What happens when people keep asking God for direction while refusing to obey what He has already said?

https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/17/ezekiel-20-when-god-confronts-a-history-of-rebellion/

Ezekiel 20 takes us through Israel’s painful history of rebellion—from Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land. Again and again, God’s people turned toward idols and rejected His commands. Yet one phrase keeps appearing: God acted for the sake of His name.

This chapter is a powerful reminder that God’s patience should never be mistaken for permission. His grace does not make sin insignificant—it should lead us to repentance.

The question Ezekiel 20 leaves us with is deeply personal:

Are we genuinely seeking God, or are we asking Him to approve a life we have not fully surrendered to Him?

Read the new blog as we explore Ezekiel 20: When God Confronts a History of Rebellion and discover what this chapter teaches about obedience, idolatry, judgment, grace, and the faithfulness of God.

#Ezekiel20 #BibleStudy #BookOfEzekiel #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #Repentance #Obedience #GodsGrace #GodsFaithfulness #OldTestament #AGuyAndHisBible

THE MONEY’S MIND
The Economic Way of the Lord

By Omodolapo Ogunye

What if the way out of an economic wilderness is not first a financial instrument, but a Person?

We often approach economic difficulty through the language of money: capital, debt, investment, employment, markets, policy and opportunity.

But the revelation of the Body of the Word gives us another starting point.

The Body of the Word is the way of the Lord.

Revelation 1 describes the feet of the Son of God as being “like bronze glowing in a furnace.” The imagery speaks of something firm, refined and established—a way.

Isaiah 40:4 declares:

“The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.”

The Word is therefore not merely something to believe.

The Word is a way to walk.

And this way has an economic and financial dimension.

THE MONEY IS THE WORD

Song of Solomon 5:11 gives us another dimension of the Body of the Word:

“His head is purest gold.”

Gold is a language of value, wealth and monetary significance. Yet Scripture uses gold to describe the Person of the Beloved—the Word.

This is the foundation of The Money’s Mind:

The Money is a Person.
The Money is the Word.
The Money has a Mind.

The economic question therefore becomes larger than how to acquire money.

What is the economic way of the Word?

How does the Word navigate an economy?

How does the Word respond to economic difficulty?

How does the Word create a way where there appears to be no way?

THE WAY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS

Isaiah 43:19 records the declaration:

“I am making a way in the desert.”

A desert represents an environment in which productivity appears constrained—a place where resources seem scarce, opportunities seem limited and progress becomes difficult.

There can be financial deserts.

There can be economic deserts.

There can be national economic wildernesses.

But the revelation is that a desert does not have to be the final destination.

God says, “I am making a way in the desert.”

A way in the desert becomes a way out of the desert.

This is where the economic way of the Lord becomes significant.

The Body of the Word, as the aggressive hunger of the Father, is presented as the pathway through economic environments—even environments marked by difficulty, uncertainty and apparent impossibility.

The answer is not simply to escape the economy.

It is to discover the way of God within it.

THE WAY IS ALSO A VOICE

Isaiah 30:21 provides another dimension:

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

The economic way of the Lord is therefore not merely a path.

It is a voice.

This is crucial because economic environments require judgment.

There are multiple opportunities.

Multiple markets.

Multiple investments.

Multiple business models.

Multiple directions.

The challenge is not always finding an opportunity.

Sometimes the challenge is knowing which way to walk.

The Word becomes a lamp.

Psalm 119:105 says:

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

The economic implication is profound:

You need economic sight before you need economic movement.

And the quality of your movement depends upon what you are capable of hearing.

WHAT YOU CRAVE, YOU LEARN TO HEAR

There is a principle embedded in this revelation: craving affects hearing.

What you continually desire begins to shape what you recognise.

If your deepest hunger is merely for money, you may become increasingly sensitive to opportunities for money while remaining insensitive to the wisdom required to carry it.

But if your hunger is for the Body of the Word, your capacity to recognise the voice of the Word begins to develop.

This changes the meaning of financial intelligence.

Financial intelligence is not merely knowing how money works.

It is knowing which way to walk with money.

It is knowing what to build.

What to avoid.

What to pursue.

What to preserve.

What to multiply.

What to abandon.

And, ultimately, what voice to follow.

THE ECONOMIC WAY OF THE LORD

The Body of the Word is described as burnished bronze.

The Body of the Word is described through blazing fire.

