Monday Encouragement — Now Let Us Live What We Believe Blessings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Yesterday we had the wonderful privilege of gathering with God’s people on the Lord’s Day. We worshiped our sovereign God, heard His precious Word proclaimed, prayed together, and were reminded once again of the saving grace that is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ. But now Monday has arrived. The worship service has ended, but our worship has not. Today we return to our homes, workplaces, ministries, communities, responsibilities, and challenges. And this is where the truth we heard yesterday must become visible in the way we live today. It is easy to proclaim our trust in God while surrounded by fellow believers on Sunday. The greater challenge comes on Monday when difficulties return, unexpected problems arise, and the noise of this world begins competing for our attention. Yet the God we worshiped yesterday is the same God who walks with us today. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” — Hebrews 13:8 Whatever this week brings, let us resist the temptation to immediately depend upon our own understanding and strength. Before making decisions, pray. When difficulties arise, pray. When opportunities appear, pray. When someone needs encouragement, ask God to give you the words to speak. And wherever the Lord places us this week, let us remember that we carry something this world desperately needs—the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are not called merely to observe the darkness around us. We have been commanded to carry the Light into it. There may be someone God places before you this week who needs to hear that there is hope. Someone may need to experience Christian compassion. Someone may simply need to see through your life that Jesus Christ truly makes a difference. Let us therefore begin this week asking one simple question: “Lord, how can You use me today for Your glory?” “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” — Colossians 3:23 May the Lord guide our steps, guard our hearts, strengthen our faith, and give us courage to faithfully proclaim Christ wherever He sends us. Yesterday we gathered to worship. Today we go forth to serve. Serving Christ Together for His Glory Alone. Soli Deo Gloria.

Ellen G. White For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. Romans 14:7. – {UL 243.1} There is constant temptation for human beings to consider that any influence they have gained is the result of something valuable in themselves. The Lord does not work with these, for He will not give to any human being the glory that belongs to His own name. God would have everyone under His supervision, and recognize that to God belongs all the glory of their success.... – {UL 243.2} If the human worker will walk in all humility of mind, looking to God, trusting in Him, working out his own salvation with fear and trembling, the Lord will cooperate with him. It is God that works in us to do His will for His own name’s glory. He will give His wisdom, His divine power, to everyone who is doing His service. He makes the humble trustful servant His representative—the one who will not lift himself up, and think of himself more highly than he ought to think. The life of such an one will be dedicated to God as a living sacrifice, and that life He will accept and use and sustain.... – {UL 243.3} Our life is not our own. It is Christ’s life. All is His, and we are to spend our powers in doing the will of God. Watch and pray; spend and be spent in doing His will from the heart. Carry every entrusted capability as a sacred treasure, to be used in imparting to others the knowledge and grace received.... – {UL 243.4} Nehemiah, after gaining so great an influence over the [Persian] monarch in whose court he lived, and over his people in Jerusalem, instead of ascribing praise to his own excellent traits of character, his remarkable aptness and energy, stated the manner just as it was. He declared that his success was due to the good hand of God that was upon him. He cherished the truth that God was his safeguard in every position of influence. For every trait of character by which he obtained favor, he praised the working power of God.... And God gave him wisdom, because he did not exalt himself. The Lord taught him how to use the gifts entrusted to him to the very best advantage, and under the supervision of God, these talents gained other talents.... – {UL 243.5} Every jot of influence is to be appreciated as the gift of God. The eye of the mind is to be single to the glory of God. Then the sense of responsibility will increase. Our talents will be put out to the exchangers to increase and double. There are hundreds of men and women who, if they had a proper appreciation of the heavenly trust, would go diligently and earnestly to work to use what they have.—Letter 83, August 17, 1898, to a leading minister in Australia. – {UL 243.6}

A NUGGET OF TRUTH God’s moral law was never intended to define sin for Israel alone. Paul states plainly: “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law… these… shew the work of the law written in their hearts.” —Romans 2:14–15 Gentiles could be judged as sinners because the moral standard of God applied to them also. Paul adds: “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law… for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” —Romans 2:12–13 The law reveals sin: “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” —Romans 3:20 And sin is not limited to Jews: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” —Romans 3:23 The same God justifies both Jew and Gentile through faith: “Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also.” —Romans 3:29 And that faith does not abolish His law: “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” —Romans 3:31 The New Testament therefore presents one God, one definition of sin, one gospel, one Saviour, and one moral standard for humanity. Salvation is not earned by obedience. It is received by grace through faith. But the faith that saves does not erase God’s law—it writes His law upon the heart and produces obedience. One Saviour. One Gospel. One Moral Law. One way of salvation for Jew and Gentile.

