A concise commentary on Galatians Galatians 6:1-2 Verse: Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. Commentary: Paul encourages gentle restoration and mutual support among believers. Application: Approach others with compassion and support, fostering a caring community.

THAT WAS THEN. THIS IS NOW. BUT WHAT HAPPENED THEN CAN HAPPEN AGAIN. When we read the book of Acts, we see a church marked by boldness, prayer, sacrifice, biblical conviction, community, mission, and an unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ. https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/23/that-was-then-this-is-now-but-it-can-happen-again/ The early church wasn't perfect. Scripture openly records its struggles, disagreements, and failures. But there was something unmistakable about those believers: 🔥 Christ had the preeminence.
🔥 They feared God more than people.
🔥 They prayed believing God could move.
🔥 They were willing to sacrifice for the gospel.
🔥 They lived with eternity in view.
🔥 They confronted sin while extending grace.
🔥 They cared deeply about reaching people with Jesus. The question isn't whether we can somehow recreate the first century. The question is whether we are willing to recover those same spiritual priorities in the twenty-first century. Before pointing at everything wrong with the church today, we should ask: Lord, what needs to change in me? Am I more concerned with God's approval or people's approval? Am I willing to stand for truth when it costs me something? Is Jesus truly first in my life? Do I pray expecting God to work? Am I more passionate about the gospel than my preferences? Do I live like eternity is real? We don't simply need better programs, bigger churches, or newer strategies. We need Christ-centered churches filled with surrendered people who believe the gospel is true, Jesus is alive, eternity is real, and the mission is worth our lives. Maybe our prayer needs to become very simple: Lord, do it again. Read the full blog and consider what it would look like for the church—and for each of us individually—to recover the passion, courage, holiness, prayer, and mission we see in the book of Acts. #ChurchRevival #BookOfActs #JesusChrist #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #Faith #Prayer #Repentance #GreatCommission #Gospel #FollowJesus #ChristianChurch #SpiritualRenewal

One failing of the American church today - there are surely others as well, but I'm going to focus on this one - is the lack of connection. The book of Acts tells us that the church met daily. House to house. Breaking bread. Of course with fellowship, and that would mean mutual support. Now that does not mean we have to meet together every day. Nor does it mean that we must go from house to house. Our modern culture and society is different. And that's ok. We don't have to copy, to the detail, the methods of that time. But the spirit of the idea should remain the same. But when the normal for us is to show up three minuets before the beginning of the Sunday morning service, and be in our cars driving away three minutes after the final benediction, we're never going to have connection with our fellow believers. You can't offer a quick handshake and a "how are you doing?" and a "good to see you," as we pass on down the aisle toward our own seat, and call that "being friendly." You could do that every Sunday morning for years and never actually know the other person. Some of us remember when after Sunday morning church, we'd either invite someone to come have dinner at our house, or have someone invite us to theirs. It is over a meal that you get to know the person. What is that person, or that family going through right now? What might be the struggles they're dealing with? But we seem to live in a time when nobody wants to know anything about our neighbor. That person, or that family who sits in the pew in front of us, or behind us. And we don't want anyone else to know about us either. Certainly not know our business. But that's not the accurate definition of a "body of Believers." So what are we going to do to change that? Or would we rather keep it as it is. It's more tidy that way, we believe, and that's the way we seem to like it. But that is not the way of the church.

A Life That Reveals God Has a Greater Impact Than Lips That Merely Speak About Him! The Christian life is not merely about speaking about God; it is also about revealing through our lives that God lives within us. It is not only important how beautifully we speak about the name of God. What truly matters is whether people can see God through our conduct, words, decisions, relationships, forgiveness, integrity, and love. Jesus said: > “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Notice this the purpose of our good works is not for people to glorify us, but for them to glorify our Heavenly Father. Our lives must become a living testimony. If we speak about love, that love must be revealed in the way we forgive even those who hurt us. If we speak about faith, it must be revealed by trusting God even when circumstances are against us. If we speak about holiness, it must be revealed by living a holy life even when no one is watching. If we speak about God's grace, it must be revealed by showing grace even to those who have wronged us. Our lives should never contradict the message our lips proclaim. Joseph did not spend his time in Egypt merely preaching about God. Yet through his integrity, purity, wisdom, and fear of God, those around him recognized that the hand of God was upon his life. Daniel was the same. He did not simply say that he trusted God; even under pressure, he refused to compromise his prayer life. His life became the evidence of his faith. The world often sees our lives before it listens to our preaching. Therefore, every day we must ask ourselves: When someone looks at my life, do they see me or do they see Christ living within me? Glorifying God is not something we do only during Sunday worship. It must happen at home, at work, in our relationships, in solitude, in trials, and in times of success everywhere and at all times. More powerful than what you say is the way you live; your life is the strongest testimony of your faith. Let us proclaim God with our words and glorify Him through our lives. Hepsi Sam ✍️

