DOMINION DAILY DEVOTION ~ DAY 237
DATE: 25TH AUGUST 2026
TOPIC: COME TO JESUS, AND FIND REST
ANCHOR SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 11:28 (NKJV)
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Devotional message:

Are you struggling with sin?Are you struggling with fornication, pornography, or masturbation?Are you battling guilt and self-condemnation?Are you carrying bitterness, unforgiveness, rejection, or disappointment?Are you struggling under sickness, oppression, or the weight of circumstances that seem too heavy to bear?

Perhaps you have reached a place where you feel overwhelmed and wonder whether there is still hope.There is hope—and His name is Jesus.

Jesus does not merely offer temporary relief; He offers Himself. He calls the weary, the broken, the burdened, and those who have wandered away to come to Him.

He says:Matthew 11:28–30 (NKJV)
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Notice that Jesus does not say, “Fix yourself first, then come.”He says, “Come to Me.”You do not have to clean yourself up before approaching Him. Come with your brokenness. Come with your failures. Come with your questions. Come with your burdens. Come with the struggles you have been unable to overcome by yourself.

Jesus is able to forgive, restore, transform, and give you a new beginning.

The Apostle John gives us this assurance:1 John 1:9 (NKJV)“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”Your sin is not greater than His grace.Your past is not greater than His mercy.Your failure does not have to become your identity.There is forgiveness in Christ.

Jesus also invites us into fellowship with Him. Revelation 3:20 presents the picture of Christ standing at the door and knocking:“If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”The invitation is personal.He is calling you to open your heart and allow Him to reign over your life.

But receiving Jesus is more than merely repeating words. It is surrendering your life to His lordship—turning away from sin, trusting Him, following His Word, and allowing His Spirit to transform you.

And if you have already received Christ but find yourself struggling, do not run away from Him in shame. Run toward Him.

The enemy may tell you that you have failed too many times, that God will never accept you again, or that your situation can never change.Do not believe that lie.

Perhaps today you are carrying a burden that nobody else knows about.Jesus knows.Perhaps you have been smiling publicly while secretly fighting a battle.Jesus sees.

Perhaps you have reached the point where you have exhausted every human option.

Jesus is still calling:“Come to Me.”Bring Him your guilt,brokenness,sin,fears,disappointments and burdens.He is able to give you the rest your soul desperately needs.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,I come to You just as I am. I acknowledge that I need You and cannot save or transform myself by my own strength.Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to follow You all the days of my life.I receive Your rest, Your grace, and Your new beginning.In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING
Psalm 103:1–5,Isaiah 1:18,1 John 1:5–9,Luke 15:11–24,Jhn 8:31–36

Author : Alfred Wabuko Manyasi
Contact :
Email : DominionvoicesminisrtyAnderson Mwila.com
Facebook : Alfred Wabuko Manyasi
Dominion Daily Devotion, 2026
© Dominion Voices Ministry

THE POWER OF UNITY

Together We Are Stronger

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE

Psalm 133:1 (KJV) “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

1. UNITY BRINGS STRENGTH

Unity produces peace, strength and progress.

Where there is unity, there is strength.

2. UNITY DOESN'T MEAN UNIFORMITY

We may have different opinions and gifts, but we can still have one heart and one purpose.

You don't have to agree on everything to walk together.

3. AVOID DIVISION

Pride, gossip, jealousy and unforgiveness destroy relationships.

Proverbs 16:28 (KJV) “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”

Don't be the source of division.

4. UNITY ATTRACTS BLESSING

Psalm 133:3 (KJV) “...for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”

Where God's people walk in unity, God commands blessing.

5. BE A BUILDER OF UNITY

1. Forgive.
2. Love.
3. Communicate honestly.
4. Pray for others.
5. Promote peace.

KEY LESSON

1. Unity brings strength.
2. Division brings weakness.
3. Forgiveness protects relationships.
4. Love overcomes differences.
5. Unity creates room for blessing.

FINAL CHARGE

Be a bridge, not a wall. Be a peacemaker, not a troublemaker.

Build unity.
Protect relationships.
Walk together in love.

SHORT PRAYER

Father, give me a heart that values unity and peace. Remove pride, jealousy, bitterness and unforgiveness from me. Help me to love, forgive and respect others. Make me a builder of unity wherever I go. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prepared by Rev Frank Fabian Aidoo +233544295158

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS:

SERMON TOPIC:

HOW CAN YOU PRAY SO THAT GOD HEARS YOU?

Main Text: Psalm 66:18–20; 1 John 5:14–15
Supporting Texts: Matthew 6:5–13; James 5:16; Proverbs 15:29; Mark 11:24–25

GOD IS STILL LISTENING.

