Through political shaking, CJP protests, and uncertainty across our land, one thing remained constant—the Church fell to its knees in prayer. 🇮🇳🙌 News cycles show the turmoil, but prayer shifts the atmosphere. “Changa” isn’t just a song; it’s our prophetic declaration over India today. Jesus is restoring peace, bringing truth, and healing our nation from the inside out. “Tu changa karta hai, tu jeevan deta hai, Yeshu!” 🕊️🔥 🎵 Song: Changa 🙌 Original: Jaago Music 💬 Drop an “AMEN” in the comments to stand in agreement for our country today! 🇮🇳 . . . [Keywords: Changa Jaago Music, Tu changa karta hai, Pray for India, CJP protest, God is healing this country, Indian Christians prayer, Prophetic Hindi worship, Masihi prayer, Healing for India, Hindi worship flow, Sheldon Bangera, Bridge Music, Yeshua, Masihi status, National revival India, Desi Christian, Church praying for India, Jesus heals India] #Changa #JaagoMusic #TuChangaKartaHai #PrayForIndia GodIsHealingIndia CJPProtest HindiWorship ChristianReels MasihiGeet PropheticWorship JesusHeals IndianChristians DailyPray

Amazing Facts. Daily Devotionals A Sacred Gathering. July 14th, 2026 Rallies and protest marches in Washington, D.C. have been taking place since 1893, when Fry’s Army organized a protest march by unemployed American workers. Events held at the National Mall take place between the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. In 1995, the National Park Service quit releasing crowd size estimates for Mall rallies after a controversy concerning the Million Man March. Over the years, there have been marches against nuclear weapons, marches to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr., repeated protests against the Vietnam War, pro-life marches, pro-choice marches, and, more recently, the March for Our Lives student-led demonstration. Turnout was estimated to be between 1.2 and 2 million people, making it the largest protest in American history. The Bible encourages the “assembling of ourselves together,” not for the purpose of protest, but to worship God and fellowship with one another. The early church understood and practiced coming together. “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1). When the Holy Spirit was poured out, the results were astounding. “Those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (v. 41). Another reason Christians come together is for corporate worship. It affirms our identity as believers in God who “are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Such gatherings not only provide encouraging opportunities for interpersonal relationships and spiritual growth, but they become a witness to the world. “Believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (Acts 5:14). Apply It: What is the biggest crowd you have ever been in? Was it a sports event, a concert, a rally, or a church gathering? Dig Deeper: Deuteronomy 31:12, 13; Matthew 18:20; Colossians 3:16 Key Bible Texts And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Hebrews 10:24 KJV)

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS THE ONLY REMEDY TO END THE SWORD OF HEROD The Sword Is Still Moving The sword of Herod did not end in the first century. It still appears today in different forms—persecution, oppression, violence, injustice, intimidation, fear, and spiritual attacks against God's people. Many believers ask: "Why are righteous people suffering?" "How can the Church overcome the attacks of the enemy?" The Bible does not leave us without an answer. It reveals the only remedy that can stop the sword of Herod. Key Bible Texts Acts 12:1–12 > "Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword... Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." (Acts 12:1–5) Ephesians 6:18 > "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit..." Psalm 91:1–7 God's promise of divine protection for those who dwell in His presence. Isaiah 54:17 > "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper..." King Herod believed that the sword could silence the Church. He killed James. He arrested Peter. His intention was to destroy Christianity through fear. But Herod underestimated the power of a praying Church. The sword could kill a man, but it could not kill God's purpose. Whenever evil raises a sword against God's people, Heaven has a greater answer. Point 1: The Sword of Herod Represents Satanic Opposition Herod was more than a political ruler. He became an instrument of darkness against God's Kingdom. Today, the sword may appear as: Persecution Terrorism Kidnapping False accusations Economic hardship Sickness Spiritual warfare Jesus warned believers that persecution would come (John 16:33). The presence of opposition does not mean God's absence. Point 2: The Greatest Weapon Against Herod Was United Prayer Acts 12:5 says: > "Prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." Notice: The Church did not organize protests. The Church did not panic. The Church prayed. Prayer moved Heaven. Prayer sent angels. Prayer opened prison doors. Prayer broke chains. Prayer confused Herod's plans. A praying Church is a victorious Church. Point 3: God Can Deliver Even When Death Seems Certain Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. He was chained. Guards surrounded him. The prison gates were locked. Everything suggested that execution was inevitable. But one angel changed everything. No prison is too secure for God. No attack is stronger than divine intervention. No Herod can stop what God has ordained. Point 4: Herod's Sword Has an Expiry Date Acts 12:23 