Wednesday, 26th August, 2026 TITLE: "ABIDE IN GOD: DWELL IN HIS PRESENCE, REMAIN IN HIS STRENGTH" ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S) Psalm 91:1–2 (KJV) "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." John 15:4 (KJV) "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." QUOTE TO REFLECT ON "Your strength, safety, and fruitfulness begin with remaining close to God." DAY'S REFLECTION The Christian life is not designed to be lived independently of God. We need His presence, strength, guidance, and grace every day. Psalm 91:1 gives us a beautiful picture of this relationship: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." The word "dwelleth" means to live, remain, or make one's home in a place. It is more than visiting occasionally. God desires us to develop a consistent relationship with Him rather than seeking Him only when trouble comes. The "secret place" speaks of intimate fellowship with God—a place of prayer, worship, meditation on His Word, and communion with Him. To "abide under the shadow of the Almighty" speaks of resting in His presence and depending on His power and protection. The psalmist therefore confidently declares, "He is my refuge and my fortress." A refuge is a place of safety, while a fortress provides protection against attack. The writer's confidence was not in his circumstances but in his relationship with God: "my God; in him will I trust." Jesus gives us the same principle in John 15:4: "Abide in me, and I in you." He uses the relationship between a branch and a vine to explain spiritual dependence. A branch cannot produce fruit by itself. It must remain connected to the vine. Likewise, we cannot produce lasting spiritual fruit through human effort alone. We need continuous connection with Christ. To abide means to remain, continue, dwell, and stay connected. Life experience teaches us that disconnection brings weakness. A phone may be fully functional, but without connection to its power source, its battery eventually runs down. Similarly, believers who neglect prayer, God's Word, worship, and fellowship with Christ can become spiritually weak and vulnerable. Abiding in Christ does not mean that problems will never come. It means that when problems come, we do not face them alone. We have a refuge. We have a fortress. We have the presence of the Almighty. Today, do not merely visit God's presence—dwell there. Do not only seek Christ when you need something—abide in Him daily. Stay connected to Christ, and let His presence become your place of strength, peace, protection, and fruitfulness. MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S) Psalm 16:8 (KJV) "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." Philippians 4:13 (KJV) "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS) 1. God's presence should be our permanent dwelling place, not an occasional refuge. 2. Trusting God brings confidence in the midst of uncertainty. 3. Spiritual strength comes from remaining connected to Christ. 4. Like a branch depends on the vine, we depend on Jesus for spiritual fruitfulness. 5. Prayer and God's Word help us maintain intimate fellowship with Christ. 6. Abiding in Christ produces stability, peace, strength, and lasting fruit. EVERYDAY ACTION Spend intentional time with God today through prayer and His Word, and consciously depend on Christ in every decision. PRAYER Heavenly Father, help me dwell in Your presence and abide in Christ every day. Be my refuge and fortress, strengthen my faith, and make my life fruitful for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen. DECLARATION I dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. The Lord is my refuge and fortress. I remain connected to Christ, and His strength, peace, and life flow through me. I will bear lasting fruit for His glory. Amen. Devotion by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo 📞 +233 544 295 158 Follow us on WhatsApp 👇👇👇 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6EpEqHbFV78wOHgv2P

