Guidelines for living. August 18th, 2026 3 Steps to Finding a New Direction. This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” But you said, “We will not walk in it.” Jeremiah 6:16 Jeremiah the prophet was a man who needs to be rediscovered today. The circumstances surrounding his life and world have so many parallels to life today. How so? Well, for one thing, instability had gripped the world. Jeremiah’s beloved nation was about to be chewed up by the powerful tiger of Babylon. Social structures were failing too. Families were being torn apart; truth and morality had been sacrificed in the process. The priesthood had become politicized. No wonder Jeremiah seemed out of sync with his day—an old prophet who castigated the moral and spiritual decline. No wonder he was publicly scorned and privately castigated. There is a text in the book which bears his name which needs to be emblazoned on the conscience of every parent: God expects more, something more of His children, than that which satisfies the world. God spoke to Jeremiah, here’s what He said, “Stand at the crossroads and look; [and] ask for the old paths, [and] ask where the good way is, and walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16). There were three parts to that advice: First, go back to the crossroads, back to the place where you took the wrong path, and look. God is saying, “Hey, you’ve been down the wrong road. You’ve learned that it didn’t bring you the peace or contentment. Now stand there—mentally speaking—take a look down the narrow road, the one that seemed to be less exciting, and realize it was here you went wrong. Let’s stop for a moment. Is it ever too late to acknowledge that you went wrong? You may think so, but in reality, it is not. A thief on the cross, seeing his life ebb away minute by minute, came to that place; he cried out, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He went back to the crossroads and took the right path. Before you go back to the crossroads—that fork in the road where you went wrong—you must stop what you’re doing and mentally look back. Often, we think, “It’s too late for me.” Not so, friend. Coming to the end of the year is a time for reflection and to go back if you missed the right path. Step number two in this process is this: “Ask for the old paths where the good way is.” In reality, prayer is asking. It is saying, “God, I went wrong. You know that, and now I admit it. I don’t want the future to be a rerun of the mistakes of the past. Forgive me, show me the right way to go.” Israel had missed God, and in spite of their waywardness, God promised to help them if they would only come back to Him. He said, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). God will do the same for you as well. Step number three in this process of finding the right direction is this: When you have found the good way, “walk in it.” This is a matter of simple obedience, of putting your feet in a straight line in the direction you know God wants you to go. And with that simple step of obedience comes a great promise. God said, “you will find rest for your soul.” God did not force them, He invited them. Sadly, Israel rejected God’s invitation. Don’t do it, friend. Going back to the fork in the road requires courage and humility. Resource Reading: Jeremiah 6:1-30

TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST 2026 Topic: Do Not Let One Failure Define You Bible Reference “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.” Proverbs 24:16 (NKJV) A Short Story David had failed an important examination. He had studied, but not as much as he should have. When the result came out, the score was far below what he expected. He stared at the result for several minutes. He felt ashamed. Some of his friends had done well, and he could not stop comparing himself with them. When he got home, he threw his school bag on the floor and sat quietly. His mother noticed that something was wrong, but David did not want to talk. That night, he began thinking about himself differently. He started telling himself that perhaps he was not intelligent enough. Maybe he would always struggle. Maybe success was simply not meant for him. The failure had lasted only one examination, but David had allowed it to become a description of his entire life. The following morning, his youth leader called him. David explained what had happened. After listening to him, the youth leader said, “You failed an examination. You are not a failure.” Those words stayed with David. He went back to his books. This time, he changed his study habits. He asked questions when he did not understand something and stopped pretending that he understood what he did not. Months later, he sat for another examination. His result was much better. David learned something important. Falling was not the end of his story. Refusing to rise would have been. Today's Message Failure can make you question yourself. One mistake can make you believe that you are incapable of succeeding. But your failure is an event, not your identity. The Bible says that a righteous person may fall and still rise again. Notice that the scripture does not say the righteous never fall. It says they rise. God is not looking for people who have never made mistakes. He is looking for people who are willing to learn, repent when necessary, grow, and continue walking with Him. You may have failed in school, business, ministry, a relationship, or an important decision. You may have disappointed yourself. But do not allow one bad season to convince you that your entire future is ruined. Learn from what happened. Correct what needs to be corrected. Ask God for wisdom, and get up again. Your story is not over because you fell. What To Do Today 1. Identify what your failure taught you instead of only thinking about what you lost. 2. Correct one mistake that contributed to the failure. 3. Stop calling yourself what God has not called you. 4. Take another step instead of remaining discouraged. Prayer Lord, give me the strength to rise whenever I fall. Help me to learn from my mistakes without allowing them to destroy my confidence. Give me wisdom to do better and grace to keep moving forward. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Think about one failure that has been discouraging you. Write down one lesson it taught you and one thing you can do differently from today. ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist

HOW CAN WE TALK WITH JESUS Talking with Jesus is simply praying. You do not need fancy or big words. Just talk to Him out loud or in your mind like you would talk to a close friend or a loving father. Be honest about your feelings, your worries, and your joys. Steps to Start a Conversation: - Find a quiet place: Go somewhere with no distractions so you can focus your mind. - Be yourself: Do not try to sound holy or perform. Jesus wants your real, honest heart. - Share what is on your mind: Tell Him what makes you happy, and tell Him what hurts. - Listen and be still: Prayer is two-way. After you speak, pause, quiet your thoughts, and read the Bible to hear His guidance. - Adoration: Praise Jesus for who He is and His goodness. - Confession: Tell Him your mistakes and ask for His forgiveness. - Thanksgiving: Thank Him for the good things in your life. - Supplication: Ask Him for help, strength, or healing for yourself and others.

❤️ You are loved by God—always and forever. No matter what you’ve been through, remember that your worth is not defined by your mistakes, failures, or the opinions of others. God chose you, values you, walks with you, and offers forgiveness through His love. 📖 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” — John 3:16 Trust Him. Follow Him. Live for Him. ✝️🙏 If you believe God loves you, comment AMEN ❤️ and share this message with someone who needs to hear it today. #YouAreLoved #GodLovesYou #JesusChrist #ChristianFaith #John316 #BibleVerse #TrustGod #Faith #ChristianPost #Amen

🕊️ God's mercy is greater than your mistakes. 📲 Share this with someone who needs a reminder that they can turn back to God. #Psalm511 #GodsMercy #Lovingkindness #GraceOfGod #Repentance #Forgiveness #GodRestores #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #Lordsbook

TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST 2026 IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL Topic: Do Not Let One Failure Define You Bible Reference “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.” Proverbs 24:16 (NKJV) A Short Story David had failed an important examination. He had studied, but not as much as he should have. When the result came out, the score was far below what he expected. He stared at the result for several minutes. He felt ashamed. Some of his friends had done well, and he could not stop comparing himself with them. When he got home, he threw his school bag on the floor and sat quietly. His mother noticed that something was wrong, but David did not want to talk. That night, he began thinking about himself differently. He started telling himself that perhaps he was not intelligent enough. Maybe he would always struggle. Maybe success was simply not meant for him. The failure had lasted only one examination, but David had allowed it to become a description of his entire life. The following morning, his youth leader called him. David explained what had happened. After listening to him, the youth leader said, “You failed an examination. You are not a failure.” Those words stayed with David. He went back to his books. This time, he changed his study habits. He asked questions when he did not understand something and stopped pretending that he understood what he did not. Months later, he sat for another examination. His result was much better. David learned something important. Falling was not the end of his story. Refusing to rise would have been. Today's Message Failure can make you question yourself. One mistake can make you believe that you are incapable of succeeding. But your failure is an event, not your identity. The Bible says that a righteous person may fall and still rise again. Notice that the scripture does not say the righteous never fall. It says they rise. God is not looking for people who have never made mistakes. He is looking for people who are willing to learn, repent when necessary, grow, and continue walking with Him. You may have failed in school, business, ministry, a relationship, or an important decision. You may have disappointed yourself. But do not allow one bad season to convince you that your entire future is ruined. Learn from what happened. Correct what needs to be corrected. Ask God for wisdom, and get up again. Your story is not over because you fell. What To Do Today 1. Identify what your failure taught you instead of only thinking about what you lost. 2. Correct one mistake that contributed to the failure. 3. Stop calling yourself what God has not called you. 4. Take another step instead of remaining discouraged. Prayer Lord, give me the strength to rise whenever I fall. Help me to learn from my mistakes without allowing them to destroy my confidence. Give me wisdom to do better and grace to keep moving forward. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Think about one failure that has been discouraging you. Write down one lesson it taught you and one thing you can do differently from today. ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist https://t.me/anthonyijere https://chat.whatsapp.com/BDs9qaNMQumKTicv7uU7SJ?s=cl&p=a&mlu=0&ilr=0

