🙏 Pray to forgive offences from the heart. 🌐 Read the full Blog: www.breakfreetoday.org/prayer-to-forgive-offences #BreakFreeToday #WellnessJourney #Healing #Therapy #BreakTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters #SelfCare #PersonalGrowth #GodsGrace #LivingFree #Spirituality #Prayers #Life

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Romans 16:17 While the Scripture admonishes us to love one another, it also reveals those we should avoid. And one of such categories of people to avoid which are those that cause division amongst us. We are not to hate them but to avoid them. Matter of fact, it is love to avoid them. They cause division by inciting others to hate another, bring gossip, give wrong interpretation, misinformation and always point out what is wrong or what is not done so as to bring conflict that leads to division. They are always offended and everything gets them angry. This is a tool in their hands to cause division. These kind of people will always find a way into our midst: in the church, family, business and association, and the best way to handle them is to AVOID THEM. Don't just relate with people, mark who they are and give them their rightful place. Don't mingle with people that cause division, they will take you away from your blessing. Interestingly, Miriam shows us the best reward for those who cause division. SELAH. YAHWEH IS ON YOUR SIDE TODAY PST EMAMUZO PETER

Romans 5: "1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 4: "1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

Dear Father, Today, I discovered that there is more to this Scripture than the natural occurrence of Joseph being sold to Potiphar and the jealousy of his brothers. It reveals a known pattern the enemy operates to destroy a man. The Scripture says: “And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit; and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” The pattern is, “Afflict the man, and he will lose sight of his dreams.” Strangely, afflictions may arise in various ways: frustration from the cosmos, discouragement from loved ones, betrayal and unreasonable offences, lack, distractions, losses, or even death. The point is, if it would make him lose sight of his destiny, let us bring it before him. With this, we are naturally ushered into the responsibility of discerning and prayerfully engaging with circumstances that bear natural patterns but may be inspired by demonic forces. Because how do we explain the inspiration behind the thought, “Kill the man, and his dreams will fade”? So, the wrestle does not really seem to be against the man, but against his divine destiny. Through this story, I have learned that we should not go wrestling with a person over their obvious displays of envy, or be discouraged by the hostility of the people we love. If destiny is the plan, its fulfilment must remain the focus, because there will be no fulfilment of destiny without spiritual warfare. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #destiny #afflictions #Josephstory #patterns

Dear Father, Today, I discovered that there is more to this Scripture than the natural occurrence of Joseph being sold to Potiphar and the jealousy of his brothers. It reveals a known pattern the enemy operates to destroy a man. The Scripture says: “And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit; and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” The pattern is, “Afflict the man, and he will lose sight of his dreams.” Strangely, afflictions may arise in various ways: frustration from the cosmos, discouragement from loved ones, betrayal and unreasonable offences, lack, distractions, losses, or even death. The point is, if it would make him lose sight of his destiny, let us bring it before him. With this, we are naturally ushered into the responsibility of discerning and prayerfully engaging with circumstances that bear natural patterns but may be inspired by demonic forces. Because how do we explain the inspiration behind the thought, “Kill the man, and his dreams will fade”? So, the wrestle does not really seem to be against the man, but against his divine destiny. Through this story, I have learned that we should not go wrestling with a person over their obvious displays of envy, or be discouraged by the hostility of the people we love. If destiny is the plan, its fulfilment must remain the focus, because there will be no fulfilment of destiny without spiritual warfare. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #destiny #afflictions #Josephstory #patterns

Lifeline Today Sunday August 2 Wisdom for Winning For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. Ecclesiastes 7:12 (NKJV) Life is a battlefield not a soccer field, warfare not a funfair, a wrestling and not a resting. Every confrontation, temptation, oppression, affliction, delay and loss is an attack on your faith. It is not against your person, possession or position though all these get affected along the line, but the main target of the enemy of your destiny is your faith. Though it is a fight of faith, it must be engaged in wisdom. God has provided His wisdom as a major and principal defence against all known and unknown offences. It will take the wisdom of God to win and reign in life. While faith connects us to heaven for possibility of victory, wisdom of God in application makes that victory a practical reality on the earth. Faith is the access to the spirit world, while wisdom of God leads us to discover, locate and possess what we know belong to us here on earth. This is your day. Wisdom Fountain: “True victory is secured through deep foresight and planning before taking action.” Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for the spirit of wisdom and understanding. As I face every task, challenge, or goal, clear my mind of fear and confusion. Give me the insight to make the right choices, the strategy to do my very best, and the discipline to stay the course. Guide my steps and grant me the victory that comes from Your perfect plan in Jesus' name.