One of the deepest questions a believer can ask is:
“When I pray, does God really hear me?”
You may have prayed for months and seen no answer. You may have cried in secret, knelt beside your bed, prayed in church, prayed while travelling, prayed when nobody knew what you were going through—and still wondered, “God, are You hearing me?”
Here is the good news:
God hears prayer.
But the Bible also teaches us that there is a way to approach God in prayer.
Prayer is not merely talking loudly.
Prayer is not using many religious words.
Prayer is not trying to manipulate God.
Prayer is fellowship with the Father.
Jesus said:
«“Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” — Matthew 6:8»
So the question is not simply, “How much do I pray?”
The deeper question is:
“How do I position my heart when I pray?”
1. PRAY WITH A SINCERE AND HUMBLE HEART
God is not impressed by religious performance. He looks at the heart.
Psalm 51:17 says:
«“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart…”»
David understood something important: God values the condition of the heart more than the appearance of the prayer.
You can pray beautiful words with a proud heart and miss the heart of prayer.
But you can come before God with tears, weakness, and simple words and experience His presence.

Jesus' illustration

In Luke 18:9–14, Jesus told the story of two men who went to the temple to pray.
One was a Pharisee. He boasted about himself.
The other was a tax collector. He simply cried:
«“God be merciful to me a sinner.” — Luke 18:13»
Jesus said the humble man went home justified.

Spiritual lesson

God is not looking for impressive prayers; He is looking for surrendered hearts.
Come to God honestly.
If you are hurting, tell Him.
If you are confused, tell Him.
If you have failed, confess it.
If you are afraid, tell Him.
Prayer begins when pretending ends.
2. PRAY WITH FAITH
James 1:6 says:
«“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”»
Faith does not mean that you dictate to God what He must do.
Faith means that you trust who God is, even when you do not understand what He is doing.
Mark 11:24 says:
«“What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”»
Faith says:
“Father, I believe You are able.”
And when the answer does not come immediately:
“Father, I still trust You.”
Faith does not disappear because the answer is delayed.
Remember the three possible answers to prayer:

YES — God grants the request.

WAIT — God is working, but the timing is different.

NO — God knows something you do not know.
A “no” from God is not proof that God has abandoned you.
Sometimes God's refusal is protection.
Sometimes His delay is preparation.
Sometimes His silence is developing your spiritual maturity.
3. PRAY ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL
One of the most powerful scriptures on prayer is:
«“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” — 1 John 5:14»
Notice the words:
“According to His will.”
Prayer is not about making God's will submit to ours.
Prayer is about bringing our desires into alignment with God's will.
Jesus demonstrated this in Gethsemane.
He prayed:
«“Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” — Luke 22:42»
Jesus was facing the cross, yet He surrendered to the Father's will.
That is mature prayer.
A child may say:
“God, give me what I want.”
But spiritual maturity says:
“God, give me what You know is best.”
A powerful prayer to learn:
“Lord, if this desire is from You, establish it. If it is not from You, remove it. And if I must wait, give me grace to wait.”
4. DEAL WITH UNFORGIVENESS AND SIN

We must be careful here.

The Bible does not teach that every unanswered prayer means a person has committed some hidden sin.
Job suffered greatly without being guilty of the accusations brought against him.
However, Scripture clearly teaches that deliberate, unrepentant sin can affect our relationship and fellowship with God.
Psalm 66:18 says:
«“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”»
And Isaiah 59:2 says:
«“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God…”»
God is merciful, but we should not treat sin casually.
What about unforgiveness?
Jesus taught:
«“And when ye stand praying, forgive…” — Mark 11:25»
You cannot continuously ask God for mercy while deliberately refusing to show mercy to others.
Forgiveness does not mean saying that what happened was acceptable.
Forgiveness means releasing vengeance into God's hands.
Ask yourself:
“Is there somebody I need to forgive?”
“Is there something God has been asking me to surrender?”
“Am I asking God to bless something He has already told me to leave?”
5. PRAY WITH PERSISTENCE
Some answers require persistent prayer.
Jesus taught this through the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1–8.
The purpose of the parable was clear:
«“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” — Luke 18:1»
Do not stop praying simply because you have not yet seen the answer.
Daniel gives us another powerful example.
In Daniel 10, Daniel prayed and fasted. His answer was delayed, but heaven had heard him from the beginning.
The angel told him:
«“From the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand… thy words were heard.” — Daniel 10:12»
Think about that!
Daniel was praying on earth while heaven was already responding.
The delay did not mean God had ignored him.

BIBLICAL CASE STUDY:

HANNAH — A WOMAN WHO POURED OUT HER SOUL

Hannah's story in 1 Samuel 1 is one of the clearest pictures of persistent prayer.
She was deeply troubled because she had no child.
She went to the house of the Lord and prayed.
She didn't simply perform a religious ritual.
She poured out her soul before God.
Eli initially misunderstood her.
But Hannah kept praying.
Eventually, God answered her prayer and gave her Samuel.
Her story teaches us:
1. You can bring your deepest pain to God.
2. People may misunderstand your prayer, but God understands your heart.
3. Delay does not mean denial.
4. God can turn tears into testimony.
Hannah went into the presence of God carrying sorrow.
She came out carrying peace.
The circumstances had not immediately changed—but something had changed inside her.
That is one of the miracles of prayer.
Sometimes prayer changes the situation.
Sometimes prayer changes the person going through the situation.
And sometimes God does both.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD "HEARS" PRAYER?