records that Herod himself was struck down after exalting himself against God. The same man who wielded the sword could not escape God's judgment. This teaches us: Evil has limits. Pride has consequences. God always has the final word. Psalm 75:7 says: > "God is the Judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another." Biblical Case Study Peter's Miraculous Deliverance (Acts 12) James was executed. Peter was next. Humanly speaking, there was no hope. Yet while Peter slept, the Church prayed. God sent an angel. Chains fell off. Prison doors opened automatically. Peter walked out alive. This miracle reminds us that God's deliverance often comes when hope seems lost. Modern-Life Illustration There are believers today who have escaped kidnappers, survived terrorist attacks, recovered from terminal illnesses, or been delivered from impossible situations after persistent prayer and unwavering faith. While not every faithful believer is delivered in the same way or at the same time, Scripture consistently teaches that God remains sovereign, present with His people in suffering, and able to intervene according to His perfect wisdom and purpose. Deep Spiritual Insights The enemy attacks people who carry divine assignments. Prayer invites Heaven into earthly battles. God's timing is always perfect. Sometimes God allows trials to strengthen faith, but He never abandons His children. The Church advances not merely through human strength but through dependence on God. Practical Action Steps 1. Build a consistent personal prayer life. 2. Participate actively in corporate prayer. 3. Study and confess God's promises daily. 4. Refuse to live in fear. 5. Trust God's sovereignty even during difficult seasons. 6. Stand with persecuted believers through prayer and practical support. Questions for Reflection Am I depending more on human solutions than on God? Is my prayer life strong enough to withstand spiritual battles? Do I remain faithful when facing opposition? How can I encourage and pray for Christians experiencing persecution? Powerful Prayer Points 1. Father, every sword raised against my life and destiny, let it be broken in Jesus' name. 2. Lord, send Your angels to deliver me from every visible and invisible prison. 3. Every chain limiting my progress, break by the power of the Holy Spirit. 4. Father, strengthen believers facing persecution around the world. 5. Let every plan of the enemy against Your Church be frustrated. 6. Fill me with boldness, wisdom, and unwavering faith. 7. Lord, let Your divine protection surround my family and all who serve You. 8. May my life continually testify to Your power and faithfulness. The Only True Remedy The remedy to the sword of Herod is not fear. It is not compromise. It is not retaliation. The Church's enduring remedy is steadfast faith in Christ, persistent prayer, unity among believers, and complete trust in God's sovereign power. The same God who delivered Peter still hears the prayers of His people today. Whether He grants miraculous rescue, sustaining grace through suffering, or ultimate victory in eternity, His purposes cannot be defeated. Call to Action Do not allow fear to silence your faith. Become a believer who prays without ceasing, stands firmly on God's Word, and supports the Body of Christ. As you trust the Lord and remain faithful, remember that no earthly sword can destroy the eternal purpose of God for your life. > "If God is for us, who can be against us?" — Romans 8:31. If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com Join our Facebook page for more messages below https://www.facebook.com/share/1FxrZHmdoW/ #UMOHEDEM

Daily devotion for July 3rd Prideful Humility No, said Peter, you shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered, Unless I wash you, you have no part with me. John 13:8 Peter's refusing to be washed by Jesus serves as a remarkable picture of the human need for the cleansing Jesus offers and the sinful pride of those who reject Jesus' cleansing ministry. Peter's actions ostensibly were prompted by humility. You can see the incredulity on his face when Jesus approaches him and he protests, Lord, You'll never do this to me! It sounds as though this is a humble statement, and that Peter is appalled that Jesus should ever take such a low position as to wash his feet. At first glance it does appear as though Peter's expostulation arises out of his own sense of unworthiness before Jesus. But when you look a bit closer, you can see that it is really the expression of intense personal pride. Peter is offended by Jesus' actions because he knows that if he were a teacher, he would never consider stooping to wash someone's feet because it would be beneath him. This is a rebuke to his self-sufficiency. He doesn't want Jesus to wash his feet. He would be content to wash Jesus' feet, but it is an affront to his sense of independence that Jesus should do anything for him. Peter shows this same pride later on when he offers to lay down his life for Jesus; he doesn't want Jesus to lay down His life for him. This is a revelation of the sinful pride of our own hearts, which often cloaks itself with a guise of humility, when we are really insisting on our self-sufficiency. We do not want to admit to anybody that we need anything. That is what Peter is doing here. He doesn't want to acknowledge his need to be washed, and, especially, of letting Jesus do this menial act for him. It humiliates him. And so he stands as an example of the pride in our own hearts that resists Jesus' ministry to us. One