The Body of the Word is described in economic language through gold, riches, honor and enduring wealth.

When these revelations are brought together, a larger proposition emerges:

The Body of the Word, as the aggressive hunger of the Father, is the economic and financial way of the Lord.

This way is relevant to the individual, the enterprise and the nation.

It speaks to economic environments.

It speaks to financial decisions.

It speaks to productivity.

It speaks to wealth creation.

It speaks to the movement of the Father within the economies of nations.

And it speaks particularly to those seasons when the economy looks like a desert.

The desert may be real.

The difficulty may be real.

The financial pressure may be real.

But the absence of an obvious path does not mean there is no path.

The Word is the Way.

THE MONEY’S MIND

This is why The Money’s Mind is not simply about making money.

It is about discovering the Mind behind the Money.

The Money is the Word.

The Word has a Mind.

And the Mind of the Word reveals a way of seeing, thinking, creating, stewarding and navigating economic life.

So when you encounter an economic wilderness, the first question should not simply be:

“How do I get out?”

Ask:

“What is the way of the Lord here?”

And then:

“What is the voice saying: This is the way; walk in it?”

Because a way is being made.

Even in the desert.

The Body of the Word is the economic and financial way of the Lord.

The Money is the Word.

The Money has a Mind.

And the Mind of the Word knows the way.

Omodolapo Ogunye

THE MONEY’S MIND

The Body of the Word as Finance & Economics

The Kitchen
shows.acast.com/the-kitchen

Let's talk about it.
What if the greatest problem in our lives isn't that we have too little time for God?

What if the problem is that 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲?

We still pray.
We still worship.
We still read our Bibles.
We still go to church.
We still serve.

But somewhere along the way, God becomes something we fit into our lives rather than the One around whom our lives are built.

And Numbers 1 gives us a picture that we should not miss.

When Israel was in the wilderness, God gave Moses specific instructions concerning the tabernacle.

The Levites were to camp around it.
And the rest of Israel was to camp according to their tribes and standards.

Why?

Because the tabernacle—the place representing God's dwelling among His people was at the center.

Israel's camp was not randomly arranged.
Their lives were literally organized around the presence of God.

The Lord said:
“𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆...” (v53)

Think about the picture.

The tabernacle was in the middle.
The Levites surrounded it.
The tribes surrounded them.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗼𝗱'𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

That was more than an arrangement of tents.
It was a picture of how God's people were meant to live.

God was not supposed to be somewhere on the edge of Israel's life.

He was not an afterthought.
He was not something they visited when they had time.

𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿.

And perhaps that is where we need to stop and look at our own lives.

Because whatever sits at the center of your life will eventually determine the direction of everything around it.

If comfort is at the center, your decisions will revolve around comfort.
If money is at the center, your life will revolve around gaining and protecting it.
If approval is at the center, your peace will depend on what people think of you.
If success is at the center, your worth will rise and fall with your achievements.

Even ministry can become the center.
Even family can become the center.
Even good things can take the place that belongs to God.

When God is no longer at the center, everything else slowly begins to take a place it was never meant to occupy.

Israel's arrangement in Numbers reminds us of something we often forget:

God was not meant to be placed somewhere within the arrangement of our lives. He is meant to be the center around which our entire lives are ordered.

But here's where the gospel becomes beautiful.

God didn't merely tell Israel to arrange their camp around His presence.

𝗛𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

And then, centuries later, something even greater happened.

John 1:14 says:
“𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝘄𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀.”

The God who dwelt among Israel in the tabernacle came near to us in Jesus.

Christ entered our wilderness.
He came into our brokenness.
He came into our disorder.

And He came not merely to become part of our lives,
but to become the center of them.

God can be in our lives without being at the center of our lives.

You can give Him an hour on Sabbath and still organize the rest of your week around yourself.
You can pray to Him and still make every major decision without Him.
You can serve Him and still build your identity around something else.
You can carry His Word and still arrange your life around your own desires.

So today, don't simply ask:
“Where is God in my life?”

Ask:
“What is my life arranged around?”

What sits at the center?
What determines my priorities?
What controls my decisions?
What gives me my sense of worth?

Because whatever is at the center will eventually shape everything around it.

Israel had a center.
And that center was the dwelling place of God.

We have Christ.

So let Him be more than a part of your life.
Let Him be the One your life revolves around.

