Good morning, brethren.
1. Morning devotion for today
MD.i.
MORNING TEA
THE WORD FOR TODAY
SATURDAY JULY 18, 2026.
"LOOKING GOOD, OR DOING GOOD?"
'…Jesus…went about doing good…’ Acts 10:38 NKJV
THE BIBLE says, ‘God anointed Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with power, Who went about doing good…’ When you’re led by God’s Spirit, your focus won’t be on looking good, but on doing good. You say, ‘But I’m so busy!’ Nobody was busier than Jesus, yet He always responded to those in need. In Luke chapter 10 He tells of a Jewish traveller who was attacked by a gang and left to die by the road. First a Levite, then a priest passed by. But each had important appointments to keep, so they didn’t stop. Then a Samaritan came along. Now, he had every reason to look the other way, because the Jews and the Samaritans were long-standing enemies. Instead, ‘…He…came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion’ (Luke 10:33 NKJV). Compassion will make you stop and rearrange your priorities. This Samaritan realised that where he was at that moment was more important than his next appointment. What would you have done that day? Do you think you’d have acted like him? How about when God tries to interrupt your inflexible, tightly-organised, written-in-concrete schedule and asks you to make time for someone who’s hurting? Are you willing to forgo your plans and do what He wants? If you’re too busy to reach out to those who are hurting, you’re too busy! You say, ‘But I’m shy around people.’ Then start with the people you know in your local church. ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith’ (Galatians 6:10 NKJV).
Bible In A Year: Acts 20-21; Matt 10:21-31; Ps 14; Pro 16:6-7. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation
*To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*
.
MD.ii. [17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY
ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS)
SATURDAY 18TH JULY, 2026```
*CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION*
🫵🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
```TEXT:ACTS 8:1-4```
```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles" (ACTS 8:1).*_
*On its website, _Open Doors International,_ the Christian organisation, published its report on persecution of believers in 2024. The report showed that 4,476 Christians were murdered, 7,679 churches and Christian properties attacked and 4,744 Christians imprisoned across the globe. "In _Open Doors' World Watch List_ top 50 alone, 310 million Christians face very high or extreme levels of persecutions and discriminations for their faith", the report said. Christian persecution is real in our world today.*
*The early Church also faced persecution as we read from today's Bible passage. The horrible death of Stephen by public stoning in Acts 7 triggered a wave of serious persecutions led by Saul. While the church was mourning over the death of the young preacher, Saul "...made havok of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison" (Acts 8:3). The believers had no choice but to scatter and flee Jerusalem to safety. The good news though is that the scattering helped them to take the gospel to new locations.*
*Jesus warned the disciples to prepare for persecution in their journey of faith. He said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service" (John 16:1, 2). Persecution is normal in the Christian race, but the grace of God is also available to see us through to the end.*
*Since we may not be able to avoid persecution, what can we do? We must, like the early Church, develop effective survival strategies. These include prayerfulness, endurance, maintaining a joyful disposition and readiness to spread the gospel anywhere life takes us. We must also raise sound and committed disciples who are ready to labour anywhere and everywhere for the Master.*
✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Sometimes, God uses persecution as a tool for gospel propagation.*_
```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *EXODUS 5-7*
Christian Persecution
https://dailymanna.app//
*RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 78: FAITH OF OUR FATHERS; GHS 91: WHERE HE LEADS ME; GHS 55: ANYWHERE WITH JESUS; AND GHS 88: WHEREVER HE LEADS I'LL GO*
*TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter*
*#DailyManna18thJuly2026*
*#GCK*
*#WorshipNuggets*
*#BibleNuggets*
*#LeadershipNuggets*
*#RevivalNuggets*
*#CrusadeNuggets*
https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]
[17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```
_*HIGHER EVERYD
Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_
✍🏽
🏻
🏽🛰
```SATURDAY 18TH JULY, 2026```
*RENEWING YOUR STRENGTH*
🫵🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
