• Monday Encouragement — Our Sovereign God Still Reigns

    Blessings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

    As we begin another week, the condition of our world has not suddenly changed. Wars and rumors of wars continue, nations struggle with uncertainty, economies create anxiety, and political leaders offer countless plans and promises for solving the problems confronting humanity.

    Yet as followers of Jesus Christ, we must continually remind ourselves of one unchanging truth:

    Our sovereign God is still upon His throne.

    Our hope must never rest upon presidents, prime ministers, governments, political parties, military strength, or human wisdom. God may certainly use leaders and nations to accomplish His purposes, but Scripture reminds us that ultimately He alone rules over the affairs of mankind.

    “For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations.” — Psalm 22:28

    Therefore, we should not allow every headline or political development to control our peace. Instead, Scripture commands us to pray for those in authority. We pray that God will grant them wisdom, restrain evil, protect the innocent, and accomplish His sovereign purposes through them—even when they themselves may not recognize His hand.

    “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority…” — 1 Timothy 2:1–2

    There is an important difference between being informed about the world and being consumed by it.

    We should care deeply about suffering, injustice, war, poverty, and the difficulties facing our neighbors. But we must never carry these burdens as though the future depended entirely upon human beings.

    Instead, take them to the throne of grace.

    Pray for our nation.

    Pray for the nations of the world.

    Pray for those in authority.

    Pray for peace.

    Pray for the persecuted Church.

    Pray that doors will continue opening for the Gospel.

    And above all, pray that men and women everywhere will repent of their sins and turn to Jesus Christ.

    Whatever happens this week, remember: God has not surrendered His authority. Christ is still Lord. His Word remains true. His purposes cannot be defeated.

    Let us therefore begin this week not with fear, but with prayer; not trusting in human power, but resting confidently in our sovereign God.

    “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” — Psalm 46:10

    May the Lord keep our eyes fixed upon Christ and make us faithful witnesses of His Gospel in an anxious and troubled world.

    Serving Christ Together for His Glory Alone.

    Soli Deo Gloria.
    Monday Encouragement — Our Sovereign God Still Reigns Blessings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we begin another week, the condition of our world has not suddenly changed. Wars and rumors of wars continue, nations struggle with uncertainty, economies create anxiety, and political leaders offer countless plans and promises for solving the problems confronting humanity. Yet as followers of Jesus Christ, we must continually remind ourselves of one unchanging truth: Our sovereign God is still upon His throne. Our hope must never rest upon presidents, prime ministers, governments, political parties, military strength, or human wisdom. God may certainly use leaders and nations to accomplish His purposes, but Scripture reminds us that ultimately He alone rules over the affairs of mankind. “For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations.” — Psalm 22:28 Therefore, we should not allow every headline or political development to control our peace. Instead, Scripture commands us to pray for those in authority. We pray that God will grant them wisdom, restrain evil, protect the innocent, and accomplish His sovereign purposes through them—even when they themselves may not recognize His hand. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority…” — 1 Timothy 2:1–2 There is an important difference between being informed about the world and being consumed by it. We should care deeply about suffering, injustice, war, poverty, and the difficulties facing our neighbors. But we must never carry these burdens as though the future depended entirely upon human beings. Instead, take them to the throne of grace. Pray for our nation. Pray for the nations of the world. Pray for those in authority. Pray for peace. Pray for the persecuted Church. Pray that doors will continue opening for the Gospel. And above all, pray that men and women everywhere will repent of their sins and turn to Jesus Christ. Whatever happens this week, remember: God has not surrendered His authority. Christ is still Lord. His Word remains true. His purposes cannot be defeated. Let us therefore begin this week not with fear, but with prayer; not trusting in human power, but resting confidently in our sovereign God. “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” — Psalm 46:10 May the Lord keep our eyes fixed upon Christ and make us faithful witnesses of His Gospel in an anxious and troubled world. Serving Christ Together for His Glory Alone. Soli Deo Gloria.
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  • One of the most sobering realities of our generation is this: We are watching the world move closer to the very things Jesus warned us about, yet many of us continue living as though we have unlimited time, myself included.

    > We talk about the end times.
    > We discuss Revelation.
    > We analyze world events.
    > We debate technology, global systems, wars, peace agreements, and the signs Jesus told us to watch for.

    But then we go back to our old habits playing with sin, entertaining what God has called us to surrender, and making excuses for areas of our lives where the Holy Spirit has already convicted us. And that should cause us to stop and examine ourselves. Because the purpose of prophecy was never simply to help us identify what is happening in the world. The purpose of prophecy is to prepare our hearts for the return of our King.

    Jesus warned that the last days would be marked by deception, wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, famine, earthquakes, persecution, and lawlessness. Matthew 24

    He told us these things would be the beginning of birth pains. The question is not whether every headline is a direct fulfillment of prophecy but it is whether we recognize the patterns our Lord told us would come. Because the patterns are becoming increasingly visible every day.

    We live in a world where global systems are developing at a pace previous generations could never have imagined. Digital identity systems, cashless payments, biometric technology, artificial intelligence, and implantable technologies are no longer ideas limited to science fiction.

    In Sweden, thousands of people have voluntarily received small RFID/NFC implants designed for convenience, allowing access to buildings, storing information, and interacting with digital systems. These implants are not the mark of the beast, and Scripture doesn’t tell us that a specific technology is the mark. However, they do demonstrate that technology capable of connecting identity, access, and transactions is becoming a reality.

    And this is where wisdom and discernment are required. The concern is not that every new technology is evil because technology itself is not sinful. The question is how technology can eventually be used within a larger system.

    Throughout history, businesses have introduced products through convenience. A product solves a problem, saves time, and makes life easier. We will voluntarily adopt it because it benefits us. And, over time, society becomes accustomed to it. Then businesses, governments, and institutions begin building around it. Eventually, what was once optional can become difficult to function without.

    This is why many believers pay attention to the development of global digital systems. Not because they believe every invention is the mark of the beast, but because Revelation describes a future system where buying and selling are connected to allegiance and control. Revelation 13

    The technology may be part of the infrastructure, but the true issue is worship, loyalty, and rebellion against God. And while many people are focused on what is happening outside the Church, Scripture warns us that one of the greatest dangers of the last days will be deception within the Church.

    Another sign Jesus warned us about is the rise of false messiahs and false teachers. Throughout history, there have been individuals who have claimed to be the Messiah, the chosen one, or a divine figure sent to save humanity. Even in our current generation, people have stepped forward making extraordinary spiritual claims, drawing followers who look to them for answers, salvation, and direction. Jesus warned that this would happen, not as a possibility, but as a defining characteristic of the days leading up to His return. The danger is not only that people will openly reject Christ; the greater danger is that many will be drawn toward something that sounds spiritual but leads them away from the truth of God's Word.

    “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” Matthew 24:5

    Jesus also warned that false prophets would arise and perform signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

    “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:23-24

    This should cause every believer to examine where our trust is placed. Are we looking for a person, a movement, a political solution, a technological solution, or a global system to bring the peace and security only Jesus Christ can provide? The world is searching for a savior, but there is only one Savior. There is only one Messiah. There is only one King who will return in glory.

    The rise of false messiahs is not merely an interesting prophecy topic. It is a warning to the Church. In a world filled with uncertainty, fear, and instability, people will naturally look for someone to follow. That is why knowing Scripture matters. If we are not grounded in the truth, we can be easily distracted by voices that promise hope but deliver deception. The greatest protection against deception is not knowing every false claim being made around the world. It is knowing the real Christ so deeply that anything counterfeit becomes obvious.