ABOUT "QUAD-PALS" Their fall was fermented by a faulty foundation and forced, without a fight, by a forceful federation; yet, they forgot not His manifold favours and stood fast and firm in faithfulness to their faultless Father who was falsely deemed infamous by not a few folks for forsaking them to their fanatical foemen. They were tagged fake and foolish; still, they followed His former fitting formula as one fold; which the fibbing flocks found too formal and far-fetched for their flawed furnished fortresses and offices. The few faithful continued in fellowship with their Father against the famous free feasting, festivities and fanfare, having full foresight that their fall was only fatal but not final. In His faithfulness, He fortified them against the fatalities intended by their foes’ ferocious facilities, and favoured them with flair, like falcons, far beyond their natural facilities, forte and festered fate – and they forged ahead to become fantastic among fanatics and flourished ten times more than the fortune-tellers of their times while flying His flag in a foreign land. Furthermore, they fared fervently and fearlessly in the face of flame and fury, and came out as fresh as flowers, leaving their foremen with their foes flabbergasted, and making them fumble for their faith which ended up in a flood of flop right before their face. Finally, they finished their flights with freedom in sight, and forgoing all offences; they fully fulfilled their destinies, despite their fathers’ failure – all thanks to their unfeigned faith, unflinching focus and unfailing fortitude in their forever faithful Father who neither falters, faints nor fails. Quad-Pals sets forth the adventures of four friends who are fitted in one purpose and pursuit, in a progressive pilgrimage. Kaptain Lamblion JC

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🌺🌹🎁🎀💝 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY THURSDAY JULY 30, 2O26. "DEAL WITH THE STUMBLING BLOCKS (2)" 'Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block…in your brother’s way.’ Romans 14:13 NIV HERE ARE two more stumbling blocks you need to remove in order to win someone to Christ: 1) boredom. Jesus isn’t boring, but sometimes religion is. The story is told of a lady who fell asleep during the sermon. Pointing at the man sitting next to her, the pastor said, ‘Please wake that woman up!’ The man replied, ‘You put her to sleep, Reverend, you wake her up!’ Jesus is called ‘the Good Shepherd’ (John 10:11), and the Greek word for ‘good’ is ‘kalos’, which means ‘captivating’; that’s the Christ we need to present to those seeking spiritual direction. 2) money. It’s been said the most sensitive nerve in a person’s body is the one that runs to their wallet. Have there been financial scandals in the church? Yes. They even had them in the New Testament church (Acts 5). But don’t throw the baby out with the bath water! It takes money to build churches, feed and clothe the needy and send out missionaries. When money is in the right hands, it’s a solution, not a problem. Furthermore, if God can trust you to finance His plans, He will show you how to make more money. He said, ‘…I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit…’ (Isaiah 48:17 AMP). 3) discomfort. People say, ‘I just don’t feel comfortable in church.’ The truth can do that to you! The gospel is designed to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. When Paul preached, some people trembled, but when trembling leads to trusting in Christ, it’s a good thing. Bible In A Year: Deut 18-21; Matt 13:10-23; Ps 78:40-55; Pro 16:32. 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. [29/07, 8:53 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) THURSDAY 30TH JULY, 2026``` *GLORIOUS RESTORATION* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽✨🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:JEREMIAH 50:17-24```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead" (JEREMIAH 50:19).*_ *The story of Jeff, as published on the website of _Changed Lives Archives,_ narrates the amazing account of redemption and restoration of a wandering child come home. He grew up in the church and drifted away from the faith after the sudden death of his father. He pursued a career in rock music, which led him into broken relationships and addiction. However, through the persistent prayers and support of his aunt, Jeff experienced a spiritual revival. He surrendered his life to Christ. The good news and God's intervention must have accelerated his mother's miraculous healing and recovery from cancer.* *Stepping back into history, the children of Israel had been warned by God to ensure faithful obedience to His laws and complete separation from the contamination of the Gentile nations around them, as they were preparing to inherit the Promised Land. Unfortunately, they kept on disobeying God, and falling into rebellion and idolatry. Eventually, God expressed His divine displeasure after they had exhausted His long rope of love and overdrawn their cheque of mercy. Prophet Jeremiah warned them of the consequences of their disobedience to God and stiff-necked refusal to change their ways and return to the path of righteousness.