Dear God, thank You for this new day and for the truth that eternal life isn’t something I have to wait for, it’s already mine. Your word in John 5:24 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” God, I’ve heard Your word and I believe in You, and that’s enough to pass me from death into life right now. Help me really understand the weight of that today and not just read past it like it’s ordinary. I don’t want to live like eternity is something far off. I want to live like it’s already mine, because it is. I give You all the praise for a salvation I could never deserve. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. -Psalm 23:6

Check out ORTHODOX MORNING PRAYERS & READINGS for Monday, Aug. 24, 2026: https://robertdhosken.substack.com/p/check-out-orthodox-morning-prayers-855 And go to: https://Agape-Biblia.org/Morning-Prayers.htm to see how to JOIN US “LIVE” daily at 7 a.m. ET. We have room for more people in our “live” Morning Prayers, so check it out and JOIN US “LIVE”!

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

Three Angels Broadcasting Network Devotional. A Childlike Faith By Jill Morikone August 24th, 2026 “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 It was time for my phone call with my nephews. My sister’s children—all boys—live in North Carolina. Since we don’t get to see them as often as we like, our phone time became a special time to learn about their lives. Caleb, who was five years old, usually saved his time for last. He picked up the phone, and I prepared to hear about his Lego set or what the cat did that day. His first words, however, stopped me in my tracks: “Auntie Jill, I’m so happy because I asked Jesus into my life.” A lump formed in my throat. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so proud of you!” I fought to keep the tears out of my voice. “That’s the best decision you’ll ever make.” His childish voice prattled on. “I can’t read the Bible yet, but when I want to be mean to my brothers, I ask Jesus to help me. I love God more than anything else, and I get to talk to Him every night!” The conversation turned quickly to something else, but his words burned in my mind. Was that the secret to walking with Jesus? Later, I thought about the simplicity of his faith, as I talked to a woman on the phone. “If I could only know Jesus forgives me. Do you think He’d accept me after what I’ve done?” As she talked, I heard a childish voice in my mind—Auntie Jill, I’m so happy because I asked Jesus into my life! Then, a coworker stopped by my desk. “I’m so irritated by this woman!” Again, I heard a little voice—When I want to be mean, I ask Jesus to help me. Toward evening, I received an e-mail: “I know I shouldn’t because I’m married, but I’m having feelings for someone else.” Again, I heard Caleb’s voice, I love Jesus more than anything else! Is that the secret to walking with Jesus? A childlike faith—Jesus has accepted and forgiven me. A childlike request—Help me, Jesus! Give me victory. A childlike love—I love Jesus above everything else. Father, restore in me the faith of a child.

Guidelines for living. August 24th, 2026 Your Prayers Can Start Revival If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Ezekiel was a priest who had been carried away by King Nebuchadnezzar and forced to settle in Tel Abib on the Chebar Canal in Babylon. As this man grew older, he grew both hungry for God and lonesome for his homeland, one that we know as Israel today. God revealed Himself to Ezekiel and told him of great things which were in the future for Israel. He explained, “The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’“ (Ezekiel 37:1-3). Talk about having to answer the Teacher! What do you say when God asks you a question? Dead bones are lifeless, hopeless—they’re finished. Yet, and this is what Ezekiel knew, God alone can reverse the hopelessness of dead bones, and wisely, very wisely, Ezekiel answered, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know!” Good answer! He passed the test. Then God told him to prophesy that breath would enter into them, tendons would be attached, then flesh, then life. Re-creation! It was a picture of Israel’s restoration. It is also a picture of what God does individually and corporately when He chooses to revive His people. While revivals—genuine spiritual renewals born of the Holy Spirit—have been milestones of the church from the days of the book of Acts to the present, they are the exception, not the normal, day-by-day, year-by-year sort of thing. Question: Is it possible that in the immediate future, God may again bring revival to His people around the world? Ezekiel called God, “Sovereign.” He knew that God answers to none, and that He is the one who responds to the cries of His people, asking Him to revive them and to restore them to the place of joy and service they once had. A history of revivals shows that while a Sovereign God does revive His people, they come in response to the cries of His people. Long ago God outlined the conditions which are necessary for revival. He said, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Are revivals simply a display of emotionalism or fanaticism? Not at all. They are displays of repentance, a searching for God, and the desire to be rejuvenated spiritually. In the early 1900’s, a revival swept the little country of Wales—it was birthed in a prayer meeting. An 18-year-old girl stood to her feet and she said, “I do love Jesus …” Starting to weep, she repeated those words, then sat down unable to speak. In the 1960’s, a spiritual awakening began at the FEBIAS College of the Bible, when missionary Chuck Holsinger spoke in the chapel and said, “The love of God, I cannot understand it,” and like a tidal wave which came from above, something swept over the students, who were confronted with the reality of God’s presence. What should have been a 50-minute service became an all-day prayer meeting that began something with far, far-reaching consequences. If your church is a valley of dry bones, there is hope. Resource Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:1-22

Bible Verse of the Day. Psalm 116:1-2 I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. NKJV.