When Scripture says God hears prayer, it means far more than God simply detecting our words.
It means God attends to, receives, and responds according to His wisdom and will.
God hears the prayer of His children.
Proverbs 15:29 says:
«“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”»
And James 5:16 declares:
«“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”»
Your prayer may look small on earth, but it is not small when it reaches heaven.

PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS

1. SET A CONSISTENT PRAYER TIME
Do not pray only when there is an emergency.
Build a prayer life.
2. BEGIN WITH WORSHIP
Before presenting your shopping list to God, acknowledge who He is.
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…” — Matthew 6:9
3. CONFESS YOUR SINS
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart.
Psalm 139:23–24
4. PRAY SCRIPTURE
Use God's Word as the foundation of your prayers.
5. ASK SPECIFICALLY
Instead of only saying, “Lord, bless me,” tell God what you are trusting Him for.
6. LEARN TO LISTEN
Prayer is not a one-way conversation.
After speaking, become quiet before God.
Read Scripture.
Pay attention to the convictions and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
7. KEEP A PRAYER JOURNAL
Write down your requests.
Record dates.
Record answers.
One day you will look back and realize how many prayers God answered.

DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS

1. God's silence is not necessarily God's absence.
You may not hear anything, but God may still be working.
2. Prayer is not primarily about getting things; it is about knowing God.
The greatest answer to prayer is not always a possession.
Sometimes it is God Himself.
3. Prayer changes the atmosphere of the person praying.
You may enter prayer anxious and leave with peace.
4. God's answer may be different from your expectation.
Never limit God to one method of answering.
5. The strongest prayer is surrendered prayer.
“Lord, have Your way” is one of the deepest expressions of faith.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. When I pray, am I seeking God's will or only demanding my own will?
2. Is there any known sin I need to confess?
3. Is there someone I need to forgive?
4. Have I stopped praying because my answer is delayed?
5. Do I genuinely trust God when His answer is different from what I expected?
6. Is my prayer life based on relationship with God or only on emergency needs?
7. What prayer have I abandoned that God may be asking me to continue bringing before Him?

POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS

1. PRAYER FOR A DEEPER PRAYER LIFE
Father, awaken in me a fresh hunger for prayer. Take away spiritual laziness and teach me to seek Your face consistently, in Jesus' name.
2. PRAYER FOR A PURE HEART
Lord, search my heart. Reveal anything that is displeasing to You and give me grace to repent and walk in righteousness.
3. PRAYER FOR FAITH
Father, increase my faith. When answers are delayed, help me trust You. When I cannot see the way, help me believe that You are still working.
4. PRAYER FOR GOD'S WILL
Lord, deliver me from insisting on my own way. Align my desires with Your purpose and give me grace to say, “Your will be done.”
5. PRAYER FOR PERSISTENCE
Father, give me strength not to faint in prayer. Help me continue believing until Your appointed time.
6. PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS
Lord, give me grace to forgive those who have hurt me. Heal my heart and remove bitterness from my spirit.
7. PRAYER FOR DIVINE ANSWERS
Father, concerning every legitimate request I have brought before You, let Your perfect will be established. Open the right doors, close the wrong doors, and lead me according to Your purpose.
8. PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL SENSITIVITY
Holy Spirit, teach me to recognize Your voice. Help me distinguish Your leading from my emotions, fears, and human desires.

DON'T JUST PRAY—BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Beloved, prayer is not a religious emergency button.
Prayer is relationship.
Do not wait until everything is falling apart before you seek God.
Pray when you are happy.
Pray when you are confused.
Pray when you have money.
Pray when you have nothing.
Pray when the door opens.
Pray when the door closes.
Pray when you understand.
Pray when you don't understand.
And above all, pray with a heart that trusts God.
Remember:
A delayed answer is not necessarily a denied prayer.
God's silence is not necessarily God's absence.
God's “no” is not a rejection of you.
And God's “wait” is not a waste of your time.
There is a God who hears.
There is a God who sees.
There is a God who knows.
There is a God who answers.
So keep praying. Keep believing. Keep trusting. Keep walking with God.

FINAL DECLARATION

I will not give up in prayer.
I will not allow delay to destroy my faith.
I will seek God's face, not merely His hands.
I will surrender my will to His will.
I will forgive.
I will believe.
I will persevere.
And I will trust the God who hears me.
In Jesus' mighty name, Amen!

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GLORIOUS SUNDAY SERMON OF
23RD AUGUST 2026

Beloved of God, welcome to this amazing gathering of God's children. As we are about to hear from the throne of mercy, I declared that you will not come in vain, and you will not go empty handed.
But before we share the word of God, let us pray

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LESSON: PSALM 139: 23-24.

TOPIC:
WHEN GOD LOOKS AT ME, WHAT DOES HE SEE?

TEXT:
For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)

INTRODUCTION:
Last Sunday, we asked ourselves a very important question: “What Kind of Christian Am I?” Today, I want us to go one step deeper. The question is no longer about what I call myself. It is not about what people call me. It is not even about the image I have created before others. The question is: “When God looks at me, what does He see?”