When a Nation Rejects God Scripture Judges 19:30 (NKJV) And so it was that all who saw it said, No such deed has been done or seen from the day that the children of Israel came up from the land of Egypt until this day. Consider it, confer, and speak up! The Tragic Results of Spiritual Compromise Judges 19 is one of the darkest chapters in all of Scripture. It does not describe God's approval of human actions but exposes the devastating consequences of a nation that had turned away from Him. The chapter demonstrates what happens when people reject God's authority and choose to live according to their own desires. The account begins with a Levite seeking to reconcile with his concubine. As they traveled home, they refused to stay in a foreign city and instead chose an Israelite town, expecting safety among God's covenant people. Tragically, they found that the moral condition of Israel had become no different than the wicked nations around them. The men of Gibeah committed shocking acts of violence and depravity, revealing how far the nation had fallen. Sin that had once been unthinkable had become accepted. The chapter ends with the Levite sending pieces of the woman's body throughout Israel, shocking the nation and forcing the people to recognize the seriousness of their spiritual collapse. The final verse records the people's response: they acknowledged that nothing like this had ever happened since Israel came out of Egypt. They were called to consider what had happened, seek wisdom together, and respond. Judges 19 teaches that when God's truth is abandoned, moral confusion and spiritual darkness follow. A society cannot reject God's standards without experiencing painful consequences. Sin always destroys individuals, families, communities, and eventually entire nations. For believers today, this chapter is a solemn reminder to remain faithful to God's Word. We must never become comfortable with sin or allow culture to redefine what God has already declared to be true. Christ calls His people to be light in a dark world, living holy lives that reflect His righteousness and His compassion. While this chapter reveals the depth of human depravity, the rest of Scripture reveals God's answer. Jesus Christ came to rescue sinners, restore broken lives, and transform hearts through His grace. Where sin abounds, God's grace is greater for all who repent and trust in Him. Reflection Questions 1. Am I allowing God's Word to shape my values more than the culture around me? 2. Have I become comfortable with attitudes or behaviors that God calls sin? 3. How can I be a light for Christ in a world that desperately needs His truth? Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of Your grace. Guard my heart from compromise and help me to stand firmly upon Your truth. Give me wisdom to recognize deception and courage to live according to Your Word. Use my life to reflect the love, holiness, and hope of Jesus Christ to those around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Verse for Wednesday, August 26 Habakkuk 3:3-4 3 God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran.His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. 4 His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.

PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 26) 1. As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool. 2. Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. 3. A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back. 4. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. 5. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes. 6. He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 7. Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 8. Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool. 9. Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 10. The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages. 11. As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly. 12. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 13. The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” 14. As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed. 15. The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. 16. The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly. 17. He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears. 18. Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, 19. Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!” 20. Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. 21. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. 23. Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross. 24. He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; 25. When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart; 26. Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. 27. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. 28. A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin

The Lord is able to save anyone! No one is too far gone for him😁 Isaiah 1:18 NKJV “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

📖 TODAY'S BIBLE READING Wednesday, August 26 📜 OLD TESTAMENT 1 SAMUEL 2 — Hannah's Prayer & Samuel's Ministry ✝️ NEW TESTAMENT JUDE 1 — Contending for the Faith 🎉 Congratulations on completing the book of 3 John! Today we begin the book of Jude. 🌿 MAJOR PROPHETS ISAIAH 37 — Hezekiah Seeks the Lord 🌿 TODAY'S REFLECTION 📜 1 Samuel 2 Hannah praises God for His faithfulness, while Samuel grows in the presence of the Lord. The chapter contrasts faithful service to God with the corruption of Eli's sons and reminds us that God sees the heart. ✝️ Jude 1 Jude urges believers to contend for the faith and remain watchful against false teaching and ungodly living. We are called to build ourselves up in faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, remain in God's love, and show mercy to others. 🌿 Isaiah 37 When Jerusalem is threatened by Assyria, King Hezekiah takes the matter before God in prayer. God responds and delivers His people, showing that no earthly power is greater than the Lord. ✨ KEY VERSE “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.” — Jude 1:20 🙏 PRAYER Heavenly Father, help us remain firmly rooted in Your truth. Give us discernment to recognize error, courage to stand for the faith, and humility to show mercy to those who are struggling. Like Hezekiah, teach us to bring every difficult situation before You and trust in Your power. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. 🌿 TODAY'S CHALLENGE Stand firm in your faith today. Spend time in prayer, remain grounded in God's Word, and trust God with the situation that concerns you most. WE STUDY. WE PRAY. WE OBEY. WE GROW. UNTIL WE ARE TOTALLY TRANSFORMED. 📖✨🙏

And the Lᴏʀᴅ said: I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt. Exodus 3:7 It is noteworthy how people often turn to the Bible when circumstances become dire. A politician refers to the Covid-19 pandemic as a “plague of biblical proportions”. Confronted with extreme criticism, he deflects it by saying, “I am neither the Pharaoh who oppressed, nor the Moses who liberated.” Let’s rewind to ancient Egypt. The people of Israel groan under the oppression of Pharaoh. The situation becomes unbearable. The Israelites cry out to God and plead for deliverance. God hears and calls Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. But Pharaoh refuses to let them go; he is unwilling to relinquish his cheap labour force under any circumstances. So, God intervenes: He sends ten successive plagues upon Egypt, each worse than the last. That’s the biblical account in brief. Isn’t it striking that the politician didn’t mention God? Yet God played the pivotal role in the plagues in Egypt. It wasn’t Moses who saved the people but only God, through His mighty intervention. So, let’s ask ourselves: In times of distress, do we still call upon God or consciously ignore Him?Do we recognise that without God, we are lost?Do we come to the Saviour God who wants to save us? Back then, God sought to change Pharaoh’s mindset through the plagues. Even today, God sometimes speaks very seriously to us. What do we do? Do we harden ours hearts like Pharaoh? Or do we open ourselves to God, confess our sins to Him, and gratefully accept His offer of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ? Today’s reading: Joshua 24:16-33 · 1 Corinthians 16:10-24 https://gbv-online.org/calendar/262/date/2026-08-26

