DAY 18 - Morning Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strengthens The Marriage 🌅 Morning Reflection Protect Your Friendship Good morning, Before you became husband and wife, you were two people who discovered something special in each other. Friendship. But sometimes marriage becomes so occupied with responsibilities that friendship quietly disappears. You discuss school fees. You discuss the children. You discuss electricity bills. You discuss work. But when did you last simply laugh together? When did you last sit and talk about nothing important? Friendship is not an optional extra in marriage. It is part of the foundation. 📖 God's Word "A friend loves at all times." — Proverbs 17:17 ❤️ Today's Love Action Spend some time together today doing something neither of you considers a responsibility. Take a walk. Share a meal. Tell jokes. Listen to music. Simply enjoy each other's company. 💬 Let's Talk What did you enjoy doing together before marriage that you could bring back into your relationship? 🙏 Prayer Lord, restore the friendship in our marriage. Help us enjoy one another again and not allow responsibilities to steal our companionship. Amen. 🌿 From The Counselor's Chair A couple can share a house, children and finances and still become emotionally distant. Friendship keeps the heart connected. 💎 Marriage Nugget "Don't become such good partners in managing life that you forget to be friends." Remember In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

Gideon defeated an overwhelming enemy, experienced an incredible victory, and became one of Israel’s most celebrated leaders. But his greatest danger may have come after the battle was over. https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/16/when-success-becomes-a-snare-learning-from-the-final-years-of-gideon/ In Judges 8, Gideon tells the people, “The LORD will rule over you!” Yet what follows reveals a troubling spiritual decline. He accumulated wealth, began living much like the king he said he would never become, and created an ephod that eventually became an object of false worship. His story gives us a warning we still need today: Winning yesterday’s battle does not guarantee tomorrow’s faithfulness. Success can test our hearts just as much as suffering. Recognition can become a trap. Influence can become identity. Even something connected to our faith can become an idol when it takes the place that belongs to God alone. The question is not simply, “Am I succeeding?” We also need to ask: Am I becoming more faithful?
 Am I still teachable?
 Am I pointing people toward Jesus or toward myself?
 What kind of spiritual legacy am I leaving behind? Read the new blog: “When Success Becomes a Snare: Learning From the Final Years of Gideon.” #Gideon #Judges8 #ChristianLiving #BiblicalLeadership #FinishingWell #Faithfulness #GuardYourHeart #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLeadership #BibleStudy #FollowingJesus

Day 17 - Evening Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strengthens The Marriage. 🌙 Reflection Tonight, think of something your spouse did today that blessed you. Don't let the day end without saying thank you. 📖 God's Word "Give thanks in all circumstances." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 🌙 Heart Check Did I appreciate my spouse today or simply expect them to serve me? 🙏 Prayer Lord, make gratitude a natural language in our home. Amen. 💎 Marriage Nugget "Appreciation turns ordinary acts of love into treasured memories." Remember In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts

Day 16 - Evening Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strengthens The Marriage 🌙 Reflection Think about the promises you make. Good evening, Are your words becoming more dependable or less dependable? 📖 God's Word "The integrity of the upright guides them." — Proverbs 11:3 🌙 Heart Check Can my spouse safely depend on my word? 🙏 Prayer Lord, strengthen our integrity and make our marriage a safe place for trust. Amen. 💎 Marriage Nugget "Trust grows quietly through consistent faithfulness." Remember In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

DAY 16 - Morning Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strengthens The Marriage 🌅 Reflection Trust Is Built in Small Things Good morning, Trust is rarely built through one dramatic act. It grows through ordinary faithfulness. Keeping your word. Being where you said you would be. Being honest about money. Being transparent about friendships. Following through on promises. A husband doesn't have to make grand declarations every day to build trust. A wife doesn't have to prove her love through extraordinary gestures. Small acts of consistency quietly tell your spouse: "You can depend on me." 📖 God's Word "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." — Luke 16:10 ❤️ Today's Love Action Keep one promise you have made to your spouse, especially one you may have been tempted to postpone. 💬 Let's Talk What everyday behaviour makes you feel secure in your spouse's love? 🙏 Prayer Lord, make us trustworthy people whose words and actions agree. Help us build a marriage where both hearts feel safe. Amen. 🌿 From The Counselor's Chair: Trust is like a savings account. Small deposits matter, and careless withdrawals can be costly. 💎 Marriage Nugget: "Trust grows quietly through consistent faithfulness." Remember In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