People see the outside. They see our clothes.
They hear our words. They see our church attendance. They see our posts on social media. They know our titles and positions. But God sees beyond all of that. 1 Samuel 16:7 says: “For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” That means I can impress people and still disappoint God. I can look religious before men and still be far from God in my heart. So today, let us allow God to examine us.

EXPOSITION:
1.GODSEES BEYOND MY APPEARANCE:
We are very conscious of how people see us. We dress well because we want to look good. We speak carefully because we want to sound intelligent. We behave properly because we want to maintain a good reputation. There is nothing wrong with these things.

But God sees what people cannot see. He sees the thoughts we hide. He sees the motives behind our actions. He sees what we do when nobody is watching. He sees the person behind the public image. You may deceive people, but you cannot deceive God.

David understood this when he prayed in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart... and see if there is any wicked way in me.” That should become our prayer too. “Lord, search me.” Not, “Lord, search my neighbour.” Not, “Lord, search my enemies.” Search me.

2. GOD SEES THE CONDITION OF MY HEART The heart is where God begins His examination.What is inside my heart? Is there unforgiveness? Bitterness? Pride? Jealousy? Greed? Hatred? Secret sin? Or is there genuine love for God and for people? Jesus said in Matthew 12:34: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our words often reveal what is already living inside us.

Sometimes we say, “That was just a mistake.” But repeated words, repeated attitudes and repeated behaviours may reveal something deeper. And this is where the message becomes personal. What does God see when He looks into my heart? Does He see Christ? Does He see humility? Does He see love? Does He see repentance? Or does He see a heart that has become comfortable with things He has been asking us to surrender?

3. GOD SEES WHETHER MY LIFE AGREES WITH MY CONFESSION:
Perhaps this is the hardest question. Do I live what I claim to believe? If I say I am a Christian, can people see Christ in the way I treat them? If I say I love God, does my lifestyle demonstrate that love? If I say I have forgiven someone, have I truly released the person from my heart? If I preach holiness, am I pursuing holiness? If I tell others to trust God, do I trust Him when my own circumstances become difficult?

Jesus said in Matthew 7:16: “You will know them by their fruits.” God is not only interested in what comes out of our mouths.He is interested in what comes out of our lives. Our character is preaching every day. Our conduct is preaching. Our attitude is preaching. Our relationships are preaching. Even when we say nothing, our lives are saying something.

CONCLUSION:
THE GREATEST TRAGEDY :
My beloved, today God is not asking us to examine somebody else. He is asking us to examine ourselves. When God looks at me, what does He see? Does He see a Christian only on the outside? Or does He see a transformed heart? Does He see someone who has truly surrendered to Christ? Maybe today, we need to stop defending ourselves and simply say: “Lord, show me who I really am.” Because the greatest tragedy is not that people misunderstand us. The greatest tragedy is when we misunderstand ourselves before God.

People may applaud us. People may praise us. People may call us wonderful names. But at the end of everything, the only opinion that matters eternally is God's. So, before you ask, “What does God think about other people?” Ask yourself: “When God looks at me, what does He see?” And if He reveals something that does not look like Christ, don't run from Him.Run to Him. Because the God who reveals our condition is also the God who can transform us.

PRAYER:
Father, when You look at me, let me not be ashamed of what You see. Search my heart. Remove every bitterness, pride, hypocrisy, unforgiveness and secret sin. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Let my private life agree with my public confession. Let my character reflect Christ. Let my words, actions and attitudes bring glory to Your name. And when You look at me, Lord, let You see the evidence of Your grace working in my life. In Jesus' powerful name, Amen.

GOODWILL MESSAGE.
This is my goodwill message to you this week:
May the Lord search your heart and remove everything that does not represent Christ. May your private life be as pleasing to God as your public life appears before men. May your character reflect your confession, your actions reflect your faith, and your life become a true testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.

HAPPY BLESSED SUNDAY!
HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK.

JESUS IS COMING BACK AGAIN SOON!
REPENT AND BE READY FOR HIM!!

This wonderful message is brought to you
With Love from Pastor M O Glorious,
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH ,
Palace of Mercy, Royal District, Restoration Zone. Damolapa, Laketu, Lucky Fibre, Ikorodu Lagos Nigeria.
For prayer or counseling, pls contact us@
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or
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#WhatDoesGodSee
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#ExamineYourself
#SearchMyHeart
#ChristianCharacter
#FaithInAction
#JesusChrist
#WalkWithGod
#TheWordOfGod
#GloriousPositiveVibes

I belong to a Celebrate Recovery group and this is a prayer they say in every meeting. Celebrate Recovery is a global Christian organization that is for everyone. To me it is the hands and feet of the church in helping people with hurts, hang-ups and habits. It is a tremendous support group for any issue in your life and we all have issues. It is not just for addicts and in fact only about 20% of the people could be classified with addictions. This is to help with marriages and relationships, pain, anxiety, anger, and unforgiveness and it is all built on the Gospel. God bless!

“I INDEED… BUT HE”

“I indeed baptize you with water... but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.” — Matthew 3:11

There comes a point in our Christian life when we must be able to say:

“I indeed… but HE.”

