THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

Speak Life • Guard Your Words

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE

Proverbs 21:23 (KJV) “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”

1. WORDS HAVE POWER

Your words can build or destroy, encourage or hurt, heal or discourage.

Think before you speak.

2. GUARD YOUR MOUTH

Avoid: Gossip • Lies • Insults • Anger • Negative declarations

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue...”

3. SPEAK TO BUILD

Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) “...that which is good to the use of edifying...”

Before you speak, ask:

Is it true? Is it necessary? Will it build?

4. CONTROL YOUR TONGUE

When angry—pause.
When hurt—don't speak from the wound.
When blessed—give thanks.

5. SPEAK FAITH, NOT DEFEAT

Don't keep saying:
“I can't.” “I'm finished.”

Say:

“God is my strength.”
“I will not give up."
“God is with me.”

Faith-filled words don't deny reality; they refuse to surrender to defeat.

KEY LESSON

1. Think before speaking.
2. Guard your tongue.
3. Speak truth.
4. Build others.
5. Control your anger.
6. Speak life.

FINAL CHARGE

Your tongue is small, but its impact is great.

Don't use your mouth to destroy what you are praying for.

Speak wisely.
Speak graciously.
Speak life.

PRAYER

Father, help me to control my tongue and use my words wisely. Let my words bring encouragement, healing and hope. Keep me from destructive speech, and let everything I say honour You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prepared by Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo +233544295158

Can the Bible still be trusted in a skeptical, secular age? In this powerful conversation with homicide detective and Christian apologist J. Warner Wallace, we explore the evidence for the trustworthiness of Scripture, the reliability of the Gospel eyewitness accounts, the prophetic case for Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, and the extra-biblical and archaeological support for the life of Christ.

https://coldcasechristianity.com/videos/stop-saying-the-bibles-broken-the-evidence-shreds-modern-skepticism-video/

#ChristianApologetics #ColdCaseChristianity #JWarnerWallace #ChristianWorldview

Conflict and Courage.
Isaiah 6:1-10

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15.
In the vision that came to Isaiah in the temple court, he was given a clear view of the character of the God of Israel. “The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy,” had appeared before him in great majesty; yet the prophet was made to understand the compassionate nature of his Lord....

In beholding his God, the prophet ... had not only been given a view of his own unworthiness; there had come to his humbled heart the assurance of forgiveness, full and free; and he had arisen a changed man. He had seen his Lord. He had caught a glimpse of the loveliness of the divine character. He could testify of the transformation wrought through beholding Infinite Love. Henceforth he was inspired with longing desire to see erring Israel set free from the burden and penalty of sin. “Why should ye be stricken any more?” the prophet inquired. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” ... The God whom they had been claiming to serve, but whose character they had misunderstood, was set before them as the great Healer of spiritual disease....

The heart of Infinite Love yearns after those who feel powerless to free themselves from the snares of Satan; and He graciously offers to strengthen them to live for Him. “Fear thou not,” He bids them; “for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” ...

Have you, reader, chosen your own way? Have you wandered far from God? Have you sought to feast upon the fruits of transgression, only to find them turn to ashes upon your lips? ... Return to your Father's house. He invites you, saying, “Return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” “Come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live.” 25Prophets and Kings, 314-320.

Monday, 17th August, 2026

TITLE: "STRENGTHENED BY GOD'S SPIRIT, NOT BY HUMAN POWER"

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S)

Ephesians 3:16 (KJV) "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"

Zechariah 4:6 (KJV) "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

QUOTE TO REFLECT ON

"What human strength cannot accomplish, God's Spirit can."

DAY'S REFLECTION

Every journey has moments when our natural strength feels insufficient. We may have responsibilities to carry, challenges to overcome, or assignments that seem greater than our ability. At such times, God reminds us that we were never meant to depend entirely on ourselves.

Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:16 that believers would be "strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." The inner man refers to our spiritual life—our heart, faith, character, and relationship with God. God does not only strengthen us outwardly; He strengthens us from within so that we can remain faithful even when circumstances are difficult.

To be strengthened means to receive divine ability, courage, endurance, and spiritual stability. Sometimes God changes the situation; at other times, He strengthens us to stand firmly in the situation until His purpose is accomplished.