of the remarkable things about the gospel is that it is always bringing us down to the lowest point. We must stand in utter humiliation in order for God to minister to us. All human pride must be brought low before Him before we can receive what God wants to give us from His hand. And that is where we struggle. We don't like to be delivered to a place where we have nothing to offer. We want to add something. Peter is a clear picture of this. Then when Jesus explains to him, Unless I wash you, you have no part with me, Peter immediately capitulates to the other extreme: Lord, if that's the case, then by all means--not my feet only but also my hands and my head! In other words, he asked for a bath. Lord, forgive me for the pride that is often disguised as humility. Teach me that I desperately need You to minister to me and that I, myself, have nothing to offer.

Matthew 9:18 And he got up and went home. Jesus continues in His healing and preaching ministry. He was returning to His hometown where the people knew of him but didn't know him. As he enters his hometown He is greeted by a group of people carrying around a paralyzed man on a stretcher. Let's look at Jesus’ reaction to this. The first and foremost thing he said was, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” Jesus’ first priority was not the man's physical condition but his eternal condition. Think about it, these friends of this guy were bringing him to Jesus for healing. But the priority was his salvation. If Jesus had dismissed him without the healing, he would have still benefited from the encounter with Jesus. Jesus however emphasizes the true nature of his ministry by forgiving his sin. The scribes were not going to be happy with anything Jesus did or said. Their religious conviction taught them that only God can forgive sin, so their conclusion was that Jesus was blaspheming. So when Jesus counters their protests with an actual miracle of healing, they can ignore the fact a miracle was done and yet still be angry with Jesus. But the conclusion is clear, Jesus is saying, “This miracle is being done so you know I have God's authority to forgive sin. And if I have God's authority to forgive sin, that means, I am God. Jesus’ main mission was to forgive sinners, not to heal. The miracles were in confirmation of His message. Somehow some teach that if your life has been hard, or you've been in poor health, that your spiritual condition remains good. Or that at death, those with sad lives get extra consideration. That is not the case. Stephen Hawking lived for decades with a debilitating disease that left him infirm and confined to a wheelchair. But his lifestyle was that of any able bodied sexual deviant. He died without Christ, and the eternal body he received at his death exists in perpetual torment and suffering. Think of the moment a truly handicapped believer opens his eyes for the first time in death and he can walk, run, see and hear and he's doing so in his glorified body. A healing on earth would have been great, but healing without salvation is still just temporary and we have that to look forward to. I haven't been able to walk since 2020. I have been in constant pain and discomfort since 2018. And yes, I wonder sometimes why God isn't healing me. But though I am no where near the man the apostle Paul was, God has chosen to allow my “thorn in the flesh” to continue, for whatever reason. Nevertheless, not my will, but His be done. I have a day I'm looking forward to, a run through Heaven's gates, no more pain, no more wheelchairs I will be whole and fit. Until that day, I will thank Him for what He's done and tell others. Are you doubting Him because of circumstances in your life? Need encouragement or prayer? Contact me at DavidsPorch59[gmail].com. Matthew 9:1-8 [1] Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the Sea of Galilee and came to His own city. [2] And they brought to Him a paralyzed man lying on a stretcher. And seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man who was paralyzed, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” [3] And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” [4] And Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? [5] For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? [6] But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He *said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and go home.” [7] And he got up and went home. [8] But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

June "Pride" month. PRIDE, PROTEST, AND THE POSTURE OF THE HEART. James 4:6, Micah 6:8, Philippians 2:3-4 Every June, cities around the world are filled with banners, parades, and vibrant colors marking the celebration of Pride Month. For many in our culture, it is a season of profound significance. But for the Christian, the month often brings up a mix of tension, questions, and conflicting emotions. To navigate this month with the mind of Christ, we have to look past the surface and understand two things: the cultural history of why this month exists, and the eternal truth of what God's Word says about the human heart. The word "pride" operates on two completely different wavelengths depending on whether you are speaking to the culture or reading the Scriptures. We are going to look at Pride Month through the lens of its history as a protest, and then ground ourselves in what the Bible says about pride, justice, and how we ought to treat one another. To engage thoughtfully with the world around us, we must understand why