In other words:

“I have reached the end of myself, but Jesus begins where I end.”

There are things we cannot change or accomplish by our own strength. We may try harder, make promises, or depend on our own goodness, but eventually we must recognize:

“I cannot do this by myself. I need Jesus.”

That is where Jesus begins to work.

Am I truly ready for Jesus?

Jesus cannot fully work in us while we are hiding things from Him.

When He comes into our lives, He brings things into the light. He may show us attitudes, habits, pride, wrong desires, unforgiveness, or things we thought were acceptable.

Where we know something is wrong, Jesus wants to deal with it.

But sometimes we think we are already good enough. We defend ourselves and say:

“I'm not that bad.”
“At least I'm better than others.”
“God understands me.”

That attitude can prevent us from experiencing God's deeper work in our lives.

True repentance

Repentance is more than simply saying, “I have sinned.”

It is recognizing:

“Lord, I cannot save myself. I cannot make myself holy. I desperately need You.”

It means giving up our excuses and our attempts to defend ourselves.

We come before God with humility and say:

“Jesus, I need You completely.”

“He shall baptize you”

John the Baptist said:

> “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.”



The focus is not on what we can accomplish. The focus is on what Jesus does.

I indeed—but HE.

I am weak—but He is strong.
I cannot change myself—but He can change me.
I cannot make myself holy—but He sanctifies me.
I cannot do it—but He can.

Stop trying to do God's work through your own strength.

Come to the point where you can honestly say:

> “I indeed am at the end of myself—but He begins there.”

Get to the place where Jesus does everything.

BEFORE SATAN GETS YOU, HE FIRST DESTROYS YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM.
The devil has many ways of getting his prey, one of the most effective means he uses is to destroy your support system. His first target is the good people around you. People who can strengthen, encourage, and protect you.
When we become isolated from godly friends, family, mentors, and our church community, we become easier targets for discouragement, temptation, fear, and defeat etc.
The enemy knows that so he creates misunderstanding between you and those who genuinely care about you. Once he succeeded in doing this, he has already won half the battle. He will tell you lies such as, "No one love or care about you" "No one will ever understands you," "You don't need anyone," "They are against you."
Sadly, many people fall victim to these lies and walk away from the very people God placed in their lives for support.
The Bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10:
"Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."
God never intended us to fight life's battles alone. He surrounds us with people who pray for us, encourage us, correct us, and help us remain strong in difficult times. Jesus surrounded Himself with disciples and close friends during His earthly ministry. Even the Son of God valued godly companionship
Once you notice yourself becoming isolated, constantly offended, or withdrawing from everyone, pause and ask yourself: Is this truly wisdom, or is the enemy trying to disconnect me from my support system?
Protect your relationships, value those who sincerely pray for you. Appreciate those who lovingly correct you. Stay connected to your church and fellowship with other believers. Don't allow pride, offense, or unforgiveness to destroy the people God has placed around you.
Remember, when the enemy cannot stop God's purpose for your life, he often tries to separate you from the people who could help you fulfill it. Don't let the devil succeed.
Ask God to open your eyes to recognize their value so that you will not fall into the trap of isolation, offense, or pride but to protect your relationships from every attack of the enemy.
Finally, guard your support system as carefully as you guard your dreams. The people God has placed in your life are often part of His answer to your prayers. Stay connected, stay humble, and stay prayerful.

# Purpose and Stewardship

I have been thinking about purpose, and I am beginning to see it through the idea of "stewardship".

I believe God has a general purpose for humanity, a general purpose for those who belong to Christ, and also particular things He entrusts to individuals. In Genesis, humanity was given responsibility to fill the earth, cultivate it, work it, keep it, and exercise dominion under God. Man was therefore placed in creation not as the ultimate owner, but as a **steward**.

For the Christian, this stewardship goes further. Jesus calls us **“the salt of the earth”** and **“the light of the world.”** He Himself said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” He taught, preached, healed, delivered, instructed, and ministered to people. He exercised and dispensed what the Father had entrusted to Him.

Peter says:
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
— 1 Peter 4:10

So stewardship is not merely about money, possessions, talents, or abilities.

**Stewardship is managing whatever comes into our little world according to how God wants it managed, so that it does not leave our hands contrary to His will.**

But not everything we encounter is necessarily ours to steward.

We live in a world filled with countless people, problems, opportunities, and events. We cannot take responsibility for everything. There must be a distinction between what we merely encounter and what the Master actually places within our sphere of responsibility, influence, authority, relationship, opportunity, or care.

Therefore, one of the crucial questions of purpose is:

**“What has the Master placed within my stewardship, and what has He not?”**

If someone comes into my care, how do I treat them?

If money comes into my hands, how do I use it?

If knowledge comes to me, what do I do with it?

If I receive an opportunity, how do I handle it?

If I am given influence, what do I cause that influence to produce?

If I receive a spiritual gift, do I use it to serve others?

If evil comes into my sphere, do I become another channel through which it spreads—or do I, by God's grace, stop its transmission through me?