```TEXT:ISAIAH 40:28-31```
``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (ISAIAH 40:31).*_
*Strength renewal in our text is predicated on waiting upon the Lord. For health and healing, man applies, natural, medical or spiritual means. These are aimed at helping man to function well. In life, renewal is the way to go if one wants to function optimally. Some trees shed their leaves seasonally and grow new ones to function better.*
*Farmers and wood cutters sharpen their blunting axes or machetes for ease of work. Students have siesta, mid-term breaks and holidays to renew the mind and body for excellent academic work. Also, machines are serviced regularly to prevent breakdown and for proper performance. Christians should follow godly principles for renewal of strength.*
*Dear friend, God's word says, "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Jehovah gives power and strength. How do we obtain them from Him? By just waiting upon Him. Wait by being silent before Him. Wait by reading and meditating on His word. Wait by praying and worshipping Him. However, sleep, rest, proper eating and exercise are also godly means of strength renewal.*
```QUOTE:``` _*Jehovah gives power and strength.*_
```CHALLENGE:``` _*Apply biblical methods for renewal of strength.*_
🏽
🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Father, give me strength to finish strong, in Jesus' name.*_
Renewing Your Strength
https://dailymanna.app//
*TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter*
*#HigherEveryday18thJuly2026*
*#GCK*
*#WorshipNuggets*
*#BibleNuggets*
*#LeadershipNuggets*
*#RevivalNuggets*
*#CrusadeNuggets*
https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]
[17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```
_*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣
)*_
🏼
🏼
🏼
🏼
🏼
```SATURDAY 18TH JULY, 2026```
*PREPARE FOR THE RAPTURE*
🫵🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
🏽
```1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-17```
```Key Verse:``` _*"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).*_
The rapture is the catching away of believers to meet Jesus in the air when the trumpet sounds. It will be a signal of the end of time. Only true friends of Jesus will hear this sound and go to meet Him in the clouds. Those who were friends of Jesus before they died will also hear the sound and rise from their graves to meet Jesus in the clouds. The marriage supper of the Lamb will take place there.
Sinners and backsliders will remain on earth to suffer under the reign of the antichrist for seven (7) years. The torment, torture and agony will be much, it would be unbearable. You must endeavour to escape that terrible time because there will be no time for delay, because it is dangerous to do so. *How will you prepare for the rapture?*
*- Know yourself as a sinner.*
*- Repent of your sins, confess them to God.*
*- Ask for forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus.*
*- Invite Jesus into your life as Saviour and Lord.*
*Begin to live for Christ by reading your Bible and praying every day. Tell others about Jesus. Live every day in holiness so that you will not miss the rapture.*
```
rayer:``` _*Lord, help me to live in readiness for the rapture every day.*_
🏽
```
Further Reading:``` *Acts 1:9-11*
Prepare For The Rapture
https://dailymanna.app//
*TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter*
*#SincereMilk18thJuly2026*
*#GCK*
*#WorshipNuggets*
*#BibleNuggets*
*#LeadershipNuggets*
*#RevivalNuggets*
*#CrusadeNuggets*
https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]
[17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA*
SATURDAY, 18TH JULY, 2026.
*CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE*
*TEXT:* ACTS 8:1-4.
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
*Timeless Truth:*_"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world"_ (Acts 16:33).
*INTRODUCTION*
Have you ever experienced a serious persecution before? If no, then you are missing some divine blessings in your life. There is no genuine Christian, living the true Christian life that will not face some persecutions in some shape or form as a result of his faith or profession. Persecution has always been part of the Christian experience. Jesus warned His disciples that the world would hate them because it hated Him first (John 15:18–20). Yet God turns what the enemy intends for destruction into an instrument for purification, expansion and spiritual growth. The persecution that arose after Stephen's martyrdom scattered the believers, but it also spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem. Thus, persecution is never the end of God's work; it is often the beginning of a greater harvest.