Pride Month happens. It did not begin as a corporate-sponsored celebration or a simple festival. It began as a raw, historic protest. In June of 1969, police raided a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn in New York City. At that time in history, being openly LGBTQ+ was largely criminalized, and police raids, public shaming, and systemic violence were commonplace. The patrons at Stonewall decided they had reached a breaking point, resulting in several days of riots and protests. The first "Pride" marches were organized a year later to commemorate those riots. The purpose was not an expression of arrogance, but a protest against invisibility, hiding, and state-sanctioned mistreatment. In a cultural sense, the word "Pride" was chosen as the direct opposite of "Shame." It was a declaration that a marginalized community refused to live in the shadows of fear or violence. As Christians, we can acknowledge the historical reality that human beings have often mistreated, abused, and marginalized others. Scripture tells us that every single person is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). Therefore, any time human dignity is stripped away by cruelty or violence, it grieves the heart of God. We must always stand against the mistreatment of any image-bearer. While the cultural definition of pride in this context means "the refusal to be shamed," we must also look at what the Bible says about the word pride (גֵּאָה in Hebrew, hyperephania in Greek). In Scripture, pride is rarely spoken of as mere self-esteem. Instead, biblical pride is a dangerous spiritual condition. It is an attitude of self-sufficiency, a lifting up of the self above God and others. James 4:6 reminds us: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." Why does God oppose pride? Because pride convinces us that we do not need God. It tells us that we are the ultimate authors of our own identity, our own morality, and our own destiny. When the Bible warns against pride, it isn't just talking about a month on the calendar; it is talking about a daily condition of the human heart. Pride is the original sin—it is what drove humanity to reach for the fruit in the Garden of Eden, desiring to be "like God," deciding right and wrong for ourselves. Whether it manifests as self-righteousness in a church pew or self-determination in the streets, the Bible cautions us that leaning entirely on our own understanding separates us from the grace of a Savior. How then do we respond during this month? How do we balance the cultural reality of Pride as a protest against mistreatment with the biblical reality that humility before God is our highest calling? We look to Jesus, who came full of both grace and truth (John 1:14). If we have truth without grace, we become clanging cymbals—harsh, judgmental, and defensive. If we have grace without truth, we compromise the beautiful, transformative boundaries of God's design for human flourishing. The Bible calls us to a very specific posture in Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Act Justly: We must ensure that we never participate in or tolerate the hatred, mocking, or demeaning of LGBTQ+ individuals. Our speech must always be seasoned with salt. Love Mercy: We must remember our own brokenness. None of us have clean hands apart from the blood of Jesus. Mercy recognizes that we are all beggars showing other beggars where to find bread. Walk Humbly: The ultimate antidote to biblical pride is gospel humility. Humility acknowledges that God is the Creator, and we are the creation. He defines who we are, He sets the boundaries for our lives, and His design for identity and relationships is inherently good. Ultimately, Pride Month is a search for identity, belonging, and worth. The protest asks the question: "Do I matter? Am I seen? Is there a place where I don't have to hide?" The beautiful promise of the Gospel is that the ultimate answer to those questions isn't found in a movement, a culture, or even in our own self-expression. It is found at the cross. In Christ, you are fully seen, fully known, and deeply loved—not because of what you have achieved or how you define yourself, but because of what He did for you. As we navigate this month, let our hearts be free of arrogance, full of compassion, and steadfastly anchored in the humility of the Savior who emptied Himself for us (Philippians 2:7). Questions for Personal Reflection: 1. In what areas of my own life am I letting biblical pride (self-sufficiency) take the driver's seat instead of trusting God's word? 2. How can I better reflect the perfect balance of Christ's grace and truth to those in my community who view this month differently than I do? Lord God, You are the Creator of all things, and You hold the universe in Your hands. We confess that our hearts are prone to wander and prone to pride. Forgive us for the times we have sought to be our own gods, and forgive us for the times we have failed to show love and dignity to Your image-bearers. Give us the grace to walk humbly before You this month. Teach us to stand firmly on Your truth while loving our neighbors with a fierce, Christ-like compassion. May our lives be a protest against darkness, and a celebration of Your light. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Mᴏᴜɴᴛ Sɪɴᴀɪ Day 6 – Fourth ascent, intercession “𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯; 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥, 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘔𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘪 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘬𝘦, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦. 