TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS. SERMON TOPIC: BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP FOR A BROKEN WORLD Leading with Character, Courage, Compassion and Christ Key Texts: Matthew 5:13–16; Mark 10:42–45; Nehemiah 2:17–18; 1 Timothy 4:12; Micah 6:8 THE WORLD DOES NOT JUST NEED MORE LEADERS We are living in a broken world. Families are broken. Trust is broken. Institutions are struggling. Young people are searching for direction. Many people have influence but lack character. Some have position but no compassion. Others have power but no wisdom. And here is the question: Who will stand in the gap? The answer is not necessarily people with titles. God is looking for men and women whose lives can become examples, whose character can become a message, and whose leadership can bring light into dark places. Biblical leadership is not about sitting at the top and commanding everybody beneath you. Biblical leadership is about serving people under the authority of God. Jesus did not define greatness by how many people served you. He said: > “Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister.” — Matthew 20:26 The world says, “Climb to the top.” Jesus says, “Go down and serve.” The world says, “Protect your position.” Jesus says, “Use your position to bless others.” 1. BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP BEGINS WITH CHARACTER 1 Timothy 4:12 > “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Before God gives a person a platform, He develops the person. Position can introduce you, but character sustains you. A leader may have: Intelligence without integrity. Influence without wisdom. Authority without humility. Education without godliness. Money without compassion. But leadership without character eventually becomes dangerous. Joseph is an example. Joseph was given authority in Egypt, but his greatest qualification was not merely administrative ability. He had character. When temptation came through Potiphar's wife, Joseph said: > “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” — Genesis 39:9 Joseph understood something important: A leader must know who he is when nobody is watching. Your public leadership should be an extension of your private walk with God. Spiritual insight: God is more interested in the person you are becoming than the position you are occupying. 2. BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP IS SERVANT LEADERSHIP Mark 10:43–45 Jesus said: > “Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister.” Then He gave Himself as the ultimate example: > “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” Jesus had all authority, yet He served. He washed feet. He touched the rejected. He fed the hungry. He welcomed children. He listened to people. He carried the burden of humanity to the cross. True leadership asks: “How can I help?” Not: “What can I gain?” A father leads by serving his family. A mother leads by serving her home. A pastor leads by serving the flock. A teacher leads by developing students. A young Christian can lead by being a godly example among friends. You do not need a title before you can become a leader. Influence begins wherever responsibility begins. 3. BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP REQUIRES COURAGE TO REBUILD WHAT IS BROKEN Nehemiah 2:17–18 Nehemiah saw the broken walls of Jerusalem and said: > “Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem.” He did not merely complain about the problem. He became part of the solution. That is leadership. Anybody can identify what is wrong. A leader asks: “What can I do to make it better?” Nehemiah saw destruction, but he also saw possibility. He saw broken walls, but he believed they could be rebuilt. He saw discouragement, but he mobilized people. We need Nehemiahs today. People who will say: “I will help restore my family.” “I will mentor a young person.” “I will speak truth with love.” “I will serve my church faithfully.” “I will use my gifts to bless society.” “I will not contribute to the corruption I complain about.” “I will rebuild instead of destroy.” God does not call leaders merely to criticize brokenness. He calls them to participate in restoration. 4. BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP SPEAKS TRUTH BUT WALKS IN LOVE Micah 6:8 > “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good... to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” A biblical leader must balance truth, justice, mercy and humility. Truth without love can become cruelty. Love without truth can become compromise. Justice without mercy can become oppression Mercy without justice can become irresponsibility. But biblical leadership brings these qualities together under God's authority. Jesus was full of grace and truth. In a broken world, leaders must refuse two extremes: Compromise: “I don't want to offend anybody, so I will say nothing.” Harshness: “I will tell the truth, but I don't care who gets hurt.” Biblical leadership says: “I will speak the truth, but I will speak it in love.” 5. BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPS OTHER LEADERS One of the greatest failures of leadership is building a system where everything depends on one person. Moses learned this lesson. Exodus 18:17–23 Jethro told Moses: > “The thing that thou doest is not good.” Moses was trying to handle everything himself. Jethro instructed him to appoint capable people to share the responsibility. A great leader does not create followers who cannot function without him. A great leader develops people who can continue the mission after him. Jesus invested in twelve disciples. Paul invested in Timothy. Elijah invested in Elisha. Moses invested in Joshua. Ask yourself: Who am I preparing to succeed me? If your ministry, business, family responsibility or assignment will collapse the moment you leave, then you may have built dependence rather than leadership. 📖 BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: NEHEMIAH — A LEADER FOR A BROKEN GENERATION Nehemiah received terrible news. Jerusalem was broken. The walls were destroyed. The people were discouraged. But Nehemiah did four things. 1. HE CARED He did not become comfortable with the suffering of others. 