Not in the background.
Not on the edge.
Not when you have time.

𝗔𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿.

Because when Christ is at the center,
everything else can finally find its proper place.

Tuesday, 18th August, 2026

TITLE: "FORGETTING THE PAST, PRESSING TOWARD THE PRIZE"

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE(S)

Philippians 3:13–14 (KJV) "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Hebrews 12:1–2 (KJV) "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

QUOTE TO REFLECT ON

"Do not let yesterday hold you back from what God has prepared for tomorrow."

DAY'S REFLECTION

Life is a journey, and every journey has a past, a present, and a future. Some people remain trapped by past failures, disappointments, regrets, or even past successes. But Paul teaches us an important principle in Philippians 3:13–14: keep moving forward.

Paul says, "forgetting those things which are behind." This does not mean literally erasing the past from our memory. Rather, it means refusing to allow the past to control our present or determine our future. Past failures should teach us, not imprison us. Past successes should encourage us, not make us complacent.

The phrase "reaching forth" speaks of stretching forward with determination. Paul was focused on what was before him. He understood that spiritual growth requires continual progress. The Christian life is not about becoming comfortable with yesterday's achievements; it is about continually pursuing God's purpose.

Paul says, "I press toward the mark." To press means to pursue with determination despite difficulties. The mark is the goal or destination toward which he was moving. This teaches us that reaching God's purpose requires focus, perseverance, and discipline.

Hebrews 12:1 uses the picture of a race. Runners cannot successfully complete a race while carrying unnecessary weights. Likewise, there are attitudes, habits, relationships, distractions, and sins that can slow our spiritual progress. We must be willing to lay them aside.

The writer then gives us the secret of endurance: "Looking unto Jesus." Our eyes must remain fixed on Christ. People can disappoint us, circumstances can change, and our own strength can fail, but Jesus remains the author and finisher of our faith.

Jesus Himself endured the cross because He focused on the joy that was set before Him. In the same way, we must look beyond temporary difficulties toward the eternal purpose God has prepared for us.

Today, do not allow yesterday's failure to cancel tomorrow's opportunity. Learn from the past, release what must be released, remove every unnecessary weight, and keep your eyes on Jesus.

The race is not over. Keep running. Keep believing. Keep pressing forward.

MEDITATION SCRIPTURE(S)

Isaiah 43:18–19 (KJV) "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

1 Corinthians 9:24 (KJV) "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

LIFE LESSONS (IMPLICATIONS)

1. The past should be a lesson, not a prison.

2. Spiritual progress requires letting go of unnecessary weights.

3. God's purpose requires determination and perseverance.

4. We must keep our eyes on Jesus rather than becoming distracted by circumstances.

5. The Christian journey is a race that requires patience and endurance.

6. There is a God-given prize ahead for those who faithfully continue.

EVERYDAY ACTION

Release one past burden, remove one distraction, and take one purposeful step toward God's will today.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me release the past and press forward with faith. Remove every weight that slows me down and keep my eyes fixed on Jesus until I fulfil Your purpose. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DECLARATION

I will not be controlled by my past. I press forward toward God's purpose and keep my eyes on Jesus. Every weight is removed, my faith is strengthened, and I will finish my race faithfully and receive the prize in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Devotion by

Rev. Frank Fabian Aidoo
+233 544 295 158

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Daily Bible Lesson.
THE USA IN BIBLE PROPHECY! Rev 13:11

At the height of the papacy's power, its "iron teeth" fell upon Protestant Reformers. WHO PROTESTED THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES UNBIBLICAL TEACHINGS....

Many of those who were not martyred, however, found a means of escape to the New World.

Revelation prophesied this exodus in the symbol of a faithful woman, who represents God's true church. This woman, "persecuted" (12:13) by the dragon through papal Rome, fled "into the wilderness" during "a time and times and half a time" (v.14), the same 1,260 years of papal supremacy. Thus, the prey escaped the predator, and the most notable republic in the world was born.

In 1776, the United States declared its independence. It established its own rule of law, the Constitution (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791).

By 1798, simultaneous with the head wound to the Roman Church, the nations of Europe recognized the United States as an independent world power, one built on TWO UNIQUE PRINCIPLES REPRESENTED BY the earth beast's two-lamb-like horns:
(Rev. 13:11) ...
REPUBLICANISM, a government without a king, and
PROTESTANTISM, a church without a pope.