*1.Persecutions for Perfection*
Persecution comes in different forms ranging from ridicule, deprivations, denials of rights, mockery, rejection and more violent despicable attacks from anybody for the sake of Christ. The Word of Christ on persecution is "when" and not "if", showing that every true believer will always experience it. The persecution He is referring to is as a result of living and standing for the truth. *"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"*. Those who never faced persecution or faced, but dodge it cannot claim to be righteous, but compromisers. They cannot claim to be Christlike, but betrayers of the cause of Christ. Such cannot enter heaven. Jesus further gave explanations on the nature of inescapable persecutions of christians and the blessings on them. *"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake"*. What should be our attitude towards persecutions? Our attitude will bring out or foreclose the blessings. *"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"* (Matthew 5:10-12). Persecutions make the believer to be more mature in the faith, help him to separate the wheat from the chaff in his Christian journey and produce Christ's virtue of Christlikeness and Christian perfections. Though it may not be pleasant and the persecutors are deceived to believe that they are achieving their evil objectives, yet God deliberately allowed it for the good of the Christian. Afterall, Jesus also was persecuted. Persecution is the badge of unfeigned and uncompromising faith in Christ.
b. *"And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem..."*
The early Church had enjoyed remarkable growth, fellowship and miracles. However, God allowed persecution to refine His people and moved them beyond their comfort zone. Spiritual maturity is often forged in the furnace of affliction. Trials expose genuine faith, produce perseverance and deepen dependence upon God (James 1:2–4; Romans 5:3–5). Instead of destroying the Church, persecution strengthened it and fulfilled Christ's command to take the gospel beyond Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). Believers should not interpret persecution as God's abandonment, but as an opportunity for spiritual perfection and greater usefulness in His kingdom.
*Question*
How have life's difficulties refined your faith and drawn you closer to Christ rather than away from Him?
*2.Persecutors without Prudence*
a. The persecutors lack wisdom. If satanic hosts and his human agents that they used to cause persecutions were wise, they would not have crucified Jesus and neither would they have persecuted the saints. *"Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory"*. If the Satanic host had known that the death of Stephen would open the door for the spread of the gospel, they would not have kill Stephen. Persecutions are heralds of revivals. *"As for Saul, he made havoc of the church..."* Saul zealously persecuted Christians, believing he was serving God. Religious passion without divine truth can become destructive.
b. While godly men buried Stephen with honour, Saul violently entered homes, arrested believers and committed them to prison. His actions remind us that ignorance of God's will, even when clothed in sincerity, can lead to cruelty and injustice.
Persecutors often fail to realize that they are resisting God's purposes. Yet God's grace is so abundant that even Saul, the chief persecutor, later became Paul, the great apostle of Christ. This demonstrates that no enemy is beyond God's transforming power. A persecutor is a potential convert when the persecuted learn to pray, praise and practice true Christianity in the midst of persecutions.
*Question*
Are your convictions producing Christlike compassion or do they encourage harshness and intolerance toward others?
*3.Preaching during Persecutions*
a. The disciples, including the Apostles, were satisfied with their comfort zone and did not see the need to take the gospel to unreached places. The Lord allowed the persecution to awaken them to His plan and purpose for them which is preaching the gospel. God at times allows persecutions to direct the believer to refocus on His divine purpose for them. *"Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word."* Who scattered them- God or Satan? The scattered believers did not retreat into silence or despair. At times the ignorance of believers makes them blaming Satan when it is God that is actually at work. They, instead, wherever they went, they proclaimed the gospel. Their circumstances changed, but their mission did not. Persecution became the vehicle through which Christianity spread into new territories.
b. Faithful believers do not wait for favourable conditions before serving God. Whether in peace or adversity, they remain committed to proclaiming Christ. Difficult seasons often create the greatest opportunities for the gospel to shine.
*Question*
Do challenges discourage you from witnessing for Christ or do they motivate you to trust Him and proclaim His truth more boldly?
*Prayer Points*
1.Father, grant me the grace to remain faithful and steadfast whenever I face persecution for Christ's sake
.