* *The pronouncement of judgment eventually took its proper cause, and they went into captivity and suffered terribly in Babylon. The passage today, however, comes with a message of hope and comfort to the people of God. After the expiration of the period of their punishment, Jeremiah returned with a message of glorious restoration, refreshment and satisfaction in their land. Israel would have a second chance, after spending 70 years in exile.* *This teaches us that no matter how far anyone has wandered away from God, the loving arms of the Lord are wide open to receive such if only the individual will retrace their steps like the prodigal son and return to God, the Father of mercy. Our loving Father in heaven is longing to receive as many as will seek His face. A new season of glorious restoration and refreshing starts now.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*The door of restoration opens the moment a lost soul repents.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *EPHESIANS 4-6*📜📜 Glorious Restoration https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 157: WANDERING CHILD, O COME HOME; GHS 158: COME BELIEVING; GHS 159: WHY DO YOU WAIT?; AND GHS 256: REDEEMED* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna30thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [29/07, 8:53 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```THURSDAY 30TH JULY, 2026``` *DON'T JOIN THEM!* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️⚠️‼️🛑❌🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:PROVERBS 1:8-16```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not" (PROVERBS 1:10).*_ *_"Have You Counted the Cost?"_ is a song written by Arthur J. Hodge in 1923, calling us to prioritise our spiritual wellbeing above physical and temporal comfort and pleasure. Those who follow evil paths often end up entangled in greater sin and destruction.* *The pleasures that come with wrongdoing are short-lived and frequently result in regret, pain, and broken ambitions. This is what happened to Amnon, the first son of David, when he committed incest with his sister Tarmar.* *As youths, we must allow God's word, the wise counsels of our godly parents and righteous leaders in our schools and neighbourhoods to guide our actions and each step we take. Sinful temporary pleasures will lead to sorrow and the displeasure of God. They cause stagnation and backwardness in the long run. And may lead to eternal regret if there is no repentance.* *This is why the writer of our passage said that when sinners entice you, you must not follow them. When we resist the urge to follow the crowd, and walk in wisdom, we will experience the peace of living in alignment with God's word.* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*You must not follow them.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Have you counted the cost of joining a bad association?*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help and deliver me from joining bad companies.*_ Don't Join Them! https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday30thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [29/07, 9:05 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```THURSDAY 30TH JULY, 2026``` *AVOID BESETTING SIN* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️⚠️‼️🛑❌🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```GENESIS 26:6-11```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon" (Genesis 26:7).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Besetting sin is that bad thing you do constantly which makes God unhappy. It could be bad habits, telling lies, living a life of pretense, using abusive words, even after you confess to be born again. Isaac in our Bible passage never knew that his father (Abraham) told the same lies at the same place, and this continued in their family lineage unconsciously. Jacob, with the support of his mother, also told a lie to his father. Your sin will always follow after you, if you do not repent of it. Yours might be anger or hatred towards others. Jesus wants to remove such sins from your life and family lineage. *"And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live"* (Deuteronomy 30:6). *Tell Jesus to root out the adamic nature of besetting sin, and make you pure within and without. He will do it.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Dear Lord, root out every besetting sin in me, and circumcise my heart.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Hebrews 12:1-4* Avoid Besetting Sin https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk30thJuly2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [29/07, 9:22 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* THURSDAY, 30TH JULY, 2026. *BACKSLIDING, JUDGMENT, MERCY AND RESTORATION* *TEXT:* JEREMIAH 50:17-24. 17 Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones. 18 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria. 19 And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead. 20 In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve. 21 Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee. 22 A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction. 23 How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations! 24 I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD. *Timeless Truth:*_"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you"_ (Joel 2:25). *INTRODUCTION* The Book of Judges gives a summary of the events happening to the children of Israel as *"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."