Zechariah 4:6 gives us the same principle: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit." Human might can represent resources, influence, position, or physical strength, while power can represent human ability and effort. These things have their place, but they are not the ultimate source of spiritual victory.

God was teaching Zerubbabel that the work before him would be accomplished through dependence on the Holy Spirit. Likewise, some assignments in our lives cannot be completed successfully through human effort alone. We need God's direction, strength, wisdom, and enabling grace.

Life experience teaches us that determination can take us far, but there are situations where determination alone is not enough. When our strength is exhausted, God's strength remains available. When our resources are limited, God's resources are unlimited.

Therefore, do not face today's responsibilities saying, "I cannot do this." Instead, say, "Lord, strengthen me by Your Spirit." Depend on Him in prayer, surrender your plans to Him, and allow His Spirit to empower you.

Your victory does not depend solely on how strong you are. It depends on the God who strengthens you.

MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S)

Isaiah 40:29 (KJV) "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."

Philippians 4:13 (KJV) "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS)

1. God strengthens us from the inside through His Spirit.

2. Human ability has limits, but God's power has no limits.

3. Spiritual victory comes through dependence on God, not self-reliance.

4. Weakness can become an opportunity to experience God's strength.

5. Prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit are essential for fulfilling God's purposes.

EVERYDAY ACTION

Begin today by surrendering your plans to God and asking His Spirit to strengthen and guide you.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, strengthen me by Your Spirit in my inner man. Help me not to depend on human strength alone, but to trust Your power and guidance in everything I do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DECLARATION

I am strengthened by the Spirit of God. I will not depend on human power alone. The Lord gives me strength, wisdom, courage, and grace to fulfil His purpose for my life. Not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit. Amen.

Devotion by

Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo
+233 544 295 158

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Learning to Live Humbly

Have you ever met an angry Christian?

You may have come across Christians who seem to grumble, complain, or even speak harshly about other people. Maybe you’ve even been that person at times in your own life.

If we're not careful, we can easily become self-righteous within Christianity. After all, we know the truth and others may not. You might see how tempting it can be to look down on others, demean them, or consider them as worse off than ourselves.

But this misses the point of the gospel of Jesus.

The gospel tells us that all of us begin at the same starting point. And it’s only by grace through faith that we come to salvation and learn the truth about God’s love for us.

That doesn’t make us any better than other Christians! In fact, as Paul says in Ephesians 4:2, we should actually be humble and gentle with others, rather than harsh and critical. He says we are to be patient with one another, helping each other in every way possible so we can all grow together.

These ideas aren’t original to Paul. They actually came from how Jesus lived his life. As followers of Jesus, we too should strive to be gentle, humble, and patient with everyone in our lives. Regardless of whether they look or think a different way, every person deserves dignity, patience, and love.

Take some time today to consider a few ways that you can grow in patience, humility, and love with others. It could be slowing down long enough for people to know you care, saying something encouraging to someone, or admitting that you’ve made a mistake.

Make the decision today to live in humility and grace with others.

Acts 24:

"1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound."

Mystery of the Living God's Church

Preface

In every generation, people have wrestled with the same questions: What is the true Church? Where can it be found? Who belongs to it? These questions are not new, yet they remain as urgent today as they were in the days of the apostles.

We live in a world filled with countless groups that call themselves “churches.” Each has its own teachings, traditions, and practices. Each claims to represent God. Yet, when we look closely, we see division instead of unity, contradiction instead of harmony. This raises a profound mystery: if there is one God, why are there so many churches?

This Chapter, Mystery of the Living God’s Church, is written to guide the reader into the heart of that question. It is not a work of human speculation or denominational defense. Rather, it is an exploration of the Scriptures themselves, where God reveals the truth about His Church.

The Gospel ahead will uncover the Church as the Body of Christ, the blessed Bread of life, and ultimately, as Christ Himself. We will see that the true Church is not a building, an institution, or a human organization, but a living reality founded, owned, and sustained by Jesus Christ.

Part One:
What Is the Church of God?

The Question of Many Peoples
In every city, town, and village, one cannot help but notice the multitude of groups that call themselves “churches.” Each belongs to a different denomination or religious movement, each with its own teachings, traditions, and ways of worship. Yet, despite their shared claim of serving God, they do not walk together in unity.