2. HE PRAYED Before he acted, he sought God. 3. HE PLANNED He did not rush emotionally into the assignment. 4. HE ACTED Eventually he said: > “Let us rise up and build.” — Nehemiah 2:18 That is biblical leadership: Compassion + Prayer + Wisdom + Action. 🌍 REAL-LIFE APPLICATION: OUR BROKEN WORLD NEEDS WHOLE LEADERS Look around us. Young people need mentors. Families need godly fathers and mothers. Churches need faithful servants. Communities need honest leaders. Schools need teachers who care. Businesses need people of integrity. Governments need people who understand that leadership is stewardship. And the Church needs believers who understand that Christianity is not merely about attending services. We are called to become light. Jesus said: > “Ye are the light of the world.” — Matthew 5:14 Light does not argue with darkness. Light enters darkness and changes the environment. 🛠️ PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS 1. Lead yourself before trying to lead others. Control your words. Control your habits. Control your emotions. Strengthen your prayer life. Study God's Word. 2. Become trustworthy. Do what you said you would do. Keep your word. Be honest when nobody is watching. 3. Serve someone intentionally every week. Find someone you can encourage, teach, support or mentor. 4. Stop complaining about everything that is wrong. Identify one problem you can help solve. Don't just point at the broken wall. Pick up a brick. 5. Develop someone younger than you. Share knowledge. Give opportunities. Correct with love. Encourage growth. 6. Keep Christ at the center of your leadership. Never allow ambition to become your god. Your leadership belongs to God. 🔥 DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. Leadership is stewardship, not ownership. Your influence belongs to God. Your position belongs to God. Your gifts belong to God. One day, you will give an account of how you used them. 2. Your character is your first ministry. Before you preach to people, your life is already preaching. People may forget your sermon. They may forget your title. But they will remember how you treated them. 3. Broken environments need whole people. You cannot heal everything around you, but you can refuse to become part of the brokenness. Don't allow a corrupt environment to corrupt your character. 4. Leadership is influence before it is position. You may not be the pastor. You may not be the chairman. You may not be the director. You may not have a political position. But if people are watching your life, you have influence. Use it for God. 🤔 QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. What kind of leader am I becoming? 2. Can people trust my character? 3. Do I lead by serving or by controlling? 4. What broken thing around me am I called to help rebuild? 5. Who am I mentoring? 6. What would people say about my leadership when I am not present? 7. If Jesus examined my leadership today, would He find humility? 8. Am I building people or merely building my reputation? 🙏 POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Father, make me a leader of character. Let my private life agree with my public testimony, in Jesus' name. 2. Lord, deliver me from pride, selfish ambition and the desire for human applause. Give me the heart of a servant. 3. Father, give me wisdom to lead my family, ministry, workplace and community according to Your will. 4. Lord, make me an instrument of restoration wherever there is brokenness around me. 5. Father, give me courage to speak truth, defend what is right and stand for righteousness without hatred or compromise. 6. Lord, help me discover and develop the people You have placed around me. 7. Father, raise godly leaders among our young people who will carry truth, integrity and faith into the next generation. 8. Lord, let my life become a light in a dark world and a blessing to my generation. 🔥 CLOSING FACTS: WHO WILL STAND IN THE GAP? The world is broken. But God has not abandoned it. He has placed His people in it. You may look at your community and say, “Someone should do something.” Perhaps God is saying: “You are someone.” You may look at the Church and say, “We need better leaders.” Perhaps God is saying: “I am preparing you.” You may look at your family and see brokenness. Start rebuilding. You may see a young person without direction. Become a mentor. You may see injustice. Stand for truth. You may see discouragement. Speak hope. You may see darkness. Shine. Don't wait for a title. Don't wait for a microphone. Don't wait for an election. Don't wait for someone to recognize you. Start serving where God has placed you. Because biblical leadership is not about how many people are beneath you. It is about how many people become better because you followed Christ. And when history looks back at our generation, may it not say: “They saw a broken world and complained.” May it say: “They saw a broken world, trusted God, stood in the gap, served their generation, and helped rebuild.” Arise. Lead. Serve. Build. Shine. Be the leader your generation needs—and let Christ be the Lord of your leadership. “Let us rise up and build.” — Nehemiah 2:18 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 selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/share/1K8DhEEVZV/ #UMOHEDEM

Trump Conviction, Political Chaos Spark Historic Election Cycle THE CHRISTIAN POST Watch now 👇 https://ccwntvnetworkintl-shop.fourthwall.com/supporters/video_embeds/256661?utm_medium=copy-share-link&utm_source=share-link&utm_campaign=post-share-supporter Compiled By: Christian Church World News CCWN Television Network Presshouse Media