    “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:10-12

    Paul warned the elders in Ephesus that savage wolves would come in among the believers, seeking to distort truth.

    “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Acts 20:29-30

    This is why knowing Scripture matters. Because we can’t simply follow personalities, measure truth by popularity, and we can’t assume someone is sent by God because they use Christian language. The enemy doesn’t always present something as obviously evil.

    > Sometimes deception comes wrapped in comfort.
    > Sometimes it comes through convenience.
    > Sometimes it comes through promises of peace and security.

    Speaking of peace, the world continues to search for solutions, especially concerning Israel and the Middle East. Global leaders continue pursuing diplomatic efforts and peace initiatives because humanity longs for stability. But Scripture warns us that a time will come when people proclaim peace and security while destruction approaches. Daniel 9 1 Thessalonians 5:3

    The world will always seek peace apart from the Prince of Peace and the world will always seek solutions apart from the Savior. And this brings us back to the question that should challenge every follower of Christ: If we truly believe Jesus is returning, why are we still playing games with sin?

    > Why do we cling to bitterness?
    > Why do we entertain temptation?
    > Why do we compromise when no one is watching?
    > Why do we hold onto things the Spirit has already told us to release?

    We can look at the world and recognize the signs while ignoring the condition of our own hearts. We can talk about the mark of the beast while refusing to surrender our pride. We can talk about false teachers while refusing to examine our own disobedience. And we can study Revelation while neglecting repentance.

    That is a dangerous place to be. Jesus did not tell us to watch the world only. He told us to watch ourselves.

    “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36

    The signs should not produce fear, rather, they should produce urgency. They should cause us to draw closer to Christ and should cause us to remove anything from our lives that competes with Him.

    The greatest evidence that we understand the times is not how much prophecy we can explain. It is how faithfully we walk with Jesus. The question is not simply, "Are we living in the last days?" The question is: "If Jesus returned today, would He find us faithful?"
    The world is preparing for a kingdom that is not God's Kingdom. It’s building systems that promise security without surrender. And the world is looking for salvation through technology, government, and human wisdom. But the Church has been given a different mission.

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

    So, we must stand firm in truth, remain faithful, repent quickly, love deeply, preach boldly, and live holy. Because the signs are not given so we can become obsessed with the darkness. They are given so we can walk faithfully in the light.

    The King is coming. May He find us awake.
    One of the most sobering realities of our generation is this: We are watching the world move closer to the very things Jesus warned us about, yet many of us continue living as though we have unlimited time, myself included. > We talk about the end times. > We discuss Revelation. > We analyze world events. > We debate technology, global systems, wars, peace agreements, and the signs Jesus told us to watch for. But then we go back to our old habits playing with sin, entertaining what God has called us to surrender, and making excuses for areas of our lives where the Holy Spirit has already convicted us. And that should cause us to stop and examine ourselves. Because the purpose of prophecy was never simply to help us identify what is happening in the world. The purpose of prophecy is to prepare our hearts for the return of our King. Jesus warned that the last days would be marked by deception, wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, famine, earthquakes, persecution, and lawlessness. Matthew 24 He told us these things would be the beginning of birth pains. The question is not whether every headline is a direct fulfillment of prophecy but it is whether we recognize the patterns our Lord told us would come. Because the patterns are becoming increasingly visible every day. We live in a world where global systems are developing at a pace previous generations could never have imagined. Digital identity systems, cashless payments, biometric technology, artificial intelligence, and implantable technologies are no longer ideas limited to science fiction. In Sweden, thousands of people have voluntarily received small RFID/NFC implants designed for convenience, allowing access to buildings, storing information, and interacting with digital systems. These implants are not the mark of the beast, and Scripture doesn’t tell us that a specific technology is the mark. However, they do demonstrate that technology capable of connecting identity, access, and transactions is becoming a reality. And this is where wisdom and discernment are required. The concern is not that every new technology is evil because technology itself is not sinful. The question is how technology can eventually be used within a larger system. Throughout history, businesses have introduced products through convenience. A product solves a problem, saves time, and makes life easier. We will voluntarily adopt it because it benefits us. And, over time, society becomes accustomed to it. Then businesses, governments, and institutions begin building around it. Eventually, what was once optional can become difficult to function without. This is why many believers pay attention to the development of global digital systems. Not because they believe every invention is the mark of the beast, but because Revelation describes a future system where buying and selling are connected to allegiance and control. Revelation 13 The technology may be part of the infrastructure, but the true issue is worship, loyalty, and rebellion against God. And while many people are focused on what is happening outside the Church, Scripture warns us that one of the greatest dangers of the last days will be deception within the Church. Another sign Jesus warned us about is the rise of false messiahs and false teachers. Throughout history, there have been individuals who have claimed to be the Messiah, the chosen one, or a divine figure sent to save humanity. Even in our current generation, people have stepped forward making extraordinary spiritual claims, drawing followers who look to them for answers, salvation, and direction. Jesus warned that this would happen, not as a possibility, but as a defining characteristic of the days leading up to His return. The danger is not only that people will openly reject Christ; the greater danger is that many will be drawn toward something that sounds spiritual but leads them away from the truth of God's Word. “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” Matthew 24:5 Jesus also warned that false prophets would arise and perform signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, even the elect. “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:23-24 This should cause every believer to examine where our trust is placed. Are we looking for a person, a movement, a political solution, a technological solution, or a global system to bring the peace and security only Jesus Christ can provide? The world is searching for a savior, but there is only one Savior. There is only one Messiah. There is only one King who will return in glory. The rise of false messiahs is not merely an interesting prophecy topic. It is a warning to the Church. In a world filled with uncertainty, fear, and instability, people will naturally look for someone to follow. That is why knowing Scripture matters. If we are not grounded in the truth, we can be easily distracted by voices that promise hope but deliver deception. The greatest protection against deception is not knowing every false claim being made around the world. It is knowing the real Christ so deeply that anything counterfeit becomes obvious. “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:10-12 Paul warned the elders in Ephesus that savage wolves would come in among the believers, seeking to distort truth. “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Acts 20:29-30 This is why knowing Scripture matters. Because we can’t simply follow personalities, measure truth by popularity, and we can’t assume someone is sent by God because they use Christian language. The enemy doesn’t always present something as obviously evil. > Sometimes deception comes wrapped in comfort. > Sometimes it comes through convenience. > Sometimes it comes through promises of peace and security. Speaking of peace, the world continues to search for solutions, especially concerning Israel and the Middle East. Global leaders continue pursuing diplomatic efforts and peace initiatives because humanity longs for stability. But Scripture warns us that a time will come when people proclaim peace and security while destruction approaches. Daniel 9 1 Thessalonians 5:3 The world will always seek peace apart from the Prince of Peace and the world will always seek solutions apart from the Savior. And this brings us back to the question that should challenge every follower of Christ: If we truly believe Jesus is returning, why are we still playing games with sin? > Why do we cling to bitterness? > Why do we entertain temptation? > Why do we compromise when no one is watching? > Why do we hold onto things the Spirit has already told us to release? We can look at the world and recognize the signs while ignoring the condition of our own hearts. We can talk about the mark of the beast while refusing to surrender our pride. We can talk about false teachers while refusing to examine our own disobedience. And we can study Revelation while neglecting repentance. That is a dangerous place to be. Jesus did not tell us to watch the world only. He told us to watch ourselves. “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 The signs should not produce fear, rather, they should produce urgency. They should cause us to draw closer to Christ and should cause us to remove anything from our lives that competes with Him. The greatest evidence that we understand the times is not how much prophecy we can explain. It is how faithfully we walk with Jesus. The question is not simply, "Are we living in the last days?" The question is: "If Jesus returned today, would He find us faithful?" The world is preparing for a kingdom that is not God's Kingdom. It’s building systems that promise security without surrender. And the world is looking for salvation through technology, government, and human wisdom. But the Church has been given a different mission. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 So, we must stand firm in truth, remain faithful, repent quickly, love deeply, preach boldly, and live holy. Because the signs are not given so we can become obsessed with the darkness. They are given so we can walk faithfully in the light. The King is coming. May He find us awake.
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  • DAY 203 of 365 Reasons in 365 Days Why You Should try Jesus

    Because One Secret Sin Can Destroy a Public Testimony

    Bible Verse (KJV)
    “Be sure your sin will find you out.” — Numbers 32:23


    "What you hide today may become tomorrow's headline."