( The two lamb like horns in verse 13:11 represented the 2 principles America was founded on..)

1) We were a republican Nation ~
we had a constitution
had, had had....
and 2) we were blessed by God for being a
Protestant nation)

The United States became the standard bearer of freedom of conscience and embodiment of the separation of church and state--all that the Roman Catholic Church was not.

THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST!!!

But the Bible makes a surprising prediction: AMERICA WILL FALL AWAY FROM ITS FOUNDING PRINCIPLES and advocate for the sea beast,
(Papacy) the very power the Founding Fathers resisted. Revelation 13:12-15 has a few key take aways:

A. The United States forms "an image to the beast"
(Rome)
This is not a statue; rather,
"an image"is a "representation" or "RESEMBLANCE."
Hence, an "image of the beast"(v.15) will be a religiopolitical power that look, speaks, and AND ACTS LIKE THE PAPACY!!!

B. The image of the beast will use a combination of deception (v.14) and coercion (v.15) to achieve universal worship of the papacy (vv.12,15).

C. The ultimate power behind the transformation of the United States is the dragon, Satan, who extends his "authority" (v.12) from the sea beast to the earth beast (v.4).
According to the Bible, the United States will one day LOOK, SPEAK, AND ACT LIKE THE PAPACY.

FACT: During the 1,260 years, the little horn "[persecuted] the saints of the Most High" (Daniel 7:25). During this period of papal supremacy, dubbed the Dark Ages, the Catholic Church labeled as heretics those who followed the Word of God over its own doctrines and, sources state, it condemned more than 50 million people to death.

Daily Bible Lesson.
THE USA IN BIBLE PROPHECY! Rev 13:11

At the height of the papacy's power, its "iron teeth" fell upon Protestant Reformers. WHO PROTESTED THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES UNBIBLICAL TEACHINGS....

Many of those who were not martyred, however, found a means of escape to the New World.

Revelation prophesied this exodus in the symbol of a faithful woman, who represents God's true church. This woman, "persecuted" (12:13) by the dragon through papal Rome, fled "into the wilderness" during "a time and times and half a time" (v.14), the same 1,260 years of papal supremacy. Thus, the prey escaped the predator, and the most notable republic in the world was born.

In 1776, the United States declared its independence. It established its own rule of law, the Constitution (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791).

By 1798, simultaneous with the head wound to the Roman Church, the nations of Europe recognized the United States as an independent world power, one built on TWO UNIQUE PRINCIPLES REPRESENTED BY the earth beast's two-lamb-like horns:
(Rev. 13:11) ...
REPUBLICANISM, a government without a king, and
PROTESTANTISM, a church without a pope.

( The two lamb like horns in verse 13:11 represented the 2 principles America was founded on..)

1) We were a republican Nation ~
we had a constitution
had, had had....
and 2) we were blessed by God for being a
Protestant nation)

The United States became the standard bearer of freedom of conscience and embodiment of the separation of church and state--all that the Roman Catholic Church was not.

THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST!!!

But the Bible makes a surprising prediction: AMERICA WILL FALL AWAY FROM ITS FOUNDING PRINCIPLES and advocate for the sea beast,
(Papacy) the very power the Founding Fathers resisted. Revelation 13:12-15 has a few key take aways:

A. The United States forms "an image to the beast"
(Rome)
This is not a statue; rather,
"an image"is a "representation" or "RESEMBLANCE."
Hence, an "image of the beast"(v.15) will be a religiopolitical power that look, speaks, and AND ACTS LIKE THE PAPACY!!!

B. The image of the beast will use a combination of deception (v.14) and coercion (v.15) to achieve universal worship of the papacy (vv.12,15).

C. The ultimate power behind the transformation of the United States is the dragon, Satan, who extends his "authority" (v.12) from the sea beast to the earth beast (v.4).
According to the Bible, the United States will one day LOOK, SPEAK, AND ACT LIKE THE PAPACY.

FACT: During the 1,260 years, the little horn "[persecuted] the saints of the Most High" (Daniel 7:25). During this period of papal supremacy, dubbed the Dark Ages, the Catholic Church labeled as heretics those who followed the Word of God over its own doctrines and, sources state, it condemned more than 50 million people to death.

THE PILGRIMS GUIDE

MONDAY AUGUST 17, 2026

THE MIRACULOUS FILLINGS FROM GOD

A WORD FROM THE WORD:

"And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts." 2 Kings 3:16-17 KJV.