2.Lord, use every trial in my life to perfect my faith, strengthen my character and increase my usefulness in Your kingdom
.
3.Lord, fill me with boldness to preach Your Word faithfully in every circumstance, regardless of hardship or persecution
.
5.Father, turn every opposition against the gospel into an opportunity for greater evangelism and revival
*HYMN:* Hold the fort
*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* EXODUS 5-7.
2. Morning Prayer for today.
MP.i. Morning Prayer
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ⏤ James 1:17
In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. ⏤ John Bunyan
Our Father, breathe on us and give us a morning blessing. We thank You for keeping us through the night. We thank You for the blessings that came to us even while we slept. As a new day has dawned, may new divine light and peace pour into our lives. Fill our path with gladness. We ask You to provide our daily bread today. We don’t ask for luxury—just for what we need. May Your blessing be on everything we receive. We ask for the strength to do our work so we can earn the food we need. Open our eyes so we can see You as the Giver of all the good things we enjoy. Sometimes we forget that these blessings come from Your hand. We think we’ve gotten them by our own efforts. Show us that every good and perfect gift comes from You, and give us grateful hearts.
We want to live cheerfully today. Sometimes we complain and grumble about the little trials that come our way. Forgive us for all our complaining and give us hearts that are always thankful. You’ve promised that You work all things together for good for those who love You. Help us believe this promise, and when we face trials and losses, help us still rejoice, knowing that Your hand will bring good out of every situation. Help us trust You in all things, laying our cares in Your hands and leaving them there without anxiety.
You’ve promised to be with us always. Fulfill that promise for us today. We can’t go out into this new day without Your presence. We ask You to walk beside us, giving us Your protection, guidance, and help. We’ve never traveled this path before, and we can’t find the way on our own. We ask all this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/13/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.
Good morning, brethren.
1. Morning devotion for today
MD.i. 😀🌺🌹🎁🎀💝 MORNING TEA
THE WORD FOR TODAY
SATURDAY JULY 18, 2026.
"LOOKING GOOD, OR DOING GOOD?"
'…Jesus…went about doing good…’ Acts 10:38 NKJV
THE BIBLE says, ‘God anointed Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with power, Who went about doing good…’ When you’re led by God’s Spirit, your focus won’t be on looking good, but on doing good. You say, ‘But I’m so busy!’ Nobody was busier than Jesus, yet He always responded to those in need. In Luke chapter 10 He tells of a Jewish traveller who was attacked by a gang and left to die by the road. First a Levite, then a priest passed by. But each had important appointments to keep, so they didn’t stop. Then a Samaritan came along. Now, he had every reason to look the other way, because the Jews and the Samaritans were long-standing enemies. Instead, ‘…He…came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion’ (Luke 10:33 NKJV). Compassion will make you stop and rearrange your priorities. This Samaritan realised that where he was at that moment was more important than his next appointment. What would you have done that day? Do you think you’d have acted like him? How about when God tries to interrupt your inflexible, tightly-organised, written-in-concrete schedule and asks you to make time for someone who’s hurting? Are you willing to forgo your plans and do what He wants? If you’re too busy to reach out to those who are hurting, you’re too busy! You say, ‘But I’m shy around people.’ Then start with the people you know in your local church. ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith’ (Galatians 6:10 NKJV).
Bible In A Year: Acts 20-21; Matt 10:21-31; Ps 14; Pro 16:6-7. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation 🌹🎀
*To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🌹🌷🎀💝.