    Quote
    "Private compromise eventually produces public consequences."

    Prayer
    Father, expose every hidden sin in my life and give me the grace to forsake it completely in Jesus Name. Amen. #jesus #everyone #highlight #friends #christiancontent #christianreels #savedbygrace #salvation #fry #love
    DAY 203 of 365 Reasons in 365 Days Why You Should try Jesus Because One Secret Sin Can Destroy a Public Testimony 📖 Bible Verse (KJV) “Be sure your sin will find you out.” — Numbers 32:23 "What you hide today may become tomorrow's headline." 💬 Quote "Private compromise eventually produces public consequences." 🙏 Prayer Father, expose every hidden sin in my life and give me the grace to forsake it completely in Jesus Name. Amen. #jesus #everyone #highlight #friends #christiancontent #christianreels #savedbygrace #salvation #fry #love
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  • I saw a news headline about two pastors with religious visas arrested by ICE agents as they tried to fly to a marriage conference. The headline did not mention their visas expired over four years ago. Nowadays, you need to watch out for clickbait. Media outlets often leave out pertinent information to attract more readers. “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” (John 7:24 NLT)
    I saw a news headline about two pastors with religious visas arrested by ICE agents as they tried to fly to a marriage conference. The headline did not mention their visas expired over four years ago. Nowadays, you need to watch out for clickbait. Media outlets often leave out pertinent information to attract more readers. “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” (John 7:24 NLT)
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  • Good morning, brethren.
    1. Morning devotion for today.

    MD.i. MORNING TEA
    THE WORD FOR TODAY. SUNDAY JULY 12, 2026.
    "WE ALL NEED SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT"

    'A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends.’   Job 6:14 NIV

    IN THE summer of 1989, Mark Wellman, a paraplegic, gained national recognition by climbing the towering granite face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. On the seventh and final day of his climb, a headline in ‘The Fresno Bee’ read: ‘Showing a will of granite.’ Accompanying the headline was a photo of Mark Wellman being carried on the shoulders of his climbing companion Mike Corbett. The caption underneath read: ‘Paraplegic and partner prove no wall is too high to scale.’ What most people didn’t know was Mike Corbett had already scaled El Capitan three times, in order to help Mark Wellman pull himself up once. Sympathy addresses our struggles; support gives us the strength to overcome them. Sympathy says, ‘I understand what you’re going through and I’m here for you.’ It meets two fundamental needs: the need to be understood and the need to have our feelings validated. It’s when life comes crashing in on us that we need our friends the most. In the midst of his suffering Job cried out, ‘A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends.’ We all need sympathy and support, because we all stumble and need help getting back up. So we need to offer them to others and be willing to receive them in return. The Bible says, ‘When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair’ (2 Corinthians 2:7 CEV). It takes grace to create and maintain true fellowship. But the good news is, you’ll never be asked to extend more grace to others than God has extended to you.

    Bible In A Year: Acts 10-11; Matt 9:1-13; Ps 118:19-29; Pro 15:33. 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. EYES CAN BE OPENED

    "Something kept their eyes from seeing who He was." - Luke 24:16

    It is quite possible that we do not know and understand the plan God has for our lives because our eyes are not open. I want to take you to a story where we read that closed eyes can be opened. It is written in Luke 24:13-35. Two of Jesus' disciples were on their way to Emmaus on the day of Jesus' resurrection. They were talking about everything which had happened in recent days. As they talked, Jesus came and walked with them. However, they did not recognize who He was. 'They were blind.'

    Many are blind

    This is the way it is today. Many eyes are blinded. Many people, even followers of Jesus, do not recognize Him when He speaks to them. Jesus asked these two disciples what they were talking about. With a sad face, one of them asked if He were the only stranger in Jerusalem as He did not know what had happened earlier. They told Him everything, also that Jesus was crucified. They said: 'we hoped so much that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel.'

    They had a wrong idea about God's plan. They did not understand that Jesus came to redeem them from a worse domination: the power of the evil one. They did not understand that He came to save them for a longer period, for eternity!

    Don't you understand the plan of God either? Are your eyes closed because you are overloaded with sadness or with anger? You thought that God would immediately help you and this did not happen. However, there is hope for you.

    Jesus told them about God's plan and explained everything to them. When they were about to eat, they finally recognized Jesus. Their eyes were opened. God also wants to reveal Himself to you. Do you long for this?


    https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

    2. Morning Prayer for today.

    MP.i. Morning Prayer

    And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. ⏤ Hebrews 10:24-25

    The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history. ⏤ Andrew Murray

    Son of God, this is Your day, and we want to dedicate it completely to You. On this day, You rose from the grave, defeating death and bringing life to the world. We thank You for Your victory. We thank You for this day, which reminds us of Your completed redemption every week.

    Make this an uplifting day for us. Help us to keep it holy for You. Give us a peaceful heart. Prepare us this morning to receive the richest blessings of Your love that may come our way today. May we open our hearts wide while You pour down blessings. May the public and private reading of Your word bring us messages that enrich our lives. May Your word enter into our hearts so deeply that it purifies and sweetens all aspects of our lives. May this Sunday’s communion with You keep us close to You all day, so that the warmth of Your love fills our souls, making us more like You.

    We pray for all those who will speak for You today—whether in a large congregation or in a quiet room with just a few listeners, or even by the wayside to just one soul. Bless all Sunday school teachers, missionaries, and those who bring the gospel message to prisons, hospitals, and other places of need. Give Your word power, and may it break through hardened hearts or bring comfort to those who are grieving.

    May this day be a rich blessing to our home. Stay with us, keep us close, and pour Your love on us, making our lives more beautiful and preparing us to be a greater blessing to others tomorrow. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