From the context of our foundational Scripture we saw that Jehoshaphat the King of Judah, in alliance with King Jehoram of Israel, were stranded in the wilderness with their troops, who could not find any water as they prepared for war against Edom. They were afraid that severe thirst would kill them and their men even before the fight with Edom. They consulted Elisha the prophet of God who got a word from God for them.

What was needed was water, it did not matter whether it will come without rain or without a river providing it. There are miraculous things that will happen for those who know how to seek God and follow His direction. God wants to instruct and direct His children. He says 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.' (Psalm 32:8 ESV).

As you listen to Him, He will guide you into outstanding results, even if it requires breaking protocols.

PRAYER BULLETS:

ABBA Father, thank You for Your promises. Guide me, O Shepherd of my soul into the miraculous, even to the breaking of protocols.

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 48:17; Proverbs 3:5-6; Ephesians 3:20.
_________________________________________

Amaobi Nwachukwu 2026.

If you're blessed by this, please, do share with others.

And if you'll like to partner with us, kindly check page 3 of our hard copy edition or better still send us a WhatsApp message or call on +234 8098421967.

#ThePilgrimsGuide.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy your Sunday Church Services and God Bless!

Good evening, brethren.
1. Evening devotion for today.

ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST*
(COCIN DEVOTIONAL)

*DATE:*
SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST, 2026.

*SUB-THEME:*
YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD'S GRACE.

*TOPIC:*
BE SANCTIFIED.

*TEXT:*
1 THESSALONIANS 4:4-5.
4 Each of you must know how to control his own body in a holy and honorable manner,
5 not with passion and lust like the gentiles who do not know God.
1Co 15:34 Eph 4:18 [Col 3:5]

*TOPIC:*
BE SANCTIFIED.

*THE MESSAGE:*
To be sanctified means to be set apart for God's purpose. God is holy (Lev. 20:7), so He calls His people to live in holiness, especially the way they control their bodies. In our reading, believers are urged to practice self-discipline, avoid sexual immorality, live honourably, and not be driven by lust like unbelievers. Sadly, many youths today compromise their sanctification through exposure to immoral content, substance abuse, and other defiling influences. Unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and eloping marriages are rampant. These affect the Christian testimony adversely. God desires pure vessels for His glory. Are you trapped in such vices? Do not give up; God is the God of second chances. Come to Him in repentance and be cleansed.

*REFLECTION:*
Sanctification is not optional.

*PRAYER:*
Lord, help me to set myself aside for Your use. Amen.

*MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:*
2 TIMOTHY 2:21.
"If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work."

*TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:*
LAMENTATIONS 1-5.

ED.ii. THE STRUGGLE TO PRAY

"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me." - Romans 7:21-23

Many people find it difficult to pray because they are struggling. You want to pray, read the Bible and go to the church meeting. You want to obey God and follow Him. But it seems like a battle has started in you. It seems as if there is an inner struggle between the light and the darkness and you do not know what to do. You had such a need to do the abovementioned, but it is as if the evil one is whispering all kinds of wrong things to you. You got up in the morning with the best intentions but a few hours later they are all gone.

The struggle between two natures

There was a time when the great apostle Paul was also bothered by this: 'For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing' (Romans 7:19). There is a law of the flesh which pulls you down and a law of the Spirit which pulls you up.

This means that there are still two natures working in your life. It means that the 'old man' has not died yet. It means that the process to Calvary has not yet taken place in you. The 'old man' is still too strong. This struggle must end in your life and Jesus wants to help you with that. You have to go from Romans 7 to Romans 8, which starts with: 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.'

Only people who desire to live in this new and redeemed life of Romans 8 are able to be real intercessors and prayer warriors. Allow that 'old man' to die like the seed must die first before it bears fruit.


https://www.theblessingdevotional.com

2. Evening prayer for today.

EP.i. Evening Prayer

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. ⏤ Psalm 91:1-2

God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them. ⏤ Augustine of Hippo

O God, our Father in Heaven, You have kept us through another week, and now we come to You seeking an evening blessing. We thank You for all that this week has been to us. Your goodness and mercy have been with us every day and every night. You have provided for us daily, just as You provided manna for Your people in the wilderness. You have blessed us with health, with friends, with the comforts of home, and with all the good things You have given us this week.

