THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST 2026

IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL

Topic: Don't Spend Money Just to Look Rich

Bible Reference

One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbour.
Proverbs 17:18 (NIV)

A Short Story

Michael had recently started working, and for the first time in his life, he had a regular income. He was excited because he could finally afford some things he had wanted for a long time. However, he soon became more interested in looking successful than in becoming financially stable.

Whenever he saw his friends buying expensive phones, clothes, shoes, and watches, he felt uncomfortable using the things he already had. He wanted people to see that he was also doing well. One weekend, he spent almost half of his salary on a new phone because he wanted to take better pictures and appear more successful on social media.

A few weeks later, his friends invited him to an expensive outing. Michael did not have enough money, but he did not want to admit it. He borrowed money from someone and joined them. After that, he borrowed again to buy clothes for another event. Before long, a large part of his monthly income was going into things he did not really need.

One evening, Michael needed money for an important personal expense, but his account was almost empty. He looked around his room and realised that he had many expensive things but very little savings. His phone was new, his clothes were impressive, and his pictures looked good online, but financially, he was struggling.

That experience made him realise something important. He had been spending money to convince other people that he was doing well instead of actually building a stable life.

Michael decided to change. He began budgeting his income, reducing unnecessary spending, saving regularly, and buying things because he needed them rather than because he wanted people to notice him. It took time, but he eventually became more financially responsible.

Today's Message

Money is an important part of life. Whether you are a student, employee, business owner, apprentice, minister, or young professional, you will have to make decisions about money. How you handle money today can affect your future.

One of the biggest financial mistakes young people make is spending money to impress other people. You buy clothes you cannot afford because you want people to notice you. You buy an expensive phone because you do not want anyone to think you are struggling. You spend heavily at parties because you want your friends to see you as generous. You take loans for things you do not need simply because you want to maintain a certain lifestyle.

There is nothing wrong with looking good or enjoying the good things you can genuinely afford. The problem begins when appearance becomes more important than wisdom.

You do not have to look rich to be successful.

Some people have expensive phones but no savings. Some drive good cars but are deeply in debt. Some wear expensive clothes but cannot handle an unexpected financial problem. Social media can make people feel pressured to look successful even when they are struggling privately.

Do not build your life around people's opinions.

Proverbs 21:20 says, The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. Wisdom includes knowing how to keep some of what you earn instead of spending everything immediately.

If you earn money, learn to budget. Know what comes in and what goes out. Separate your needs from your wants. Save something, even if it is small. Learn a skill that can increase your income. Avoid unnecessary debt. Be careful about borrowing money simply to maintain an appearance.

You also need to understand that your value does not come from what you own.

Your phone does not determine your worth. Your clothes do not determine your importance. The car you drive does not determine your future. The number of people who like your pictures does not determine your success.

You are valuable because God created you and gave your life purpose.

There is nothing shameful about starting small. If you cannot afford something, you do not need to pretend that you can. If you are still building your career, be honest about your season. If your business is still growing, do not spend all your profit trying to look successful.

Build quietly.

Learn.

Save.

Invest in yourself.

Grow your income.

Support your family wisely.

Give to God faithfully.

Prepare for the future.

One day, you may be able to afford the things you desire without destroying your financial stability to get them.

Remember that financial maturity is not simply about earning more money. It is also about knowing what to do with the money you already have.

Do not let pressure from friends, social media, relationships, or society push you into financial decisions you will regret later.

It is better to live within your means today and build a stronger future than to impress people today and struggle tomorrow.

What To Do Today

1. Look at your spending from the past week and identify one unnecessary expense you can reduce.

2. Create a simple budget for the money you currently receive.

3. Start saving something regularly, even if the amount is small.

4. Before buying something expensive, ask yourself whether you need it, can afford it, and whether it will help your future.

Prayer

Lord, give me wisdom to handle money responsibly. Deliver me from the desire to impress people with things I cannot afford. Teach me discipline, contentment, patience, and good financial habits. Help me to use the resources You give me wisely, to prepare for the future, to help others, and to honour You with my finances. Give me the wisdom to build a stable life instead of living for appearances. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Challenge

Before spending money today, ask yourself three questions: Do I need it? Can I afford it? Will this decision help or hurt my future?

Do not spend to impress people. Build a life that is genuinely strong, not merely one that looks successful.

Anthony Ijere
Christian Author and Revivalist

Wednesday evening Bible study.
Bless us Lord. Continue The Book of Romans

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*God wants our hearts in this relationship. To daily grow and learn how to Live, pleasing To God.