    https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/07/morning

    #taptapstudio
    #youdevotion.
    Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🎀💝🎁🌺🌹MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY. SUNDAY JULY 12, 2026. "WE ALL NEED SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT" 'A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends.’   Job 6:14 NIV IN THE summer of 1989, Mark Wellman, a paraplegic, gained national recognition by climbing the towering granite face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. On the seventh and final day of his climb, a headline in ‘The Fresno Bee’ read: ‘Showing a will of granite.’ Accompanying the headline was a photo of Mark Wellman being carried on the shoulders of his climbing companion Mike Corbett. The caption underneath read: ‘Paraplegic and partner prove no wall is too high to scale.’ What most people didn’t know was Mike Corbett had already scaled El Capitan three times, in order to help Mark Wellman pull himself up once. Sympathy addresses our struggles; support gives us the strength to overcome them. Sympathy says, ‘I understand what you’re going through and I’m here for you.’ It meets two fundamental needs: the need to be understood and the need to have our feelings validated. It’s when life comes crashing in on us that we need our friends the most. In the midst of his suffering Job cried out, ‘A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends.’ We all need sympathy and support, because we all stumble and need help getting back up. So we need to offer them to others and be willing to receive them in return. The Bible says, ‘When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair’ (2 Corinthians 2:7 CEV). It takes grace to create and maintain true fellowship. But the good news is, you’ll never be asked to extend more grace to others than God has extended to you. Bible In A Year: Acts 10-11; Matt 9:1-13; Ps 118:19-29; Pro 15:33. 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. EYES CAN BE OPENED "Something kept their eyes from seeing who He was." - Luke 24:16 It is quite possible that we do not know and understand the plan God has for our lives because our eyes are not open. I want to take you to a story where we read that closed eyes can be opened. It is written in Luke 24:13-35. Two of Jesus' disciples were on their way to Emmaus on the day of Jesus' resurrection. They were talking about everything which had happened in recent days. As they talked, Jesus came and walked with them. However, they did not recognize who He was. 'They were blind.' Many are blind This is the way it is today. Many eyes are blinded. Many people, even followers of Jesus, do not recognize Him when He speaks to them. Jesus asked these two disciples what they were talking about. With a sad face, one of them asked if He were the only stranger in Jerusalem as He did not know what had happened earlier. They told Him everything, also that Jesus was crucified. They said: 'we hoped so much that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel.' They had a wrong idea about God's plan. They did not understand that Jesus came to redeem them from a worse domination: the power of the evil one. They did not understand that He came to save them for a longer period, for eternity! Don't you understand the plan of God either? Are your eyes closed because you are overloaded with sadness or with anger? You thought that God would immediately help you and this did not happen. However, there is hope for you. Jesus told them about God's plan and explained everything to them. When they were about to eat, they finally recognized Jesus. Their eyes were opened. God also wants to reveal Himself to you. Do you long for this? https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. ⏤ Hebrews 10:24-25 The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history. ⏤ Andrew Murray Son of God, this is Your day, and we want to dedicate it completely to You. On this day, You rose from the grave, defeating death and bringing life to the world. We thank You for Your victory. We thank You for this day, which reminds us of Your completed redemption every week. Make this an uplifting day for us. Help us to keep it holy for You. Give us a peaceful heart. Prepare us this morning to receive the richest blessings of Your love that may come our way today. May we open our hearts wide while You pour down blessings. May the public and private reading of Your word bring us messages that enrich our lives. May Your word enter into our hearts so deeply that it purifies and sweetens all aspects of our lives. May this Sunday’s communion with You keep us close to You all day, so that the warmth of Your love fills our souls, making us more like You. We pray for all those who will speak for You today—whether in a large congregation or in a quiet room with just a few listeners, or even by the wayside to just one soul. Bless all Sunday school teachers, missionaries, and those who bring the gospel message to prisons, hospitals, and other places of need. Give Your word power, and may it break through hardened hearts or bring comfort to those who are grieving. May this day be a rich blessing to our home. Stay with us, keep us close, and pour Your love on us, making our lives more beautiful and preparing us to be a greater blessing to others tomorrow. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/07/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.
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  • Venezuela needs more than our opinions... it needs our prayers.

    Behind every headline are real people.
    Families longing for peace.
    Parents praying for tomorrow.
    Children hoping for a brighter future.

    No matter where we live, we are called to love, care, and pray for one another. Never underestimate what God can do through the prayers of His people.

    "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people." — 1 Timothy 2:1

    Today, let's stand together in faith.
    Pray for comfort for the hurting.
    Pray for strength for the weary.
    Pray for protection over families.
    Pray that hope in Christ shines brighter than the darkness.

    Comment "Praying for Venezuela " so others know they are not forgotten.
    Share this post and invite others to join in prayer.

    Follow FoxxFusion Ministries for daily messages of faith, hope, and encouragement.

    #PrayForVenezuela #PrayWithoutCeasing #FaithOverFear #FoxxFusionMinistries #HopeInChrist
    🇻🇪💔 Venezuela needs more than our opinions... it needs our prayers. Behind every headline are real people. 👨‍👩‍👧 Families longing for peace. 🙏 Parents praying for tomorrow. 🥺 Children hoping for a brighter future. No matter where we live, we are called to love, care, and pray for one another. Never underestimate what God can do through the prayers of His people. ❤️ 📖 "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people." — 1 Timothy 2:1 Today, let's stand together in faith. 🙏 Pray for comfort for the hurting. 🙏 Pray for strength for the weary. 🙏 Pray for protection over families. 🙏 Pray that hope in Christ shines brighter than the darkness. 💬 Comment "Praying for Venezuela 🇻🇪🙏" so others know they are not forgotten. 📤 Share this post and invite others to join in prayer. 👉 Follow FoxxFusion Ministries for daily messages of faith, hope, and encouragement. #PrayForVenezuela #PrayWithoutCeasing #FaithOverFear #FoxxFusionMinistries #HopeInChrist
    0 Kommentare 0 Anteile 27 Ansichten
  • In the Bible, in ancient Israel, one of the criteria for choosing a priest was that he must not have a flat nose. The significance of this is that anyone who stands before men on behalf of God must be sensitive and aware of what’s happening around him, because destinies are at stake. Lack of sensitivity is, many times, why some unwanted things have happened to believers.

    I remember being mocked by a fellow preacher for not having a car. He would go on and on about how the easiest thing anointed preacher should have is a car. I heard about his mockery day after day. It haunted me so much that one day, after I finished preaching at a pastors’ conference in Onitsha on “25 Things Jesus Taught Martha That Every Preacher Desperately Needs to Know,” he swallowed his pride and walked up to me. He didn’t apologize for what he’d said about me. Instead, he begged me to give him my preaching notes so he could repeat the message on Martha to his church.

    The "normal me" would have given him the message. But his mocking words still haunted me, so I decided not to give him the notes. He took offense, walked away, and added more insults about me not having a car despite claiming to be anointed.

    For a while, it didn’t bother me. Until one day, I was at a printing press picking up flyers for our program when the woman who owned the press told me how some pastors in Onitsha used to talk about me. They asked, “How can a man be so anointed and gifted yet trek everywhere in the city? How come his anointing couldn’t attract something as small as a car?”

    Those words got to me, not because they were true, but because I had become a topic of discussion among certain preachers.

    A few weeks later, a young man called and said he had a gift for me. When we met, it was a car — a Highlander SUV. A very beautiful car. He said God told him to give it to me. I thought, “At last, this mockery will stop.” To think the brother mocking me only had a small Toyota Camry, while I was about to get a Highlander SUV. This was going to make sense!

    But just as I was about to collect the keys, I heard the voice of the LORD: “Don’t touch the car. It’s not yours.”

    I knew it was God’s voice because I’m familiar with His voice. But I was confused. This brother said God told him to gift me a car, and here I was hearing the same God tell me not to touch it. It's obvious that one of us must be wrong about what they heard.

    The brother was very upset that I rejected his gift and walked away. Most of my friends who heard this were angry, especially considering how the other preacher had mocked me for months for not having a car. They said it couldn’t have been God asking me to reject it. “God is not the author of confusion,” they said. And yes, that’s true. God is not the author of confusion. But I was very sure I heard His voice.

    About two weeks later, that guy that wanted to gift me a car was arrested. It turned out the car was stolen, and they tracked it down to Onitsha. The guy was into selling stolen cars and, for some reason, wanted to sow that one as a seed. I don’t know why anyone would sow a stolen car as a seed, but using God’s name to do it was beyond my comprehension. Imagine if I hadn’t been sensitive to the voice of the LORD. The mockery of not having a car would have been nothing compared to the mockery of riding in a stolen car. It would have caused devastating damage.