But we haven’t been as faithful in our part. We’ve been forgetful and careless. We haven’t fulfilled all our duties to each other and to our neighbors. We’ve left many things undone that we should have done. Please forgive us and help us to learn from our failures so that we can live holier lives in the coming week.

We leave all our work in Your hands. We look forward to Sunday with hope and longing, as we desire to come again to Your house of worship. Our souls thirst for You like dry, barren land thirsts for rain. Please prepare us for Sunday, so that when it comes, we may be ready to receive rich blessings.

Keep us through the night. Protect us from all harm. Preserve our bodies from sickness and accidents, and our souls from all kinds of evil. May we rest in peaceful sleep and wake up refreshed. We ask for special protection for our home from fire and any other dangers. We also remember our friends. Please give them a Saturday evening blessing.

Hear our evening prayers, bless us, comfort us, strengthen us, and keep us. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/41/evening

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.

SERMON TITLE: "DON'T USE QURAN TO ANSWER QURAN BUT ONLY TRUTH TO ANSWER LIES OF QURAN"

Key Warning Text: Proverbs 26:4 “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.”
Theme Text: Amos 3:3 “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?”
Truth & Error Cannot Walk Together

INTRO: JESUS’ METHOD IN THE WILDERNESS
Matthew 4:4,7,10 - Satan quoted scripture-twisted. Jesus never debated him on his terms.
He answered 3 times: “IT IS WRITTEN”

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
We don’t go into darkness to fight it. We shine light.

---

POINT 1: THE WARNING - PROVERBS 26:4 TO TEACHERS
Proverbs 26:4 “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.”

What does this mean for teachers today?

“DON'T USE QURAN TO ANSWER QURAN”
Don’t fight error with error. Don’t use another book to prove another book.
The moment a teacher of the Word picks up the enemy’s weapon, they risk “lest you be like him yourself.”
2 Corinthians 4:2 “we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word”
Galatians 5:9 “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”

“BUT ONLY TRUTH TO ANSWER LIES OF QURAN”
What is Truth? John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
Ephesians 5:11 “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
Ephesians 6:17 “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Jesus, Peter, Paul never quoted pagan books to win people. They preached “Christ crucified” 1 Cor 1:23 and “It is written”.

DIRECT WARNING TO TEACHERS:
Brother/Sister, if you are mixing the Bible with other books to "win arguments" or "reach Muslims" —
STOP. James 3:1 “we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
Truth and error cannot walk together Amos 3:3. You will corrupt the Gospel Gal 1:8-9.

POINT 2: JESUS’ JUDGMENT ON CHURCHES WHO COMPROMISED
Revelation 2:14-16 To Pergamum: “you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam... Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.”

Balaam’s sin? Compromise and mixing to get God’s people to sin Num 31:16.
Jesus says He will WAR against teachers who mix.

Revelation 2:5 To Ephesus: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will remove your lampstand.”
You can lose your light as a church if you don’t abide in truth.

POINT 3: WE WIN SOULS BY GRACE, NOT BY KNOWLEDGE OR EFFORTS
This is why many teachers fall into mixing. They think: “If I master their book, I’ll win them.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing”
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “my message was not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power”

The 144,000 Rev 14:4-5 overcame by:
Blood RED7 + Testimony + Following the Lamb + No lie in their mouth.

God saves. John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.”
Our job: Faithfully preach the Word. The Spirit GREEN7 convicts.

POINT 4: HOW TO ANSWER LIES - 3 BIBLICAL STEPS
ANSWER WITH SCRIPTURE ONLY 2 Tim 3:16-17 - “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable”
Example: Lie - “Jesus didn’t die.” Truth - Isaiah 53:5, 1 Cor 15:3-4
EXPOSE, DON’T EMBRACE Eph 5:11 - Shine light on the lie. Don’t study it to quote it.
SPEAK TRUTH IN LOVE Eph 4:15, 2 Tim 2:24-25 - Goal is repentance, not winning.

CONCLUSION + ALTAR CALL:
2 Corinthians 4:4 “The god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not”
Only the Gospel can open eyes 2 Cor 4:6.

3 COMMANDS FOR TEACHERS:
STOP - Stop using error to fight error. Prov 26:4
REPENT - If you have compromised. Rev 2:5, 2:16
ABIDE - “If you abide in my word, you