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*it’s here we learn and grow how to Live. Trusting God.
God gives us what we need to serve Him.

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*enthusiastically Rejoice. Keep on Praying.
Honorable
Peace.
Kindness
Do Good.

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*do what is right. Bless those in authority.
Honor God do what is right.

“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*don’t even allow it, give up sinning. Be Full of Christ.
*All Jesus, no more of the flesh.
*back to verse 2 Daily forever Transforming
*Life being pleasing and perfect

“Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*people having issue with meat offered to idols. Still hung up on religious customs.

*its all about the Heart.

“Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval. In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead. So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’” Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*Jesus Standing in our Place. We’ve got to be assured of Living for Him.
It’s about our Heart.

“So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*be living and honorable.
Goodness and Peace.
Pleasing to God.

“Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

*do what is Right.
*Trust God… it’s about the Heart. Relationship with God, relationship with one another…

Since the fall, the church has a task of redemption through Christ. Man must be restored into fellowship with God; this fellowship requires the restoration of man first of all into God’s grace: salvation. The work then is the application of the aspects of God’s image, righteousness, holiness, knowledge, and dominion, to every area of life and thought. The church is God’s armory for this purpose. The church issues God’s draft or conscription call, trains the troops for action, and sends them out weekly to conquer in Christ’s name.
R. J. Rushdoony, from The Institutes of Biblical Law, Volume 1 (1973)

You did not survive every storm, endure every setback, and rise from every broken place just to be abandoned here. The road may have been long, but every step has carried you closer to the door God is opening.

On the other side is more than relief—it is healing for the wounds, peace for the weary places, restoration for what was lost, and purpose for everything you have endured. Keep walking. Keep trusting. The same God who carried you this far will be faithful in the next chapter too.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” — Philippians 1:6

You are not finished. God is still writing your story, and the door ahead is opening into victory.

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God can use what you already have for His purpose.

Share this with someone who needs encouragement to trust God with what they have.

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FINAL SERMON: RED 7 —JUDGEMENT OF CORRECTION CAME FIRST ON ME — GOLD CAME OUT PURE — NOW JUDGEMENT TO YOU EVIL DOERS

Text: 1 Pet 4:17 — For time has come for judgment to begin at house of God.

---

INTRO: RED 7 VISION ON ME

I am born again — true Israel — Believer not practising sin.

Red Color in vision= sin Isa 1:18 — though sins scarlet —Also Red = Blood of Jesus 1 John 1:7 — blood cleanses from all sin.

Red 7 vision came to me — not curse — but disciplinary act on me — Ps 37:23 — steps of good man ordered by Lord.

Punishment = 1 Pet 4:17 — judgement begin at house of God first.

1. SPIRITUAL WARFARE : EVIL— VOICES — EPH 6:12

Before accident, evil altar with voices already existing in my life — voices I heard when no one present — causing confusion, disturbance, threatening---spiritual warfare.

Eph 6:12 — we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness.

I fought them with Word of God — Eph 6:17 — sword of Spirit, which is Word of God — 2 Cor 10:4-5 — mighty to pull down strongholds.

Why this spiritual warfare? Because my calling fought Satan & works of Satan.

1 John 3:8 — For this purpose Son of God manifested, that He might destroy works of devil. That purpose is my calling.

Acts 26:18 — to turn them from darkness to light, and from power of Satan to God.
Rev 12:17 — dragon enraged, went to make war with offspring who keep commandments and have testimony of Jesus.

Aim of evil altar: persecute me so that to fail that calling God had put for me before Him — servant , & a witness of Jesus of last days testifying to what the son shown me.--- abort Green 7, vision Red 7, vision , skeleton vision & abort 144,000 dream. Acts26:16

2. GOD CAN BLEACH HEDGE FOR CORRECTION, TESTING, PURIFICATION

God can bleach hedge — not remove. Thus l prayed for hedge protection & believed that l received it. And b'se l had fallen Red 7 vision, was bleached in accident incident to allow correction, testing , & purification in me. But in this process wasn't removed.

Job 1:10 — Have You not made hedge around him?
Job 2:6 — Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.

Bleach = thin for three reasons:

Correction — Heb 12:6 — whom Lord loves He chastens — I had fallen — chastening needed Heb 12:11.
Testing — 1 Pet 1:7 — genuineness of faith tested by fire — to prove pure.
Purification — Mal 3:3 — He will purify sons of Levi as gold and silver — 1 Tim 4:5 — sanctified by Word and prayer.