    Being sensitive — having “sensitive ears” — will save a preacher from many sorrows. There are many traps set for your life and destiny. You must be sensitive so the desire for material things doesn’t trap you in Satan’s snare.

    There are invitations a minister of God should not honor. There are places you should not preach. There are pulpits you should not climb.
    And yes, there are relationships you should not enter. Failing to obey this can cost you a lifetime to recover from.

    That’s where the devil got me — in my marriage. The signs were there. God didn’t leave me in the dark. I just didn’t listen.
    Amos 3:7: “Surely the LORD GOD does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets.”
    He revealed. The issue wasn’t revelation. It was reception. I just didn't perceive.it.
    Today, I have to live with the consequences of that insensitivity.

    God instructed Moses that anyone chosen to serve in the priesthood must not have a flat nose. He must have the ability to be sensitive — to know when to act and when not to. He must be someone who can smell a trap in perfume. And that includes you!

    Here are a few valuable lessons to grab from this account:

    1. Not every gift is from God. Some are bait.

    Just when I needed a car badly, just as I need it now, a Highlander showed up. And it came with “God said I should give it to you.”
    But the same God said, "Don’t touch. It’s not yours.” It takes a sensitivity to know which voice is God's.

    2 Cor 11:14 warns: “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

    The devil doesn’t always come with horns. Sometimes he comes with car keys and “seed sowing” theology. There are counterfeit blessings and it takes one with sensitive nose to detect them.

    Imagine what would be the headline! “A Pastor Caught with a Stolen SUV."
    Thanks to God, sensitivity saved my name.

    2. The loudest “no” you’ll ever say is to a “ blessing”
    It's easier for a preacher to say “no” to sin than it is to say “no” to a shiny thing. Many anointed destinies have been truncated because of gifts.
    Jesus said no to bread, kingdoms, and shortcuts, Matt 4:3-10. Because He had a sensitive ear. That's what it means to be discerning.

    Discernment is refusing what looks like provision but smells like prison.
    John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice... and they follow Me and the voice of a stranger they shall not follow.”

    3. Satan doesn't give up on you easily. He is patient. He’s a trap engineer.
    He doesn’t give up on you just because one trap failed.
    He’ll try gifts today, a car tomorrow, a “relationship” next week.
    1 Peter 5:8: “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
    He prowls. He watches. He adjusts when he fails. Only sensitive ears can adjust faster. Sensitivity to the voice of the LORD will save you from his traps.

    In my case, the real trap wasn’t the car. It was insensitivity in marriage.
    Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” What gives the devil leverage is not lack of anointing. It's a lack of listening.

    4. Sensitivity is your security system.
    Applauds of men will make you famous, but sensitivity will keep you faithful and true.
    John 10:4-5: “The sheep follow Him, for they know His voice. They will not follow a stranger.”
    There are contacts, contracts, and connections you should not have. There are times you will hear God say, "Leave it alone" for there's death in it.

    Sensitivity will teach you how to choose the voice you know over the gift they hold.

    Not every attack comes as an attack.
    The car looked like a blessing. It looked like “God’s will”.
    But it was a test of hearing.
    2 Cor 2:11: “...so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.”
    God doesn’t hide the design from you. He whispers it. Preachers with sensitive noses catch the whisper.

    God told Moses, "No priest with a flat nose should be allowed" Lev 21:18. God wants preachers with sensitive noses. Not perfect faces, but perceptive spirits.
    Because when you stand between God and men, destinies are on your table. One wrong move, and a whole lot will bleed.

    May the LORD give us noses that can smell danger in the middle of a feast.

    May we be the kind of priests who protect destinies — including our own.

    Amen!!