𝘐𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘭𝘺. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘺 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘪, 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘶𝘱.” 𝘌𝘹𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘴 19:16-20 𝘕𝘒𝘑𝘝 Can you imagine standing in that crowd with the Israelites, looking up at this terrifying scene? Here was a nation that had known only the cracking whips of Egypt. They had never travelled beyond those borders until now, and they likely had never seen a mountain at all, let alone one engulfed in thunder, lightning, smoke, and fire. Understandably, they trembled in absolute fear. It is during this fourth ascent that Moses actually protests. He reminds God, “𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘪. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘴... ‘𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘺.’” Moses was concerned about the safety of the people, but he missed a vital point: 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀; 𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Throughout the Bible, the theme of testing is often illustrated with fire. Moses didn't protest because he was tired of climbing the mountain 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. He climbed despite the smoke, the thunder, the fire, and the earthquake. The nation had asked him to 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥𝘦 on their behalf, promising they would listen to him as their mediator (verses 18–19). Lovely one, there are days when our personal mountains look exactly like Sinai, shrouded in smoke and shaking with uncertainty. Often, these mountains involve the people around us, and this fourth ascent teaches us the power of intercession. It calls us to step up and pray for others, regardless of how we feel about the mountain we are currently climbing. Pray with me: Father, give me strength and a bold spirit to obey Your voice regardless of what the mountain in front of me looks like. Situations come with their own fire and earthquakes, but thank You, Lord, for being on top of it all. Let Your Word purify me. Teach me during these climbs to intercede for others, too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Pastor Iriza www.womenoftheword.co.za

EVERYTHING WE HAVE COMES FROM GOD “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16 NLT) Have you ever felt jealous or slighted by what others achieve? Do you seem to work harder than those on your team but never find yourself up for the promotion? Or maybe all your friends are getting married and starting families, yet you’re in a season of singleness doing life without a spouse and a family, all while longing for that next chapter in your life. Maybe your family or friends seem to be getting ahead, landing that job, buying a house, or traveling to exotic places. Sometimes life seems to be very unfair. It may feel like you’re doing all the “right things” while others are getting ahead, cutting corners, or simply not working as hard as you. This is how the vineyard workers felt in the parable of Matthew 20:1-16. Jesus tells of a landowner who went out and found some workers to help him in his vineyard. He offered them a job and said he would pay them a specific amount of money. They agreed and went to work. The landowner went out a few more times later in the day and made the same offer for the same pay to other men.  At the end of the day, the landowner tells the foreman to pay the men the wages due them. The men who had worked from the very beginning of the day expected to be paid more than those who had only worked an hour, yet they all received the same pay.  In Matthew 20:13-16, we see how the landowner responds to their protests: “Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’ So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” What was Jesus communicating to us through this parable? Everything we do is for God, and everything we do is because God has given us the ability to do it. We cannot do anything apart from God. The mere fact that we are allowed to serve God is a gift from Him. Theologian Charles Spurgeon notes that “the ability to serve God is the gift of God's grace.” God gives us the ability to serve Him because everything we do comes from Him. Spurgeon goes on to say,  Our reward will not be according to the impression made among men. We may have made our mark upon our age, and neighborhood, and surroundings. Some men's names will go down to posterity; others have no fame at all. It will be found of some men that their lives are written and emblazoned everywhere. Others will live in the little circle of their family, but not beyond that narrow range. But God will not measure so. The godly housewife, with four or five children trained for God in her cottage, may be reckoned of God among the first; and the able speaker, in his pulpit, who has thousands hanging on his lips, may be reckoned of God among the last. God has his own ways of measuring up men's works. At the end of the day, we can glean from this passage that we need to be thankful for where we are in life and where God has us. God will decide who is first and who is last. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we need to focus our time and efforts on serving God, all while finding joy in the stage of life He has us in!  God bless you! 