3. ACCIDENT = TESTING OF FAITH — BUT FAITH FAILED NOT — GOLD PURE

Then accident came — motorcycle hitting dog — body wounded.

People said negative: curse.

I insisted: NOT curse to me.

Because hedge though bleached, protected me to not go into death — Ps 118:18 — Lord chastened me severely, but has not given me over to death — Ps 34:7 — Angel encamps around those who fear Him.

This accident was about testing faith — but fortunately never failed it.

Luke 22:32 — I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.
2 Cor 4:9 — struck down, but not destroyed.

Flesh wounded — faith held — Word held — Blood held.

Result: Gold came out pure — That's the thing.

Job 23:10 — When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Zech 13:9 — I will refine them as silver, test them as gold is tested.
1 Pet 1:7 FULFILLED IN MY LIFE — faith more precious than gold, tested, found to praise.

I repented & got cleansed by blood — purified — faith clean through prayer — 1 Tim 4:5.

4. RED NO.7 MEANS COMPLETE — ORDER FINISHED

Red No.7 means complete — Gen 2:2 — on seventh day God ended His work — John 19:30 — It is finished.

Disciplinary action of suffering, testing, bleaching hedge — done/complete in my life now by Red No.7. Order finished.

Now new order: Green 7 — sealed unbroken — Matt 6:33 much more supply — 144,000 — true Israel.

5. NOW TO YOU EVIL DOERS — YOUR JUDGEMENT OF CORRECTION — HARSHER

If this done to His house now and finished — God now looking to evil doers to repent too of their sins by punishing you now with His judgement of correction from Red 7 vision and obey His Word to be pure before God.

1 Pet 4:17-18 — if it begins with us first, what will be end of those who do not obey gospel? If righteous scarcely saved, where will ungodly and sinner appear?

And this punishment to you evil doers is going to be harsher than that God made first to His house.

Luke 12:47-48 — that servant who knew and did not prepare, shall be beat

“Don’t let yesterday’s burden become today’s barrier to tomorrow’s miracle.”

Hebrews 12:1 — “Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us…”

This verse tells us not only to lay aside sin, but also to lay aside “every weight.” Because burdens can become a definite hindrance to reaching the purpose and destiny God has set before us.

If we continue carrying the wounds, disappointments, rejection, failures, guilt, bitterness, worries, and the inability to forgive others from our past, we cannot run with complete faith on the new path God has placed before us.

God brought Lot and his family out of destruction. As they left Sodom, God clearly commanded them not to look back.

But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
(Genesis 19:26)

Her feet were moving forward, but her heart was being pulled backward.

This is also a warning for us.

God may have brought you out of an old situation. But if you continue carrying old wounds and memories, your body may move forward while your heart remains stuck in the past.

Run away from sin.
Lay your burdens before God.
Stop constantly dwelling on the past, and run toward the future God has prepared for you.

Your past does not have to become the verdict of your future. God still has a path for you; there is still a race to run, a goal to reach, and a miracle ahead of you.

Don’t carry yesterday’s burden while running toward tomorrow’s miracle. Lay it at the feet of God and run!

When the burden becomes lighter, the race becomes faster.
When the heart is set free, faith becomes stronger.

The moment you surrender your burden to God can become the beginning of your new race!

Hepsi Sam

‍ Consistent steps in the right direction lead to a life of peace and purpose.

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I thank You, Father God, for the blessings and the provision of the blood of Jesus.
I stand on the ground of the blood of Jesus to proclaim victory over spiritual weariness and depletion in my life, in the name of Jesus.
Let all demonic, satanic assignments that are trying to paralyze me and steal my spiritual strength and deplete my anointing in this battle, this fight, and this war shrivel up and die in the blood of Jesus.
Let the blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ revive me and reenergize me from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, in Jesus’ mighty name.
I apply the blood of Jesus to every area of my life, completely and fully, this year, from the beginning to the end and everything in the middle, so that no weapon, no devil, no witch or warlock, and no satanic force will be able to accomplish any demonic assignment that they tailor-made, custom-made, or demonically engineered against me. Let them drown in the blood of Jesus. Amen.
I speak, by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, spiritual strength, power, and might in the anointing from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. May the blood of Jesus Christ cover me, my family, my loved ones, my ministry, my purpose, and my destiny, in Jesus’ unmatchable, almighty name.
Let the blood of Jesus quicken all that is dead and lukewarm within me, in the name of Jesus Christ forevermore.