THE PILGRIMS GUIDE SUNDAY AUGUST 16, 2026 STAND TILL MANIFESTATION A WORD FROM THE WORD: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1 NKJV. God has called you to a life of total freedom and liberty. He obtained your deliverance through the blood of His one and only Begotten Son, the LORD Jesus, who offered a great, vicarious, complete and thorough sacrifice that guaranteed a great life for you. The devil has lost completely in every aspect of your life. The LORD Jesus came out of the grave announcing His victory over hell and death. You need to realise and hold on to the truthful fact that the devil is not going to give up without a fight. He will do everything possible in his power to stop the manifestation of your victory. The devil will roar like a lion but he does not have what it takes to prevail. You are the winner. All you need is to develop the kind of attitude that makes winning a reality. Learn how to stand until your victory is manifested. The LORD Jesus has empowered you with all that you will ever need. Take authority over the works of the devil and claim your victory once and for all. No matter how bad it may seem, choose to stand until the battle is over. Make sure you do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. Stand strong till the manifestation of your victory. PRAYER BULLETS: LORD Jesus, thank You for the victory You won for me by the reason of Your sacrificial death. Help me to stand firm in You till it manifests in my life. FURTHER READING: Galatians 5:1-26; John 8:36; Ephesians 6:10-13; James 4:7. __________________________________________ ©️ 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.

Day 15 - Evening Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES: Making Daily Decisions That Strenthens The Marriage 🌙 Reflection Before you sleep, remember that today's choice matters. Every kind word, every act of patience and every moment of faithfulness is another vote for your marriage. 📖 God's Word "Above all, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." — Colossians 3:14 🌙 Heart Check What did I do today that communicated, "I still choose you"? 🙏 Prayer Father, thank You for the gift of marriage. Help us never take one another for granted. Amen 🏡 AROUND THE FAMILY TABLE Read Together James 1:19–20 Discuss Together Which communication habit has helped our marriage most? Where do we need to listen more carefully to each other? What assumption do we need to stop making? How can we make our home a safer place for honest conversations? Family Challenge For the coming week, establish a simple "Ten-Minute Connection Time." Ten minutes. No phones. No television. No children interrupting if possible. Just husband and wife, talking and listening. Pray Together Ask God to make your home a place where every person feels heard, respected, understood and loved. 💎 Marriage Nugget "Marriage becomes stronger when choosing each other becomes a daily decision, not merely a past decision." Remember In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.

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

AUGUST 15 DAY 15 - Morning Theme: LOVE THAT CHOOSES Making Daily Decisions That Strengthen the Marriage 🌅 Morning Reflection Choose Your Spouse Again Good Morning! There was a time when you chose each other with excitement. You dressed up. You made plans. You dreamed about the future. Then life happened. Bills arrived. Children came. Responsibilities increased. Work became demanding. Some dreams changed. But one of the beautiful things about marriage is that you don't only choose each other on the wedding day. You keep choosing each other every day. You choose patience when irritation would be easier. You choose forgiveness when resentment feels justified. You choose conversation instead of silence. You choose faithfulness when temptation appears. You choose love when feelings are tired. Your wedding vow may have been spoken once, but its meaning is lived every day. 📖 God's Word "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." — Colossians 3:12 ❤️ Today's Love Action Tell your spouse today: "I still choose you." Then mention one reason why. 💬 Let's Talk What made you choose your spouse in the beginning, and what makes you continue choosing them today? 🙏 Prayer Lord, renew our commitment to one another. Help us choose love, faithfulness and grace even on difficult days. Amen. 🌿 From The Counselor's Chair: Feelings change with circumstances, but mature love learns to make faithful choices even when emotions fluctuate. 💎 Marriage Nugget "Marriage becomes stronger when choosing each other becomes a daily decision, not merely a past decision." Remember In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts

Day 14 - Evening Theme: UNDERSTANDING BEFORE BEING UNDERSTOOD: Building Connection Through Communication and Compassion Reflection Tonight, don't focus on what your spouse did wrong. Think about one thing you understand better about them because of this week's conversations. Thank God for the privilege of knowing another person's heart. 📖 God's Word "Be kind and compassionate to one another." — Ephesians 4:32 🌙 Heart Check Am I still curious about my spouse's heart? ❤️ My (LEWIS') HEART NOTE Over the years, I have discovered that many couples don't stop loving each other; they simply stop understanding each other. They become familiar with each other's routines but unfamiliar with each other's hearts. My encouragement is simple: Stay curious about your spouse. Ask questions. Listen to the answers. Notice the changes. Pay attention to the things they don't say. Sometimes the person you married years ago is carrying new dreams, new fears and new responsibilities today. Don't assume you already know everything about them. Keep discovering one another. 🙏 Prayer Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of marriage. Help us never stop learning how to love one another. Let understanding replace assumptions, compassion replace criticism, and grace replace resentment. Amen. 💎 Marriage Nugget: "The longer you are married, the more you should discover—not assume—you know about each other." Remember In marriage, it is not about winning the argument; it is about winning each other's hearts.