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:2 ɴᴋᴊᴠ The sanctification spoken of in this passage is not the practical sanctification of the believer spoken of in other scriptures, and which must be relative or a question of degree, but that far deeper sanctification of the Spirit which is absolute. It is, as William Kelly puts it, that “effectual work of divine grace, which first separates from the world a person, whether Jew or Gentile, unto God.” The order in which the truth is presented clearly shows that it cannot be practical sanctification. Practical holiness follows on being justified by the blood, whereas the sanctification in this passage precedes the blood. Moreover, the elect are set apart through the Spirit to come under the cleansing of the blood of Jesus Christ. By faith in Christ, the believer comes under the shelter of the precious blood which cleanses from all sin, and sets him before God in peace. When the Spirit of God works in a sinner, it is in order that the life of Christ may be produced in him, and that he may come under the efficacy of the death of Christ, which removes everything contrary to God. Thinking only of ourselves, we should have put the blood first, for it is by the blood alone we can approach God. But Scripture first presents the great positive end that God has in view when His Spirit begins to work in our souls, namely, to reproduce the life of Christ. From this verse we learn that we have come into relations with every divine Person in the Godhead. We have been elected according to the foreknowledge of God the Father; we have been sanctified by the work of the Spirit in us; and the Father’s election and the Spirit’s work are in view of our obeying as Christ obeyed and coming under the sprinkling of the blood of Christ. Hamilton Smith O blessed Savior, is Thy love so great, so full, so free?Fain would we have our thoughts, our hearts, Our lives, engaged with Thee. Joseph Stennett https://gbv-online.org/calendar/773/date/2026-08-01

David had zero ideas that an election was happening at home, he was faithfully looking after his father's flock. When his brothers were paraded for one to be anointed he was forgotten, but God remembererd him and they sent for him. May God remember you and cause men to send for you in Jesus Name.

🌙 Good Evening, Nkumba Central Thank you for another day of encouragement and meaningful conversations. Our campaign is about more than an election. It is about serving people, strengthening our neighborhoods, and creating opportunities for every family. As we close this day, let us remember that lasting change begins with unity, respect, and a shared commitment to one another. May your home be filled with peace tonight, and may tomorrow bring new opportunities to serve our community. — Pastor Chief Valentino Kasibante 🙏 Evening Prayer "Lord, bless our community with peace and unity. Protect every family, strengthen those who are struggling, and help us work together to build a brighter future for Nkumba Central. Amen." ✅ Join our movement for Vision • Integrity • Results. 🌐 www.Kasibante4LC1.com 🤝 Together, we end this day with gratitude and begin tomorrow with hope. #VoteKasibante #Kasibante4LC1 #GoodEvening #EveningPrayer #Community #Leadership #NkumbaCentral

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY MONDAY JULY 20, 2026. "WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR?" ‘Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained by a righteous life.’ Proverbs 16:31 NIV WE ALL live for something; the question is, what? Ben Patterson writes in ‘The Grand Essentials’: ‘I have a theory about old age…I believe when life has whittled us down, when joints have failed and skin has wrinkled and capillaries have clogged and hardened, what is left of us will be what we were all along in our essence. Exhibit A: a distant uncle. All his life, he did nothing but find new ways to get rich. He spent his [last years] very comfortably, drooling and babbling constantly about the money he had made. When life whittled him down to his essence, all that was left was raw greed. This is what he had cultivated in a thousand little ways over a lifetime. Exhibit B: My wife’s grandmother. When she died in her mid-eighties, she had already been senile for several years. What did this lady talk about? The best example I can think of was when we asked her to pray before dinner. She would reach out and hold the hands of those sitting beside her, a broad, beatific smile would spread across her face, her dim eyes would fill with tears as she looked up to heaven and her chin would quiver as she poured out her love to Jesus. That was Edna in a nutshell. She loved Jesus and she loved people. She couldn’t remember our names, but she couldn’t keep her hands from patting us lovingly whenever we got near her. When life whittled her down to her essence, all there was left was love…for God and love for people.’ What are you living for? Bible In A Year: Acts 24-25; Matt 11:1-9; Ps1; Pro 16:10-15. 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. [19/07, 9:52 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) MONDAY 20TH JULY, 2026``` *TRANSFORMING GRACE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🐑🩸✝️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-31```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (1 CORINTHIANS 1:26).*_ *In his book _Understanding Church Growth,_ The Christian writer, Donald McGavran, used the phrase "redemption lift" to describe the transformative power of the gospel on people's lives, especially their socioeconomic condition. A more recent work by Rodney Stark, titled, _America's Blessings,_ relying on sociological data, concluded that compared to less religious and nonreligious individuals, people of faith are better off. He believes that a person renewed by the gospel increasingly acts in a self-controlled and selfless manner, engages in less criminal behaviour and experiences higher marital happiness and lower divorce rates, while producing more and better-behaved children.* *In today's Bible passage, Apostle Paul believes that the gospel of Christ has positively transformed the lives of the Corinthian Christians. This is because God did not consider the smallness or stature of the Corinthian believers before saving them from the power of sin. Paul reminds the Corinthians of their humble beginning in the journey of faith and how God's transforming grace turned their lives around. God can make giants of anyone no matter his or her poor beginning.