Motivation: John Piper "Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is, and cleave to it as the highest price of every pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain. What was once foolishness to us — a crucified God — must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in this world." #Motivation #JohnPiper #Quote #thecrucifixion

MONDAY MORNING PRAYER “THAT SETTLES IT!” Scripture: Isaiah 55:1–11 (KJV) Key Scripture: “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please...” — Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) Heavenly Father, in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, we come before You on this Monday morning giving You glory, honor, and praise! Thank You, Lord, for waking us up to see another day and allowing us to enter another week. Before we look at our schedules, our responsibilities, our problems, or our circumstances, we look to You. You are still God. You are still faithful. Your promises are still true, and Your Word still stands! Your Word declares: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” — Isaiah 55:8 Father, when we don't understand what You are doing, help us to trust what You have said. When Your way doesn't look like our way, remind us that Your wisdom is higher than ours. When we cannot trace Your hand, give us faith to trust Your heart. If You said it, THAT SETTLES IT! When fear says, “It won't work,” Your Word says: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” — Isaiah 54:17 THAT SETTLES IT! When worry says, “How are you going to make it?” Your Word says: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 THAT SETTLES IT! When sickness, weakness, and pain try to discourage us, Your Word says: “For I am the LORD that healeth thee.” — Exodus 15:26 THAT SETTLES IT! When the enemy tries to remind us of our past, Your Word says: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1 THAT SETTLES IT! When circumstances tell us there is no way, Jesus declares: “With God all things are possible.” — Matthew 19:26 THAT SETTLES IT! Father, Isaiah 55:10–11 reminds us that just as the rain and snow come down from heaven and accomplish their purpose, Your Word will accomplish what You sent it to do. Your Word will not return void! So this Monday morning, we choose to stop arguing with what You have already spoken. We will not allow fear to have the final word. We will not allow people to have the final word. We will not allow circumstances to have the final word. We will not allow the doctor's report, the bank account, the workplace, the opposition, or yesterday's failures to have the final word. GOD, YOU HAVE THE FINAL WORD! Go before us this week, Lord. Order our steps. Guard our families. Cover our homes. Protect our children and grandchildren. Strengthen marriages. Restore relationships. Open doors that no man can shut. Provide for every need. Give wisdom for every decision. Bring peace into troubled minds and strength to weary hearts. Where there is confusion, speak peace. Where there is sickness, release healing. Where there is lack, release provision. Where there is discouragement, restore hope. Where there are closed doors, direct us to the doors You have ordained. And where the enemy has spoken lies, give us the courage to answer him with THE WORD OF GOD! For You declared: “For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace...” — Isaiah 55:12 (KJV) Therefore, we will enter this week with JOY! We will walk through this week with PEACE! We will face this week with FAITH! We don't have to know every detail because You already know the outcome. We don't have to understand everything because Your ways are higher than our ways. We don't have to fear tomorrow because Your Word has already gone before us. And according to Isaiah 55:11, what You have spoken shall accomplish Your purpose! So we put a period where the enemy keeps trying to put a question mark. GOD SAID IT. WE BELIEVE IT. HIS WORD WILL ACCOMPLISH IT. AND THAT SETTLES IT! In the mighty, powerful, undefeated name of Jesus Christ, we pray. AMEN, AMEN, AND AMEN! DECLARATION... I DECLARE that I will begin this week standing firmly on the Word of God! I will not be controlled by what I see, what I hear, or how I feel. God's Word is my final authority! His thoughts are higher than my thoughts. His ways are higher than my ways. His promises will not fail. His Word will not return void. What God has promised, He is able to perform! I declare that I will walk in faith instead of fear, peace instead of anxiety, confidence instead of doubt, and victory instead of defeat. GOD SAID IT! I BELIEVE IT! HIS WORD WILL ACCOMPLISH IT! THAT SETTLES IT! In Jesus' Name — AMEN!