Every group insists on its own truth. Every group defends its own doctrine. And though nearly all of them speak about God, they do not agree with one another. This reality raises deep and troubling questions in the hearts of many:

- How many churches does God truly have?
- What exactly is a church?
- Which one is the true church?
- Who is the owner and builder of the church?
- How can we find the true church?

These are not small questions. They go to the very heart of faith and salvation. To answer them, we must turn not to human traditions or institutions, but to the Word of the Living God.

The Church as the Body of Christ
The Scriptures reveal that the Church is not a building, a denomination, or an earthly organization. Instead, it is described as the Body of Christ.

- Colossians 1:18 — “And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.”
- Ephesians 4:4–5 — “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

The Church is one body, with Christ as its Head. Believers are united to Him and to one another as members of this living body. This is the first great truth: the Church is not many, but one.

---

The Church as Blessed Bread
The Scriptures also reveal another mystery: the Church is represented as bread.

- Matthew 26:26 — “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’”

Here, bread symbolizes the Body of Christ. Since the Body is the Church, the bread also represents the Church. Before giving it to His disciples, Jesus blessed the bread—showing that the Church is blessed food for His followers.

Thus, the Church is not only the Body of Christ but also the spiritual nourishment of His disciples. It is food for the soul, blessed and given by Christ Himself.

Jesus Christ Is the Church
The mystery deepens further: Jesus Himself declares that He is the Bread of Life.

- John 6:35 — “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
- John 6:48 — “I am the bread of life.”

If the bread is the Body, and the Body is the Church, then the Church is Christ Himself. He is the foundation, the head, the life, and the very substance of the Church. To understand the Church is to understand Christ. To belong to the Church is to belong to Him.

The Rock and the Builder
Jesus confirmed this truth when He spoke to Peter:

- Matthew 16:17–18 — “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Notice: Jesus says “my church”—singular, not plural. He is the builder, the owner, and the foundation. His Church is not a man-made institution but a spiritual building established on the Word of God. And it cannot be destroyed by the powers of hell.

Entering Into Christ (the Church)
How then does one enter this true Church?

1. The Key Understanding
- Jesus Christ is the Church. To enter the Church is to enter the Son of God (1 John 5:20).

2. The Gift of God
- John 3:16 — God gave His Son as a gift. A gift is not earned; it is received. Salvation is not by human effort but by grace.

3. The Truths of Salvation
- The world did not ask for the Son, yet He came to save.
- The world was unbelieving, yet salvation requires faith in Him.

4. Christ the Way
- John 14:6 — Jesus is the only way to the Father.
- John 5:24 — Hearing His Word and believing brings eternal life.

→ Hearing the Word → Faith → New Birth → Entry into God’s family.

5. The Family Picture
- Just as you did not choose your earthly family, you do not place yourself into God’s family. Christ Himself brings you in (John 10:16).

6. The Blood of Christ
- Ephesians 2:13 — We are brought near by His blood. It is His blood that places us into His Church.

7. The Great Truth
- Christ is revealed.
- The Word is heard.
- Faith is born.
- By His blood, we are placed in Him.

Summary of the Mystery
- The Church is the Body of Christ, with Christ as its Head.
- The Church is blessed Bread, spiritual food for His disciples.
- The Church is Christ Himself, the Bread of Life.
- Jesus is the builder and owner of His one true Church.
- Entry into the Church is not by human effort but by faith, new birth, and the blood of Christ.

Therefore, to belong to the Church is to belong to Christ. To understand the Church is to understand Him. To be born again.

THE CHURCH IS A DWELLING, NOT A PLACE YOU GO

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” — John 5:24

• If you read and understand the Gospel, you will see that you do not “go” to church — rather, you dwell in it.
• The Church is an eternal dwelling place.
• You do not put yourself into this Church; you are placed into it by God.
• You are taken out of another church(Kingdom of Darkness-Death), which belongs to Satan, and transferred into the true Church of Christ. (John 5:24)

This is what Jesus meant when He said you have passed from death into life.

───
Placed Into Eternal Life
• You are placed into this Church through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
• This Church is the true life, and it exists forever.
• To be in the Church is to be in Christ — a spiritual reality, not a physical location.

