God designed sex for marriage. Sexual sin damages our relationship with Him and affects both body and soul. «"Flee from sexual immorality." — 1 Corinthians 6:18» «"The two shall become one flesh." — Genesis 2:24» The enemy often uses lust to trap people in guilt, shame, and brokenness, but Christ offers forgiveness and freedom to those who repent. 3. UNWHOLESOME WORDS Your tongue has power. Constant insults, gossip, lies, and curses can wound others and reflect what is in the heart. «"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." — Proverbs 18:21» «"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up." — Ephesians 4:29» As followers of Christ, our words should bring truth, grace, and encouragement. 4. UNCONTROLLED ANGER Anger itself is not always sin, but uncontrolled anger can lead to hatred, violence, and bitterness. «"Be angry, and do not sin... do not give the devil a foothold." — Ephesians 4:26–27» Forgiveness and humility close the doors that bitterness tries to open. 5. UNREPENTANT SIN When people continually reject God's correction and refuse to repent, their hearts become hardened. «"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9» Jesus didn't come to condemn us but to save us. No matter how far you've fallen, His mercy is greater than your past. «"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." — James 4:7» The answer is not fear—it's repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, prayer, reading God's Word, fellowship with other believers, and daily obedience to the Holy Spirit. May God strengthen everyone struggling with temptation, addiction, anger, or sexual sin. May the Lord Jesus Christ break every chain, restore every broken heart, and fill you with His peace, holiness, and power. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

There's a connection between drugs and witchcraft: https://youtube.com/shorts/uQPlr13jpaQ?si=Q_xSPpbQUugt3to_

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY! “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 (KJV) Heavenly Father, we come before You this Tuesday morning with grateful hearts, thanking You for the gift of another day. Thank You for watching over our family through the night, for waking us up this morning, and for giving us another opportunity to experience Your grace, mercy, and love. Your Word declares, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). So regardless of what yesterday looked like or what today may bring, we choose to rejoice because You are still God, You are still faithful, and our family is still in Your hands. Lord, we place every member of our family before You today—the young and the old, parents and children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and loved ones near and far. Cover every household connected to our family. Father, go before us today. Your Word says, “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (Psalm 121:8). Protect those traveling to work, school, appointments, and wherever this day may take them. Surround our vehicles, homes, workplaces, schools, and communities with Your protection. Lord, strengthen every family member who is tired, discouraged, overwhelmed, worried, or carrying burdens they have not told anyone about. Remind them that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Give strength to the weary, peace to the troubled, and hope to those who feel like giving up. Father, we lift up every family member dealing with sickness, pain, disease, medical concerns, procedures, treatments, or recovery. You declared, “I am the LORD that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26). Touch bodies from the crowns of their heads to the soles of their feet. Give wisdom to doctors, nurses, caregivers, and medical professionals. Where there is pain, bring relief. Where there is weakness, bring strength. Where there is uncertainty, bring peace. We stand on Your Word: “With his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Lord, touch the minds of our family members. Break the grip of fear, anxiety, depression, confusion, stress, and constant worry. Your Word tells us, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). Let “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Father, we pray for anyone in our family struggling with addiction, alcohol, drugs, destructive habits, or anything that has taken control of their life. Break every chain and destroy every stronghold. Your Word declares, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Lord, set them free and restore what addiction has tried to steal. We pray for our marriages and relationships. Strengthen husbands and wives. Restore communication, trust, affection, patience, forgiveness, and commitment. Guard marriages against temptation, infidelity, division, bitterness, and outside interference. Let every home remember, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:9). Bless our children, grandchildren, and young people. Protect their minds, their bodies, their futures, their friendships, and their decisions. Keep them from dangerous influences and wrong relationships. Your Word says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Draw our young people closer to You and give them courage to stand for righteousness. Father, we pray for every family member facing financial difficulties, unemployment, underemployment, debt, or uncertainty concerning their future. Open doors that no one can shut. Provide jobs, promotions, raises, opportunities, resources, and financial wisdom. Teach us to be good stewards of everything You place into our hands. We trust Your promise: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Lord, bring unity into our family. Heal old wounds. Remove grudges, jealousy, unforgiveness, misunderstandings, gossip, and division. Give us the humility to apologize when we are wrong and the grace to forgive when we have been hurt. Your Word says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). Comfort every family member who is grieving or missing someone they love. When memories bring tears, wrap Your loving arms around them. Remind them that “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart” (Psalm 34:18). Give them strength for the difficult moments and peace when the emptiness feels overwhelming. Father, we pray especially for those who are caregivers. Strengthen those caring for aging parents, sick spouses, children, relatives, and loved ones. When they become physically and emotionally exhausted, renew their strength. Your Word declares, “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). Give caregivers patience, wisdom, rest, compassion, and help when they need it. Lord, protect our family from attacks we can see and attacks we cannot see. We declare, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17). Cancel every plan designed to bring destruction, confusion, division, or discouragement into our homes. And Father, above everything else, draw our entire family closer to Jesus. For those who know You, strengthen their relationship with You. For those who have wandered away, bring them home. For those who have never surrendered their lives to Christ, soften their hearts and save them. We declare over our household, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). As we step into this Tuesday, help us walk by faith and not by sight. Help us speak life instead of death, encouragement instead of criticism, faith instead of fear, and love instead of anger. We declare that our family is covered. Our family is protected. Our family is being healed. Our family is being restored. Our family is being strengthened. Our family is being provided for. Our family is walking in unity. Our children are covered. Our marriages are covered. Our homes are covered. And our future is in God's hands! For Your Word declares, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayer. Thank You for what You have already done, what You are doing right now, and what You are preparing to do in our family. We give You all the glory, honor, and praise. In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen, Amen, and Amen! TUESDAY DECLARATION... Today, we declare that our family belongs to God! We will not walk in fear because the Lord goes before us. We will not be defeated because greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Our homes will have peace, our bodies will experience strength, our minds will be guarded, our needs will be supplied, and our family will walk in God's purpose. No weapon formed against our family shall prosper. As for us and our house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD! In Jesus' name, Amen!