* *Paul believes that God usually does not apply worldly methods to spiritual things. "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise" (1 Corinthians 1:27). The Bible is full of stories of people like the shepherd boy, David, who was brought from obscurity to the throne. Who would have imagined that a man like Zacchaeus would voluntarily surrender his loot to repair the financial damage done to many families? God transforms sinners to saints effortlessly so that no one will claim any credit for the changes in their lives.* *The Christian life is a new life where old things do not dictate our progress any more. This is a new life where redemption transforms us from weaklings to giants. The blessedness of knowing Jesus as Lord and Saviour transcends every limitation there might be in our lives, making us into spiritual giants who can effortlessly, gratefully sing, _"Amazing Grace"!_* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*The amazing thing about grace is that it admits and transforms the weak, the worldly and the wicked.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *EXODUS 12-16*📜📜 Transforming Grace https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 129: GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN; GHS 125: WONDERFUL GRACE OF JESUS; AND GHS 136: AT CALVARY* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna20thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/07, 9:52 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```MONDAY 20TH JULY, 2026``` *RETALIATION* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️😠😡❌🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:GENESIS 34:25-31```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house" (GENESIS 34:30).*_ *Retaliation is the act of harming someone because he or she has harmed us. Another word for it is revenge. Our text tells the story of the defilement of Dinah by Shechem and the cruel act of vengeance carried out by her brothers on Shechem, his father and the adult males in the land.* *According to Tim Lahaye, "Sadness and heartache always result when anyone disobeys God's command regarding sexual purity." Many people paid with their lives for the wrong done by one man.* *Two lessons can be learned from the story. One, Shechem's sin of fornication with Jacob's daughter, Dinah, brought him an untimely death. Sin brings death, physical, spiritual and eternal, if not repented of.* *Two, two wrongs cannot make a right; Jacob's sons took vengeance on Shechem and his family, including the whole city. They killed innocent males who had no involvement in the incident that led to their sister's defilement. This collective punishment is wrong.* *We should avoid retaliation and let God fight for us (Romans 12:19). Pray to be sanctified to forgive freely.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Avoid retaliation.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Have a forgiving heart like our Lord Jesus.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Take my heart, oh Lord! Let it be like Yours.*_ Retaliation https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday20thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/07, 9:52 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```MONDAY 20TH JULY, 2026``` *POSITIVE INFLUENCE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️💡🕯️✨🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```JOHN 1:1-5```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not" (John 1:5).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 An important aspect of life is influence. Each one of us has influence over someone in this world. It is obvious that the more you lead, the more opportunities for influence you will have. Both positive and negative influences have been recorded in the history of mankind. Good people have an effect on others for good, and bad people have some influence that turn out bad. Everybody is being influenced by someone or something no matter who you are, nobody is an island. We see it all around us; everyone is contributing something to influence others. The question is not if we will influence others, but rather what quality of influence we will generate in the lives of others. *As Christians, we should be positive influencers. We should influence others for Christ. Let others see Jesus in you, let them see Him in your attitude, lifestyle, behaviour, and from the way you treat others. Someday, we will stand before the Lord Jesus and give an account of how we spent our lives. It would be wise to live in such a way that the Lord is able to say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant!"* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, help me to be a positive influence to those around me.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Matthew 5:13-16* Positive Influence https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk20thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/07, 9:53 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* MONDAY, 20TH JULY, 2026. *UNMERITED CHOICE* *TEXT:* 1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-31. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. *Timeless Truth:*_"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast"_ (Ephesians 2:8,9). *INTRODUCTION* God is not partial for He is *"not a respecter of any"*. If God is partial, He will cease to be God. The voice of God is loud enough for every person, including the deaf, to hear. However, many close their ears to His voice that they might not hear. Of all the people who hear, only few respond. God cannot force anyone to respond for that will be contrary to His nature and plan of creating man as a free moral agent. Those who hear and respond appropriately are chosen and are called the chosen of God. *"Many are called few are chosen"*. Those who are chosen are those who are elected and those that are elected are those that are justified and those that are justified are those that are glorified. The call of God to salvation and eternal inheritance is a general appeal to all. Nobody merits that call. It is free for all. By implication and deduction, those who respond and take the needful action and get saved don't merit it either, and neither do they earn it by any means. Paul the Apostle gave the reasons why God did it so. *"That no flesh should glory in his presence"*. The wise, educated and enlightened