───
Do Not Be Mistaken
• If you say you “go” to church, you misunderstand.
• The true Church is not a building you visit, but a spiritual dwelling where you abide forever.
• These are things that happen in the Spirit, not in human structures.

───
Summary
1. The Church is eternal, not temporal.
2. You are placed into it by faith, not by human effort.
3. The Church is the dwelling of eternal life in Christ.

Let’s Grow Together in Faith, Wisdom, and the Grace of Jesus Christ

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A dear reminder to all of us today about scoffers.. ‭ In these last days
there shall come
-;those who follow their own ungodly desires,
-; people who divide you,
-;who follow mere natural instincts
-; who do not have the Spirit.
Yes it's true we have seen all of them from the first one to them who lack the spirit as described. How we pray we don't belong to any category among these. These things were written by the apostles on those days to help us guard our hearts when we come near them.

Prayers
Deal Father Lord in the name of Jesus .. We are grateful for your Word. We pray you help us to be guided by spirit. Help us to obey your and listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to our hearts in Christ Jesus.. Amen
#Amen

Are You an Intentional Christian?

By Pastor Joseph Clark

Life does not simply happen to us. At least, it should not. There are circumstances we cannot control. There are things that happen to us that we never anticipated, and there are seasons when we have little choice over what comes our way. But within all of that, God has given us something extraordinarily important:

The freedom to choose how we will live before Him.

We should never be content merely to hope that our faith is genuine. We are called to deliberately follow Christ, deliberately obey His Word, deliberately love others, deliberately serve, deliberately grow—and deliberately bear fruit. The Christian life is not a spectator sport.

Let me be absolutely clear: we are not saved by our good works. The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not something we earn through religious accomplishments or our own efforts. We cannot purchase forgiveness by doing enough good deeds. We cannot impress God into saving us.

Paul writes:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works.”

Ephesians 2:8–9

Amen.

But sometimes Christians stop reading there. The very next verse says:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

Notice the order. We are not saved by good works. We are saved for good works. Works are not the root of our salvation; they are supposed to be the fruit of our salvation.

That distinction is absolutely essential. A person does not become a Christian because he produces fruit. Rather, because he has been brought into Christ, his life should increasingly begin to produce fruit.

I have observed that some Christians use the “by faith, not works” argument as a cop-out to justify a lazy, fruitless walk.

Jesus Himself said:

“By their fruit you will recognize them.”

Matthew 7:16

He did not say, “Don’t worry about fruit because you believe.” He said:

“Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”

Matthew 7:17

There is a dangerous misunderstanding that can sometimes enter Christian thinking. A person says, “I am saved by faith and not works.” That statement is true. But then he concludes, “Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether my life produces anything.”

That conclusion is not biblical.

James puts the matter bluntly:

“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

James 2:17

James isn’t teaching that we purchase salvation by our deeds. He is teaching that genuine faith is living faith.

If I tell you that I have a fire burning in my house, but you enter the house and find no heat, no light, no flame, and no evidence whatsoever of fire, you would have good reason to question my claim.

In the same way, if someone claims to belong to Christ but deliberately refuses to grow, refuses to obey, refuses to serve, refuses to love, refuses to forgive, and refuses to bear any spiritual fruit, we should not simply congratulate that person by saying, “Well, you’re saved by faith, so none of that matters.”

Jesus never taught such complacency.

Consider one of the most sobering statements Jesus ever made. In Matthew 7:21–23, Jesus describes people who will stand before Him on the day of judgment. They will say that they did things in His name. And Jesus will say:

“I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

Matthew 7:23

That should cause every professing Christian to pause.

Jesus did not say, “You weren’t sincere enough.” He did not say, “You didn’t perform enough religious deeds.” He said, “I never knew you.”

The issue is ultimately relationship with Christ.

Likewise, Jesus gives a similar warning in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Some of the virgins were complacent and unprepared for the bridegroom. When he arrived, they were shut out of the wedding feast. The warning is unmistakable: we must not live carelessly or presume upon the grace of God.

A person can say the right things, use Christian vocabulary, attend church, perform religious activities, and even speak about Jesus—and yet not actually belong to Him.