The Kitchen Newsletter Good day, Welcome to The Kitchen, where we explore, prepare and serve the contents in the Body of the Word as the delicacies of God—to create the form of the Father on the earth, to make the earth in His likeness, and to take charge of the economic destinies of nations for God. Relax, and let's journey through the scriptures to see the Body of the Word. What does God look like? It is a simple question, but Scripture gives us an answer that is far more concrete than we often realise. The Bible calls God invisible. Yet Scripture also tells us that the invisible God has made Himself known—not merely through ideas, doctrines, or written sentences, but through a Person. John, on the island of Patmos, saw Him. “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me…” And what John saw was astonishing: a figure with a head and hair, eyes, feet, a voice, hands, a face and a mouth. John was describing the appearance of Jesus Christ—the living Word of God. Revelation 1:12–17 This is why Scripture says: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” Hebrews 1:3 And again: “Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 So we can say: The Body of the Word is the image of the invisible God. The Scriptures Reveal a Person This changes the way we should read Scripture. We are accustomed to reading the Bible primarily as a collection of words, teachings, commandments, promises and historical accounts. But Scripture itself tells us that the Scriptures testify about a Person. Jesus said: “These are the Scriptures that testify about me.” John 5:39 The Scriptures are therefore not merely information about God. They testify about Jesus Christ, the living Word. Consider one example. John saw the eyes of Christ and wrote: “His eyes were like blazing fire.” Revelation 1:14 That is a detailed description of the Body of the Word. But Scripture also says: “Our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29 The description of the Body therefore becomes a revelation about God Himself. The same principle runs through the Scriptures: the details of the Body of the Word testify about the Person of the Word and reveal the invisible Father. Paul writes: “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 The “face of Christ” becomes a point of revelation—the Body of the Word revealing the invisible God. Scripture Must Be Unfolded This is where something particularly provocative begins to emerge. What if the Scriptures are not simply information about God, but the Father's script for revealing Himself? Psalm 119:130 says: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 The Word must be unfolded. We can read a Scripture without necessarily seeing the revelation contained within it. We can know the sentence without knowing the Person whom the sentence reveals. That is the difference between merely reading Scripture and receiving revelation. The detailed descriptions of the Body of the Word are therefore not decorative language. They are scriptural descriptions that can be unfolded to reveal the Father. Paul describes this revelation as: “the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 So the purpose of the unfolding is not simply to give us more biblical information. It is to give us the revelation knowledge of the Father. The Body of the Word: White Like Wool and Snow Consider the description John gives: “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow.” Revelation 1:14 This is a detailed description of the Body of the Word. But John is not alone in seeing this. Daniel saw the Ancient of Days and wrote: “His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.” Daniel 7:9 Then Song of Solomon gives another description: “His appearance is like Lebanon.” Song of Solomon 5:15 Lebanon was associated with its mountainous, snow-covered appearance. The Scriptures are therefore giving us a repeated picture. The Body of the Word is white like wool, as white as snow. And because Christ is: “the exact representation of his being” Hebrews 1:3 the description of Christ also becomes a revelation concerning the invisible God. This is why the details matter. The head matters. The hair matters. The eyes matter. The face matters. The hands matter. The feet matter. The mouth matters. The voice matters. The entire Body becomes a vocabulary through which Scripture speaks about the Person of the Word. The Body Is More Than a Description Every detailed description of the Body of the Word is also a Scripture because it testifies about the Person of the Word. Jesus said: “These are the Scriptures that testify about me.” John 5:39 Therefore, the description of His whiteness is not simply a physical observation. It is a testimony. It is a Scripture. It is a figure of speech. It is a revelation waiting to be unfolded. And Scripture gives us a principle for understanding this: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” Matthew 13:35 God uses visible and natural things to communicate invisible and spiritual realities. The Body of the Word is therefore not merely something we look at. It is something Scripture teaches us to understand. The Father Is Speaking Through the Body Isaiah gives us another remarkable statement: “The hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants.” Isaiah 66:14 Why the hand? Because the hand is part of the body. The hand becomes a doorway into understanding the Body of the Word. And the Body becomes a doorway into