* . First there is obedience to the Word of God which leads to abundance of blessings and victory over the adversaries. Due to their abundance, they went back into idolatry and sinned after which there came oppression and defeat by the adversary nations for many years. In their afflictions, they cried to God and God showed His mercy and restored them. After restoration to blessings, then backsliding set in and the cycle continued to repeat itself. Such is the life of a believer who is not stable in the Lord. The history of Israel reveals both the severity and the goodness of God. When God's people departed from Him, they suffered oppression because of their disobedience. Yet, God never abandoned His covenant people forever. He promised to judge the cruel nations that afflicted them and to restore the repentant remnant. The text teaches that backsliding attracts divine discipline, wicked oppressors will not escape God's judgment, and sincere repentance always opens the door to God's mercy and restoration. *1. The Retribution for Backsliding* a. Israel is compared to a scattered sheep driven away by fierce lions. Israel, under the shepherd of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, was supposed to be an unconquerable ruler over every nation on earth since they were promised to be the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). They only enjoyed this blessing for a few moments under some of their good kings like David, Solomon, Hezekiah and Josiah. Why was the enjoyment of their promised blessings always short lived? Sin of different forms or different shades. What were the consequences) of their sins? Defeat and oppression from the adversaries. b. The Assyrian and Babylonian empires became instruments of God's chastisement because of Israel's persistent rebellion. Sin always weakens believers, exposes them to the enemy and robs them of the peace and blessings of God. Backsliding never leaves anyone better than before. A backslider deprives himself of the best of God. Though God disciplines His children, His purpose is to bring them to repentance and renewed fellowship with Him. *Question* Have you allowed any form of backsliding to expose your life to unnecessary suffering and spiritual defeat? *2. The Retribution for the Brutal* a. Although God used Babylon as an instrument of judgment, He also held Babylon accountable for its cruelty, pride and violence. *"Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria"*. The Lord declared that He would bring desolation upon the land, and trap the nation because it arrogantly opposed Him. No oppressor, persecutor or wicked person escapes God's righteous judgment. Those who exploit others, fight against God's people or exalt themselves against the Lord will ultimately face His justice. There are those who set up snares for God's people and those who are responsible for the fall of God's people. Such people will definitely be judged by God. b. *"Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"* (Matthew 18:3). Those who cause others to offend God or fall into sin will definitely be recompensed by God. *Question* Are you involved directly or indirectly ensnare, beloved of God, to fall by your life, compartments etc.? *3. Restoration from Backsliding* The marvels of God's mercy is God's grace and willingness to totally restore those who are backsliders and are sincerely repentant. Nobody is doomed for destruction except those who willingly reject the mercy of God. The final condemnation of sinners in hell is so severe that God is willing to forgive no matter the gravity of the offence and backsliding. The final word to His people was not destruction, but restoration. He promised to bring Israel back to their own pasture where they would enjoy abundance and satisfaction. Even more wonderful, He declared that their sins would be sought, but not found because He would pardon the remnant whom He preserved. This points to God's abundant mercy toward all who genuinely repent. Through His forgiveness, the repentant sinner is restored to fellowship, usefulness and spiritual fruitfulness. *Question* Have you genuinely returned to God so that you can experience His complete forgiveness and restoration? *Prayer Points* 1.Father, deliver me from every form of backsliding and keep my heart steadfast in my walk with You 🙏. 2.Lord, forgive all my sins, restore my spiritual strength, and renew my fellowship with You 🙏. 3.Help me to be watchful so that I will never be a source of the fall of anybody 🙏. 4.Heavenly Father, let Your mercy restore every blessing, opportunity, and spiritual inheritance each of Your children have lost through disobedience, in Jesus' name 🙏. *HYMN:* I have decided to follow Jesus *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* EPHESIANS 4-6.l. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ⏤ 2 Corinthians 12:9 Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected. ⏤ Jonathan Edwards O God, our Father, we, Your children, come to You for a blessing. Just as the earth needs the sun and rain from Heaven—so do our lives need Your grace, love, and life. We cannot live without You. Without blessings from You—our souls would die. Pour upon us Your grace and love as we bow at Your feet. We have duties to fulfill today, and we need wisdom to do them well. Please bestow upon us the grace that will prepare us for whatever You have planned for us. Help us to live together as a family in a way that honors You. Deepen our love for each other, and help us to be patient and kind in all our interactions. Help us to love like You do. Fill our hearts with Your love—then we will love truly. Destroy all selfishness in us and give us the mind of Christ Jesus. Help us to bear one another's burdens and to be patient with one another. Make our home more and more like Heaven. May we do Your will here as it is done in Heaven. May our love be like Heaven's love in its purity, tenderness, sincerity, and fellowship. Give us the grace to help each other grow spiritually, to make each other holier, and to encourage each other to love and good works. May we be a means of grace to one another. This morning, we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, that we may receive a new baptism of love as we go out for the day. Keep us from falling along the difficult way. Let no harm come to us. Shield us from temptation—or strengthen us to resist it. Bring us all home safely at nightfall when the day is done. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/25/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Holy Wit – Bible Study #8 Love in Deed and Truth (Walking in the Light: Studies Through 1 John) Scripture Reading (NKJV): 1 John 3:11–24 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [a]his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A11-24&version=NKJV 1. Two Ways of Life: Cain and Christ John presents two men whose actions reveal two entirely different spiritual families. Cain stands as the example of hatred, while Jesus Christ is the supreme revelation of love. Cain did not murder Abel because Abel had harmed him. He murdered his brother because Abel’s righteous life exposed the wickedness of his own. Cain’s hatred began in the heart before it appeared in his hands. His outward violence grew from inward rebellion against God. John therefore warns believers not to be surprised when the world hates them. The world’s hostility towards Christians is not always caused by something Christians have done. Sometimes faithful obedience itself becomes an offence because it exposes what people would prefer to leave hidden. This does not give Christians permission to be harsh, arrogant, or needlessly offensive. Believers must speak truth with humility and live peaceably wherever possible. Yet even a gracious Christian life may provoke resentment when it reminds others that God is holy and that all people are accountable to Him. Christ stands in complete contrast to Cain. Cain took the life of a righteous man to protect himself. Christ willingly gave His own righteous life to save guilty people. Cain sacrificed his brother for himself; Christ sacrificed Himself for His people. These two men reveal two spiritual directions. Hatred takes from others for the sake of self. Christian love gives itself for the good of others. Genesis 4:3–8 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+4%3A3-8&version=NKJV John 15:18–20 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A18-20&version=NKJV 2. Love as Evidence of Spiritual Life John does not teach that loving others earns salvation. He teaches that love is evidence that God has already given spiritual life. The natural condition of humanity is not spiritual neutrality. Apart from Christ, people remain under the power of sin and death. Salvation is God’s work of bringing sinners out of death and into life through faith in Jesus Christ. One visible result of this new life is a growing love for fellow believers. Christian love is not the cause of regeneration. It is the fruit of regeneration. A person may claim to know God, speak confidently about doctrine, participate in church activities, and display religious enthusiasm. Yet a settled pattern of hatred towards other believers contradicts that claim. John’s language is strong because the matter is serious. Persistent hatred belongs to the realm of death, not life. John compares hatred with murder because murder begins before blood is shed. Jesus taught the same truth when He traced outward violence back to anger and contempt within the heart. God judges not only what the hand does but also what the heart desires. This does not mean that a Christian will never become angry, speak wrongly, or struggle to forgive. Believers still battle sin. John is describing the settled direction of a life. The person who has been born of God cannot remain peacefully committed to hatred. The Holy Spirit convicts, corrects, and leads the believer towards repentance. Love for other Christians will never be perfect in this life, but it will be present. It may be weak, wounded, or inconsistent, but it cannot be entirely absent where spiritual life truly exists. 