cannot boast of their wisdom as the reason for their choice by God and neither can the foolish justify himself as to why they opted not to be saved. The door of salvation is open to all, the decision is left to individuals. *1.God's Unexpected Believers' Choice* a. If a great man is expected to choose those who will be his companion or marry, it is expected that he will look for the wise, brilliant, educated and resourceful people. However, God is looking for those He will make great and wise. The Corinthian believers were reminded to reflect on their own calling. Humanly speaking, not many of them were wise, influential or of noble birth. *"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: "*. They did not respond to the call of God because of their earthly wisdom, wealth, might and nobility; and as a result they were not chosen by God. Yet God deliberately chose the foolish, the weak, the lowly and the despised, who humbly responded to Him, to shame the wise and the mighty. *"And base things of the world, and things that are despised, hath God chosen, yea the things which are not, to bring to nought things that are"*. Those that are despised as nobody, when they chose God and His salvation are cleansed, glorified and gifted as children of God to reflect the glory of God, have the knowledge of His will and be carriers of His mighty power. God's method of choosing people is completely different from man's. While people often value social status, wealth, intelligence, and influence, God looks upon the heart and calls those who will depend entirely on His grace. To those people He imparts His grace and glory. His choice is not based on human qualification, but on His sovereign love and purpose. b. Who are the people Jesus Christ chose to be His disciples? Mostly, unlettered men who decided to respond to the call of Jesus Christ. They eventually, got transformed by Jesus Christ and became life changers, solutions to problems that are beyond men and became pillars in the present kingdom and eternal kingdom. This truth should encourage every believer who feels insignificant or overlooked. God's election demonstrates that His power is perfected in human weakness, ensuring that all the glory belongs to Him alone. Only the humble, the meek and the lowly, regardless of their status, are those that the gates of heaven will be opened to now and in eternity. *Questions* Do you appreciate that God's choice of you was based on His grace rather than your achievements? Are you depending on human qualifications more than God's enabling power? *2.Glorying Unexpected of the Beloved Chosen* a. "*Where is the boasting then?"* *"For if Abraham were justified by works (merit), he hath whereof to glory; but not before God"* (Romans 4:2). God's gracious choice leaves no room for human boasting. Salvation is entirely His work from beginning to end. Every believer stands before God solely because of His mercy and not because of personal merit. The Lord intentionally, excludes human pride so that all glory belongs to Him. As "*He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord*." The Christian's confidence is therefore, not in educational attainment, financial success, family background, or spiritual accomplishments, but in the Lord Jesus Christ who has accomplished redemption. Those who understand the grace of God remain humble, grateful and devoted to giving Him all the praise. b. No matter the spiritual height anybody has attained, no matter the gift of God a person has, humility and lowliness should continually, guard the mind of the person. *"That, no flesh should glory in His presence"*. *". For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? ?"*. If you are proud as if you earn your salvation, you are likely not to be saved or you have lost it. *Questions* Is there anything in your life that causes you to boast instead of glorifying Christ? In what practical ways can you glorify the Lord rather than yourself? *3. God's Unlimited Blessing Through Christ* Christ is God's complete provision and perfect solution for every believer. *"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption"* (1 Corinthians 1:30). Through Him we receive wisdom to know God's will being the Wisdom of God Himself (1 Corinthians 1:24). True, lasting and eternal wisdom only comes from Christ. Any human wisdom that does not have Christ as the source is foolishness and will not last. He only gives righteousness that will stand accepted before God and sanctification to live holy lives. No human effort can produce the true righteousness of God in man; only Jesus can. He only is the Redeemer from all sins and all evils. Everything required for salvation and victorious Christian living is found in Christ alone. Believers need not seek acceptance or spiritual completeness elsewhere because God has already provided every spiritual blessing in His Son. Therefore, our confidence, hope, strength and future are securely anchored in Jesus Christ. *Questions:* Are you relying fully on Christ as your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption? Which aspect of Christ's provision do you need to embrace more fully today? *Prayer Points* 1.Father, thank You for choosing me by Your grace; help me to remain humble and faithful to Your calling🙏 2.Lord, remove every form of pride from my heart and teach me to glory only in Christ🙏. 3.Heavenly Father, enable me to depend daily upon Christ for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption🙏 4.Lord, enable all Your children and let our lives continually reflect Your grace so that others may glorify You through our testimony 🙏. *HYMN:* All things in Jesus *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* EXODUS 12-16. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer [It is of] the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness. ⏤ Lamentations 3:22-23 Begin each day with private prayer, with great earnestness. ⏤ George Whitefield Father, as the brightness of a new day comes to us, we pause to receive Your blessing. We want to make this a fresh start in our lives. We want to forget the past—our mistakes and sins, our sorrows, and our struggles. We begin this new day asking for the grace to live in a way that honors You and blesses the world. As we go about our tasks today, we ask for Your special presence with us. We hold onto Your promises. You’ve said, "As your days, so shall your strength be!" and "I am with you always, even to the end of the world!" We wait for these promises to be fulfilled. We need Your guidance and help at every step. We are weak, but You can make us strong to endure. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we can bring something of the love of Jesus to everyone we meet. We want to live in this world as those who belong to Heaven, carrying Heaven’s love in our hearts and Heaven’s light in our faces. Knowing our weakness, we cast our lives with all their burdens on You and ask You to keep us. Watch over each of us and bring us all together again this evening, if it is Your will. But if our circle is broken, if any of us are taken away from this earth, receive us into the Father’s house, where we will never have to leave. We pray for those who will have a hard day today—the poor, the sick, the tempted, those in the darkness of sorrow. Show Yourself to them in tender love. Hear our morning prayers. Keep us from all evil. Help us to faithfully do every duty. We ask all this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/15/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Lifeline Today Sunday July 19 Chosen, Found & Fulfilled And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found. 1 Samuel 10:21 (NKJV) Saul was chosen; chosen to be the first king of Israel. He was chosen without an interview, without application or election, and without his desire to rule. He was chosen by the Almighty. You are chosen as well – predestined, programmed, and wired before the world was found (Ephesians 1:4). There is who you were chosen to be, what you were chosen to do on the earth, and registered among the chosen generation. (1Peter 2:9). Saul was not just chosen; he was sought by those he was chosen for. When God makes you a choice, what He chose you for will chase you; look for you, hunt for you, and locate you. By reason of divine choice, your name has been changed to “Sought Out” (Isaiah 62:12). You will be found by everyone you were chosen for to be a blessing, an answer or a solution. This is your day. Wisdom Fountain: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you." Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for choosing me before the foundation of the world. I surrender my life into Your hands, trusting that You have set me apart for a beautiful purpose. Help me to walk in the confidence of Your unfailing love. Open doors of favour and guide my feet toward the path You have specifically designed for me to walk. Lead me in the way of those that need what I carry and those that carry what I need in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS SERMON TOPIC: YOU ARE HEAVEN'S BEST CHOICE Heaven Never Makes Mistakes Have you ever felt rejected, forgotten, or unqualified? Have people told you that you are not good enough? Perhaps life has made you question your worth. Here is the good news: God has never regretted creating you. Before your parents knew you, before your teachers noticed you, before society formed an opinion about you, Heaven had already chosen you. The world may reject you, but God's choice is greater than man's approval. Your value is not determined by people's opinions but by God's purpose. You are not an accident. You are Heaven's best choice for your assignment. > Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." Key Bible Texts 1. Jeremiah 1:5 God's choice comes before human recognition. Jeremiah was chosen before birth. Likewise, your calling began in the heart of God long before you arrived on earth. 2. Ephesians 1:4 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world..." Your salvation and purpose were not random events. God deliberately chose you. 3. John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you..." Jesus reminds us that our calling begins with His initiative, not our achievements. 4. 1 Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood..." Every believer carries divine dignity and a holy assignment. 1. Heaven Chooses Based on Purpose, Not Appearance > 1 Samuel 16:7 When Samuel searched for Israel's next king, everyone expected Eliab. But God chose David, the forgotten shepherd boy. People look at appearance. God looks at purpose. Many of God's greatest servants were overlooked by people but selected by Heaven. Lesson: Never despise where you are today. God sees what others cannot. 2. Heaven Chooses the Available More Than the Perfect God called: Moses despite his speech problem. Gideon despite his fear. Peter despite his failures Paul despite his past persecution of Christians. God is not looking for perfect people. He is looking for surrendered hearts. Your weaknesses do not cancel God's calling. > 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for thee..." 3. Heaven's Choice Comes With Heaven's Grace When God chooses someone, He also supplies the grace, wisdom, strength, and favor needed to fulfill the assignment. Noah built the ark. Joseph governed Egypt. Esther saved a nation. The disciples changed the world. None of them succeeded by human strength alone. If God has chosen you, He will sustain you. 4. Your Assignment Is Bigger Than Yourself God never chooses people merely for personal success. He chooses people to bless families, communities, churches, and nations. Abraham was blessed so that all nations would be blessed through him. You carry answers that someone else is praying for. Your obedience may become another person's miracle. Biblical Case Study: David – Heaven's Best Choice (1 Samuel 16) David was ignored even by his own family. When Samuel arrived, David was left in the field tending sheep. One by one, Jesse's sons passed before Samuel, but God rejected them all. Finally David was called. God said: > "Arise, anoint him: for this is he. The one everyone overlooked became Israel's greatest king. Lessons: God's timing is perfect. Hidden preparation precedes public promotion. Rejection by people does not mean rejection by God. Heaven's choice will eventually become evident. Real-Life Illustration Many respected Christian leaders, missionaries, and ministers were once considered too ordinary, too young, or too inexperienced. Yet through faithfulness and obedience, God used them to transform lives and communities. The lesson is clear: God often begins with willing hearts rather than impressive résumés. What matters most is availability, obedience, and dependence on Him. Practical Action Steps 1. Stop comparing yourself with others. 