understanding the Person of the Word. And the Person of the Word reveals the invisible Father. Body → Person → Father. This is why I believe Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, is addressing His Church through the detailed descriptions of His Body. He is continually making the Father known. Jesus said: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9 And the Holy Spirit does not speak independently of Christ. Jesus said: “He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” John 16:14 The Spirit takes what belongs to Christ and makes it known. And Paul tells us: “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10 So there are depths in God that the Holy Spirit searches and reveals. Scripture Is God's Script for His Work There is another dimension to this revelation. The Scriptures are not merely records of what God has done. They are also the script through which His purposes are fulfilled. Again and again, Jesus said: “It is written…” Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 And concerning His ministry: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21 The Scriptures therefore have a relationship with God's performance on Earth. When the Father has an intention, He opens Scripture according to that intention. When He is doing a work, He brings particular Scriptures into revelation. When the Spirit speaks to the churches, He speaks through what is being revealed: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:7 This makes the present question very important: What is the Spirit saying to the Church through the Scriptures He is opening? And if Christ is presently revealing Himself through the detailed descriptions of His Body, then these revelations deserve our attention. The Body of the Word Is Our Inheritance The Father has not given us Christ merely so that we can know facts about Him. He has given us Christ so that we can know Him. The Body of the Word is therefore not something we should approach casually. It is an inheritance. It is a revelation. It is an invitation to know the Person of the Word in greater detail. The Scriptures testify about Him. The Holy Spirit reveals Him. The Father is seen in Him. And the more the Scriptures are unfolded, the more light we receive concerning the Person of Christ and the glory of the invisible Father. So perhaps the question is no longer simply: “Do you read the Bible?” The deeper question is: “Do you recognise the Person whom the Scriptures are revealing?” Because the Bible is testifying. The Spirit is speaking. The Scriptures are being unfolded. And behind the revelation stands a Person: Jesus Christ, the living Word of God—the image of the invisible God. Listen to The Kitchen Podcast Continue this exploration of The Body of the Word on The Kitchen Podcast by Omodolapo Ogunye, available on Audible, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts. Please share and spread the Revelation Knowledge of the Body of the Word. celebrating the Body of the Word #foodmoneyshow #bodyoftheword #marketplace #worldwide #moneymindset

most times when we are living, we forget that nothing lust for ever,money, glory, life,so don't brag around, live sensible, peacefu, wiselyl knowing that any time things change

24-08-2026 Bought With a Price 1 Corinthians 6:20 (AMP) “You were actually purchased with a price [by God]; therefore honor and glorify God with your body.” There are moments when we need to remind ourselves of whose we are. The world often tells us that our bodies, our lives, our time, and our choices belong entirely to us. But Scripture gives us a different perspective: we were purchased with a price. That price was not money, success, or anything earthly. It was the precious blood of Jesus Christ. When Jesus gave His life for us, He demonstrated the immeasurable value He placed on us. We are not accidents. We are not worthless. We are not forgotten. We belong to God. Because we have been purchased, Paul tells us to honor and glorify God with our bodies. This means that worship is not limited to singing songs on Sunday. Our worship is expressed through the way we live. What we say matters. What we watch matters. Where we go matters. How we treat others matters. How we care for ourselves matters. What we choose when nobody is watching matters. Every part of our lives can become an offering to God. Today, remember that your life carries a sacred value. You were bought with the greatest price imaginable. Therefore, don't live as though you belong to the world. Live like someone who belongs to Jesus. Before making a decision today, ask yourself: “Does this honor the One who gave everything for me?” You don't have to earn God's love—you already have it. Your response is simply to live in a way that reflects your gratitude for what Christ has done. Prayer Father, thank You for purchasing me at such a great price through Jesus Christ. Help me remember that my life belongs to You. Teach me to honor You with my body, my thoughts, my words, my choices, and my actions. May everything I do bring glory to Your name. When I am tempted to follow the ways of the world, remind me of the price Jesus paid for me. Let my life be a living expression of gratitude and worship. In Jesus' name, Amen. Today’s Reflection I belong to God. I was bought with a price. Therefore, I will honor Him with my life. “You are not your own—you belong to the One who loved you enough to give His life for you.”

