**For three hours... the land grew dark.** Not at sunrise. Not at sunset. At **noon**. All three Synoptic Gospels record the same remarkable event: > **"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour."** — *Matthew 27:45 (KJV)* From **12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.**, darkness covered the land during the crucifixion of Jesus. Some have suggested this was simply a **solar eclipse**. But that explanation faces a significant problem. A total solar eclipse lasts only a few minutes at any one location—not three hours. There's another difficulty. The crucifixion took place during **Passover**, which occurs at the time of a **full moon**. A solar eclipse, however, can occur only during a **new moon**, when the moon passes between the earth and the sun. Astronomically, a normal solar eclipse cannot occur during Passover. So what caused the darkness? The Bible does not explain the physical mechanism. Some scholars have suggested unusually dense storm clouds or other natural phenomena. Others understand the darkness as a miraculous act of God, symbolizing divine judgment and the weight of the moment when Christ bore the sins of the world. Interestingly, a few ancient writers outside the New Testament—including **Phlegon of Tralles**, whose work survives only through later quotations—refer to an unusual darkness and earthquake during the reign of Emperor Tiberius. Historians continue to debate whether these references describe the crucifixion or a different event. Whatever one's conclusion, the Gospel writers present the darkness as no ordinary occurrence. Creation itself seemed to bear witness as the Son of God gave His life. > **"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour."** — *Matthew 27:45 (KJV)* 💬 The darkness at Calvary reminds us that the cross was not just another execution—it was the pivotal moment in God's plan of redemption. What do you think the three hours of darkness signify? Share your thoughts below, and pass this along to someone who enjoys studying the deeper details of Scripture. #BibleStudy #TheCross #Crucifixion #Matthew27 #JesusChrist #Resurrection #ChristianFaith #KJV #BibleTruth #Gospel

**For three hours... the land grew dark.** Not at sunrise. Not at sunset. At **noon**. All three Synoptic Gospels record the same remarkable event: > **"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour."** — *Matthew 27:45 (KJV)* From **12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.**, darkness covered the land during the crucifixion of Jesus. Some have suggested this was simply a **solar eclipse**. But that explanation faces a significant problem. A total solar eclipse lasts only a few minutes at any one location—not three hours. There's another difficulty. The crucifixion took place during **Passover**, which occurs at the time of a **full moon**. A solar eclipse, however, can occur only during a **new moon**, when the moon passes between the earth and the sun. Astronomically, a normal solar eclipse cannot occur during Passover. So what caused the darkness? The Bible does not explain the physical mechanism. Some scholars have suggested unusually dense storm clouds or other natural phenomena. Others understand the darkness as a miraculous act of God, symbolizing divine judgment and the weight of the moment when Christ bore the sins of the world. Interestingly, a few ancient writers outside the New Testament—including **Phlegon of Tralles**, whose work survives only through later quotations—refer to an unusual darkness and earthquake during the reign of Emperor Tiberius. Historians continue to debate whether these references describe the crucifixion or a different event. Whatever one's conclusion, the Gospel writers present the darkness as no ordinary occurrence. Creation itself seemed to bear witness as the Son of God gave His life. > **"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour."** — *Matthew 27:45 (KJV)* 💬 The darkness at Calvary reminds us that the cross was not just another execution—it was the pivotal moment in God's plan of redemption. What do you think the three hours of darkness signify? Share your thoughts below, and pass this along to someone who enjoys studying the deeper details of Scripture. #BibleStudy #TheCross #Crucifixion #Matthew27 #JesusChrist #Resurrection #ChristianFaith #KJV #BibleTruth #Gospel