    copied.
    In the Bible, in ancient Israel, one of the criteria for choosing a priest was that he must not have a flat nose. The significance of this is that anyone who stands before men on behalf of God must be sensitive and aware of what’s happening around him, because destinies are at stake. Lack of sensitivity is, many times, why some unwanted things have happened to believers. I remember being mocked by a fellow preacher for not having a car. He would go on and on about how the easiest thing anointed preacher should have is a car. I heard about his mockery day after day. It haunted me so much that one day, after I finished preaching at a pastors’ conference in Onitsha on “25 Things Jesus Taught Martha That Every Preacher Desperately Needs to Know,” he swallowed his pride and walked up to me. He didn’t apologize for what he’d said about me. Instead, he begged me to give him my preaching notes so he could repeat the message on Martha to his church. The "normal me" would have given him the message. But his mocking words still haunted me, so I decided not to give him the notes. He took offense, walked away, and added more insults about me not having a car despite claiming to be anointed. For a while, it didn’t bother me. Until one day, I was at a printing press picking up flyers for our program when the woman who owned the press told me how some pastors in Onitsha used to talk about me. They asked, “How can a man be so anointed and gifted yet trek everywhere in the city? How come his anointing couldn’t attract something as small as a car?” Those words got to me, not because they were true, but because I had become a topic of discussion among certain preachers. A few weeks later, a young man called and said he had a gift for me. When we met, it was a car — a Highlander SUV. A very beautiful car. He said God told him to give it to me. I thought, “At last, this mockery will stop.” To think the brother mocking me only had a small Toyota Camry, while I was about to get a Highlander SUV. This was going to make sense! But just as I was about to collect the keys, I heard the voice of the LORD: “Don’t touch the car. It’s not yours.” I knew it was God’s voice because I’m familiar with His voice. But I was confused. This brother said God told him to gift me a car, and here I was hearing the same God tell me not to touch it. It's obvious that one of us must be wrong about what they heard. The brother was very upset that I rejected his gift and walked away. Most of my friends who heard this were angry, especially considering how the other preacher had mocked me for months for not having a car. They said it couldn’t have been God asking me to reject it. “God is not the author of confusion,” they said. And yes, that’s true. God is not the author of confusion. But I was very sure I heard His voice. About two weeks later, that guy that wanted to gift me a car was arrested. It turned out the car was stolen, and they tracked it down to Onitsha. The guy was into selling stolen cars and, for some reason, wanted to sow that one as a seed. I don’t know why anyone would sow a stolen car as a seed, but using God’s name to do it was beyond my comprehension. Imagine if I hadn’t been sensitive to the voice of the LORD. The mockery of not having a car would have been nothing compared to the mockery of riding in a stolen car. It would have caused devastating damage. Being sensitive — having “sensitive ears” — will save a preacher from many sorrows. There are many traps set for your life and destiny. You must be sensitive so the desire for material things doesn’t trap you in Satan’s snare. There are invitations a minister of God should not honor. There are places you should not preach. There are pulpits you should not climb. And yes, there are relationships you should not enter. Failing to obey this can cost you a lifetime to recover from. That’s where the devil got me — in my marriage. The signs were there. God didn’t leave me in the dark. I just didn’t listen. Amos 3:7: “Surely the LORD GOD does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets.” He revealed. The issue wasn’t revelation. It was reception. I just didn't perceive.it. Today, I have to live with the consequences of that insensitivity. God instructed Moses that anyone chosen to serve in the priesthood must not have a flat nose. He must have the ability to be sensitive — to know when to act and when not to. He must be someone who can smell a trap in perfume. And that includes you! Here are a few valuable lessons to grab from this account: 1. Not every gift is from God. Some are bait. Just when I needed a car badly, just as I need it now, a Highlander showed up. And it came with “God said I should give it to you.” But the same God said, "Don’t touch. It’s not yours.” It takes a sensitivity to know which voice is God's. 2 Cor 11:14 warns: “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” The devil doesn’t always come with horns. Sometimes he comes with car keys and “seed sowing” theology. There are counterfeit blessings and it takes one with sensitive nose to detect them. Imagine what would be the headline! “A Pastor Caught with a Stolen SUV." Thanks to God, sensitivity saved my name. 2. The loudest “no” you’ll ever say is to a “ blessing” It's easier for a preacher to say “no” to sin than it is to say “no” to a shiny thing. Many anointed destinies have been truncated because of gifts. Jesus said no to bread, kingdoms, and shortcuts, Matt 4:3-10. Because He had a sensitive ear. That's what it means to be discerning. Discernment is refusing what looks like provision but smells like prison. John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice... and they follow Me and the voice of a stranger they shall not follow.” 3. Satan doesn't give up on you easily. He is patient. He’s a trap engineer. He doesn’t give up on you just because one trap failed. He’ll try gifts today, a car tomorrow, a “relationship” next week. 1 Peter 5:8: “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” He prowls. He watches. He adjusts when he fails. Only sensitive ears can adjust faster. Sensitivity to the voice of the LORD will save you from his traps. In my case, the real trap wasn’t the car. It was insensitivity in marriage. Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” What gives the devil leverage is not lack of anointing. It's a lack of listening. 4. Sensitivity is your security system. Applauds of men will make you famous, but sensitivity will keep you faithful and true. John 10:4-5: “The sheep follow Him, for they know His voice. They will not follow a stranger.” There are contacts, contracts, and connections you should not have. There are times you will hear God say, "Leave it alone" for there's death in it. Sensitivity will teach you how to choose the voice you know over the gift they hold. Not every attack comes as an attack. The car looked like a blessing. It looked like “God’s will”. But it was a test of hearing. 2 Cor 2:11: “...so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” God doesn’t hide the design from you. He whispers it. Preachers with sensitive noses catch the whisper. God told Moses, "No priest with a flat nose should be allowed" Lev 21:18. God wants preachers with sensitive noses. Not perfect faces, but perceptive spirits. Because when you stand between God and men, destinies are on your table. One wrong move, and a whole lot will bleed. May the LORD give us noses that can smell danger in the middle of a feast. May we be the kind of priests who protect destinies — including our own. Amen!! copied.
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  • A Federal Judge Just Ruled You Have No Right to Know Where Your Tithe Went — and Gateway Church Is Calling It a Victory
    You gave them your money because they made you a promise. A federal judge just ruled that no court in America is allowed to find out whether they kept it.
    That is the real headline out of Sherman, Texas, this week — not the one Gateway Church's lawyers want you to read.
    On June 23, 2026, U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant of the Eastern District of Texas dismissed the class-action lawsuit accusing Gateway Church and its disgraced founding pastor, Robert Morris, of misrepresenting how millions of dollars in tithes were spent. Gateway called it vindication. Morris issued a statement insisting "not one dollar was misdirected." His attorney, a partner at the Dallas firm Haynes Boone, declared the First Amendment had protected the church from "an assault on Gateway's religious autonomy and freedom."
    Read the order itself, and a colder truth emerges. The judge did not rule that Gateway told the truth. He ruled that the truth was none of his business.
    What the donors actually alleged
    The four plaintiffs — Katherine and Garry Leach and Mark and Terri Browder, former members seeking to represent a class of donors — did not walk into court with a grievance. They walked in with a receipt.
    They alleged that Gateway leaders promised, repeatedly and specifically, that at least 15 percent of every tithe dollar would go to global missions and Jewish ministry partners. That promise, they said, was preached from the platform, printed in the members' handbook, repeated at conferences, and posted on the church's own website. They gave generously on the strength of it. And when they went looking for proof the money had landed where it was promised, they couldn't find it. They alleged the funds were diverted to unnamed "secret organizations" and other purposes — and that the church's accounting was never transparent enough to substantiate otherwise.
    They called the lawsuit a last resort, filed only after repeated attempts to get a straight answer failed.
    That is not a doctrinal dispute. That is a question any honest steward should be able to answer in an afternoon: Did the money go where you said it would go?
    How a fraud claim became "religious"
    The court never reached that question. Judge Mazzant dismissed the case under the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine — a 150-year-old, court-created principle, rooted in the First Amendment, that keeps civil courts from refereeing internal matters of church doctrine and governance.
    His reasoning: to decide whether Gateway honored its promise, the court would first have to define what "global missions," "Jewish ministry partners," and "outreach efforts" actually mean — and those terms, he wrote, "implicate religious beliefs." Sorting them out would drag a federal judge into the internal management of a church. So he refused to look.
    Here is the part Gateway's press statement leaves out. Mazzant had already denied this exact motion once, in 2025. What changed his mind was not new evidence about the money. It was a new appellate ruling — the Fifth Circuit's September 2025 decision in *McRaney v. North American Mission Board* — that broadly expanded the shield around religious institutions. Gateway didn't win because the facts shifted. Gateway won because the wall got higher.
    The sentence Gateway hopes you'll never read
    Buried in the seventeen-page opinion is a line the church's lawyers will not be quoting in any fundraising letter. The judge wrote that his decision "may have been different if Plaintiffs had alleged that Morris, Dulin, or any other Gateway leader reallocated their tithe dollars for personal gain. But this is not the case."
    Read that again slowly. The judge is not saying nothing went wrong. He is saying the donors pleaded the *wrong kind* of wrong. They alleged the money was diverted to organizations — not pocketed by men. And on that distinction alone, the door closed.
    In plain English: the judge handed the plaintiffs a map back into the building.
    Why this is bigger than one church
    If this were only about Gateway, it would still be a scandal. It is not only about Gateway.
    The same doctrine that shielded Southlake is now spreading across the federal courts, case by case, ruling by ruling. McRaney did not just protect one mission board; it widened a principle that is quietly making the American church financially un-auditable by anyone standing outside its own walls. A donor can be promised a percentage, in writing, from the platform — and when the money vanishes into "outreach," the courthouse door is constitutionally barred.
    That should trouble every believer who has ever dropped a check in a plate. Not because every church is hiding something, but because a system that *cannot* be questioned will, in time, attract the men who most need to be.
    What still stands — and what comes next
    A dismissal on jurisdiction is not an acquittal, and it does not end the matter.
    The plaintiffs can take the ruling to the Fifth Circuit, though they would be appealing into the same court that built the wall. They can pursue the narrower theory the judge himself flagged — that leaders enriched themselves personally — a claim that sounds in ordinary fraud and does not require a court to interpret a single line of doctrine. A dismissal grounded in the court's lack of jurisdiction, as this one is, ordinarily leaves that door unlocked rather than nailed shut. And civil court was never the only venue: a state attorney general's charitable-trust authority and the IRS's oversight of tax-exempt organizations are not bound by the doctrine the way a private lawsuit is.
    None of it touches the other matters still circling Gateway and its founder. The financial case closing has no bearing on the separate defamation suit brought by Cindy Clemishire — the woman Morris admitted to abusing, beginning when she was twelve — or on the criminal accountability that flows from his guilty plea to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, the conviction that requires him to register as a sex offender for life.
    A word for the Church
    Scripture does not grant the steward the right to silence. It demands the opposite. "Give an account of thy stewardship" (Luke 16:2) is not a suggestion the courts may decline to enforce — it is a command the Church is supposed to obey on its own, without a subpoena.
    The tragedy of this ruling is not that a judge followed the law. He did. The tragedy is that a house of God required a federal judge to decide whether anyone is allowed to ask where the offering went — and then celebrated when the answer was no one.
    A church that wins by refusing to give an account has not been vindicated. It has only proven it can no longer be questioned. And a ministry that cannot be questioned is one verse away from becoming the very thing the prophets were sent to confront.
    The court has closed its file. The Church should not close its eyes.
    A Federal Judge Just Ruled You Have No Right to Know Where Your Tithe Went — and Gateway Church Is Calling It a Victory You gave them your money because they made you a promise. A federal judge just ruled that no court in America is allowed to find out whether they kept it. That is the real headline out of Sherman, Texas, this week — not the one Gateway Church's lawyers want you to read. On June 23, 2026, U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant of the Eastern District of Texas dismissed the class-action lawsuit accusing Gateway Church and its disgraced founding pastor, Robert Morris, of misrepresenting how millions of dollars in tithes were spent. Gateway called it vindication. Morris issued a statement insisting "not one dollar was misdirected." His attorney, a partner at the Dallas firm Haynes Boone, declared the First Amendment had protected the church from "an assault on Gateway's religious autonomy and freedom." Read the order itself, and a colder truth emerges. The judge did not rule that Gateway told the truth. He ruled that the truth was none of his business. What the donors actually alleged The four plaintiffs — Katherine and Garry Leach and Mark and Terri Browder, former members seeking to represent a class of donors — did not walk into court with a grievance. They walked in with a receipt. They alleged that Gateway leaders promised, repeatedly and specifically, that at least 15 percent of every tithe dollar would go to global missions and Jewish ministry partners. That promise, they said, was preached from the platform, printed in the members' handbook, repeated at conferences, and posted on the church's own website. They gave generously on the strength of it. And when they went looking for proof the money had landed where it was promised, they couldn't find it. They alleged the funds were diverted to unnamed "secret organizations" and other purposes — and that the church's accounting was never transparent enough to substantiate otherwise. They called the lawsuit a last resort, filed only after repeated attempts to get a straight answer failed. That is not a doctrinal dispute. That is a question any honest steward should be able to answer in an afternoon: Did the money go where you said it would go? How a fraud claim became "religious" The court never reached that question. Judge Mazzant dismissed the case under the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine — a 150-year-old, court-created principle, rooted in the First Amendment, that keeps civil courts from refereeing internal matters of church doctrine and governance. His reasoning: to decide whether Gateway honored its promise, the court would first have to define what "global missions," "Jewish ministry partners," and "outreach efforts" actually mean — and those terms, he wrote, "implicate religious beliefs." Sorting them out would drag a federal judge into the internal management of a church. So he refused to look. Here is the part Gateway's press statement leaves out. Mazzant had already denied this exact motion once, in 2025. What changed his mind was not new evidence about the money. It was a new appellate ruling — the Fifth Circuit's September 2025 decision in *McRaney v. North American Mission Board* — that broadly expanded the shield around religious institutions. Gateway didn't win because the facts shifted. Gateway won because the wall got higher. The sentence Gateway hopes you'll never read Buried in the seventeen-page opinion is a line the church's lawyers will not be quoting in any fundraising letter. The judge wrote that his decision "may have been different if Plaintiffs had alleged that Morris, Dulin, or any other Gateway leader reallocated their tithe dollars for personal gain. But this is not the case." Read that again slowly. The judge is not saying nothing went wrong. He is saying the donors pleaded the *wrong kind* of wrong. They alleged the money was diverted to organizations — not pocketed by men. And on that distinction alone, the door closed. In plain English: the judge handed the plaintiffs a map back into the building. Why this is bigger than one church If this were only about Gateway, it would still be a scandal. It is not only about Gateway. The same doctrine that shielded Southlake is now spreading across the federal courts, case by case, ruling by ruling. McRaney did not just protect one mission board; it widened a principle that is quietly making the American church financially un-auditable by anyone standing outside its own walls. A donor can be promised a percentage, in writing, from the platform — and when the money vanishes into "outreach," the courthouse door is constitutionally barred. That should trouble every believer who has ever dropped a check in a plate. Not because every church is hiding something, but because a system that *cannot* be questioned will, in time, attract the men who most need to be. What still stands — and what comes next A dismissal on jurisdiction is not an acquittal, and it does not end the matter. The plaintiffs can take the ruling to the Fifth Circuit, though they would be appealing into the same court that built the wall. They can pursue the narrower theory the judge himself flagged — that leaders enriched themselves personally — a claim that sounds in ordinary fraud and does not require a court to interpret a single line of doctrine. A dismissal grounded in the court's lack of jurisdiction, as this one is, ordinarily leaves that door unlocked rather than nailed shut. And civil court was never the only venue: a state attorney general's charitable-trust authority and the IRS's oversight of tax-exempt organizations are not bound by the doctrine the way a private lawsuit is. None of it touches the other matters still circling Gateway and its founder. The financial case closing has no bearing on the separate defamation suit brought by Cindy Clemishire — the woman Morris admitted to abusing, beginning when she was twelve — or on the criminal accountability that flows from his guilty plea to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, the conviction that requires him to register as a sex offender for life. A word for the Church Scripture does not grant the steward the right to silence. It demands the opposite. "Give an account of thy stewardship" (Luke 16:2) is not a suggestion the courts may decline to enforce — it is a command the Church is supposed to obey on its own, without a subpoena. The tragedy of this ruling is not that a judge followed the law. He did. The tragedy is that a house of God required a federal judge to decide whether anyone is allowed to ask where the offering went — and then celebrated when the answer was no one. A church that wins by refusing to give an account has not been vindicated. It has only proven it can no longer be questioned. And a ministry that cannot be questioned is one verse away from becoming the very thing the prophets were sent to confront. The court has closed its file. The Church should not close its eyes.
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  • PLEASE WATCH THIS.