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: MONDAY 24TH AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: NOTHING GOOD TO OFFER MEMORIZE: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7 (KJV) BIBLE READING: LUKE 11:24-26 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. MESSAGE: The devil has two types of captives: the willing captives and the unwilling captives. An unwilling captive is someone who has entered either willingly or unwillingly into the trap of the devil but now wants to be delivered. Such a fellow will be set free from the devil’s hold when an anointed child of God prays for him or her. A willing captive, on the other hand, is someone who also gets into the devil’s hold either willingly or unwillingly but refuses to repent or be delivered because of the perceived benefits he or she is getting by serving satan. Even if such a fellow is forcefully delivered, he or she will return to the devil’s camp, and this time around, the bondage will be much worse because the demon(s) that were previously cast out will be multiplied sevenfold (Matthew 12:43-45). Many years ago, we discovered that a witch was among us in the church. We prayed for her to be delivered; however, she remained in bondage. We then asked her if she wanted to be free, and she said, “No. Do you want me to lose the power that I use to control my husband?” Such thinking is very unfortunate because those who serve the devil are headed for eternal damnation if they do not repent. A woman whose children were dying one after the other went to seek help from a prophet because she needed him to pray to God for their protection. While waiting for him, his wife asked her why she wanted to see her husband. She explained why she had come, and the prophet’s wife gave her a kolanut to eat, telling her it would solve her problem and that she didn’t need to wait for her husband again. When she went to sleep that night, she suddenly found herself among some witches in the spirit realm. They welcomed her and promised to protect her children if she joined them. She agreed based on their promise, and after some time, it became her turn to supply the blood that the coven would drink. At that point, she surrendered her husband to be sacrificed. More time passed, and it became her turn again to supply blood. This time, however, the witches asked her to sacrifice her children. That was when she decided to seek God’s help to save her children from the devil’s plan. Thank God she came to the church, and God delivered her. Beloved, the devil offers nothing good or lasting. For everything he gives, he takes a thousandfold in return. I pray that God grants you the grace to avoid his traps, and if he currently has any hold over you and you are willing to be set free, I decree your liberty now, in Jesus’ name. KEY POINT: The devil has nothing good to give. Those who serve him are headed for eternal damnation. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: EZEKIEL 1-4 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMNAL 23 : ALL TO JESUS, I SURRENDER 1. All to Jesus I surrender all to Him I freely give; I will ever low and trust Him, in His presence daily live. CHORUS: I surrender all, I surrender all: All to Thee, my blessed saviour I surrender all 2. All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet l bow; Worldly pleasures all forsaken. Take me, Jesus, take me now. CHORUS: 3. All to Jesus I surrender. Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me. CHORUS: 4. All to Jesus I surrender, now I feel the sacred flame o the joy of full salvation! Glory, glory to His name! CHORUS: ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL MONDAY, 24TH AUGUST, 2026 *NOTHING GOOD TO OFFER* ‎ 1.Father, thank You for the offer of eternal life, peace, joy and holiness in Christ Jesus. I worship You, for every good and perfect gift comes from You above. 2.Father, please fill me with the fullness of Your Holy Spirit, and let there be no room for the devil to occupy in me, in Jesus' name 3.Father, please help me to humble myself before You, and to constantly resist the devil, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please deliver me from every form of captivity that my life might be in, and help me never to return into such captivity again, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, as many captives that are unwilling victim of the devil, and are ready to be set free, I send Your word to them today, let them be set free totally, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please deliver all Your children from the deceits of the devil, and let them accept the free gift of eternal life offered through Christ Jesus. 7.Father, please grant me the grace to avoid satanic traps that may lure me into captivity, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please frustrate the plans of the devil to put me or any member of my household into captivity, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, as many that are currently under satanic hold and they are willing to be free, please set them all at liberty and make them Your children indeed, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please no matter how enticing the offer from the devil might be, help me never to trade my soul for his fake promises, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to abide in You till You come again in glory, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) #GodBlessOurNation *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.