“Every day is a new opportunity to draw closer to Jesus.” Every day, we are running after many things work, family, responsibilities, and the future. But every new day is the greatest opportunity God gives us: an opportunity to draw closer to Him. Yesterday, we may not have sought God. We may have grown weary in prayer or made mistakes. But today is a new day. Yesterday’s failures do not have to prevent us from experiencing God’s love today. We can once again sit at His feet, seek His Word, and listen to His voice. The Bible says: > “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8 Drawing closer to God is not something we do only once; it is a decision we need to make every day. When we take one step toward Him, He never leaves us or turns away from us. So, don’t look at today as just another day. See it as a new opportunity God has given you—to know Jesus more deeply, love Him more dearly, and walk more closely with Him. “Today, I will walk closer to Jesus than I did yesterday.” Hepsi Sam ✍️

Your Identity Is in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) Who are you? It sounds like a simple question. But for many people, the answer is shaped by what they have achieved, what others think about them, where they come from, how much money they have, how many followers they have, or even the mistakes they have made. We live in a world that constantly tells us to build an identity around something. Your career. Your appearance. Your relationship status. Your education. Your possessions. Your popularity. Your success. But all of these things can change. So what happens when you lose the job? When the relationship ends? When the opportunity disappears? When people stop applauding? When you fail? If your identity is built entirely on those things, your sense of worth can collapse with them. But God offers you something deeper. The Bible says: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” When you place your faith in Jesus, your past no longer has the final word about who you are. You are not simply your mistakes. You are not your failures. You are not the rejection you experienced. You are not what someone said about you. You are not your worst day. In Christ, you are made new. This doesn't mean your past never happened. It means your past doesn't have to control your future. Jesus offers forgiveness. He offers restoration. He offers a new identity. And He gives you a new reason to live. Maybe you've been comparing yourself to other people. Someone seems more successful. Someone looks happier. Someone has more opportunities. Someone has a bigger platform. But comparison can make you forget something important: God did not create you to become someone else. You don't have to copy another person's journey to have value. You don't need everyone's approval to be significant. Your worth comes from God. And when you understand that, you can stop living desperately for people's applause. You can celebrate other people's success without feeling threatened. You can accept correction without believing you are worthless. You can experience failure without believing your life is over. You can walk away from unhealthy relationships without believing you have lost your identity. And you can pursue your dreams without making those dreams your god. Your career is part of your life. Your education is part of your life. Your relationships are part of your life. Your achievements are part of your story. But none of them should become your identity. Jesus should. If you belong to Christ, your identity begins with Him. You are someone who has been offered grace. Someone who can receive forgiveness. Someone who can grow. Someone who can serve. Someone who can love. Someone who can start again. Someone whose life can be used by God. And if you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, you can begin today. You don't have to clean yourself up first. Come to Him honestly. Confess your sins. Trust Him. Receive His grace. And begin walking with Him. The world may label you by your past. Jesus sees what His grace can make you become. So stop asking only: “What do people think about me?” Start asking: “Who does God say I am?” Let His Word answer that question. And let your identity in Christ become stronger than every label the world puts on you. You are more than your achievements, more than your failures, and more than people's opinions. In Christ, you can become a new creation. What label or past experience do you need to stop allowing to define you? #IdentityInChrist #2Corinthians517 #NewCreation #WhoYouAreInChrist #GodsGrace #FaithInAction #ChristianYouth #JesusSaves #ShareJesus #DailyFaith #Lordsbook #JMSM #KNKA