MD.ii. [17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS)
SATURDAY 18TH JULY, 2026```
*CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽♂️🙋🏽♀️✝️🧎🏽🧎🏽♀️🙏🏽
📜📜```TEXT:ACTS 8:1-4```📜📜
🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles" (ACTS 8:1).*_
*On its website, _Open Doors International,_ the Christian organisation, published its report on persecution of believers in 2024. The report showed that 4,476 Christians were murdered, 7,679 churches and Christian properties attacked and 4,744 Christians imprisoned across the globe. "In _Open Doors' World Watch List_ top 50 alone, 310 million Christians face very high or extreme levels of persecutions and discriminations for their faith", the report said. Christian persecution is real in our world today.*
*The early Church also faced persecution as we read from today's Bible passage. The horrible death of Stephen by public stoning in Acts 7 triggered a wave of serious persecutions led by Saul. While the church was mourning over the death of the young preacher, Saul "...made havok of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison" (Acts 8:3). The believers had no choice but to scatter and flee Jerusalem to safety. The good news though is that the scattering helped them to take the gospel to new locations.*
*Jesus warned the disciples to prepare for persecution in their journey of faith. He said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service" (John 16:1, 2). Persecution is normal in the Christian race, but the grace of God is also available to see us through to the end.*
*Since we may not be able to avoid persecution, what can we do? We must, like the early Church, develop effective survival strategies. These include prayerfulness, endurance, maintaining a joyful disposition and readiness to spread the gospel anywhere life takes us. We must also raise sound and committed disciples who are ready to labour anywhere and everywhere for the Master.*
✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Sometimes, God uses persecution as a tool for gospel propagation.*_
📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *EXODUS 5-7*📜📜
Christian Persecution
https://dailymanna.app//
*RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 78: FAITH OF OUR FATHERS; GHS 91: WHERE HE LEADS ME; GHS 55: ANYWHERE WITH JESUS; AND GHS 88: WHEREVER HE LEADS I'LL GO*
*TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter*
*#DailyManna18thJuly2026*
*#GCK*
*#WorshipNuggets*
*#BibleNuggets*
*#LeadershipNuggets*
*#RevivalNuggets*
*#CrusadeNuggets*
https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]
[17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```
_*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_
✍🏽👩🏻💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚
```SATURDAY 18TH JULY, 2026```
*RENEWING YOUR STRENGTH* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽♂️🙋🏽♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽♀️💪🏽🦅🗣️🙏🏽🙌🏽
📜📜```TEXT:ISAIAH 40:28-31```📜📜
📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (ISAIAH 40:31).*_
*Strength renewal in our text is predicated on waiting upon the Lord. For health and healing, man applies, natural, medical or spiritual means. These are aimed at helping man to function well. In life, renewal is the way to go if one wants to function optimally. Some trees shed their leaves seasonally and grow new ones to function better.*
*Farmers and wood cutters sharpen their blunting axes or machetes for ease of work. Students have siesta, mid-term breaks and holidays to renew the mind and body for excellent academic work. Also, machines are serviced regularly to prevent breakdown and for proper performance. Christians should follow godly principles for renewal of strength.*
*Dear friend, God's word says, "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Jehovah gives power and strength. How do we obtain them from Him? By just waiting upon Him. Wait by being silent before Him. Wait by reading and meditating on His word. Wait by praying and worshipping Him. However, sleep, rest, proper eating and exercise are also godly means of strength renewal.*
💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Jehovah gives power and strength.*_
🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Apply biblical methods for renewal of strength.*_
🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Father, give me strength to finish strong, in Jesus' name.*_
Renewing Your Strength
https://dailymanna.app//
*TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter*
*#HigherEveryday18thJuly2026*
*#GCK*
*#WorshipNuggets*
*#BibleNuggets*
*#LeadershipNuggets*
*#RevivalNuggets*
*#CrusadeNuggets*
https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]
[17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```
_*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_
🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇🏼🙇♀️🙇🏼🙇♀️🙇🏼♂️
```SATURDAY 18TH JULY, 2026```
*PREPARE FOR THE RAPTURE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽♂️🙋🏽♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽♀️🗣️🙏🏽🎺⚡✨☁️🙌🏽
📜📜```1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-17```📜📜
🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻
🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).*_
📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖
The rapture is the catching away of believers to meet Jesus in the air when the trumpet sounds. It will be a signal of the end of time. Only true friends of Jesus will hear this sound and go to meet Him in the clouds. Those who were friends of Jesus before they died will also hear the sound and rise from their graves to meet Jesus in the clouds. The marriage supper of the Lamb will take place there.