Monday, 24th August, 2026 TITLE: "GROW INTO CHRIST: FROM SPIRITUAL INFANCY TO MATURITY" ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S) Ephesians 4:13–15 (KJV) "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV) "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." QUOTE TO REFLECT ON "Spiritual maturity is not measured by how long you have been saved, but by how much you have become like Christ." DAY'S REFLECTION Every living thing is expected to grow. A healthy child does not remain a child forever; growth involves increasing in strength, understanding, responsibility, and maturity. The same principle applies to our spiritual lives. Paul says in Ephesians 4:13 that God's purpose is for believers to come "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." The word "perfect" here carries the idea of being mature or complete. God's desire is not merely that we become churchgoers, but that we grow into mature followers of Christ. Spiritual maturity involves increasing in our faith, knowledge, character, obedience, and love. We should become more like Jesus in how we think, speak, respond to difficulties, forgive others, and treat people. Verse 14 warns us not to remain spiritual children, who are "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine." A spiritually immature person can easily be influenced by every new teaching, popular opinion, emotional experience, or persuasive personality. Without a strong foundation in God's Word, it becomes difficult to distinguish truth from error. But verse 15 gives us the way forward: "speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things." Truth without love can become harsh, while love without truth can become compromise. Christian maturity requires both truth and love, with Christ as our standard. Peter reinforces this in 2 Peter 3:18: "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Grace is God's undeserved favour and enabling power. Growing in grace means becoming increasingly dependent on God's grace and allowing it to transform our lives. Growing in knowledge means continually knowing Christ more deeply through Scripture, prayer, obedience, and experience. Life experience teaches us that physical age does not automatically produce maturity. A person can grow older without becoming wiser. Similarly, years of church attendance do not automatically produce spiritual maturity. Growth requires intentional pursuit. Today, ask yourself: Am I growing? Am I more patient than I used to be? More forgiving? More disciplined? More grounded in God's Word? More loving? More like Christ? Do not be satisfied with yesterday's spiritual growth. Keep learning. Keep obeying. Keep growing. Keep becoming more like Jesus. MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S) Colossians 1:10 (KJV) "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" Hebrews 5:14 (KJV) "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS) 1. God expects every believer to grow spiritually. 2. Spiritual maturity requires knowledge of Christ and obedience to His Word. 3. Immaturity makes us vulnerable to false teaching and deception. 4. Truth must be communicated with love. 5. Spiritual growth requires intentional effort and consistent fellowship with God. 6. The ultimate standard of Christian maturity is Christ Himself. EVERYDAY ACTION Read God's Word, practise what you learn, and consciously choose to respond to people today in a way that reflects Christ. PRAYER Heavenly Father, help me grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Make me spiritually mature, grounded in Your truth, rich in love, and increasingly like Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen. DECLARATION I am growing spiritually. I am grounded in God's Word and established in truth and love. I will not remain spiritually immature or be carried away by false teachings. I am growing in grace and becoming more like Christ every day. Amen. Devotion by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo 📞 +233 544 295 158 Follow us on WhatsApp 👇👇👇 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P