*TODAY'S PROPHETIC DECLARATION - MONDAY, 17TH AUGUST, 2026.* 🌟*I WILL WAIT FOR MY CHANGE TO COME*🌟 📖 Scripture: “If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” — Job 14:14 (KJV). 🔥*Reflection – Your Waiting Season Is Not Your Final Season:* Job 14:14 expresses the heart of someone passing through a difficult season but refusing to give up hope. Job understood that life has appointed seasons, and he chose to wait for his change. There are moments when we pray and do not immediately see the answer. There are seasons when progress appears slow, doors seem closed, and circumstances do not look the way we expected. But delay does not mean denial, and a difficult season does not mean that God has abandoned us. Today, God is reminding you that your present condition is not necessarily your final destination. Continue to trust Him. Continue to pray. Continue to work faithfully. Continue to believe. Your appointed time is in God's hands, and He is able to bring change when the time is right. 🔊*Prophetic Declaration:* Today, I declare that my waiting shall not be wasted. I will wait upon the Lord with faith, patience, and confidence, knowing that He is working even when I cannot see what He is doing. I declare that my change shall come. Every season of stagnation, delay, disappointment, limitation, and frustration shall give way to a new season according to God's perfect purpose for my life. Today, I receive grace to remain faithful while I wait. I shall not abandon my faith because of temporary difficulties. I shall not allow disappointment to make me forget God's promises. I declare that the Lord is preparing me for the next chapter of my life. He is developing my character, strengthening my faith, increasing my wisdom, and preparing me for opportunities that are aligned with His purpose. I proclaim a new season over my family, ministry, work, business, studies, relationships, and destiny. May God bring renewal wherever there has been weariness, restoration wherever there has been loss, and progress wherever there has been stagnation. I declare that every legitimate prayer I have committed into God's hands shall receive His perfect response. Where God says yes, may the door open. Where He says wait, may I receive grace to wait. Where He says no, may I have the wisdom to trust His better plan. Today, I refuse to be defined by my past. My previous failures shall not determine my future. My disappointments shall not cancel my destiny. My mistakes shall not prevent God from accomplishing His purpose in my life. I declare that new opportunities shall arise according to God's will. New strength shall come upon me. New ideas shall flow. New doors shall open. New testimonies shall emerge. I proclaim that my hope in God shall remain alive. Like Job, I shall continue to trust the Lord even in difficult seasons. My faith shall survive the waiting period, and my testimony shall glorify God. My waiting has a purpose. My season will change. My hope is alive. My God is faithful. My change shall come! Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! 🙏🔥 ✅*Action Steps for today:* 1️⃣ Begin with thanksgiving: Thank God for sustaining you through every season of your life. 2️⃣ Read Job 14:1–14: Reflect on Job's perseverance and his decision to wait on God. 3️⃣ Declare: “I will wait for my appointed time; my change shall come according to God's perfect will.” 4️⃣ Surrender your timeline: Give God your expectations, deadlines, and unanswered prayers. 5️⃣ Keep working faithfully: Do not allow waiting to become an excuse for inactivity. Continue doing what God has placed in your hands. 6️⃣ Encourage someone: Remind someone who is going through a difficult season that their present situation is not the end of their story. 7️⃣ End with praise: Thank God in advance for the change, restoration, and testimony He is preparing. 🔥*Prayer:* Heavenly Father, Thank You because You are the God who holds my times and seasons in Your hands. Thank You for sustaining me through every difficult and uncertain season. Lord, give me grace to wait patiently for my appointed time. When I become tired, strengthen me. When I become discouraged, renew my hope. When I cannot understand what You are doing, help me to trust Your wisdom. Bring change into every area of my life that needs Your intervention. Bring restoration where there has been loss, progress where there has been stagnation, healing where there has been brokenness, and renewed strength where there has been weariness. Bless my family, ministry, work, business, studies, relationships, and destiny. Let Your perfect will be accomplished in every area of my life. Help me not to compare my journey with the journey of others. Teach me to trust Your timing and remain faithful to You while I wait. I believe that my story is not over. My season will change. My hope is in You. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🕊️ 🌿*Blessing for today:* May the Lord strengthen you in every waiting season. May He give you patience without frustration, faith without fear, and hope without disappointment. May every season of delay turn into a season of divine fulfillment. May the Lord renew your strength, restore your joy, establish your plans according to His will, and bring beautiful changes into every area of your life. May your family, ministry, work, business, studies, and destiny experience fresh grace and divine advancement (Amen).🙏 The season may be challenging, but God is still faithful. Keep trusting. Keep praying. Keep working. Keep believing. 🌱 Your waiting has a purpose. 🔥 Your faith will not fail. 🌟 Your season will change. 🙌 Your testimony shall come. “I WILL WAIT... TILL MY CHANGE COME.” — JOB 14:14 Good morning beloved and do have a blessed, hopeful, and testimony-filled new week! 🙏🔥 Shalom! *Remember: Your confession is your possession.* *©️ Postulant C. O. Oyadosu.* _Please share with others, thank you and God bless you 🙏_ For counseling, prayers and partnership or you want to share your testimonies with us; please call or Whatsapp: +2348063128703 Or Email: clementoyadosu[gmail].com