    Some stories don't end when someone walks away.

    Some wounds don't heal when the headlines fade.

    Some families never get an "after."

    There are empty chairs at birthdays. There are candles lit for people who should still be here. There are children asking questions that will never be answered. There are parents, siblings, and friends carrying heartbreak every single day.

    Behind every statistic is a name. Behind every headline is a family. Behind every tragedy is a story that deserves to be remembered.

    That's why we stand. That's why we speak. That's why we fight for awareness. That's why we carry their stories forward.

    No victim should be forgotten. No survivor should feel alone. No family should feel invisible.

    Some stories deserve to be carried forward.

    Watch this video. Share it. Help us shine a light on what so many suffer in silence.

    Leave a in the comments to show your support for survivors and families whose lives have been forever changed.

    Follow FoxxFusion Ministries and Operation: Iron Angel for awareness, advocacy, hope, healing, and standing with those who need a voice.

    #OperationIronAngel #EndDomesticViolence #PurpleRibbon #SurvivorStrong #SpeakForTheVoiceless #BreakTheSilence #HopeAndHealing #FoxxFusionMinistries #AwarenessMatters #CarryTheirStoryForward
    🚨 PLEASE WATCH THIS. 🚨 Some stories don't end when someone walks away. Some wounds don't heal when the headlines fade. Some families never get an "after." 💜 There are empty chairs at birthdays. 💜 There are candles lit for people who should still be here. 💜 There are children asking questions that will never be answered. 💜 There are parents, siblings, and friends carrying heartbreak every single day. Behind every statistic is a name. Behind every headline is a family. Behind every tragedy is a story that deserves to be remembered. 🛡️ That's why we stand. 🛡️ That's why we speak. 🛡️ That's why we fight for awareness. 🛡️ That's why we carry their stories forward. No victim should be forgotten. No survivor should feel alone. No family should feel invisible. 💜 Some stories deserve to be carried forward. 🎥 Watch this video. Share it. Help us shine a light on what so many suffer in silence. 👇 Leave a 💜 in the comments to show your support for survivors and families whose lives have been forever changed. 📲 Follow FoxxFusion Ministries and Operation: Iron Angel for awareness, advocacy, hope, healing, and standing with those who need a voice. #OperationIronAngel #EndDomesticViolence #PurpleRibbon #SurvivorStrong #SpeakForTheVoiceless #BreakTheSilence #HopeAndHealing #FoxxFusionMinistries #AwarenessMatters #CarryTheirStoryForward 💜🛡️🙏🔥
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  • #4 Holy Wit – Reflections

    (WW – Wisdom and Worship – Psalm 1; Psalm 112; Psalm 150)

    Scripture References: Psalm 1; Psalm 112; Psalm 150

    There was a man I used to see almost every Saturday morning at a small diner years ago. One of those older places where the coffee arrives before you ask for it because the waitress has already profiled your age and posture correctly.