Sinners and backsliders will remain on earth to suffer under the reign of the antichrist for seven (7) years. The torment, torture and agony will be much, it would be unbearable. You must endeavour to escape that terrible time because there will be no time for delay, because it is dangerous to do so. *How will you prepare for the rapture?*
*- Know yourself as a sinner.*
*- Repent of your sins, confess them to God.*
*- Ask for forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus.*
*- Invite Jesus into your life as Saviour and Lord.*
*Begin to live for Christ by reading your Bible and praying every day. Tell others about Jesus. Live every day in holiness so that you will not miss the rapture.*
🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥
```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, help me to live in readiness for the rapture every day.*_ 🙏🏽
```📖 Further Reading:``` *Acts 1:9-11*
Prepare For The Rapture
https://dailymanna.app//
*TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter*
*#SincereMilk18thJuly2026*
*#GCK*
*#WorshipNuggets*
*#BibleNuggets*
*#LeadershipNuggets*
*#RevivalNuggets*
*#CrusadeNuggets*
https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]
[17/07, 7:41 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA*
SATURDAY, 18TH JULY, 2026.
*CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE*
*TEXT:* ACTS 8:1-4.
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
*Timeless Truth:*_"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world"_ (Acts 16:33).
*INTRODUCTION*
Have you ever experienced a serious persecution before? If no, then you are missing some divine blessings in your life. There is no genuine Christian, living the true Christian life that will not face some persecutions in some shape or form as a result of his faith or profession. Persecution has always been part of the Christian experience. Jesus warned His disciples that the world would hate them because it hated Him first (John 15:18–20). Yet God turns what the enemy intends for destruction into an instrument for purification, expansion and spiritual growth. The persecution that arose after Stephen's martyrdom scattered the believers, but it also spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem. Thus, persecution is never the end of God's work; it is often the beginning of a greater harvest.
*1.Persecutions for Perfection*
Persecution comes in different forms ranging from ridicule, deprivations, denials of rights, mockery, rejection and more violent despicable attacks from anybody for the sake of Christ. The Word of Christ on persecution is "when" and not "if", showing that every true believer will always experience it. The persecution He is referring to is as a result of living and standing for the truth. *"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"*. Those who never faced persecution or faced, but dodge it cannot claim to be righteous, but compromisers. They cannot claim to be Christlike, but betrayers of the cause of Christ. Such cannot enter heaven. Jesus further gave explanations on the nature of inescapable persecutions of christians and the blessings on them. *"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake"*. What should be our attitude towards persecutions? Our attitude will bring out or foreclose the blessings. *"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"* (Matthew 5:10-12). Persecutions make the believer to be more mature in the faith, help him to separate the wheat from the chaff in his Christian journey and produce Christ's virtue of Christlikeness and Christian perfections. Though it may not be pleasant and the persecutors are deceived to believe that they are achieving their evil objectives, yet God deliberately allowed it for the good of the Christian. Afterall, Jesus also was persecuted. Persecution is the badge of unfeigned and uncompromising faith in Christ.
b. *"And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem..."*
The early Church had enjoyed remarkable growth, fellowship and miracles. However, God allowed persecution to refine His people and moved them beyond their comfort zone. Spiritual maturity is often forged in the furnace of affliction. Trials expose genuine faith, produce perseverance and deepen dependence upon God (James 1:2–4; Romans 5:3–5). Instead of destroying the Church, persecution strengthened it and fulfilled Christ's command to take the gospel beyond Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). Believers should not interpret persecution as God's abandonment, but as an opportunity for spiritual perfection and greater usefulness in His kingdom.
*Question*
How have life's difficulties refined your faith and drawn you closer to Christ rather than away from Him?