WEDNESDAY 26TH AUGUST 2026 IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL Topic: Stop Comparing Your Life With Others Bible Reference But let each one examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, without comparing himself with someone else. Galatians 6:4 (NIV) A Short Story Grace was 25 years old and had recently completed her university education. She had always been grateful for her progress, but things changed when she became more active on social media. Every morning, she opened her phone and saw people she knew announcing new jobs, getting married, buying cars, travelling to different countries, starting businesses, and celebrating different achievements. At first, Grace was happy for them. After some time, however, she began to feel unhappy with herself. One of her classmates had secured a good job shortly after graduation, while Grace was still searching for work. Another friend had started a successful fashion business. Someone else had recently bought a car. A former schoolmate had even announced her wedding. Grace began asking herself difficult questions. What am I doing with my life? Why is everybody moving forward except me? Have I wasted my time? Maybe I am not good enough. She started feeling ashamed whenever people asked what she was doing. Instead of seeing the things she had already achieved, she focused only on what other people had that she did not have. One evening, Grace visited her aunt, who noticed that she was unusually quiet. After listening to her, her aunt asked her to put her phone away and write down five things she was grateful for. Grace initially struggled to think of five things. Eventually, she wrote down her education, her family, her health, the skills she had developed, and the opportunity to start again. Her aunt then asked her another question. “If you keep looking at another person's journey, how will you have time to focus on yours?” That question stayed with Grace. She realised that she had been measuring her life with other people's timelines. She had forgotten that people do not all start from the same place, receive the same opportunities, or grow at the same speed. Grace decided to stop using other people's achievements as a measure of her own worth. She began applying for jobs more seriously, improving her skills, and working on a small business idea she had neglected. She still celebrated other people's success, but she no longer allowed their success to make her hate her own journey. Today's Message Comparison is one of the easiest ways to lose your peace. You can be doing well and still feel like a failure when you constantly measure yourself against somebody else. As a young person, you may look at your classmates, friends, colleagues, relatives, or people you follow online and feel that you are behind. Someone may already have a good job while you are still searching. Someone may be married while you are still single. Someone may have children while you are still waiting. Someone may own a business while you are still trying to discover what you can do. Someone may be travelling, building a house, buying a car, or becoming popular while you are still taking small steps. It is easy to forget that you are looking at their results without seeing their entire journey. Social media can make this problem worse because people usually show their best moments. You may see someone's new car but not the years of struggle behind it. You may see a beautiful wedding but not know the difficulties the couple faced before getting there. You may see a successful business but not know how many times the person failed before becoming successful. When you compare your ordinary days with somebody else's best moments, you can easily become discouraged. The Bible says in Galatians 6:4 that each person should examine his own work instead of comparing himself with someone else. God did not create you to become a copy of another person. He gave you your own abilities, opportunities, responsibilities, and journey. This does not mean that you should become careless about your progress. You should learn from successful people. You should allow good examples to motivate you. You should celebrate the achievements of others and ask yourself what you can learn from them. There is a difference between learning from someone and becoming jealous of the person. Comparison becomes dangerous when another person's progress makes you despise your own life. You may be wondering why your life is taking longer than you expected. Perhaps you prayed for something and it has not happened yet. Perhaps you have worked hard but have not seen the results you expected. Perhaps people younger than you are already achieving things you hoped to achieve. Do not allow this to make you believe that God has forgotten you. Your life is not a race against your friends. You have your own assignment. You have your own season. You have your own responsibilities. You have your own opportunities. Instead of constantly asking, Why am I not like this person? ask, What should I be doing with what God has placed in my hands? That question will change your focus. If you spend all your time watching somebody else's life, you may neglect your own. While you are watching another person's progress, there may be opportunities around you that you are failing to recognise. David did not become king by trying to become Jonathan. Esther did not fulfil her purpose by trying to become another woman. Peter's journey was different from John's, yet Jesus had a purpose for both of them. Your journey may be different from the person beside you, and that is not necessarily a problem. Do not rush into marriage because your friends are getting married. Do not enter a business because everyone seems to be making money from it. Do not choose a career simply because it is popular. Do not spend money trying to look successful because you are afraid of what people will think. Build your own life wisely. Be grateful for where you are while working faithfully toward where you want to be. You can desire growth without hating your present situation. You can pray for more without being ungrateful for what you already have. Remember that slow progress is still progress. Some seeds take longer to grow than others. What matters is that you keep planting, keep learning, keep praying, keep working, and keep trusting God. Your story is still being written. What To Do Today 1. Take a break from comparing your life with people around you or people you follow online. 