This is why stewardship also involves **cultivation**.

Cultivation takes time.

A seed becomes a tree.
A child grows into an adult.
Knowledge develops into wisdom.
A gift becomes fruitful through exercise.
Truth is taught from one generation to another.
Good institutions and communities are built over time.

And therefore, what passes through our hands can become either **something we cultivate for God's purposes or something we help multiply contrary to His will**.

Unforgiveness can produce bitterness.
Bitterness can produce hatred.
Hatred can produce further harm.

But forgiveness can interrupt a cycle.

Truth can produce trust.

Love can produce love.

Wisdom can produce wisdom.

Generosity can produce generosity.

The Christian should therefore ask not only:

**“What am I producing?”**

but also:

**“What am I helping to reproduce?”**

Ultimately, I think purpose can be understood in this way:

**Purpose is not simply doing something impressive with our lives. It is faithfully doing what the Master has entrusted to us.**

Jesus prayed to the Father:

> “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”
> — John 17:4

He did not say, “I have done everything that could possibly be done.”

He said:

**“The work which Thou gavest Me.”**

That is the distinction.

We are not called to steward everything in the world.

We are called to faithfully steward **what the Master brings into our hands and places within our responsibility**.

And when we stand before Him, the question will not ultimately be how much we possessed, how famous we became, or how impressive our accomplishments appeared.

It will be:

**What did you do with what I entrusted to you?**

Perhaps, then, to fulfill purpose is simply this:

**To take what the Master puts into our hands, manage it according to His will, cultivate what He wants cultivated, dispense what He wants given, refuse to propagate what He calls evil, and faithfully complete the work He has given us to do.**

**That is stewardship. And perhaps that is what it means to fulfill purpose.**

WHEN GOD WRITES ON THE WALL
A Call to Examine Your Heart Before God

KEY SCRIPTURE
“TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.”
— Daniel 5:27 (KJV)