This is why we should never merely sit back and say, “I hope my faith is genuine.” We should examine our lives. We should pursue Christ. We should repent when we sin. We should seek holiness. We should love our neighbor. We should forgive. We should serve. We should pray. We should study God’s Word. We should proclaim the Gospel. We should bear fruit.

Not because these things purchase our salvation—but because Christ has saved us and called us to live differently.

Our fruitfulness should also be expressed through obedience to Christ’s Great Commission.

Jesus said:

“I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.”

John 15:16

That is not passive language.

Go. Bear fruit.

Christ did not save us so that we could sit comfortably on the sidelines of Christianity. He called us into a life of purpose.

Jesus also said:

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

John 15:8

There is that word again: fruit.

Fruit is evidence of life.

Wake Up and Bear Fruit

Do you see what is happening in this fallen world today?

Paganism. False religions.

They are boldly, deliberately, and intentionally seeking to influence and claim the hearts and minds of people throughout the world.

Our answer should be bold, fruitful evangelism!

Wake up!

Use your God-given gifts in any way you can to share His Gospel.

An apple tree doesn’t produce apples in order to become an apple tree. It produces apples because it is an apple tree.

Likewise, Christians don’t perform good works in order to become God’s children. We bear fruit because, through faith in Christ, God has made us His children.

This brings us back to our central question:

What are you going to do with the life God has given you?

You cannot choose every circumstance. But you can choose whether you will trust God in those circumstances.

You can choose whether you will forgive.

You can choose whether you will serve.

You can choose whether you will encourage someone who is discouraged.

You can choose whether you will open your Bible.

You can choose whether you will pray.

You can choose whether you will share your faith.

You can choose whether you will repent.

You can choose whether you will obey Christ when obedience is difficult.

You can choose whether your Christianity will be merely something you claim—or something you deliberately live.

Paul told the Philippians:

“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

Philippians 2:12

Paul did not mean, “Work for your salvation.” He was writing to people who were already Christians. The meaning is that the salvation God has worked into your life should be worked out in the way you live.

Your faith should become visible.

Your character should change.

Your priorities should change.

Your relationships should change.

Your choices should change.

Your life should increasingly resemble the Christ you profess to follow.

There is a difference between saying, “I hope I’m a faithful Christian,” and saying, “By the grace of God, I will deliberately seek to become a faithful Christian.”

The first can become passive.

The second is intentional.

What Will You Do With What God Has Given You?

Do you remember the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14–30?

Are you the servant who was given one talent and buried it in the ground rather than using it?

To that servant, the master said:

“You wicked, lazy servant!”

Matthew 25:26

The judgment concludes:

“And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 25:30

Or are you the servant to whom the Lord will say:

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Matthew 25:21

Let me pause and ask you right now:

Is this message off-putting to you? Does this message offend you?

If so, ask yourself: Why?

Why does God’s Word—and a message consistent with His Word—bother you?

And don’t misunderstand me: you cannot manufacture spiritual fruit through human strength.

Jesus said:

“Apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

Fruit comes from abiding in Christ.

But abiding in Christ is not passive indifference.

We choose to remain close to Him.

We choose obedience.

We choose repentance.

We choose prayer.

We choose service.

We choose faithfulness.

We choose to say yes when Christ calls.

In the Parable of the Talents, one servant received one talent and buried it. He did not steal it. He did not destroy it. He simply did nothing with it.

When the master returned, the servant had an excuse. But the master condemned him.

Why?

Because what had been entrusted to him was intended to be used.

There is a warning here for Christians who have been given time, abilities, opportunities, spiritual gifts, knowledge, and resources but deliberately refuse to use them for God’s purposes.

God did not give you your life merely to consume it.

He gave you a life that can be offered back to Him.

Jesus also told of a fig tree that was not producing fruit. The owner came looking for fruit and found none. The tree was occupying valuable ground, but it was not fulfilling the purpose for which it existed.

That should make us think.

What is your Christian life producing?

Are people encouraged because you know Christ?

Are people helped because you serve?

Are people forgiven because you have learned to forgive?

Are people hearing the Gospel because you are willing to speak?

Are people seeing Christ in your conduct?

Are you becoming more patient?

More loving?

More humble?

More truthful?

More generous?

More courageous?

More obedient?

Has God given you talents or resources such as public influence, good oratory, conversational skills, a good computer, social media, or other online tools?