2. Write down five things you are grateful for and thank God for them. 3. Identify one area of your life that needs improvement and make a practical plan to grow in that area. 4. Celebrate someone else's achievement today without allowing it to make you feel inferior. Prayer Lord, help me to stop comparing my life with other people. Teach me to appreciate what You have given me and to be faithful with the opportunities in my hands. When I see other people's success, help me to celebrate them without becoming discouraged. Give me patience to trust Your timing and wisdom to work faithfully in my own season. Help me to focus on my purpose and become the person You have created me to be. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Today, stop asking why your life is not like someone else's. Instead, ask yourself: What can I do with what God has given me? Focus on your journey, take one meaningful step, and trust God with the rest. ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: WEDNESDAY 26TH AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: FEAR GOD, PART 2 MEMORIZE: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7 (KJV) BIBLE READING: DANIEL 1:8-20 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. MESSAGE: Yesterday, I discussed some benefits of having the fear of God, and today I will discuss how having the fear of God can give you access to the secrets of His heart. The Bible says in Psalm 25:14 that the secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will reveal His covenant to them. God shares His secrets with those who fear Him, just like we humans tend to confide in those who believe in us and hold us in high regard. Abraham was someone who feared the Lord, and in turn, he was given access to the secrets of God's heart. When God wanted to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, He said, "...Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do," (Genesis 18:17). God can only say such about the people who fear Him because He knows that they will cherish His secrets. Daniel was another person who gained tremendous insights because of how he feared and honoured God. He was taken into captivity at a young age, but his fear of the Lord led him to remain faithful to Him. The Bible says in Daniel 1:8 that he purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the portion of the king's meat. He honoured God by being faithful to Him even in a foreign land and also led his companions to do the same. God, in turn, honoured his decision by making him and his companions ten times better than their peers (Daniel 1:20). When the king had a dream that none of the magicians in the land could tell or interpret, God revealed it to Daniel (Daniel 2:19). Beloved, when you fear God, you will never lack spiritual knowledge and insight because God will always make sure that you have access to it. Today's memory verse says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, and Psalm 111:10 also says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Everyone who feared the Lord in the Bible had access to uncommon knowledge. If you want to access that kind of knowledge, you have to fear God. If you want God to give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches in secret places, just as He promised in Isaiah 45:3, you must honour Him with your thoughts, decisions, and actions. I pray that the Almighty God will give you access to the secrets of His heart as you honour Him with your life, in Jesus' name. KEY POINT: Those who fear God have access to uncommon insights and knowledge. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: EZEKIEL 9 - 12 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:

Lifeline Today Wednesday August 26 Pursue Purity Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 One major attribute that will attract people to you is the state of your heart; how pure it is. Moral purity is like an aroma, a fragrance that releases the beauty of God’s holiness. If we are to succeed by faith, we must also live a corresponding life of purity and holiness. Purity is vital to faith. There cannot be faith in the heart unless there is holiness in the life. You pursue purity by exposing your conscience constantly to the Word of God. As you do, your heart grows strong and insists on doing right, condemns wrongdoing, causes remorse over sin and rewards righteousness with peace. Your inward purity which is reflected in your outward action singles you out for favour where others are rejected. Purity has to do with moral discipline that starts from self. No matter how gifted you are, your gift will never reach their maximum potential without the application of self-discipline. This is your day. Wisdom Fountain: "Keep your heart pure. A pure heart is necessary to see God in each other. If you see God in each other, there is love for each other, then there is peace." Prayer: Heavenly Father, create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Purify my thoughts, my motives, and my desires. Help me to turn my eyes away from worthless things and guard my words. Give me the strength to resist temptation and to run from things that lead me away from You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so my actions bring honour to Your name in Jesus' name.