    He sat alone most mornings in the same booth near the window.

    Nothing outwardly remarkable about him.

    Ball cap.

    Work jacket.

    Hands that looked as though they had spent decades arguing with machinery.

    He would eat slowly, read portions of the newspaper with visible disappointment, occasionally mutter “Well that’s dumb,” under his breath at headlines, and then leave an unusually generous tip.

    But there was one thing about him people noticed.

    He was remarkably calm.

    Not cheerful in the artificial motivational-speaker sense. Not floating through life in mystical denial. Calm.

    And in modern society, calm people eventually become suspicious.

    You almost want to ask them what information they possess that the rest of us lack.

    Because most people now operate at the emotional pace of caffeinated squirrels trying to file taxes during an electrical storm.

    But this man remained steady.

    One morning somebody in the diner asked him directly:
    “How do you stay so relaxed all the time?”

    And he answered in the simplest possible way.
    “Well...the Lord’s still running things.”

    That was it.

    No sermon.

    No lecture.

    No twelve-part podcast series entitled Unlocking the Hidden Secrets of Emotional Alignment Through Quantum Positivity.

    Just: “The Lord’s still running things.”

    At the time, I thought the answer sounded almost too simple.

    But the older I get, the more Psalm 112 sounds exactly like that man.
    “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”

    Now that does not mean the righteous man never experiences fear, grief, uncertainty, or sorrow. The Psalms themselves are filled with tears, confusion, and cries for help. Scripture is not emotionally dishonest.

    But there is a difference between a troubled heart and an untethered one.

    Psalm 1 describes the wise man as a tree planted by rivers of water. Stable. Rooted. Nourished continually from beneath the surface.

    That image matters because modern culture increasingly produces the opposite sort of person — spiritually uprooted, emotionally reactive, constantly blown sideways by every new outrage, headline, trend, or catastrophe prediction.

    And there is no shortage of those.

    Human civilization now essentially functions as one giant machine for delivering anxiety directly into people’s pockets every seven minutes.

    The Psalms push back against that drift by continually redirecting attention toward God.

    Not because difficulties are imaginary.

    Because God is greater.

    That old diner man likely understood this better than many educated people.

    The fear of the Lord produces steadiness because it places life back into proper proportion.

    God remains sovereign.

    God remains faithful.

    God remains worthy of worship.

    And therefore panic does not deserve permanent residence in the soul.

    Psalm 150 then takes the whole journey of the Psalms and ends exactly where it has been heading all along:
    “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.”

    That line lands differently once you realize praise is not merely emotional enthusiasm. It becomes orientation.

    The wise life eventually becomes the worshiping life.

    Not because mature believers never see darkness, but because they repeatedly return their attention to the greatness of God.

    That changes people over time.

    A praising person becomes steadier.

    Kinder.

    Less self-absorbed.

    Less chronically outraged.

    More grateful.

    More aware that every ordinary mercy — sunlight, forgiveness, food, laughter, redemption, another morning to breathe — is undeserved kindness from God.

    And perhaps that is one reason the Psalms begin with wisdom and end with praise.

    Because properly seeing God eventually produces worship.

    The wise man delights in the Lord.

    The worshiping man trusts the Lord.

    And after enough years walking with Him, the two become difficult to separate.

    Eventually the soul simply learns this settled reflex:
    The Lord is still running things.

    And therefore:
    Praise the Lord.

    #HolyWitBibleStudy #GordonMcGinnis #WWWisdomAndWorship #Psalm1
    #4 Holy Wit – Reflections (WW – Wisdom and Worship – Psalm 1; Psalm 112; Psalm 150) Scripture References: Psalm 1; Psalm 112; Psalm 150 There was a man I used to see almost every Saturday morning at a small diner years ago. One of those older places where the coffee arrives before you ask for it because the waitress has already profiled your age and posture correctly. He sat alone most mornings in the same booth near the window. Nothing outwardly remarkable about him. Ball cap. Work jacket. Hands that looked as though they had spent decades arguing with machinery. He would eat slowly, read portions of the newspaper with visible disappointment, occasionally mutter “Well that’s dumb,” under his breath at headlines, and then leave an unusually generous tip. But there was one thing about him people noticed. He was remarkably calm. Not cheerful in the artificial motivational-speaker sense. Not floating through life in mystical denial. Calm. And in modern society, calm people eventually become suspicious. You almost want to ask them what information they possess that the rest of us lack. Because most people now operate at the emotional pace of caffeinated squirrels trying to file taxes during an electrical storm. But this man remained steady. One morning somebody in the diner asked him directly: “How do you stay so relaxed all the time?” And he answered in the simplest possible way. “Well...the Lord’s still running things.” That was it. No sermon. No lecture. No twelve-part podcast series entitled Unlocking the Hidden Secrets of Emotional Alignment Through Quantum Positivity. Just: “The Lord’s still running things.” At the time, I thought the answer sounded almost too simple. But the older I get, the more Psalm 112 sounds exactly like that man. “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” Now that does not mean the righteous man never experiences fear, grief, uncertainty, or sorrow. The Psalms themselves are filled with tears, confusion, and cries for help. Scripture is not emotionally dishonest. But there is a difference between a troubled heart and an untethered one. Psalm 1 describes the wise man as a tree planted by rivers of water. Stable. Rooted. Nourished continually from beneath the surface. That image matters because modern culture increasingly produces the opposite sort of person — spiritually uprooted, emotionally reactive, constantly blown sideways by every new outrage, headline, trend, or catastrophe prediction. And there is no shortage of those. Human civilization now essentially functions as one giant machine for delivering anxiety directly into people’s pockets every seven minutes. The Psalms push back against that drift by continually redirecting attention toward God. Not because difficulties are imaginary. Because God is greater. That old diner man likely understood this better than many educated people. The fear of the Lord produces steadiness because it places life back into proper proportion. God remains sovereign. God remains faithful. God remains worthy of worship. And therefore panic does not deserve permanent residence in the soul. Psalm 150 then takes the whole journey of the Psalms and ends exactly where it has been heading all along: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” That line lands differently once you realize praise is not merely emotional enthusiasm. It becomes orientation. The wise life eventually becomes the worshiping life. Not because mature believers never see darkness, but because they repeatedly return their attention to the greatness of God. That changes people over time. A praising person becomes steadier. Kinder. Less self-absorbed. Less chronically outraged. More grateful. More aware that every ordinary mercy — sunlight, forgiveness, food, laughter, redemption, another morning to breathe — is undeserved kindness from God. And perhaps that is one reason the Psalms begin with wisdom and end with praise. Because properly seeing God eventually produces worship. The wise man delights in the Lord. The worshiping man trusts the Lord. And after enough years walking with Him, the two become difficult to separate. Eventually the soul simply learns this settled reflex: The Lord is still running things. And therefore: Praise the Lord. #HolyWitBibleStudy #GordonMcGinnis #WWWisdomAndWorship #Psalm1
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