Thought Of The Day...
There are times when God whispers to our hearts. There are times when He sends warnings through His Word, through circumstances, and through people. And then there are moments when God makes His message so unmistakably clear that it can no longer be ignored.
Daniel 5 gives us one of the most powerful and sobering examples in all of Scripture.
King Belshazzar was surrounded by celebration. The palace was filled with people, food, wine, wealth, music, power, and prestige. To everyone looking from the outside, it appeared that the king had everything under control. But while Belshazzar was celebrating on earth, Heaven was examining his heart.
While people were honoring the king, God was weighing the king.
While Belshazzar was looking at what he possessed, God was looking at what he had become.
Suddenly everything changed.
“In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.”
— Daniel 5:5 (KJV)
The celebration stopped. The king's confidence disappeared. The man who commanded others suddenly had no control over himself.
Scripture says:
“Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him... and his knees smote one against another.”
— Daniel 5:6 (KJV)
Belshazzar discovered something that we must never forget: when God speaks, earthly power cannot silence Him. When God exposes something, money cannot cover it. When God pronounces judgment, human influence cannot reverse it.
Belshazzar called for the astrologers, Chaldeans, soothsayers, and wise men of Babylon, but none of them could interpret the writing. All the intelligence of Babylon was powerless before a message that came from God.
Eventually Daniel was summoned.
Daniel had lived faithfully before God for years. Kings had changed. Governments had changed. Circumstances had changed. Daniel had grown older, but his commitment to God had remained.
What a testimony!
The queen said concerning Daniel:
“...there is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods... light and understanding and wisdom... was found in him.”
— Daniel 5:11 (KJV)
Daniel had developed a reputation that when everybody else was confused, Daniel knew how to seek God.
May that become our testimony.
When people around us are confused, may they know that we know God. When families experience trouble, may they know there is somebody who knows how to pray. When darkness enters a situation, may our lives carry the light of Christ.
Jesus declared:
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”
— Matthew 5:14 (KJV)
Belshazzar offered Daniel wealth, clothing, jewelry, and political promotion if he could interpret the message. But Daniel answered:
“Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another...”
— Daniel 5:17 (KJV)
Daniel's integrity was not for sale.
He didn't need the king's money to tell the king God's truth. He wasn't seeking popularity. He wasn't chasing another title. Daniel understood that pleasing God was greater than pleasing people.
That same conviction must live within us.
There will be times when standing upon God's Word will not make us popular. There will be times when truth will challenge people. There will be times when obedience may cost us opportunities, relationships, applause, or acceptance.
But we must be able to say:
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men?...”
— Galatians 1:10 (KJV)
Daniel reminded Belshazzar about Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had once become lifted up in pride, and God humbled him until he understood:
“...that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.”
— Daniel 5:21 (KJV)
Then Daniel spoke words that should cause every believer to examine his or her heart:
“And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this.”
— Daniel 5:22 (KJV)
Though thou knewest all this.
Belshazzar had been given an example. He knew what pride had done before him, but he refused to learn from it.
There is a dangerous difference between not knowing God's will and knowing God's will but refusing to obey it.
The Bible says:
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
— James 4:17 (KJV)
God's patience should never be mistaken for God's approval.
Just because judgment has not come does not mean God approves of what we are doing. Sometimes God's delay is actually God's mercy giving us time to repent.
“The Lord is... longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
— 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
Belshazzar had also taken the sacred vessels from God's temple and used them during his celebration. He treated what belonged to God as though it were common.
Daniel told him:
“...thou hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven...”
— Daniel 5:23 (KJV)
This should cause us to ask ourselves: Have we become too casual with the things of God?
Have we become casual about prayer?
Casual about worship?
Casual about God's Word?
Casual about holiness?
Casual about our calling?
Casual about the gifts God placed inside us?
Casual about gathering with other believers?
God is loving, gracious, merciful, and compassionate, but He is still holy.
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.”
— 1 Peter 1:15 (KJV)
Belshazzar praised gods made from silver, gold, brass, iron, wood, and stone. Yet when trouble entered the palace, none of those gods could answer him.
How often do people still place their confidence in things that cannot save them?
Money cannot save the soul.
A career cannot save the soul.
A title cannot save the soul.
Popularity cannot save the soul.
Possessions cannot save the soul.
Human relationships cannot take God's place.
Jesus asked:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
— Mark 8:36 (KJV)
Then Daniel revealed the handwriting:
“MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.”
— Daniel 5:25 (KJV)
MENE meant:
“God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.”
— Daniel 5:26 (KJV)
Belshazzar thought he had more time.
God said his time had been numbered.
That should remind us that every day is a gift from God.
Every morning is mercy.
Every breath is grace.
Every opportunity to pray is precious.
Every opportunity to forgive matters.
Every opportunity to tell someone about Jesus matters.
Every opportunity to obey God matters.
David prayed:
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
— Psalm 90:12 (KJV)
Then came TEKEL:
“Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.”
— Daniel 5:27 (KJV)
What a frightening statement.
Belshazzar had been weighed—not by public opinion, not by his friends, not by his servants, and not by the standards of Babylon.
He had been weighed by God.
People may celebrate what God is correcting.
People may applaud what God is examining.
People may be impressed by our gifts while God is concerned about our character.
People may see our appearance while God sees our hearts.
Scripture declares:
“...for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
— 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)
That brings us to a serious question:
If God examined my heart today, what would He find?
Would He find humility or pride?
Would He find obedience or rebellion?
Would He find forgiveness or bitterness?
Would He find love or hatred?
Would He find integrity when nobody is watching?
Would He find genuine faith?
Would He find someone seeking His glory—or someone seeking his or her own?
This is not about earning salvation. We cannot save ourselves through our works.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works...”
— Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
Our hope is Jesus Christ. But when Christ truly transforms our hearts, our lives should produce evidence of that transformation.
Finally came PERES:
“Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”
— Daniel 5:28 (KJV)
Then Scripture delivers the sobering conclusion:
“In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.”
— Daniel 5:30 (KJV)
That night.
Belshazzar started the evening sitting on a throne and ended it having lost everything.
He thought he had tomorrow.
He didn't.
This is why Scripture says:
“...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
— 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)
Don't wait for tomorrow to surrender what God is asking for today.
Don't wait until tomorrow to forgive.
Don't wait until tomorrow to repent.
Don't wait until tomorrow to pray.
Don't wait until tomorrow to make things right.
Don't wait until tomorrow to answer God's call.
And above all, don't wait until tomorrow to come to Jesus.
Daniel 5 is not merely about handwriting appearing on a wall. It is about a God who sees beyond appearances and examines the heart.
Belshazzar's kingdom is gone. Babylon's glory faded. Its wealth could not last. Its power could not last. Its king could not last.
But our God remains.
“For I am the LORD, I change not...”
— Malachi 3:6 (KJV)
Before God ever has to write something on the wall, allow Him to write His Word upon your heart.
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
— Psalm 119:11 (KJV)
Let His Word correct you.
Let His Word convict you.
Let His Word humble you.
Let His Word guide you.
Let His Word transform you.
And when God reveals something in your heart that needs to change, don't run from Him.
Run to Him.
Because through Jesus Christ there is forgiveness, mercy, restoration, and new life.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
— 1 John 1:9 (KJV)

PRAYER...
Most Holy and Eternal God, our Father,
We come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, humbled by Your Word and grateful for Your mercy.
Father, search us today.
Your Word declares:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”
— Psalm 139:23 (KJV)
Lord, shine Your light into every area of our lives. Reveal anything within us that does not please You.
If pride has entered our hearts, humble us.
If bitterness has entered our hearts, cleanse us.
If unforgiveness has taken root, help us forgive.
If compromise has entered our lives, give us courage to turn away from it.
If we have become casual concerning holy things, restore our reverence for You.
If anything has taken Your rightful place in our hearts, tear down every idol and draw us back to You.
Father, never allow us to become so comfortable with Your blessings that we forget the One who blessed us.
Help us remember that every breath comes from You, every opportunity comes from You, every gift comes from You, and every good thing comes from You.
Your Word says:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...”
— James 1:17 (KJV)
Give us the spirit of Daniel.
Give us wisdom when others are confused.
Give us courage when others compromise.
Give us integrity when temptation comes.
Give us faith when circumstances become difficult.
Give us boldness to speak Your truth with love.
May we never sell our convictions for acceptance, promotion, popularity, money, or position.
Father, teach us to number our days.
Help us understand that tomorrow is not promised and today is an opportunity to glorify You.
May our lives bring honor to Jesus Christ.
May our homes glorify You.
May our marriages and families glorify You.
May our ministries glorify You.
May our workplaces glorify You.
May our words glorify You.
May our decisions glorify You.
And when You examine our hearts, may You find people who sincerely love You, trust You, obey You, and desire to walk according to Your Word.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You that where we have fallen short, the blood of Jesus still cleanses.
Thank You that repentance is still available.
Thank You that grace is still available.
Thank You that mercy is still available.
Thank You that restoration is still available.
Create within us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
— Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
We surrender ourselves completely to You.
In the mighty, matchless, wonderful name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen and Amen!