2. Discover your God-given gifts through prayer and faithful service. 3. Walk in obedience even when no one notices. 4. Build intimacy with God through His Word and prayer. 5. Serve faithfully where God has placed you. 6. Trust God's timing instead of forcing opportunities. Deep Spiritual Insights God's choice is rooted in His eternal purpose, not human popularity. Divine election always carries divine responsibility. Seasons of obscurity are often God's training ground for greater assignments. God's approval is more valuable than the applause of people. Heaven's choice often faces earthly opposition, but God's purpose cannot be defeated. Questions for Reflection 1. Do I truly believe that God has a purpose for my life? 2. Have I allowed rejection or failure to define my identity? 3. Am I serving faithfully where God has placed me today? 4. What gifts has God entrusted to me that I need to develop? 5. Am I seeking God's approval more than human recognition? Powerful Prayer Points 1. Father, thank You for choosing me before the foundation of the world. 2. Lord, remove every spirit of rejection, fear, and inferiority from my life. 3. Help me to walk confidently in Your divine purpose. 4. Grant me the grace to remain faithful in every season. 5. Open doors that align with Your will and close every door that would distract me. 6. Let my life bring glory to Christ and become a blessing to many. 7. Empower me with Your Holy Spirit to fulfill the assignment You have entrusted to me. 8. May every promise You have spoken concerning my life come to fulfillment in Your perfect time. Closing Call to Action Beloved, do not measure your life by the opinions of people. Measure it by the promises of God. The God who chose David from the pasture, Esther from obscurity, Peter from a fishing boat, and Paul from a life of persecution is the same God who calls people today. Walk away from every voice of doubt and embrace the voice of the Lord. You are not forgotten. You are not a mistake. You are not disqualified. Stand up, serve faithfully, and fulfill your divine assignment, because you are Heaven's best choice for the purpose God has ordained for your life. Declaration: "I am chosen by God. I am called according to His purpose. I will not live beneath my divine assignment. By the grace of God, I will fulfill my destiny and bring glory to Jesus Christ. 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 shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT +2349024173027, +2349055447540 EMAIL pastor.umoedem@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/share/18kXv1i3Qa/ #UMOHEDEM

Let's talk about it. WHY DID GOD BLESS ISHMAEL, IF ISAAC WAS THE PROMISED SON? THE SHOCKING BIBLICAL TRUTH THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE NEVER FULLY UNDERSTOOD. Have you ever wondered about this question? If Isaac was the promised son through whom God's covenant would continue, then why did God also bless Ishmael? Many people have asked, "If Ishmael was not the child of promise, why did God make him a great nation?" "Did God love Ishmael less than Isaac?" "Was Ishmael rejected simply because of the circumstances of his birth?" These are sincere questions that deserve careful answers from Scripture. Many people assume that because Isaac was chosen, Ishmael was cursed. But that is not what the Bible teaches. When we carefully examine God's Word, we discover a beautiful truth about God's justice, compassion, sovereignty, and faithfulness. Let us explore this remarkable story together. The story begins when God promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son despite their old age. Years passed without the promise being fulfilled. Instead of waiting patiently for God's timing, Sarah suggested that Abraham have a child through her servant, Hagar. Abraham agreed, and Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. At the time, Abraham believed Ishmael might be the promised heir. In fact, Abraham later prayed to God, "Oh, that Ishmael might live before You." Genesis 17 verse 18. But God's answer was clear. God said, "No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant." Genesis 17 verses 19 through 21. This is one of the most important distinctions in the Bible. God's covenant promise was always intended to come through Isaac, not because Isaac was morally better than Ishmael, but because God had sovereignly chosen Isaac before he was even born. The promise depended upon God's plan, not human effort. However, many people stop reading after this and miss something wonderful. Immediately after declaring that Isaac would inherit the covenant, God spoke about Ishmael. Genesis 17 verse 20 says, "As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation." Notice those words carefully. God did not ignore Ishmael. God did not hate Ishmael. God blessed him. Why? First, because Ishmael was also Abraham's son. Although he was not the covenant heir, he still belonged to Abraham's family, and God honored the promises connected to Abraham. God's love and kindness extended beyond the covenant line. Second, God responded to Abraham's heartfelt prayer. Abraham loved Ishmael deeply. God heard the cry of a father and promised that Ishmael would not be forgotten. Third, God showed compassion toward Hagar and Ishmael. When Hagar and Ishmael were later sent away, they wandered in the wilderness. Their water ran out, and Hagar feared her son would die. She wept. Ishmael cried. God heard the boy's voice. Genesis 21 tells us that the Angel of the Lord called to Hagar from heaven, opened her eyes to a well of water, and preserved Ishmael's life. This reveals an important truth about God's character. God hears the cries of those in distress. He is