1 John 3:14–15 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A14-15&version=NKJV Matthew 5:21–24 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A21-24&version=NKJV 3. Christ Defines the Meaning of Love The world frequently speaks about love, but it often defines love as approval, attraction, affection, or personal fulfilment. John gives Christians a far more demanding definition. We understand love by looking at Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for His people. The cross does more than provide an inspiring example. Christ’s death was a substitutionary sacrifice in which He bore the judgment deserved by sinners. His sacrifice accomplished redemption. No Christian can repeat or add to that saving work. Nevertheless, the self-giving character of Christ’s love becomes the pattern for Christian living. Because Christ gave Himself for us, we are called to give ourselves for one another. John’s statement that believers ought to lay down their lives for the brethren includes the possibility of literal sacrifice, but it also reaches into ordinary life. Most Christians will never face a moment in which they must physically die for another believer. All Christians, however, will face opportunities to surrender time, comfort, money, attention, pride, and personal preference. It is possible to admire the sacrifice of Christ while carefully arranging our lives so that we never have to sacrifice anything for anyone else. John will not permit that separation. The love displayed at Calvary must begin to shape the lives of those who belong to the crucified and risen Lord. Christian love is therefore not merely warm feeling. Feelings may accompany love, but they do not define it. Love is a God-directed commitment to seek another person’s true good, even when doing so is inconvenient or costly. John 10:11 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A11&version=NKJV Romans 5:6–8 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A6-8&version=NKJV 4. Love Must Move Beyond Words John brings the discussion of love into a very practical situation. A believer sees a fellow Christian in genuine need and possesses the means to help. If that believer refuses compassion, words about love become empty. The issue is not that one person must meet every need. No individual possesses unlimited money, time, strength, or opportunity. Scripture does not command careless giving, nor does it forbid wisdom in distinguishing genuine need from manipulation. John’s concern is the deliberate closing of the heart. A person sees the need, possesses the ability to assist, and chooses indifference. Such a response raises a serious question: how can the love of God be dwelling in someone whose heart continually remains closed to the suffering of God’s people? Love in deed and truth is visible, practical, and sincere. It provides food when someone is hungry. It visits those who are lonely. It helps carry burdens. It forgives offences. It corrects gently. It listens patiently. It gives without demanding recognition. It remains present when a situation becomes uncomfortable. This love must also be governed by truth. Biblical love does not encourage sin, conceal destructive behavior, or treat every desire as good. Sometimes love comforts; sometimes it warns. Sometimes it gives material help; sometimes it refuses to support foolishness. Love seeks what is truly good according to God’s Word. Christian compassion therefore requires both tenderness and discernment. Deeds without truth may become harmful sentimentality. Truth without deeds may become cold religious speech. God calls His people to both. 1 John 3:17–18 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A17-18&version=NKJV James 2:14–17 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A14-17&version=NKJV 5. Assurance When the Heart Condemns Us John understands that sincere Christians sometimes struggle with assurance. A sensitive conscience may remember past sins, dwell upon present failures, and accuse the believer of hypocrisy. The heart may pronounce a harsher judgment than God has pronounced. John directs troubled believers away from endless examination of their own feelings and towards the character of God. God knows everything. His knowledge includes every sin, but it also includes every evidence of grace, every sincere act of repentance, every imperfect expression of love, and every hidden desire to obey Him. The believer’s assurance does not rest upon sinless performance. No Christian could stand before God on that basis. Assurance rests first upon the finished work of Christ and the promises of God. Yet John also teaches that the fruit of obedience and love provides confirming evidence that faith is genuine. A condemning conscience should not simply be ignored. Sometimes the conscience is correctly identifying sin that must be confessed and forsaken. In such cases, the answer is repentance. At other times, however, the heart continues to condemn after sin has been confessed. It may demand a perfection God has not promised in this life. It may treat every struggle as proof that no spiritual life exists. In such moments, the believer must remember that God is a more reliable judge than the fluctuating human heart. God knows those who belong to Him. He knows the difference between a hypocrite who protects sin and a believer who grieves over it. He knows the difference between a person who hates righteousness and one who sincerely desires holiness but often falls short. The Christian’s confidence is therefore neither careless presumption nor hopeless self-condemnation. It is humble reliance upon Christ, accompanied by the growing evidence of a transformed life. 1 John 3:19–20 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A19-20&version=NKJV Romans 8:31–34 