Use them for Christ.

Do you enjoy Christian podcasts, Christian articles, or Christian music?

Share them online with others.

Do you know someone who is in need or grieving?

Be present to them.

Let them know you are praying for them.

Pray for them!

Make a prayer list and pray daily.

Pray for this fallen world.

Reassure others of the coming of Christ.

Use whatever God has entrusted to you to advance His Kingdom and proclaim His Gospel.

What fruit is your life producing?

You Don’t Have to Be Famous to Be Fruitful

You don’t have to be famous to be fruitful.

You don’t have to preach to thousands.

You don’t have to write books.

You don’t have to stand behind a pulpit.

A mother raising her children in the faith can be fruitful.

A man encouraging a discouraged neighbor can be fruitful.

A Christian visiting the lonely can be fruitful.

Someone praying faithfully for another person can be fruitful.

A believer forgiving an enemy can be fruitful.

A Christian refusing to participate in gossip can be fruitful.

Someone quietly giving to help another person can be fruitful.

Fruitfulness isn’t necessarily spectacular.

Sometimes the greatest Christian fruit is produced quietly, where only God sees it.

Jesus said:

“Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Matthew 6:4

Your life will not be perfect.

You will fail.

You will sin.

You will sometimes become discouraged.

You will occasionally make terrible decisions.

But don’t confuse failure with fruitlessness.

A fruitful Christian is not a perfect Christian. A fruitful Christian is an obedient Christian who keeps turning toward Christ.

When he falls, he gets back up.

When he sins, he repents.

When he fails, he seeks God’s grace.

When he becomes discouraged, he keeps walking.

When God opens a door, he walks through it.

When Christ calls, he responds.

That is deliberate Christianity.

So don’t merely sit back and hope that your faith is genuine.

Pursue Christ.

Don’t use salvation by faith as an excuse for spiritual laziness.

Bear fruit.

Don’t try to earn God’s love through good works.

Serve because you have already received His grace.

Don’t live as though your life is something that merely happens to you.

By the grace of God, choose to make it count.

Jesus said:

“By their fruit you will recognize them.”

And He also said:

“I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.”

The Christian life is not about earning salvation.

It is about living out the salvation you have received.

So get up.

Pray. Believe. Repent. Obey. Serve. Love. Forgive. Speak. Give. Go.

Create content.

Share content.

Practice charity.

Use your talents in any way you can to share the Kingdom of Christ and reach pagans, non-believers, and those who do not yet know Jesus Christ.

Bear fruit.

You have been given one life.

Don’t merely wait to see what happens to it.

With Christ, deliberately choose what you will do with it.

And may your life bear fruit—not for your own glory, but for the glory of the One who saved you.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

AMEN. AMEN. AMEN!

WHEN FAITH STANDS STILL!
Trusting God When You Cannot See the Way

Key Scripture:
“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.” — Exodus 14:13 (KJV)

Thought Of The Day...
There are moments in life when faith means moving forward, but there are also moments when faith means standing still and trusting God to move.
Israel experienced one of those moments at the Red Sea.
They had finally been delivered from Egypt, but suddenly they found themselves trapped. The Red Sea was in front of them. Pharaoh's army was behind them. Mountains and wilderness surrounded them. From a human perspective, there was nowhere to go.
But what looked like a dead end to Israel was actually the place where God was preparing to demonstrate His power.
Moses declared:
“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.” — Exodus 14:13

Sometimes God allows us to reach places where our resources, connections, intelligence, money, strength, and plans cannot rescue us. Not because God has abandoned us, but because He is teaching us:
“This battle will not be won by your strength. You are going to have to trust Me.”