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: THURSDAY AUGUST 6TH 2026 THEME: NOT BY MIGHT MEMORISE: 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. Zechariah 4:6 READ: Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. MESSAGE What a person will become during his or her sojourn on earth will not depend solely on the fellow's efforts. African elders have an adage that says, Hustling and bustling does not translate to wealth. This is true because, for instance, dockworkers who offload cargo from a ship from sunrise to sunset typically would earn only a fraction of what the Chief Executive Officer of a wharf, who sits in an air- conditioned office, sipping tea and merely signing documents, would earn. At the end of a month, the fellow's salary might even be more than what a hefty, hardworking dockworker will earn in a whole year! Today's Bible reading makes it clear that the fact that a fellow can run swiftly does not mean that he or she will win a race, and the fact that a fellow is strong does not mean that he or she will defeat an enemy. The passage goes on to say that bread is not to the wise, neither are riches to men of understanding. This means that a fellow's advanced level of education alone will not determine how wealthy he or she will become. I recall that I was in Redemption Camp (now Redemption City) sometime between 1983 and 1984, spending time alone with God, and crying to Him. I said, "God, I'm not asking for clothes, a car, or a house. I was minding my business as a lecturer at the university when You asked me to come and serve You. I agreed, and I really want to serve You; however, I need power to do Your work. I don't want to be an ordinary pastor; I want to excel." In desperation, I added, "God, it is either You empower me, or You take me home." My prayer touched Him, and that night, the entire campground shook due to an earthquake that sent tremors as far as ljebu Ode, a town several kilometres away. The Lord visited me and empowered me with His anointing to excel. Beloved, you need God's anointing to excel. It is God who gives power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18), it is only His anointing that can teach you everything you need to now (1 John 2:27), and it is only through Him that you can do all things (Philippians 4:13). This is why you must cry out to God to anoint you just as I did several years ago. I pray that my Daddy will empower you to excel, in Jesus' name. PRAYER POINT Dear Lord, please visit me and empower me to excel, in Jesus ‘name. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 9-11 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE HYMN 1: ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME 1. All hail the power of Jesus' Name! Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all. 2. Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre, and as they tune it, fall Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all. Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all. 3. Crown Him, ye morning stars of light, Who fixed this floating bail; Now hail the strength of Israel's might, and crown Him Lord of all. Now hail the strength of Israel's might, and crown Him Lord of all. 4. Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God, who from His altar call; Extol the Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown Him Lord of all. Extol the Stem of Jesse's Rod, and crown Him Lord of all. 5. Ye seed of Israel's chosen race, ye ransomed from the fall, Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all. Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all. 6. Hail Him, ye heirs of David's line, Whom David Lord did call, The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all, The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all. 7. Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget the wormwood and the gall, Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all. Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all. 8. Let every tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all. And shout in universal song the crowned Lord of all PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL. Thursday 6th August 2026 NOT BY MIGHT ‎ ‎PRAYER POINTS 1.Ancient of Days, I worship and adore You for creating me in Your image and likeness. Thank You for being my strength and my help, thank You for taking care of my weaknesses. 2.Helper of the helpless, You are my Present-help, please help me to succeed in my sojourn here on earth, in Jesus' name. 3.Father, please bless the labour of my hands, and let my hardwork yield much more blessings for me and my household, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me to win the race of life, and strengthen me to win the battles thereof. Grant me wisdom and understanding to get wealth, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, I don't want to be ordinary please, empower me to excel in every area of my life endeavors, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please visit me today and empower me with Your anointing to excel, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please let Your anointing abide in me, and teach me all that I need to know so I can be empowered to do all things, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please I depend on You for help and strength, please flood my life with Your joy and let me prevail over sorrows and sadness, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please by Your Spirit, help me to become what You have created and destined me to be in life, in Jesus' name. 10.Dear Lord, please visit me and every member of my family and local assembly, and empower us to excel, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Let Your anointing be on the increase in His life, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ ‎#Godblessournation ‎These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name. ‎

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Did you know? After completing His work of redemption, Jesus declared, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). He was placed in the tomb before sunset on Friday, remained there throughout the Sabbath, and rose on the first day of the week. Luke records: “That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near… And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment” (Luke 23:54, 56). Just as Christ rested after completing His work of creation, He rested in the tomb after completing His sacrifice for our redemption. His resurrection on Sunday made that day historically glorious—but the Bible never says it replaced the Sabbath or became a new holy day. The seventh-day Sabbath remains God’s blessed and sanctified day. If Jesus honored it in life and even rested through it in death, shouldn’t His followers honor it too? “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” - Exodus 20:8

Adoniram Judson was a Missionary Fool Who of us today will dare to live a life like Adoniram Judson; committing to long and laborious years of labor to reap the unknown and untargeted fields of Burma (Myanmar)? Even William Carey advised Adoniram not to go to Burma; a hostile and utterly unreached place. But Adoniram went on anyway, in July of 1813. The Judson's labored through 108 degree heat, cholera, malaria, dysentery and other miseries that claimed Judson's two wives and 7 of his 13 children. Adoniram Judson was a gospel seed that died a thousand times giving life to a long and powerful advance of the gospel in Myanmar. Lord, would you compel a 1,000 gospel fools like Judson, to forsake comfort and affluence for the true wealth of winning souls from the uttermost regions for Christ? “We'll have all of eternity to celebrate our victories, but only a few hours before the final sunset to win them.” Amy Carmichael