DECLARATION...
I DECLARE IN THE NAME OF JESUS:
My heart belongs to God!
My life belongs to God!
My family belongs to God!
My gifts belong to God!
My future belongs to God!
My worship belongs to God!
I will not allow pride to rule my heart.
I will not allow the things of this world to become idols in my life.
I will not compromise God's Word for popularity, acceptance, position, possessions, or applause.
Like Daniel, I will walk with an excellent spirit.
I will stand when others compromise.
I will pray when others panic.
I will trust God when others doubt.
I will speak truth with love.
I will honor God publicly and privately.
MENE! I understand that my days are numbered, therefore I will make my days count for the glory of God.
TEKEL! I understand that God examines the heart, therefore I will walk humbly and sincerely before Him.
PERES! I understand that earthly kingdoms, possessions, titles, and accomplishments will pass away, but the Kingdom of God will stand forever.
I declare that God's Word will be written upon my heart.
I will not wait for the handwriting on the wall before I obey God.
TODAY I CHOOSE JESUS!
TODAY I CHOOSE HUMILITY!
TODAY I CHOOSE OBEDIENCE!
TODAY I CHOOSE HOLINESS!
TODAY I CHOOSE FAITH!
TODAY I CHOOSE TO LIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
— Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
This is my declaration, this is my commitment, and this is my prayer—in Jesus' mighty name. Amen and Amen!

Friday, 21st August, 2026

TITLE: "A HEART AFTER GOD: LIVING WITH A CLEAN HEART"

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S)

Acts 13:22 (KJV) "And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will."

Psalm 51:10 (KJV) "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

QUOTE TO REFLECT ON

"God is more interested in the condition of your heart than the appearance of your life."

DAY'S REFLECTION

God looks beyond outward appearance and examines the heart. Acts 13:22 records God's testimony concerning David: "a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." David was not a perfect man. He made serious mistakes and experienced painful failures. Yet he repeatedly turned back to God with humility, repentance, and a desire to obey Him.

To be "after God's own heart" does not mean being sinless. It means having a heart that genuinely desires God, responds to His correction, loves His ways, and seeks to fulfil His will. David's life teaches us that God can use imperfect people who are willing to surrender themselves to Him.

Psalm 51:10 reveals David's prayer after his failure: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." The word "create" is significant. David understood that he needed more than outward correction. He needed God to work deeply within him.

A clean heart speaks of inner purity—our motives, desires, attitudes, thoughts, and intentions. A right spirit speaks of an inner disposition that is steadfast, faithful, and aligned with God. We can sometimes correct our outward behaviour while leaving the heart unchanged, but genuine transformation begins inside.

Life experience teaches us that people can appear successful, religious, or respectable outwardly while struggling with hidden attitudes such as pride, bitterness, jealousy, unforgiveness, dishonesty, or selfishness. God, however, sees what others cannot see.

Therefore, we should regularly invite God to examine and transform our hearts. When He reveals something wrong, we should not defend it; we should repent and ask Him for cleansing and renewal.

A heart after God is not a heart that never fails—it is a heart that returns to God when it fails. It is willing to learn, change, forgive, obey, and pursue God's purpose.

Today, do not focus only on how others see you. Ask God to examine who you are on the inside. Let your private life agree with your public testimony.

Lord, create in me a clean heart and give me a spirit that desires to fulfil Your will.

MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S)

1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth ; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS)

1. God looks at the heart, not merely outward appearance.

2. A heart after God desires to know, love, and obey Him.

3. Failure does not have to be the end when genuine repentance follows.

4. Inner transformation is more important than outward appearance.

5. We must continually guard our hearts against attitudes that separate us from God's will.

6. God can use imperfect people who sincerely surrender themselves to Him.

EVERYDAY ACTION

Examine your heart today, quickly repent of anything displeasing to God, and choose one action that reflects His character.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Remove everything that displeases You and help me live wholeheartedly according to Your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DECLARATION

I have a heart that seeks after God. My thoughts, motives, words, and actions will honour Him. I will walk in repentance, obedience, purity, and humility, and my life will fulfil God's purpose. Amen.

Devotion by

Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo
+233 544 295 158

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