FAITH DOES NOT DENY THE PROBLEM!
The Red Sea was real.
Pharaoh's army was real.
The danger was real.
But God was greater than everything Israel was facing.
Faith doesn't mean pretending everything is fine. Faith means looking directly at the situation and declaring:
“I know what I see, but I also know WHO I trust!”
Your situation may involve your family, finances, health, marriage, children, employment, ministry, or an uncertain future.
You may not know how God is going to work it out.
You may not know when He is going to work it out.
But faith says:
“Even when I cannot trace God's hand, I will continue trusting His heart.”
Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us:
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

DON'T LET FEAR MAKE YOU FORGET WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE!
When Pharaoh approached, Israel became afraid.
Their fear became so powerful that they temporarily forgot the miracles God had already performed in Egypt.
Isn't that sometimes like us?
God has brought us through things before.
God has opened doors before.
God has healed broken situations before.
God has provided before.
God has protected us before.
But when the next Red Sea appears, fear whispers:
“What are you going to do now?”
Faith responds:
“The same God who brought me through THEN is still God RIGHT NOW!”
David understood this principle. Before facing Goliath, he remembered how God had already delivered him from the lion and the bear.
Yesterday's testimony can become today's ammunition for faith.

YOUR RED SEA MAY BECOME YOUR TESTIMONY!
God told Moses:
“Lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it.” — Exodus 14:16
Then the impossible happened.
God made a highway through something that had previously been an obstacle.
The Israelites walked across on dry ground.
Think about that.
God didn't simply remove the problem.
He made a pathway through it.
Sometimes we pray:
“Lord, take this away.”
But God may answer:
“I'm going to take you THROUGH it, because when you come out, you will know that nobody brought you through but Me.”
Isaiah 43:2 declares:
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.”
Notice God said “when,” not “if.”
There will be waters.
There will be fires.
There will be difficult seasons.
But there will also be God's presence.

WHAT IS BEHIND YOU CANNOT STOP WHAT GOD HAS AHEAD OF YOU!
The enemy thought Israel was trapped.
Pharaoh probably believed he had them exactly where he wanted them.
But Pharaoh didn't realize:
God had positioned Israel exactly where HE wanted them.
The place that looked like Israel's destruction became the place of their deliverance.
That's a word for somebody today:
Don't judge your future by what your situation looks like right now.
God can turn your Red Sea into a roadway.
God can turn your battle into a testimony.
God can turn your delay into preparation.
God can turn your pain into purpose.
God can turn what looked like your ending into your new beginning.

KEEP WALKING BY FAITH!
Once the sea opened, Israel still had to walk through it.
Faith isn't simply believing that God can open the door.
Faith is having enough confidence in God to walk through when He opens it.
There comes a moment when prayer must be accompanied by obedience.
Exodus 14:15 records God saying:
“Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”
In other words:
You've prayed.
You've cried.
You've trusted.
Now MOVE!
There are seasons to stand still and see God's salvation, and there are seasons when God says:
“GO FORWARD!”
Don't allow fear to keep you standing in a place God has already given you permission to leave.

TODAY'S FAITH DECLARATION
I will not allow what I see to cancel what God has spoken.
I believe that the God who opened the Red Sea is still able to make a way where there appears to be no way.
I will not surrender to fear.
I will not allow yesterday to imprison tomorrow.
I will trust God when I understand Him, and I will trust Him when I don't.
My Red Sea will not drown me—it will become part of my testimony!
The Lord is with me.
The Lord is fighting for me.
The Lord is making a way for me.
And when God says move—
I'M GOING FORWARD BY FAITH!

PRAYER...
Heavenly Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, thank You for being the God who makes ways where there seem to be no ways.
Lord, some of us are standing before situations that look impossible. We see the Red Sea in front of us and trouble behind us, and we don't know which direction to turn.
But today, we choose faith over fear.
Remind us of every mountain You have already brought us over, every valley You carried us through, every door You opened, and every battle You fought on our behalf.
When fear tells us that it's over, remind us that You have the final word.
When we cannot see the road ahead, teach us to trust the One who already knows the destination.
Give us faith to stand still when You say wait and courage to go forward when You say move.
Father, part every Red Sea standing between us and Your purpose. Strengthen every discouraged heart. Restore hope to everyone who feels surrounded. Give peace to those waiting for answers.
And when You bring us through, we will not take the credit.
We will testify:
“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” — Psalm 126:3
We believe You are still working.
We believe You are still making ways.
We believe the same God who delivered Israel is still our God today.
In Jesus' mighty name,
AMEN!

Final Thought...
When you cannot see a way forward, don't assume there isn't one. The God who created the sea can also create a road through it.
STAND IN FAITH. TRUST GOD. AND WHEN HE SAYS GO—GO FORWARD!

Enjoy your Sunday Church Services and God Bless!