*2.Persecutors without Prudence*
a. The persecutors lack wisdom. If satanic hosts and his human agents that they used to cause persecutions were wise, they would not have crucified Jesus and neither would they have persecuted the saints. *"Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory"*. If the Satanic host had known that the death of Stephen would open the door for the spread of the gospel, they would not have kill Stephen. Persecutions are heralds of revivals. *"As for Saul, he made havoc of the church..."* Saul zealously persecuted Christians, believing he was serving God. Religious passion without divine truth can become destructive.
b. While godly men buried Stephen with honour, Saul violently entered homes, arrested believers and committed them to prison. His actions remind us that ignorance of God's will, even when clothed in sincerity, can lead to cruelty and injustice.
Persecutors often fail to realize that they are resisting God's purposes. Yet God's grace is so abundant that even Saul, the chief persecutor, later became Paul, the great apostle of Christ. This demonstrates that no enemy is beyond God's transforming power. A persecutor is a potential convert when the persecuted learn to pray, praise and practice true Christianity in the midst of persecutions.
*Question*
Are your convictions producing Christlike compassion or do they encourage harshness and intolerance toward others?
*3.Preaching during Persecutions*
a. The disciples, including the Apostles, were satisfied with their comfort zone and did not see the need to take the gospel to unreached places. The Lord allowed the persecution to awaken them to His plan and purpose for them which is preaching the gospel. God at times allows persecutions to direct the believer to refocus on His divine purpose for them. *"Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word."* Who scattered them- God or Satan? The scattered believers did not retreat into silence or despair. At times the ignorance of believers makes them blaming Satan when it is God that is actually at work. They, instead, wherever they went, they proclaimed the gospel. Their circumstances changed, but their mission did not. Persecution became the vehicle through which Christianity spread into new territories.
b. Faithful believers do not wait for favourable conditions before serving God. Whether in peace or adversity, they remain committed to proclaiming Christ. Difficult seasons often create the greatest opportunities for the gospel to shine.
*Question*
Do challenges discourage you from witnessing for Christ or do they motivate you to trust Him and proclaim His truth more boldly?
*Prayer Points*
1.Father, grant me the grace to remain faithful and steadfast whenever I face persecution for Christ's sake 🙏.
2.Lord, use every trial in my life to perfect my faith, strengthen my character and increase my usefulness in Your kingdom 🙏.
3.Lord, fill me with boldness to preach Your Word faithfully in every circumstance, regardless of hardship or persecution 🙏.
5.Father, turn every opposition against the gospel into an opportunity for greater evangelism and revival🙏
*HYMN:* Hold the fort
*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* EXODUS 5-7.
2. Morning Prayer for today.
MP.i. Morning Prayer
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ⏤ James 1:17
In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. ⏤ John Bunyan
Our Father, breathe on us and give us a morning blessing. We thank You for keeping us through the night. We thank You for the blessings that came to us even while we slept. As a new day has dawned, may new divine light and peace pour into our lives. Fill our path with gladness. We ask You to provide our daily bread today. We don’t ask for luxury—just for what we need. May Your blessing be on everything we receive. We ask for the strength to do our work so we can earn the food we need. Open our eyes so we can see You as the Giver of all the good things we enjoy. Sometimes we forget that these blessings come from Your hand. We think we’ve gotten them by our own efforts. Show us that every good and perfect gift comes from You, and give us grateful hearts.
We want to live cheerfully today. Sometimes we complain and grumble about the little trials that come our way. Forgive us for all our complaining and give us hearts that are always thankful. You’ve promised that You work all things together for good for those who love You. Help us believe this promise, and when we face trials and losses, help us still rejoice, knowing that Your hand will bring good out of every situation. Help us trust You in all things, laying our cares in Your hands and leaving them there without anxiety.
You’ve promised to be with us always. Fulfill that promise for us today. We can’t go out into this new day without Your presence. We ask You to walk beside us, giving us Your protection, guidance, and help. We’ve never traveled this path before, and we can’t find the way on our own. We ask all this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/13/morning
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