compassionate, even toward those outside the covenant line. Another important lesson is that God's blessing is not always the same as God's covenant. Many people confuse these two. The covenant with Isaac involved God's plan of redemption that would eventually bring the Messiah, Jesus Christ, into the world. Through Isaac came Jacob. Through Jacob came the nation of Israel. From Israel came King David. And through David's family came Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. This was God's redemptive plan from the beginning. Ishmael, however, received a different kind of blessing. God blessed him with descendants, influence, prosperity, leadership, and the formation of a great nation. These were real blessings. But they were different from the covenant promise that pointed to the coming Messiah. This teaches us an important spiritual principle. God blesses many people in different ways, but His specific calling and purpose for one person may not be identical to another's. Comparison often leads to unnecessary bitterness. God's plans are perfect for every individual. The Apostle Paul later used the story of Isaac and Ishmael as an illustration. In Galatians chapter 4, he explained that Ishmael represented human effort, while Isaac represented God's promise. This was not meant to insult Ishmael personally. Rather, it illustrated the difference between trying to achieve God's promises through human works and receiving them by faith. The lesson is about God's method of salvation, not about God's love for individuals. Some people ask, "Did God reject Ishmael?" The answer is no. God did not reject Ishmael as a human being. He simply chose Isaac to carry the covenant through which His plan of salvation would unfold. Election for a specific purpose is not the same as rejection of everyone else. Throughout Scripture, God often chooses certain individuals for particular assignments while still showing love and mercy to others. The story also reminds us of the danger of trying to help God fulfill His promises through our own wisdom. Abraham and Sarah acted impatiently. Their decision created years of pain, conflict, and family division. Yet even in the middle of human failure, God remained faithful. He fulfilled His promise through Isaac while also caring for Ishmael. What a merciful God. Perhaps the greatest lesson is this. God is faithful to His promises. Nothing can stop His plan. At the same time, His mercy reaches far beyond what many people expect. He blesses, provides for, and hears those who call upon Him. The story of Isaac and Ishmael reveals both God's sovereignty and His compassion. It points us to Jesus Christ, the promised Seed through whom all nations of the earth would ultimately be blessed. God's promises never fail. His purposes always stand. His mercy is greater than many people imagine. Bible Verses for Further Study Genesis 16. Genesis 17 verses 15 through 21. Genesis 21 verses 8 through 21. Genesis 22 verse 2. Galatians 4 verses 21 through 31. Romans 9 verses 6 through 13. Hebrews 11 verses 11 through 12. Teaching Summary God chose Isaac to carry His covenant promise, not because Isaac was superior to Ishmael, but because this was His sovereign plan for bringing the Messiah into the world. Although Ishmael was not the covenant heir, God loved him, heard Abraham's prayer for him, protected him, and blessed him with many descendants and a great nation. The story teaches that God's blessings and God's covenant purposes are not always the same. He blesses different people in different ways according to His perfect wisdom. Abraham and Sarah's attempt to fulfill God's promise through human effort brought pain and conflict, reminding believers to trust God's timing instead of relying on human solutions. Ultimately, Isaac points to God's promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ, while Ishmael's story reminds us that God's mercy extends far beyond human expectations. God remains faithful to His promises and compassionate toward all who call upon Him.

Maranatha. Life's Top Priority. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33. This is the first great object—the kingdom of heaven, the righteousness of Christ. Other objects to be attained should be secondary to these. Satan will present the path of holiness as difficult while the paths of worldly pleasure are strewed with flowers. In false and flattering colors will the tempter array the world with its pleasures before you. Vanity is one of the strongest traits of our depraved natures, and he knows that he can appeal to it successfully. He will flatter you through his agents. You may receive praise which will gratify your vanity and foster in you pride and self-esteem, and you may think that with such advantages and attractions it really is a great pity for you to come out from the world and be separate, and become a Christian.... But consider that the pleasures of earth will have an end, and that which you sow you must also reap. Are personal attractions, ability, or talents too valuable to devote to God, the Author of your being, He who watches over you every moment? Are your qualifications too precious to devote to God? The young urge that they need something to enliven and divert the mind. I saw that there is pleasure in industry, a satisfaction in pursuing a life of usefulness. Some still urge that they must have something ... to which the mind can turn for relief and refreshment amid cares and wearing labor. The Christian's hope is just what is needed. Religion will prove to the believer a comforter, a sure guide to the Fountain of true happiness. The young should study the word of God and give themselves to meditation and prayer, and they will find that their spare moments cannot be better employed. Young friends, you should take time to prove your own selves, whether you are in the love of God. Be diligent to make your calling and election sure.6Testimonies for the Church 1:502, 503. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Make this first and last. Seek most earnestly to know Him whom to know aright is life eternal. Christ and His righteousness is the salvation of the soul.7Fundamentals of Christian Education, 484.