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A31-34&version=NKJV 6. Obedience, Confidence, and Prayer John connects a clear conscience with confidence before God. When believers are walking in obedience, they are able to approach God freely in prayer. This does not mean that Christians earn answers to prayer through good behavior. God is not placed in anyone’s debt. Prayer is never a transaction in which obedience purchases divine favors. Rather, obedience and effective prayer belong together because the obedient believer is learning to desire what pleases God. A life shaped by Scripture produces prayers increasingly shaped by Scripture. The believer begins to ask for holiness, wisdom, strength, provision, forgiveness, the spread of the gospel, and the good of others. John’s promise that believers receive what they ask must be read alongside the rest of Scripture. God answers according to His will, wisdom, and purpose. He may give what was requested. He may delay. He may provide something different. He may refuse because the request would not serve His glory or the believer’s good. The obedient believer trusts God’s answer because prayer is directed towards a Father, not a machine. Confidence in prayer means confidence in God Himself, not confidence that every personal preference will be granted. Disobedience damages prayer because cherished sin hardens the heart and distorts desire. Obedience does not make a person worthy of blessing, but it removes the double-mindedness of asking God for help while deliberately resisting His authority. Psalm 66:18–20 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+66%3A18-20&version=NKJV 1 John 5:14–15 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A14-15&version=NKJV 7. One Command with Two inseparable Parts John gathers the Christian life into one unified command: believe in Jesus Christ and love one another. Faith and love must not be separated. Faith without love is merely an empty profession. Love without faith in the biblical Christ becomes moral effort without saving truth. Saving faith rests in Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God, the crucified Savior, and the risen Lord. It is not merely agreement that Jesus existed. It is personal trust in who He is and what He accomplished. Those who believe in Christ are then commanded to love one another. This love does not replace doctrine; it grows from doctrine. The more clearly believers understand the mercy shown to them in Christ, the less reason they have to remain proud, bitter, or indifferent towards others. John also speaks of mutual abiding. The believer abides in God, and God abides in the believer. This does not mean that Christians become divine. It describes a real spiritual union and continuing fellowship created by God. The Holy Spirit confirms this relationship. He illuminates the truth about Christ, produces obedience, creates love, convicts of sin, and enables perseverance. His presence is known not primarily through passing emotion but through a life increasingly submitted to the Word of God. The Christian life is therefore not sustained by human determination alone. God commands His people to believe, love, and obey, and He gives His Spirit to work within them. 1 John 3:23–24 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A23-24&version=NKJV John 14:15–17 (NKJV): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A15-17&version=NKJV Reflection Questions 1. Why did Abel’s righteous life provoke Cain’s hatred, and how does this help explain the world’s hostility towards faithful Christians? 2. What is the difference between occasional anger, which must be confessed, and a settled pattern of hatred? 3. How does Christ’s sacrifice define Christian love more clearly than emotion or sentiment? 4. Is there a need you have seen but avoided because helping would inconvenience you or cost you something? 5. How can a believer distinguish between the proper conviction of the Holy Spirit and continuing self-condemnation after repentance? 6. Why does obedience give believers greater confidence in prayer without earning answers from God? 7. In what ways does the Holy Spirit produce both truth and love in the life of a Christian? Prayer Points 1. Thank Jesus Christ for laying down His life to redeem guilty sinners. 2. Ask God to expose and remove bitterness, resentment, and hatred from your heart. 3. Pray for practical opportunities to love fellow believers through deeds of mercy and service. 4. Ask for wisdom to combine genuine compassion with faithfulness to biblical truth. 5. Pray for assurance grounded in the finished work of Christ rather than in changing feelings. 6. Ask God to bring your desires and prayers into greater agreement with His will. 7. Thank God for the indwelling Holy Spirit, who produces obedience, love, and perseverance in His people. For Further Study (NKJV): Genesis 4:1–16 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+4%3A1-16&version=NKJV Matthew 5:21–26 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A21-26&version=NKJV John 13:34–35 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13%3A34-35&version=NKJV James 2:14–18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A14-18&version=NKJV Romans 8:31–39 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A31-39&version=NKJV #HolyWitBibleStudy #GordonMcGinnis #WalkingInTheLight #1John3