LOST IN THE CHURCH: [BEING LOST IN CHURCH] Part Five Measuring Holiness There has been a great deception among many people who assume that holiness is measured by comparing a person’s good deeds with their bad deeds. When the scale of good deeds appears to outweigh the bad, they conclude that the person is holy. In this way, many have continued to measure Christianity by looking at what they have done and what they have not done. This kind of holiness focuses heavily on measuring sin according to the “Don’ts” found in Scripture. And this has become the interpretation of religion throughout history. It has continued to damage the Church and has contributed to leading many people to hell. Holiness or sin is not merely an action—not simply what a person does or does not do—but a condition of the heart. God is deeply concerned with the condition of our hearts. Actions are only the results of what is already inside the heart. Many have measured holiness by good deeds, yet the Lord does not look at things in that way. He looks at the spirit or intention behind every action, examining the manner and motive with which it was done. Therefore, the Lord is not simply looking for people who perform good deeds on earth, but for people who do what is right! There is a great difference between doing a good thing and doing the right thing. Sometimes the right thing may appear to be evil in the eyes of people. When the Lord commanded Israel to destroy the nations of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, as stated in Deuteronomy 20:17, could the world have called Him good? Yet we know without doubt that the Lord was doing what was right, because He does not make mistakes, and His works are always without error. Understand that sin is a condition of the heart, and there is One who examines the deepest intentions of the heart. A person can perform good deeds with an evil motive, while another can perform something that appears bad with a good intention. Therefore, it is very easy for a person to be deceived if they place their confidence in goodness or in their works. Indeed, evil kills; however, goodness can be responsible for deceiving and destroying even more people in the world than evil itself. One of Satan’s most powerful weapons for bringing destruction into the world comes through what appears to be good. There is hardly a greater deception Satan can use than coming to us dressed as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 Because sin is a condition of the heart, a person can be a murderer even if they have never physically killed anyone. Likewise, someone can be an adulterer before God even if they have never slept with a woman. For example, even if a lemon tree refuses to produce fruit, perhaps in an attempt to hide its nature, it cannot change and become a mango tree. We cannot remove sin from within ourselves by keeping the Law or by trying to be good. We must be transformed in our hearts as we hold firmly to the Cross. Otherwise, even if a person never commits an outward act of sin, that does not necessarily mean they are without guilt. Remember: even if a lemon tree does not produce fruit, that does not mean it will be counted as an orange tree. Circumcision of the Heart Essentially, there is no action a person can perform that can change their inner nature. Things such as religion and the Law can change the outward appearance, but they cannot transform the inner person. Christianity does not begin from the outside and move inward; rather, it begins from within and moves outward. Therefore, through religion, the Law, happiness, habits, the desire for praise, and so forth, it is entirely possible for a person to do good outwardly while not actually being good in their heart. That is why the Lord used circumcision as an illustration of removing the outward covering of hypocrisy, so that what is inside would correspond with what is outside. This was the foundation of the circumcision commanded by the Lord in the house of Israel, when He instructed them to circumcise the foreskin of their bodies. And was this not a prophecy concerning the circumcision of the heart in our present age, when we look to Christ, as it is written in Philippians 3:3: > “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.” If you are in church and have not been born again, understand that your nature has not been transformed. Therefore, even if you pretend to do good, fast extensively, keep all the Laws, observe all the ancient festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths, understand that hell awaits you! And these are words of truth. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Amen! #ToBeContinued... Mwl. Ernest Nyalula #LostInTheChurch #CircumcisionOfTheHeart #TrueHoliness #BornAgain #HeartTransformation #ChristAlone #GraceAndTruth #Christianity #FaithInChrist #TheGospel #JesusChrist #KingdomOfGod #LordBook #SpiritualGrowth #TruthOfTheGospel🙏