Daily Bible Lesson. THE SEVENTH-DAY SABBATH IS GOD'S SIGN OF FAITH, CREATION & SANCTIFICATION. "Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you." — Exodus 31:13 Many Christians sincerely love Jesus, yet when the Sabbath is discussed, the conversation often turns immediately to law vs. grace. "We are not under the law." "Keeping the Sabbath is legalism." "We are saved by faith, not works." While salvation is indeed by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), many overlook one very important truth: The Sabbath is not merely about law—it is a sign of faith in God's power to sanctify His people. 1. THE SABBATH WAS ESTABLISHED AT CREATION Genesis 2:1-3 Before there was: Any Jew Any nation Any sin Any ceremony God Himself: Rested Blessed Sanctified the seventh day The weekly cycle comes directly from Creation. The Creator declared one specific day to be holy time. 2. JESUS IS LORD OF THE SABBATH Mark 2:27-28 "The Sabbath was made for man... therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath." Notice carefully: Jesus did not say... "The Sabbath was made for the Jews." He said: "The Sabbath was made for MAN." It is God's loving gift to all humanity. 3. GOD'S HOLINESS MAKES THE SABBATH HOLY Isaiah 6:3 God is holy. Exodus 3:5 God's presence made even the ground before Moses holy. Likewise... God's presence makes the seventh day holy. The Sabbath is holy because God sanctified it with His own presence. 4. THE SABBATH POINTS TO GOD'S SANCTIFYING WORK Exodus 31:13 God says: "...that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you." The Sabbath is more than a memorial of Creation. It is also a reminder that: God created us. God redeems us. God sanctifies us. God alone makes us holy. Keeping the Sabbath is therefore an expression of faith, not self-righteousness. 5. THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT POINTS BACK TO CREATION Exodus 20:8-11 Why should we remember the Sabbath? Because... "In six days the LORD made heaven and earth..." The commandment points directly back to Creation—not merely to Israel. The Sabbath reminds us every week that: God is our Creator. God is our Redeemer. God is our Sanctifier. 6. THE SABBATH WAS MADE BEFORE SIN At Creation there were: No Jews No ceremonies No sacrifices No sin Yet... The Sabbath already existed. This proves it was given for all mankind—not just one nation. 7. THE SABBATH CONTINUES INTO THE NEW EARTH Isaiah 66:22-23 The Bible says that in the new heavens and new earth: "From one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me." The Sabbath was present: At Creation Before sin During redemption In the New Earth 8. THE SABBATH IS ABOUT DELIGHT—NOT BURDEN Isaiah 58:13-14 God calls His people to: Call the Sabbath a delight Honor Him Put aside worldly pleasures The promise? Joy in the Lord. Spiritual refreshment. God's richest blessings. 9. TRUE SABBATH KEEPING REQUIRES FAITH Sadly... Some reject the Sabbath completely. Others merely "keep Saturday" without understanding its purpose. True Sabbath keeping is more than avoiding work. It means: Meeting with God. Trusting His Word. Seeking His presence. Allowing Him to sanctify our lives. The Sabbath is not about earning salvation. It is about trusting the One who saves. 10. THE SABBATH IS A TEST OF OUR FAITH The Bible teaches: We are saved by grace through faith. But genuine faith believes God's Word. If God declares: "The seventh day is My holy day." Faith responds: "Lord, because You said it, I believe and obey." The Sabbath becomes a visible sign that our confidence is in God's authority, not human tradition. HOW DO WE KNOW SATURDAY IS STILL THE BIBLICAL SEVENTH DAY? Many ask whether today's Saturday is the same seventh day mentioned in Scripture. The evidence is strong: Many world languages preserve the name "Sabbath" for Saturday (such as Sábado, Sabato, Subbota, and similar forms). The Jewish people have preserved the seventh-day Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset for thousands of years. Sunday-keeping Christians have consistently recognized Sunday as the first day of the week, confirming the continuity of the weekly cycle. Modern calendar studies show that although calendars and dates have changed over history, the uninterrupted seven-day weekly cycle has remained intact. FINAL APPEAL The great question is not merely: "Should I keep a law?" The greater question is: Do I trust God's Word? Do I acknowledge Him as my Creator? Do I believe He alone can sanctify me? The seventh-day Sabbath is God's gift to humanity—a weekly reminder that He is our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. May we place our faith completely in Jesus Christ and honor Him according to His Word. "We are saved by grace through faith." (Ephesians 2:8-9) "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17) "It is a sign... that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you." (Exodus 31:13) Choose God's Word over human tradition, and delight in the holy day that He made for all mankind.