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: TUESDAY 19TH MAY 2026 TOPIC: WHEN GOD SPEAKS MEMORIZE: "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." Genesis 1:3 (KJV) BIBLE READING: PSALM 29:1-11 1 Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. 2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. 7 The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. 10 The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever. 11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. MESSAGE: In today's memory verse, God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. When He commanded light into existence, He was declaring that darkness should disappear, sorrow should give way to joy, and stagnation should give way to promotion. God's word changes lives and situations. When His word comes to a fellow, that person will experience a great turnaround in every aspect of his or her life. Psalm 29:4 says that God's voice is powerful and full of majesty. Every time God speaks, all beings in heaven and on earth tremble to do His bidding. Since we know how powerful God's voice is, we must be careful about what He says concerning us. We must be careful to ensure that He doesn't pronounce anything negative over us because it will surely come to pass. We must also ensure that He speaks blessings over us because when He does, they will be irreversible. You might be asking, "How can I get God to speak irreversible blessings over me?" In Genesis 27:1-4, Isaac wanted to bless Esau, and to properly position him for the blessing, he told him to get his weapons and hunt for venison in the field. He also asked him to prepare it in a way that he loved so that after eating the meal, he would bless him. Jacob, however, pretended to be Esau, his brother, and tricked their father into giving him the blessing that was meant for Esau. Later on, when Isaac discovered he had erroneously blessed Jacob, he was unable to reverse the blessing (Genesis 27:33). Hebrews 12:17 tells us that Esau's protests and tears could not reverse what Jacob had received. Isaac wanted Esau to serve and please him before he could bless him. The same is true if you want God to bless you. People who serve God wholeheartedly and please Him in their thoughts, words, and actions always receive His blessings. A fellow cannot keep doing what his or her father hates and expect to be blessed by him. He or she cannot continue displeasing him and disobeying his instructions and expect to be looked upon favourably by him. Beloved, does your life please God? Do you shun sin and run away from the things He hates? Do you obey His instructions willingly and promptly? If your answer to all these questions is "Yes", then you can expect Him to constantly speak His blessings over you. He will always pronounce blessings over His children in whom He is well pleased. PRAYER POINT: Father, please help me to live a life that pleases You always, so I can be properly positioned to receive Your irreversible blessings. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: EZRA 5 - 7 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMNAL 3 - ANCIENT WORDS 1 Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world, They resound with God's own heart Oh, let the Ancient words impart. CHORUS: Ancient words ever true Changing me, and changing you. We have come with open hearts Oh let the ancient words impart. 2 Words of Life, words of Hope Give us strength, help us cope In this world, where e'er we roam Ancient words will guide us Home. CHORUS: 3 Holy words of our Faith Handed down to this age. Came to us through sacrifice Oh heed the faithful words of Christ. CHORUS: 4 Holy words long preserved For our walk in this world. They resound with God's own heart Oh let the ancient words impart. CHORUS:

Please remember the precious island of the UK, it is my homeland. Despite me living in China, my heart hurts when I see it just like this past weekend, protests in the streets. America was having a re-dedication of its values, this is what Britain needs, please pray urgently and fervently for my land, just as Nehemiah did, he sat down and wept when he heard about his homelands bad situation. Thanks Keith