Daily Bible Lesson. THE SEVENTH-DAY SABBATH IS GOD'S SIGN OF FAITH, CREATION & SANCTIFICATION. "Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you." — Exodus 31:13 Many Christians sincerely love Jesus, yet when the Sabbath is discussed, the conversation often turns immediately to law vs. grace. "We are not under the law." "Keeping the Sabbath is legalism." "We are saved by faith, not works." While salvation is indeed by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), many overlook one very important truth: The Sabbath is not merely about law—it is a sign of faith in God's power to sanctify His people. 1. THE SABBATH WAS ESTABLISHED AT CREATION Genesis 2:1-3 Before there was: Any Jew Any nation Any sin Any ceremony God Himself: Rested Blessed Sanctified the seventh day The weekly cycle comes directly from Creation. The Creator declared one specific day to be holy time. 2. JESUS IS LORD OF THE SABBATH Mark 2:27-28 "The Sabbath was made for man... therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath." Notice carefully: Jesus did not say... "The Sabbath was made for the Jews." He said: "The Sabbath was made for MAN." It is God's loving gift to all humanity. 3. GOD'S HOLINESS MAKES THE SABBATH HOLY Isaiah 6:3 God is holy. Exodus 3:5 God's presence made even the ground before Moses holy. Likewise... God's presence makes the seventh day holy. The Sabbath is holy because God sanctified it with His own presence. 4. THE SABBATH POINTS TO GOD'S SANCTIFYING WORK Exodus 31:13 God says: "...that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you." The Sabbath is more than a memorial of Creation. It is also a reminder that: God created us. God redeems us. God sanctifies us. God alone makes us holy. Keeping the Sabbath is therefore an expression of faith, not self-righteousness. 5. THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT POINTS BACK TO CREATION Exodus 20:8-11 Why should we remember the Sabbath? Because... "In six days the LORD made heaven and earth..." The commandment points directly back to Creation—not merely to Israel. The Sabbath reminds us every week that: God is our Creator. God is our Redeemer. God is our Sanctifier. 6. THE SABBATH WAS MADE BEFORE SIN At Creation there were: No Jews No ceremonies No sacrifices No sin Yet... The Sabbath already existed. This proves it was given for all mankind—not just one nation. 7. THE SABBATH CONTINUES INTO THE NEW EARTH Isaiah 66:22-23 The Bible says that in the new heavens and new earth: "From one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me." The Sabbath was present: At Creation Before sin During redemption In the New Earth 8. THE SABBATH IS ABOUT DELIGHT—NOT BURDEN Isaiah 58:13-14 God calls His people to: Call the Sabbath a delight Honor Him Put aside worldly pleasures The promise? Joy in the Lord. Spiritual refreshment. God's richest blessings. 9. TRUE SABBATH KEEPING REQUIRES FAITH Sadly... Some reject the Sabbath completely. Others merely "keep Saturday" without understanding its purpose. True Sabbath keeping is more than avoiding work. It means: Meeting with God. Trusting His Word. Seeking His presence. Allowing Him to sanctify our lives. The Sabbath is not about earning salvation. It is about trusting the One who saves. 10. THE SABBATH IS A TEST OF OUR FAITH The Bible teaches: We are saved by grace through faith. But genuine faith believes God's Word. If God declares: "The seventh day is My holy day." Faith responds: "Lord, because You said it, I believe and obey." The Sabbath becomes a visible sign that our confidence is in God's authority, not human tradition. HOW DO WE KNOW SATURDAY IS STILL THE BIBLICAL SEVENTH DAY? Many ask whether today's Saturday is the same seventh day mentioned in Scripture. The evidence is strong: Many world languages preserve the name "Sabbath" for Saturday (such as Sábado, Sabato, Subbota, and similar forms). The Jewish people have preserved the seventh-day Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset for thousands of years. Sunday-keeping Christians have consistently recognized Sunday as the first day of the week, confirming the continuity of the weekly cycle. Modern calendar studies show that although calendars and dates have changed over history, the uninterrupted seven-day weekly cycle has remained intact. FINAL APPEAL The great question is not merely: "Should I keep a law?" The greater question is: Do I trust God's Word? Do I acknowledge Him as my Creator? Do I believe He alone can sanctify me? The seventh-day Sabbath is God's gift to humanity—a weekly reminder that He is our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. May we place our faith completely in Jesus Christ and honor Him according to His Word. "We are saved by grace through faith." (Ephesians 2:8-9) "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17) "It is a sign... that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you." (Exodus 31:13) Choose God's Word over human tradition, and delight in the holy day that He made for all mankind.

Today's #photo: how's this for a stunning #summer prairie #sunset? https://wp.me/p2ccTX-2UV #NotAI #canada #photography (Click/tap the link or picture to see the entire scene. This cropped version is pretty awful.)

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